Controversial Nigerian media personality, Daddy Freeze, has once again ignited a fierce debate — this time, by questioning the depth of knowledge Nigerian pastors have when it comes to understanding scripture.
In a recent video circulating online, Daddy Freeze, known for his blunt takes on religion and leadership, argued that while many pastors in Nigeria are able to recite and reference the Bible extensively, they often lack true understanding of the scriptures in their original context.
“I believe pastors should apply scholarliness to doctrine,” he said firmly. “I took my time to study it, and when I say study scripture, I mean study. I have not met a Nigerian pastor that knows scriptures. They might know the Bible, but they don’t know scripture.”
In his statement, Daddy Freeze drew a sharp distinction between quoting the Bible and truly interpreting its meanings, particularly in relation to scholarly research and linguistic depth. He criticized the over-reliance on popular translations such as the King James Version and stressed the importance of understanding the historical and linguistic context in which the scriptures were originally written.
“There is what you call the scholarly consensus,” he explained. “It means they’ve sat down with the papyrus, sat with the original scriptures — what’s left of it — and they’ve been able to agree with its data. Do you understand what I’m telling you? You can’t tell me that you know the Bible just because you’ve studied the King James from the beginning to the end.”
According to Daddy Freeze, mastery of scripture demands more than surface-level engagement with translated texts — it requires an in-depth study of the original languages like Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.
“Until you study in the original languages, you don’t know scripture,” he declared. His comments suggest that many church leaders in Nigeria may be doing a disservice to their congregations by preaching a diluted or misinterpreted version of biblical doctrine.
For Daddy Freeze, biblical interpretation should be approached with the same rigor and objectivity as academic scholarship, not with emotional conviction or tradition alone.
Unsurprisingly, the remarks triggered a wave of passionate reactions across social media platforms. While some agreed with his perspective and commended his scholarly approach, others dismissed his comments as arrogant and disrespectful.
One user wrote, “Well, I agree with Daddy Freeze on this one. Even Bible verses — many of the pastors don’t know. They only know the verses that enrich them or exert control on others.”
But another responded sharply, “So Daddy Freeze or whatever they call him is now the most knowledgeable in scriptures? And some ignorant people here are already twerking for him because they are tossed by everything that sounds attractive? Like no pastor in Nigeria knows scriptures? Look who’s talking.”
Others chimed in with a more spiritual rebuttal, emphasizing the importance of divine inspiration over academic study. “Is it about scriptures,” one commenter asked, “or making sure the spirit of the Holy Ghost leads you on what to preach or teach? If you read the Bible with a carnal mind, you will never understand anything.”
This split in opinions reflects a longstanding tension within Nigerian Christianity — one between academic theology and spiritual revelation.
Whether viewed as a call for reform or another dose of controversy, Daddy Freeze’s latest statement has once again placed him at the center of a polarizing national conversation about faith, leadership, and biblical truth.
