The Prodigal Son and FiwiVoice.com
The last couple months have seen some very tense and outrageous controversies on FiwiVoice.com, as a result of Articles critiquing the actions of Reggae Gospel sensation Prodigal Son. Surprising to us, in those controversies there were some who had the impression that we at www.FiwiVoice.com must have some particular bone of contention with the minister.
After LONG contemplation, I think it is wise to clarify these concerns, clarify how we view the ministry of the minister and to drive home to you readers the purpose of www.FiwiVoice.com.
“Gun Shot Fi Di Devil”… Correction
I must say that the article entitled “Gun Shot Fi di Devil” was in retrospect an unbalanced and therefore, an unfairly argued article. There needed to have been some arguing of Prodigal’s case, a defense for him, something to show that we give him as a Christian brother the benefit of the doubt. The lack of that defense made it seem like a ruthless assault to some. We apologize to you Prodigal.
I need to note though that I am not retracting our stance on the essential point expressed in that article – the gun metaphor, it may be different to the sword, but its not wrong; the solider and war vibe not wrong either, in fact they are all very Christian. What the article was addressing was not these issues but what seemed to have been the glorifying of, or overemphasis on the gun, thats all. You’re free to disagree.
Why We Critique Prodigal Son
We have written some Articles about Prodigal and many would make it appear that he is the only person we have ever critiqued. Well first of all he is not the only person we have critiqued, as is evidenced in the article concerning Glory Music, the YouthLink, some Televangelists, Red Stripe Beer and even the Government. We speak out on whatever issue we believe has some impact on the youth in Jamaica, and we show no bias in what we say.
Now, we criticize Prodigal when we seem him do wrong for the same reason why I, the writer of this article has consistently prayed for him (sometimes everyday), long before these controversial Articles were ever even written. It is because Prodigal Son hands-down is one of the greatest treasures that Gospel Reggae and the Jamaican society as a whole possess today, and so we expect more of him than we do others, and must hold him accountable to a higher standard.
His Music is rich, the quality is incomparable, his performance is always exceptional, lyrically the man is versed and he possesses a presence that is just uncommon. Prodigal to me has always been relevant to the Jamaican context, speaking out against injustice and for the oppressed. He is unquestionably the ambassador of Gospel Reggae to Jamaica’s non-Christian masses today, especially because of his contracts and his very organized approach to ministry. And so, when Prodigal says something the impact is great. We’ve seen on this very site where people have called him their hero – that is significant.
Even Prodigal will admit that for far too long, too many youths have been affected in the church because people of influence in their lives made “one or two simple mistakes-no big deal” – but which greatly affected them. We hold it as our duty to stop this wherever we can.
Haffi Use Up Fi wi Voice
So let me establish a clear position here as to what you can expect from FiwiVoice.com.
“Significant public figures, when they do or say things in the public domain that we here, coming from a biblical standpoint, deem unprofitable and potentially dangerous to the youth of this nation, we will - we cannot help but state our stance clearly.” – if we are wrong, we are wrong and will apologize humbly, but our aim always is to speak the truth in love.
Bless up Prodi…I pray you’ve analyzed all that has happened over these past months and you’ve seen the good and forgotten the bad. We support your ministry and do thank God for His work in your life.
Andrew Wildes
Executive Director
www.FiwiVoice.com
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<p>The last couple months have seen some very tense and outrageous controversies on FiwiVoice.com, as a result of articles critiquing the actions of <strong>Reggae Gospel sensation Prodigal Son</strong>. Surprising to us, in those controversies there were some who had the impression that we at www.FiwiVoice.com must have some particular bone of contention with the minister.</p>
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Andrew Wildes
This article was written by Andrew Wildes and added
11 months, 2 weeks ago
to The Agenda, perspective-guidance.
Andrew Wildes says... Andrew Wildes has a passion to see radically God-centered yutes be raised up all across Jamaica and the world, to shake the foundations of their generation for God. He is a director of Fiwivoice.com.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
Bless up Andrew! And bless up Prodigal Son!
It is disappointing though that it had to come to this, and all because good Christian folk refuse to acknowledge the right of others to disagree with us.
