Join the conversation on the Prosperity Gospel
In the context of an economic situation that continues to degenerate, poverty provokes emotions of insecurity and anxiety – people begin to believe that material prosperity will bring certainty for the future. In this situation the gospel of prosperity presents itself as an alternative – Good News for the poor with a seductive message, “God wants you to be rich!” Prosperity can be appropriated by faith. Wealth is among the blessings promised to Abraham and his descendants. Poverty is part of the curse wiped out by the death of Christ.
This message of prosperity has given hope to people in places like Africa and Latin America where there is little hope. Some people have escaped extreme poverty because the message of prosperity brought them to change their behavior and their mental framework. Others, attracted by the discourse, have experienced true conversion. One could question whether or not the Gospel of Prosperity is not filling a void created by evangelicals who ignore chronic poverty. Does the Good News speak into the context?
The Gospel of Prosperity, while attracting some people, nonetheless raises legitimate and serious questions from others. For example, a selective use of biblical texts, a marginalization of the biblical notions of “contentment”, a promotion of materialism and a love for money raise big issues. The lifestyle of many preachers raises concerns. In fact, many live far removed from the model of humility and suffering that Jesus illustrates. Are there not excesses from which we must repent?
This conversation will explore these notions.
How it Works
Select a conversation below and post a response at the bottom of that conversation page. Or start a new conversation by contributing an article, blog, video or other relevant content on the featured topics.People
Josias Conradie
United Kingdom
Mary DeMuth
United States
Femi Adeleye
Ghana
Carlos Scott - Mision GloCal
Argentina
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Peter L. Berger
United States
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Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu
Ghana
Paul_Joshua
India
Ruth Padilla Deborst
Costa Rica
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Amos Yong
United States
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bourdak
United Kingdom
Featured Conversations
- L’évangile de la prospérité, tout ce qui brille n’est pas or
By bourdak | Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper
South Africa
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
- The Contextual Argument
By Amos Yong | Blog
United States
Topics: Poverty & Wealth, Prosperity Gospel
- The Missional Argument for Prosperity
By Amos Yong | Blog
United States
Topics: Poverty & Wealth, Prosperity Gospel
- Reflections on the Hermeneutics and Practice of the Prosperity Gospel
By Femi Adeleye | Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper
Australia
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
- From ‘Calvary Road’ to ‘Harvesters International’: An African Perspective on the Cross and Gospel of Prosperity
By Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu | Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper
Australia
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
- The Argument against Prosperity
By Amos Yong | Blog
United States
Topics: Poverty & Wealth, Prosperity Gospel
- The Argument for Prosperity
By Amos Yong | Blog
United States
Topics: Poverty & Wealth, Prosperity Gospel
- The 5 letter taboo word in world mission …
By Josias Conradie | Blog
United Kingdom
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
- Introducing The Prosperity Gospel Debate
By Matthews Ojo | Blog
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
- Prosperity Revisited
By Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu | Blog
Ghana
Topics: Prosperity Gospel
Recent Responses
- Sorry, yes, easier said than done; thanks for sharing the links to your work. I will read them with interest and perhaps have some other…
Amos Yong - 06.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument 
- I presume you mean easier said than done?
Perhaps I could argue that I am an economist ( http://www.jim-mission.org.uk/articles/african-economics.pdf )? Of course in a sense…
Jim_Harries - 06.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument - yes, since I am not an economist, I don’t have any policies to recommend; what is important as a Christian, however, is to be mindful…
Amos Yong - 06.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument - There is no doubt that socioeconomic lift changes the nature of our spiritual life; yes, in some cases, the result is decreased spiritual vitality, but…
Amos Yong - 06.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument - Becoming Christian indeed can give economic lift. But, there are good and bad ways of achieving such lift. A bad way perhaps - Christians receive…
Jim_Harries - 06.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument - I appreciate your perspective and insight. Christian mission movements create social/economic lift. - in second or third generation. But their level of commitment/ spiritual vitality decreases as they become…
mission21 - 05.09.2010 - In Response To:
The Contextual Argument - Muchas gracias por esta excelente presentación
Carlos Scott - Mision GloCal - 02.09.2010 - In Response To:
From ‘Calvary Road’ to ‘Harvesters International’: An African Perspective on the Cross and Gospel of Prosperity - Thanks Pete. Good to get a comment from someone who has a close understanding of the African scene.
Jim_Harries - 02.09.2010 - In Response To:
Understanding and Responding to the Prosperity Gospel in 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.…
Pete_Houston - 01.09.2010 - In Response To:
Understanding and Responding to the Prosperity Gospel in Africa - Querido Femi muchas gracias por esta excelente presentación. En cuanto a las ofrendas simplemente compartir que la escritura describe a Dios y a Cristo como…
Carlos Scott - Mision GloCal - 01.09.2010 - In Response To:
Reflections on the Hermeneutics and Practice of the Prosperity Gospel
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