Review of ‘Philosopher’ Kofi Kinaata’s ‘Things fall apart’ – “Part time Christian you want fight full time devil”

• Posted on October 11, 2019October 11, 2019
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• 3 Comments

A Bible quotation Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV) “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” readily comes to mind after listening to Kofi Kinaata’s latest song ‘Things fall apart.’

Most churches host all-night service which is a prayer and worship night for members on Fridays. This service is well patronized by Christians since many reveal that it grows them spiritually. The following day, which is Saturday is when nightclubs are also filled to capacity. According to Kofi Kinaata in ‘Things fall apart,’ the same faces seen at the all-night service are those same faces who are present at the nightclubs abusing ‘Amen’ and ‘Shocker’ (mixture of weed, alcohol and other psychoactive drugs). This compels Kofi Kinaata to ask, “Is this good Christianity?”

Christianity as a religion was introduced to Africans by the Europeans who arrived in Africa in ships. “The same ship that conveyed Bibles to Africa are the same ship that brought schnapps,” this has been the defence of many people for living a double-faced life. Kofi Kinaata again asks if this is good grounds to live a double-faced life?

The avoidance of Jehovah’s Witnesses by many people makes Kofi Kinaata wonder if the same Christians who are implored in Mark 16:15 to “… go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” are practicing good Christianity.

Mistresses of people’s husbands, caretakers who kill property owners and take over their property, also makes Kofi Kinaata wonder if God will get sizeable number of Christians to Heaven on judgment day if He doesn’t massage the requirements to enter Heaven stipulated in the Bible.

There are arguments on social and traditional media about the focus (money) of the contemporary church which is making a lot of Pastors deliver half-baked truth messages. This does not only make them (some Pastors) appear money conscious but it restricts the poor from partaking in activities of the church which has become a haven for the affluent. “The church is even where things fall apart” Kofi Kinaata said in the song.

As 1 Chronicles 16:22 (Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm) bars people from ‘attacking’ Pastors, some churches quickly argue that no one should attempt to want to know more. This has left congregants of churches unable to attend schools founded by their own churches due to the exorbitant prices of fees.

Muslims are not spared in ‘Things fall apart’ either. After enumerating the double-faced life of Christians, Kofi Kinaata quickly tells Mallams (Islamic Teacher) that their congregants also hide behind the tag ‘American Muslims’ to indulge in alcoholism and abuse of other drugs.

“It is difficult to distinguish between Christians, Muslims, Traditionalists….” due to the double-faced life by followers of these religions. Politicians who lie for power and neglect developments of their jurisdiction, Lecturers who indulge in sex for grades, those involved in blood-money for quick money are also mentioned in the masterpiece.

What Kofi Kinaata wonders most is how Christians on 31^st December dedicate their lives to God and make highfalutin promises to renew their lives but after 3 days, they ‘moonwalk’ into their old lives. “Part time Christian, you wan fight full time devil!” The devil is on a full time mission to ‘steal, kill and destroy’ as stated in John 10:10 so Christians should “Pray without ceasing” as stated in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. 

It is without doubt that ‘Things fall apart’ speaks for those who propagate strict adherence to religious principles. Would the song still caught the attention of many if it was on a danceable rhythm? This Author asks. 

The message in the song has caught the attention of many Media Personalities and social media users.

On 11^th October, 2019, Journalist of the year, Bernard Avle, host of Citi FM’s ‘Citi Breakfast Show’ was awed by the ‘Part time Christian, you wan figth full time devil” verse in the song as he repeated it several times on his show.

Daniel Dadzie, host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show as well played and made positive remarks about the song on his well patronized ‘Super Morning Show.’

Philip Osei Bonsu, host of CIMG Radio Programme of the year ‘Ekosii sen’ also took to Facebook to praise the writing prowess of Kofi Kinaata;

Is it premature to say or its in the right direction to say that  ‘Things fall apart’ is a possible winning song for ‘Songwriter of the year’ at VGMA 2020, a category that Kofi Kinaata has won two occasions?

Author: Nana Kwesi Coomson (www.233times.net) @nkcoomson on Twitter/Instagram