If we took the time to read the ‘offending article’ properly one more time, we will see that the focus was on how the serious issue of spiritual warfare was and is carried out, and not so much on the artiste. Please examine the quote below
” We wonder if the appalling spiritual state of our churches, our nation and our lives as Christians in Jamaica today, especially in comparison to the lives of many in different cultures and generations before us has anything to do with how little we actually know about spiritual warfare (despite all the carnal gun bussing at Gospel shows)? Could have anything to do with how we have reduced an eternally great issue, to dance moves and pretend gun fire, while not communicating with as much fervor what true spiritual warfare entails? ” (end quote)
That was and is the real issue……. the devil is more than happy to have us tracing each other over who a fight gainst di artiste, instead of focussing on the serious truth that pretend gun fire at a concert is carnal
at best.
Guess what? - the devil doesn’t have a marrow to fly, we can’t stab him in his neck or jook out his yieee. It sound good, and Lord knows it would be really nice if someting did go suh fi true…….but it’s not, u know? and we need to deal with that….after all it is a war….spiritual war….
The learned among us with speak of contemporizing and contextualising, but God never makes a mistake. Someone even referred to Paul’s analogy of the sword of the spirt being similar to the sword of the Roman soldiers. But that’s not quite true, u see, the first time a sword in mentioned in the Bible, it’s in the book of Genesis: chapter 3 vs 24
A flaming sword which turned every which way to keep the way of the tree of life.
Now run to Joshua 5 v s 13, where Joshua meets the Captain of the host of Lord who his sword drawn……….
Please, please take the time to search the Bible and see the number of times that angels appear with swords. That’s where Paul got the Sword of the Spirit NOT the Roman soldier.
Some might say the sword is Old Testament, but please check out Revelation 1 vs. 16…..the Alpha & Omega in all his glory with a sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth…. Don’t stop there, go to
Revelation 19 vs. 11-21 Jesus Christ coming in all his glory as King of Kings and Lord of Lords…and there it is again in verses 15 & 21- the sword !
Brothers and sisters - God nuh mek mistake………if Him say sword, is sword Him mean, from Genesis to Revelation.
There is a power attached to swords, and while we tend to downplay it in Christianity (to our peril), you see it in the occult, the role-playing games, the martial Arts…..
But don’t take my word for it……..brothers and sisters, please search the Scriptures and ask God to reveal the importance of not only the sword of the Spirit, but the Full armour of God………it is a matter of life and death… please choose life.
January 24th, 2008 at 12:53 am
good stuf Andrew…lesha indeed while the article wasnt geared towards the artiste/ man behind the vest so to speak…it was taken out of context by a few individuals and hence this response…appreciate ur comment & indeed we must search t scriptures ourselves…otrwise we losssst…
NB Hos. 4:6 and 1 Cor. 8:1. For lack of knowledge my people perish; but knowledge puffeth up, and charity[love] edifieth. Knowledge without love is ugly; love without knowledge is impotent.
January 24th, 2008 at 8:50 am
(Mi can chat eeh?) but I just want to second what Andrew said about Prodigal, he really is an ambassasdor for Christ. I remember seeing him on All Angles and maximum respect was due……..he spoke his truth calmly, clearly, fearlessly and authoritatively …. and it was clear that this is a man who really believes in justice for everybody including those in the innercity who nuh have nobody fi talk fi dem!
And yeah - nuff people did vex because he spoke some ‘uncomfortable’ truths, that folks from higher levels in society nuh like………..and it
takes a lot of courage to speak ‘uncomfotable’ truths - but he did it anyway, because true justice demanded that it be said.
I believe that this is only the tip of the things that God wants him to do.
There is cause for concern though regarding those of us who place him
above scrutiny, questioning or constructive criticism, because in doing so
we idolize him………..and place him in danger, because God will not share His glory with another, and all idols are under a divine sentence of destruction.
For those of us who devilishly oppose him secretly or openly, we do so to our destruction for God will fight his battles, and we can’t defeat God.
So Prodigal……gwaan do yuh thing subject to God’s leading & approval, and remember no matter what….one man + God = the Majority.