Rev. Kasali Urges Graduates to Uphold Biblical Ethics, Calls for National Theological Debate on Calvinism

By Caroline Ameh

The President of Berean Bible College (BBC), Abuja, Rev. Yomi Kasali, has charged graduating students of the institution to be ethical, morally upright, and sound in doctrine, as he emphasized the importance of rightly dividing the word of truth. He made the call at the 3rd Convocation Ceremony of the college held in Abuja.

Rev. Kasali, a passionate Christian theologian, said the times call for deeper theological engagement, noting that the integrity of the Christian faith is being threatened by doctrinal distortions. He specifically raised concerns about the resurgence of Calvinism, which he described as a “theological position that needs to be critically examined.”

Cross section of graduating students

“There is no other time that’s more important for theological training than now,” Kasali stressed. “We are seeing faith being attacked by hybrid teachers and popular but shallow doctrines, especially those tied to Calvinist ideology particularly the ‘once saved, forever saved’ doctrine. We must be able to rightly divide the word of truth.”

Kasali traced the origins of Calvinism back to John Calvin, a 16th-century reformer, whose theological position summarized in the acronym TULIP—has resurfaced in many Christian circles today. He noted that many respected teachers of the Word now promote the idea of eternal security without deeper soteriological examination.

“Some even say that everything Jesus taught was from the Old Testament, ignoring the significance of the New Covenant and Christ’s role as the Testator whose death activated the will of God for mankind,” he said.

Kasali called for a reinvigoration of theological education in Nigeria, urging seminaries to move beyond academic ministry to rigorous scriptural engagement. He proposed increasing the theological component of Berean Bible College’s curriculum from 40% to 50% to reflect the pressing need for sound doctrine.

Highlighting the importance of understanding the Bible in its original languages, Kasali advocated for stronger Greek and Hebrew language programs in theological institutions. He also emphasized the need to reinforce doctrines such as hermeneutics (Bible interpretation) and soteriology (doctrine of salvation), which he said are central to resolving doctrinal controversies like those between Calvinism and Arminianism.

“Soteriology teaches us which part of a person is saved. Is it the spirit, the soul, or the body? Can a man lose salvation? Can the soul be renewed? These are issues we must not shy away from,” he explained.

Rev. Kasali lamented that many theological students and pastors today possess academic intelligence but lack moral integrity and ethical consciousness. He warned against a form of ministry where the mind is trained but the heart and hands are neglected.

“How can you be theologically sound and morally deficient? That’s a paradox. We must raise believers who are balanced theologically, morally, and ethically,” he urged.

To address the rise of misleading doctrines, Kasali proposed that Berean Bible College pioneer a National Christian Debate Series in Abuja. He suggested a well-organized theological debate on the theme “Once Saved, Forever Saved: True or False?”, inviting scholars, pastors, and students from various theological backgrounds to engage in respectful, scripture-based reasoning.

“Let us organize a Christian debate two for and two against, invite the public, record it, and stream it. Let’s engage minds the way Apostle Paul reasoned with the Jews in the synagogues using the scriptures,” he said, referencing Acts 17.

Kasali challenged Christian institutions in Nigeria to embrace this open, scholarly engagement and not see doctrinal disagreement as enmity.

“You can disagree with someone’s theological stance and still not make them your enemy. That is maturity,” he said.

Rev. Kasali also encouraged the institution to build a digital presence through platforms like YouTube, where faculty can reason from scriptures and discuss theological concepts to reach wider audiences.

He underscored the need to develop character in ministry, noting that too much attention is placed on personality rather than on godly character.

“By their fruits—not by their leaves—you shall know them. Personality is not the same as character. Christ judged people by their fruit. We must do the same,” he declared.

Kasali concluded with a three-fold charge to the graduates and faculty:

1. Engage with Scripture – be open-minded and humble.
2. Reason from Scripture – challenge thoughts with sound doctrine.
3. Disagree without hostility – maintain Christian love in diversity.

He emphasized that Berean Bible College must continue to equip Christian leaders to influence society with integrity, humility, and sound theology, stating, “We are more than a Bible school we are a place where the mind, heart, and hands are trained to glorify God.”

The convocation ceremony also witnessed the graduation of students in leadership, Christian ministry, and theological education tracks, with calls for deeper commitment to sound doctrine and Christian ethics in their future ministries.