BY Chika Abanobi
In 1 Corinthians 11: 17-33, we read about Paul the Apostle frowning at what he considered unwholesome practices in the Corinthian church when it comes to the issue of the Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion.
But in the 34th and last verse of the chapter, at the conclusion of his address, he promised that “as for the other matters, I will settle them when I come” (Good News Bible).
Fidelis Yadi’s revealing Christian book titled The Hidden Truth, reads like one of those “other matters”, Paul would have liked to address when he eventually visited the church at Corinth.
In fact, many who had read the book may not be totally wrong if they argue that, had it been written at the time of the great Apostle, he most probably would have gone with some copies to be distributed, free of charge, not only in the church at Corinth but also in the whole of Christendom. From Rome to Romania, Nigeria to Nicaragua!
A collector’s item pulsating with hidden truths
The 12-chapter book published, May 2025, by Mainstream Publishing Media, Lagos, qualifies to be called a spiritual/theological collector’s item. Wrapped in 168 pages, it pulsates with hidden truths that the present-day Church has chosen to either overlook. Or, can only continue to ignore at its detriment. But please, before you rush out to Christian bookshops out there to buy yourself a copy, check properly the figurative address on the book: it is written: “to whom it may concern”!
It is the author’s ardent belief that no matter how much you focus on the hidden truths, no matter how well you argue your case, no matter how strong your points read with the Ecclesia, there is no way you can get a church to change its stance on some doctrines and dogmas handed down to keep by its founding fathers.
It is his prayers and hope, though, that, at the collective level, we know the hidden truths about some doctrines we believe and propagate and repent and begin to do the right things.
But the change is probably not going to take place, wholesale. This is because, no matter, how much some sections of the church agree that a change needs to be effected, based on the re-orientating light provided by the book, there are bound to be some irredentists among them who will disagree with such position.
So? In the book, the author leaves the institutionalised dogmas that, like the ever-present mountain, cannot be moved, to appeal to the consciences of individual believers, with the hidden truths. Many who had read the book will agree that this approach very much aligns with Biblical truth: “Each of us will have to give a personal account to God” (Romans 14:12, New Living Translation).
A glimpse of some of the chapters
Some parts of the book that many readers are going to find interesting include Chapter 1, titled “The Church of God” and which traces the history of the Church, from the earliest of times, the Apostolic Age, when there was no emphasis on the building/erection of physical structures or “Cathedrals” as the true place of worship to the present-day Christianity where the leaders that were meant to serve are now being served by fawning members.
The author notes with a clincher: “The true unity of the Church can only take place when the Church rises above worshipping the temple/men of God to worshipping the God of the temple.”
In Chapter 2 titled “The Bible”, he not only captures the evolution of the 66 books of the Bible, said to have been written by about 40 different authors over a span of about 1,600 years, he also laments how some of its truths, instructions, directions and commands which no longer serve useful purposes for New Testament believers are being used by many church leaders to keep their members in bondages from which Christ has made them free.
Citing the example of Abraham who was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, he said: “if you try to sacrifice your son because Abraham was told so, God (and, definitely, government of the day) will not bless but punish you as a murderer.”
He deplores the situation whereby there are diverse beliefs, doctrines and practices among different denominations, yet they all use the same Bible.
He uses that to strengthen his argument that the problem we have today is not with Biblical records, which is the same everywhere, but with spurious interpretations and applications we give to them.
Other parts readers are going to find spiritually enlightening and enriching are: Chapter 3 titled “The Old and New Testaments”; Chapter 4: “The Law”; Chapter 6: “Rituals in the Church”; Chapter 11: “Wickedness In the World” and Chapter 12: “Why Did Israel (which, as you read this, is engaged in a bloody, deadly war with Hamas and other non-state religious fundamentalist fighters like Hezbollah, the Houthis and state like Iran) Reject Jesus?” The Foreword is written by Ngozi Anyaora, author of the bestselling Christian title, I Fear God.
Hidden typos found in the book
Although the book comes filled with unassailable theological arguments, all the same, it contains what many in the world of publishing know as “typos.” They include such words as overshadow, eyewitness, earthquake, being, practised, free-flow, advise, crossroad, overthrow, mind-blowing, glaring. prove, birthright, turnaround and torchbearer misspelt, respectively, as “over shadow“ (page 22); “eye witness” (31), “earth quake” (46), “been” (79) “practiced” (used as a verb; 81) “free flow” (92) “advice” (used as a verb; 95) “cross road” (101) “over throw” (110) “mind blowing” (111) “glary” (120) “proof” (used as a verb; 124), “birth right” (145) “turn around” (158) and “torch bearer” (162).
On some pages like 30, 32, 34 and 71, the “Bible” which is usually spelt, starting with capital letter “B” is written, starting with small letter.
There are also a few, infinitesimal sentential errors. But, a clear indication that appearance of some of the “typos” is owing to editorial/proofreading oversight, rather than ignorance, is found on pages 35 and 36 where the Bible is correctly spelt, starting with capital letter “B.”
Commendation, recommendation
These gaffes notwithstanding, a diligent reading of the book by an unbiased reader will show that the typos which, hopefully will be taken care of, in subsequent editions, do not take anything away from the shine the book exudes on germane Christian theological issues. If you are a believer, it is strongly recommended that you go for a copy.
• Abanobi, pioneer staff, Weekend Concord, former Associate Editor, The Sun newspaper, Lagos, and winner, Governor Olusegun Mimiko Prize for Foreign News Reporter of the Year: 2018 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) is member, Journalists for Christ International Outreach.