THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL

Can you describe the religious phenomenon known as the prosperity gospel?

The "prosperity gospel," also known as the health and wealth gospel, is a religious belief among some Christian groups that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to religious causes will increase one's material wealth. This teaching is often associated with televangelists and mega-churches that focus on personal success and wealth as indicators of God's favor.

From a traditional biblical perspective, the prosperity gospel is often criticized for several reasons:

  1. Misinterpretation of Scripture: Critics argue that the prosperity gospel takes verses out of context, emphasizing material wealth and physical well-being while ignoring broader biblical teachings about suffering, stewardship, and the spiritual dangers of wealth. For example, 1 Timothy 6:10 states, "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil," warning against the idolization of wealth.

  2. Focus on Material Wealth: Traditional Christian teaching emphasizes spiritual riches and virtues like humility, charity, and service to others. The prosperity gospel's focus on material wealth is seen as contrary to Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, such as in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus instructs to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth.

  3. Questionable Fundraising Practices: Some prosperity preachers have been criticized for manipulative fundraising tactics, promising spiritual rewards for financial donations, which can exploit vulnerable people.

  4. Suffering in the Christian Life: The Bible acknowledges the reality of suffering in the Christian life. Prosperity teaching can lead to a misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of suffering and trials, which, according to scriptures like Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4, can develop perseverance and character.

  5. Overall Theological Balance: The prosperity gospel is often seen as lacking theological balance, emphasizing God's blessings while neglecting teachings about sin, repentance, and the sacrificial nature of the Christian life.

In summary, while the Bible speaks of God blessing His people in various ways, the prosperity gospel's focus on material wealth and health as primary indicators of God's favor is generally viewed as inconsistent with the full counsel of scripture in traditional Christian theology.

The first condemnation of this type of religious behavior would be that it seems to be based on works. The works are giving money to that 'church.' and in fact the more the gift, the better the return.

Your observation is indeed a significant criticism raised against the prosperity gospel from a traditional Christian theological standpoint. This criticism is centered on the notion that the prosperity gospel appears to promote a works-based approach to receiving God's blessings, particularly in the form of financial prosperity. This perspective is seen as contradictory to fundamental Christian doctrines for several reasons:

  1. Salvation by Faith, Not Works: Central to traditional Christian belief, as outlined in Ephesians 2:8-9, is the doctrine that salvation is by grace through faith, and not a result of works. This principle is intended to prevent boasting or the belief that human actions can earn God's favor. The prosperity gospel's emphasis on giving money as a means to secure God's blessings can be seen as a form of works-based righteousness.

  2. The Nature of Giving in the Bible: Biblical teachings on giving, such as in 2 Corinthians 9:7, emphasize that each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion. The idea of giving to receive a guaranteed material return contradicts the biblical principle of giving as an act of worship, generosity, and trust in God's provision.

  3. Misinterpretation of the 'Seed Faith' Concept: The prosperity gospel often uses the concept of "seed faith," where donations are likened to sowing seeds that will grow into financial blessings. However, critics argue that this interpretation misrepresents scriptures like Galatians 6:7 ("Whatever one sows, that will he also reap") by applying it primarily to material wealth rather than to spiritual principles.

  4. The Prosperity of the Heart and Soul: Traditional Christian teaching emphasizes the prosperity of the heart and soul over material wealth. Jesus' teachings, particularly in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), focus on spiritual blessings and virtues such as humility, mercy, and peace.

  5. The Role of Stewardship and Contentment: The Bible teaches stewardship of resources and contentment in all circumstances, as seen in Philippians 4:11-13, where Paul speaks of learning to be content in any situation. The pursuit of wealth as a sign of God's favor can conflict with these teachings.

In light of these points, traditional Christian theology often views the prosperity gospel as a deviation from the core message of the Gospel, which centers on spiritual redemption, living a Christ-like life, and the promise of eternal life, rather than material prosperity and health as primary objectives of faith.

It appears that many, if not most, of the well-known prosperity hucksters, live grandiose lifestyles, much more luxurious than their constituents.

The observation you've made about the lifestyles of many well-known proponents of the prosperity gospel is a point of significant contention and concern within both Christian and secular circles. This issue raises several important considerations in light of traditional Christian teachings:

  1. Disparity Between Leaders and Followers: A noticeable aspect of some prosperity gospel movements is the stark contrast between the luxurious lifestyles of the leaders and the often more modest means of their followers. This can be seen as contradicting the biblical model of leadership, where leaders are called to be servants and examples of humility (Mark 10:42-45, 1 Peter 5:2-3).

  2. The Example of Jesus and the Apostles: In the New Testament, Jesus and His apostles lived lives characterized by simplicity and service, often eschewing wealth and luxury. Jesus' teachings in Luke 12:15, warning against greed and the pursuit of wealth, and His lifestyle, as described in Matthew 8:20, indicate a focus on spiritual rather than material wealth.

  3. Stewardship and Accountability: Christian doctrine emphasizes the principles of stewardship and accountability, especially for leaders. The lifestyle of a Christian leader is expected to reflect the values of the Gospel, including generosity, humility, and care for the needy (1 Timothy 6:17-19). The lavish lifestyles of some prosperity gospel preachers can appear to be at odds with these principles.

  4. The Message it Sends: The extravagant living of some prosperity gospel proponents can send a confusing message to both believers and non-believers. It can appear to prioritize material success as a sign of God's favor, which can be misleading and potentially damaging to the witness of the Christian faith.

  5. Potential for Exploitation: There is a concern that the prosperity gospel can exploit vulnerable people, encouraging them to give money they cannot afford in the hope of divine financial blessings. This practice can be viewed as unethical and contrary to the teachings of Christ about caring for the "least of these" (Matthew 25:40).

  6. Call for Reflection and Reform: These issues often lead to calls within the broader Christian community for reflection and reform. There's a growing recognition of the need for integrity, transparency, and alignment with biblical principles in all aspects of Christian ministry, especially regarding financial matters and lifestyle choices.

In summary, the grandiose lifestyles of some prosperity gospel proponents are a matter of serious ethical and theological concern, viewed as being in tension with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and the apostolic tradition as recorded in the New Testament.