Religious studies experts speak on Zim prophet who claims to have defeated God

By Brian Maregedze

Harare- Talent Madungwe a self-styled prophet based in Harare has recently attracted media attention again through his social media post claiming to be second from Biblical Jacob (Israel) to fight and defeat God.
In 2016, Madungwe made headlines after claiming that he was going to meet God and later made claims to have had a meeting with God. Early 2017, he also made claims that he is the army General in the Kingdom of God who will fight Satan together with Jesus. Interestingly, most of his claims have attracted outbursts from Christians with some noting that he needs medical attention.
Madungwe wrote, “Jacob (Israel) defeated God, Genesis 32 v 22-32, So prophet is the second to fight and defeat God”. He went on to state that, “God prayed for prophet and blessed him”.
Speaking to an academic, Rev. Dr. David Bishau after having a look and reading of Madungwe’s post he only remarked, read Mark 13 carefully. Mark 13: 22 reads, “False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect”,[RSV Bible].
Calisto Chimoyi an academic, Pastor and marriage counsellor said, “He is a lunatic, a mental case” which needs medical attention. To Pastor Takawira of the Seventh Day Adventist Church based in the capital Harare, he said, “heresy at its best. Text quoted out of context and the issue of literal translation killing and exposing 21ST century Christian Dom”. He further noted that, “Suppose God ‘fought’ ‘wrestled with Jacob’ it doesn’t mean that anyone can claim today that based on Jacob’s experience, he also can ‘fight’ God”. It is against testimony of Scripture, Pastor Takawira added.
Witness Dingani, an author in Religious Studies, columnist of the Old Testament studies and public speaker based in Bulawayo through a telephone interview, laughed and said, “Perhaps he is obsessed with reading the Bible. He is now likening himself with Biblical characters. It might be possible, he is trying to win the converts”. Obvious Vengeyi, an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe noted that, “they know what attracts attention”, referring to prophet Madungwe and some of his caliber prophets.
Speaking to Archford Mtetwa, a PhD Candidate in Religious Studies and Hebrew expert only remarked, “I am speechless. Anopengeswa nemhepo dzake uyu, [he is mad because of some evil spirits he has]