Prosperity gospel: Difference between revisions

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{{wikipedia|Prosperity theology}}
{{wikipedia|Prosperity theology}}
Prosperity gospel is a doctrine taught by some churches which claims that commitment to the church will lead to financial gains and good health. Believers are encouraged to have faith and give generous donations to ensure this occurs. Churches that preach this message are often also [[non-denominational]] and [[faith revival]]s. The more radical teachers of the prosperity gospel claim that God's plan is for you to be financially wealthy, while more measured teachers say that your life with go well and have less pain if you follow their teaching. <ref>John Piper - Why I abominate the prosperity gospel</ref> Many other denominations consider this [[doctrine]] as heretical.  
Prosperity gospel is a doctrine taught by some churches which claims that commitment to the church will lead to financial gains and good health. Believers are encouraged to have faith, [[Tithing|tithe]] and give generous donations to ensure this occurs. Churches that preach this message are often also [[non-denominational]] and [[faith revival]]s. The more radical teachers of the prosperity gospel claim that God's plan is for you to be financially wealthy, while more measured teachers say that your life with go well and have less pain if you follow their teaching. <ref>John Piper - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLRue4nwJaA Why I abominate the prosperity gospel]</ref> Many other denominations consider this [[doctrine]] as heretical.  


Preachers self proclaimed or accused of being prosperity ministers include: [[Joyce Meyer]] <ref name="henderson">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html]</ref>, [[Joel Osteen]] <ref name="henderson"/>
Preachers associated with prosperity gospel include: [[Joyce Meyer]] <ref name="henderson">[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pastor-rick-henderson/osteen-meyer-prosperity-gospel_b_3790384.html]</ref>, [[Joel Osteen]] <ref name="henderson"/> However, many of them reject the label.
 
{{quote-source|I believe it is God's will for His people to be prosperous in every area of their lives, including finances and material goods. {{Bible|Psalm 35:27}} says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. I find no scripture saying He is pleased when His people do not have their needs met.|Joyce Meyer, ''100 Ways to Simplify Your Life''}}


{{quote-source|I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God — I mean, that's one way to look at it. We're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we're happy. So I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy. Amen?|Victoria Osteen <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koIBkYl0cHk]</ref>}}
{{quote-source|I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God — I mean, that's one way to look at it. We're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we're happy. So I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy. Amen?|Victoria Osteen <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koIBkYl0cHk]</ref>}}
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==Biblical basis==
==Biblical basis==


While many Christians are quick to criticise prosperity gospel, there is a biblical case to be made:
While many Christians are quick to criticise prosperity gospel, arguably a biblical case can be made:


{{quote-source|Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.|{{Bible|Joshua 1:8}}}}
{{quote-source|Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.|{{Bible|Joshua 1:8}}}}
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The donations made by rank and file church members are often used to construct [[mega-church]]es or give the church leaders fabulous salaries. <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/elevation-church-steven-furtick-prosperity-gospel-_n_4173578.html]</ref>
The donations made by rank and file church members are often used to construct [[mega-church]]es or give the church leaders fabulous salaries. <ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/29/elevation-church-steven-furtick-prosperity-gospel-_n_4173578.html]</ref>


===Contrary to the [[New Testament]]===
===Unworthy goal===


[[Jesus]] preached a message of living without material possessions. The reward he promised was spiritual in nature. This is a clear example of the [[selective use of the New Testament]].
Financial gain is not a worthy goal to seek, even according to some secular thinkers.


