The trap of spiritual mimicry on television

September 1, 2022Thierry EDJEGUE

The broadcast on August 25, 2022 of the Madame & Monsieur series especially the last in the program of the day is talking. A scene relating to a session of deliverance, highlights the failure of the prayers of a man of God and the success of a marabout or traditionalist. The pill is bitter for Christians and other religious people. Social networks are used to make the production team wait for reason. To better understand this outcry, we met Louis Marie ENGBALA young Baptist Christian and promoter of the Facebook page @LesPenséesdeZukov follow instead:

Christian Journal: Since the broadcast of episode 59 of the Madame & Monsieur series, the web has been agitated, everyone goes to their little commentary to participate in the debate on who holds the real power, the men of GOD (pastor) or the witch doctor (wanda man ). Christian that you are, have you watched this sequence? What comment does that suggest to you?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : I am following with great interest this season 3 of the Madame&Monsieur series, myself having also participated in the casting for the recruitment of actors organized in Douala in September 2021.

As a Christian, the question that should be asked in my opinion is to know in which camp the director of this series stands. Beyond being an art of entertainment, cinema today represents a real cultural vector and a tool for promoting and defending the values ​​to which we adhere. So on which side is the thinking team of this series, on the side of God or that of the occult and the chain?

Christian Journal: Many Christians were offended by this scene. What do you think is at the root of this attitude?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : I think this scene is a downright denial of the authority, might and power of God and for a Christian such a depiction can only be shocking and revolting.

Christian Journal: Far from the images and other emotions raised by this episode 59 according to you A marabout (witch doctor) can succeed where religion has failed (twice) as we see in this episode. ?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : To answer this question, I think the Word of God (the Bible) is quite clear on this.

The Bible says in Matthew, 28:18 – Jesus, having approached, spoke to them thus: All power has been given to me in heaven and in earth.

Now, I don’t know if by talking about religion here, you’re referring to a man of God. If this is the case, since all power has been given to Jesus, the question is whether the marabout (witch doctor) or the man of God best represents Jesus on earth. Only the one who best represents Jesus has the ability to succeed where the other fails.

Christian Journal: Isn’t this episode doing the autopsy of the church of the end of time with pastors who divorce their wives, servants of GOD who find themselves without real power and the bible transformed into a decorative tool?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : In my humble opinion, I would say that this sequence is a real challenge for us Christians. Are we walking by the Spirit or by the flesh?

And the Bible challenges us on this subject, it says in Galatians, 5:16 – I say therefore: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

And it still says somewhere: Romans, 8:13 – If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live,

So as to say what? If this scene shocked us so much, let’s also take the opportunity to examine our lives and our walk with the Lord, we can very quickly judge and castigate but let’s also know how to make the most of each situation.

Christian Journal: Is the production team sending a strong signal to the body of Christ regarding the promotion of gospel art?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : I believe that there, too, it is a challenge for us Christians. We must use all the channels we have today to take up the gospel, a real awareness needs to take place in a Christian environment. As I said above, cinema is also a tool for promoting and defending the values ​​to which we adhere.

Certainly, the cinema can be used today as an instrument of evangelization

Christian Journal: What is your attitude towards Christians who are filmmakers, comedians, comedians, singers and who deploy themselves in the gospel?

Louis Marie ENGBALA : As I told you above, I myself took part in the casting which had been organized to recruit the actors for season 3 of this series.

And for the record, the casting was tough, we were more than 1500 people for barely 30 roles, at least what we would have thought given the final list. So the casting takes place in 2 phases and by the grace of God, I had been admitted for the 2nd phase of the casting.

So I think everyone deserves to follow their dreams and passions as long as they stay led by the spirit of God.

Interview by Thierry EDJEGUE