{"id":486,"date":"2010-08-17T10:26:04","date_gmt":"2010-08-17T18:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thisrestlesspilgrim.wordpress.com\/?p=486"},"modified":"2015-02-02T15:16:09","modified_gmt":"2015-02-02T22:16:09","slug":"prosperity-gospel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/restlesspilgrim.net\/blog\/2010\/08\/17\/prosperity-gospel\/","title":{"rendered":"Out There: The Prosperity Gospel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/em>I’ve decided to write a few blog posts concerning certain doctrines which are out there in the Christian world at the moment. \u00a0Now, my entries are going to be rather critical of these teachings, but I think it needs to be done. \u00a0Today I would like to begin by looking at the <\/span>“Prosperity Gospel”<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n

This doctrine particularly frustrates me.\u00a0 This is because, if for no other reason, it presents a new<\/em> Gospel<\/em>, one that has been taken and reshaped by the world’s standards.<\/p>\n

The “Prosperity Gospel”<\/em> is rooted in the idea that\u00a0\u201cJesus came to make you healthy, wealthy and happy…”<\/em>. \u00a0It will rarely ever be presented under the name “Prosperity Gospel”<\/em>, instead being presented as integral and central to “The Gospel”<\/em> itself.<\/p>\n

The Prosperity Gospel is\u00a0a very attractive teaching since it promises comfort and material wealth in this life if you just have faith. Sometimes associated with this is the idea that you must “seed your miracle”<\/em> by giving your money to a particular preacher, certainly a lucrative market for the less-than-honest…<\/p>\n

Now, there are certainly shades of opinion and variations in how literally the concept of Prosperity Gospel is understood – not every pastor or church\u00a0will give an identical message (the nuttier end of the spectrum you find on YouTube is downright scary). \u00a0However, all focus\u00a0around the idea that God will always materially<\/em> prosper you and keep you healthy in this world<\/em>. \u00a0I would suggest, however, that God’s plan is a little bigger than that…<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Problem<\/h2>\n

The problem with the Prosperity Gospel is that this is not<\/em> what Jesus taught and this was not<\/em> the experience of:<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0The Apostles<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0The Christians of the early centuries<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0The majority of the Church today, much of which is in the world’s poorest countries<\/p>\n

Now, I do believe that God desires what is best for me, but to assume that this necessarily<\/em> translates into material wealth, health and happiness is a very, very dangerous idea.\u00a0 This is what we<\/em> want<\/em>, not necessarily what God<\/em> knows we<\/em> need<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Why do bad things happen to good people?<\/h2>\n

Supporters of this doctrine have a conundrum if all these wonderful things which their pastors and TV preachers have promised do not materialize.<\/p>\n

How are they to understand the concept of a Christian who is materially poor, ill or struggling with life? \u00a0Is the Christian not \u201cliving in victory\u201d<\/em> so as to see God prosper him? Does she not have enough faith for God to heal her? \u00a0The problem in this theology is that if these wonderful things don\u2019t happen then it\u2019s all your fault<\/em>. \u00a0However, you don\u2019t have to live much life before you come across some very saintly people who are ill or living in poverty.<\/p>\n

I am not denying God’s providence. \u00a0I do<\/em> believe that God does still heal and He can choose to materially prosper.\u00a0 However, it is clear from empirical evidence that He does not do this for all. \u00a0Indeed, at the very least, there must certainly come a point when a prayer for physical healing is not fulfilled since we must all eventually face death.<\/p>\n

“Jesus suffered so I don’t have to…”<\/h2>\n

So does Christianity mean an easy life? \u00a0On the contrary, again and again Jesus promises trouble<\/span> for those who wish to follow Him.\u00a0 In Luke 9:23-24<\/a> He says “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me\u201d<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 The rest of the New Testament bears witness to this \u201cway of the cross\u201d:<\/p>\n