The desire to be rich is also condemned by [[Paul the Apostle]]:
===Not unlike mainstream Christianity===


{{quote-source|Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For '''the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil''': which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.|{{Bible|1 Timothy 6:9-10}}}}
Mainstream Christianity promises "treasure in heaven" {{Bible|Matthew 19:21}}. [[Pascal's wager]] and [[avoidance of hell]] is based on self interest. In a similar manner, the prosperity gospel has similar rewards and punishments which implicitly assume people follow their self interest. The only (insignificant) difference is that the prosperity gospel promise earthly rather than heavenly rewards. [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] argues that this logic is fundamental to all religions:


===Unworthy goal===
{{quote|The most general formula on which every religion and morality is founded is: "Do this and that, refrain from this and that — and then you will be happy! And if you don't..." Every morality, every religion, is based on this imperative; I call it the original sin of reason, the immortal unreason.}}


Financial gain is not a worthy goal to seek, even according to some secular thinkers.
===Contrary to the [[New Testament]]===


===Not unlike mainstream Christianity===
[[Jesus]] preached a message of living without material possessions. The reward he promised was spiritual in nature. This is a clear example of the [[selective use of the New Testament]].


Mainstream Christianity promises "treasure in heaven" {{Bible|Matthew 19:21}}. Pascal's wager and avoidance of hell is based on self interest. In a similar manner, the prosperity gospel has simiar rewards and punishments which assume people follow their self interest. The only (insignificant) difference is that they promise earthly rewards. [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] argues that this logic is fundamental to all religions:
The desire to be rich is also condemned by [[Paul the Apostle]]:


{{quote|The most general formula on which every religion and morality is founded is: "Do this and that, refrain from this and that and then you will be happy! And if you don't..." Every morality, every religion, is based on this imperative; I call it the original sin of reason, the immortal unreason.}}
{{quote-source|Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For '''the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil''': which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.|{{Bible|1 Timothy 6:9-10}}}}


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:51, 5 September 2014

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For more information, see the Wikipedia article:

Prosperity gospel is a doctrine taught by some churches which claims that commitment to the church will lead to financial gains and good health. Believers are encouraged to have faith, tithe and give generous donations to ensure this occurs. Churches that preach this message are often also non-denominational and faith revivals. The more radical teachers of the prosperity gospel claim that God's plan is for you to be financially wealthy, while more measured teachers say that your life with go well and have less pain if you follow their teaching. [1] Many other denominations consider this doctrine as heretical.

Preachers associated with prosperity gospel include: Joyce Meyer [2], Joel Osteen [2] However, many of them reject the label.

"I believe it is God's will for His people to be prosperous in every area of their lives, including finances and material goods. Psalm 35:27 Bible-icon.png says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. I find no scripture saying He is pleased when His people do not have their needs met."

— Joyce Meyer, 100 Ways to Simplify Your Life

"I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we're not doing it for God — I mean, that's one way to look at it. We're doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we're happy. So I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God really. You're doing it for yourself, because that's what makes God happy. Amen?"

— Victoria Osteen [3]

Biblical basis

While many Christians are quick to criticise prosperity gospel, arguably a biblical case can be made:

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Joshua 1:8 Bible-icon.png

Criticism

Scam

Prosperity gospel is a scam were the leaders of the church grow wealthy by preying on the hopes and naivety of their congregation. The outcome the promise is never realized. It perpetuates poverty because many of their donors are not wealth.

The donations made by rank and file church members are often used to construct mega-churches or give the church leaders fabulous salaries. [4]

Unworthy goal

Financial gain is not a worthy goal to seek, even according to some secular thinkers.

Not unlike mainstream Christianity

Mainstream Christianity promises "treasure in heaven" Matthew 19:21 Bible-icon.png. Pascal's wager and avoidance of hell is based on self interest. In a similar manner, the prosperity gospel has similar rewards and punishments which implicitly assume people follow their self interest. The only (insignificant) difference is that the prosperity gospel promise earthly rather than heavenly rewards. Friedrich Nietzsche argues that this logic is fundamental to all religions:

"The most general formula on which every religion and morality is founded is: "Do this and that, refrain from this and that — and then you will be happy! And if you don't..." Every morality, every religion, is based on this imperative; I call it the original sin of reason, the immortal unreason."

Contrary to the New Testament

Jesus preached a message of living without material possessions. The reward he promised was spiritual in nature. This is a clear example of the selective use of the New Testament.

The desire to be rich is also condemned by Paul the Apostle:

"Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

1 Timothy 6:9-10 Bible-icon.png

References