Article

Understanding and Responding to the Prosperity Gospel in Africa

Author: Jim Harries
Date: 01.09.2010
Category: Prosperity Gospel

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Because this article (5,600 words, in word) is still looking for a publisher, I cannot paste it here. Please email me at jim@vulnerablemission.com for a copy. Here is the introduction only:

The prosperity Gospel is widely considered to be plaguing the African church. For Westerners – replacing God with money is sacrilege. Many in Africa do not seem to see the problem in the same way. African Traditional Religion is pragmatic – to a degree that it is hard for Westerners to grasp. In Africa religion is often engaged in so as to provide wealth and healing from various ailments. To be told that to do this is wrong, can be confusing to say the least. The orientation to the understanding of a religion as a means to prosperity sets the whole course of life for holistic Africans. Religion is not a gap to be filled at the edges of science as in the West. It has always been understood to be the source of prosperity.

The lifestyle of wealthy Westerners easily becomes the religious ritual of the African (Speckman 2007:18). People attend to he who has power – of which financial power is generally a key part. Imitation is a part of how they hope to share in such power. A poor person (unless they master other means to power that I here call ‘magical’) is likely to be despised; or at best, ignored. This ‘upward’’ orientation of African life, is not based on rational reason (as known in the West). Hence it does not of it-self lead to socio-economic development; but to dependency. An overcoming of this orientation is vital for the future of the African people, and is here suggested can be assisted by what we are calling ‘vulnerable mission’.

Keywords: prosperity gospel, africa, vulnerable mission, theology, living examples

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: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Mamboleo7 (0)
Kenya

I agree with you on your introduction of the Prosperity Gospel which has been adopted by the many african charismatic preachers. The question that comes in my mind is where did they get this "new" gospel from? when the misionaries came to Africa they preached the gospel of the poor and the 20th century and the 21st century preachers from the west have agin come up with the prosperity gospel. The problem has been lack of the equipping of the believers and hence the leaders who have emerged have polluted the Gospel by copying the western preachers. The only way to help the African leaders is to go back to the basics of the Gospel and that is Jesus came and died for ouyr sins and he rose again from the dead and he will come soon as a King who will charge ALL - rich and poor. The poor will alwasy be with us and the rich will always be there. During Jesus time they were there and what matters is the heart of man/person.

The prosperity gospel is in every continent and there is need to help the church of Christ world wide to preach Jesus.

Rev George Mamboleo

17.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Danny_McCain (2)
Nigeria

Jim, the introduction of your paper suggests to me a balanced approach to this issue that comes from years of living in Africa. Of course, the prosperity gospel has some exegetical problems and is often far out of balance. However, I think we need to listen more carefully to the voices preaching prosperity to hear what needs they are responding to. In addition, we must somehow reorient our western ears when we listen to African voices to make sure we hear what they are really saying, not a rigid interpretation of their literal statements. Africans are outstanding communicators but they often communicate in proverbs and metaphors and allegories and they depend a lot on hyperbole and optimism. I look forward to reading your full paper.

04.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jim_Harries (-3)
Kenya
@ Danny_McCain:
Hi Danny, I will attempt to send it to you when I get onto my own computer.

Yes, I agree - an over literal ’listening’ isn’t going to do justice to varieties of ways in which African people use language that are not so familiar to Westerners. That is a challenging topic in itself. I’ll be interested to hear what you make of my effort!

04.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Pete_Houston (6)
South Africa

Not only is our African worldview pragmatic it is deeply, spiritually orientated. I’ve noticed certain sessions of the Alpha Course fall flat in our church. Rational arguments for the existence of God, the Bible as an authoritative text, Jesus being real and not a figment of someone’s imagination and the existence of evil spirits and the Holy Spirit are all non-starters! Physical blessings and physical ailments are seen to have spiritual sources. So the message of the Prosperity Gospel finds tremendous resonance.

01.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jim_Harries (-3)
Kenya
@ Pete_Houston:
Thanks Pete. Good to get a comment from someone who has a close understanding of the African scene.

02.09.2010