Am I a Heretic?
I was extremely interested in getting to Ross Douthat’s book Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics for one reason, I agree with him. A little about me first, I grew up going to many different churches, Methodist, Episcopalian, Non Denominational, and Baptist, and the one thing I remember about religion growing up was, this is boring and why are those guys on television always asking for money. The one I remember the most was a guy named Robert Tilton. It seemed all he did was ask for money, money for this and for that, send me money so I can pray for you, it was all so disingenuous. I think that was why it took me so long to find salvation in Christ. It happened when I was 30.
So when I was reading Douthat’s book I was intrigued as to the genesis of this movement. The health and wealth movement. I was not disappointed. I always assumed it was started in the 70’s ad 80’s so imagine my surprise when I found it to be much earlier,
“This message that God wants nothing more than to shower riches on believers has deep roots in American soil. Already in 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville noted the difficulty of ascertaining from American sermons ‘whether the principal object of religion is to procure eternal felicity in the other world or prosperity in this” [1]
In this the author discusses the culture that comes to a head in the 60’s and 70’s of a wealth based religion.
In reading reviews of this book they are mainly positive with a bit of questioning why he does not include other religions in his cross hairs. “The author ignores Jews and other non-Christians, who should be grateful to slip his noose.” [2] Oppenheimer generally likes how Douthat takes both sides of the aisles. “Mr. Douthat attacks nonsense on both the cultural right and left, from preachers like Joel Osteen, whose sunny prosperity gospel ignores sin, to the narcissistic ”Eat Pray Love” soul-questing embraced by many liberals.” [3] While seeing that Douthat is a conservative Catholic, it was refreshing to see him find fault with the right and the left, I can appreciate looking at ones own side and seeing the many faults in the mirror. In saying that, I did find a part of this book a bit hard to swallow. In the chapter “Pray and Grow Rich”, which I have decided to focus on, Douthat says “It was American Catholicism, with its emphasis on personal asceticism and social solidarity, that long offered the most prominent alternative to the marriage of God and Mammon.” [4] While it is true the Catholic Church generally underpays their clergy,
“The Vatican’s top brass, however, still work for peanuts. Some cardinals make as little as $20,000 a year, and 30 Jesuits in top posts at Radio Vatican voluntarily accept the same salaries as janitors, about $11,000. Cardinals do get lavish perks, including sumptuous apartments at bargain rents.” [5]
The Catholic Church is one of the richest entities in the world, in fact, by some estimates the Catholic Church is worth somewhere between 8-9 billion in holdings and investments. [6] If this is taken into account, then the Catholic Church is just as money focused as any other denomination. Another argument about the lower salaries of its priests, has to include the fact they are not married, have no family to take care of, and have their living expenses paid for by the parish. I will finish this part with a story, when I was in my early twenties I sold cars, Pontiac to be specific. One of my customers stood out among the rest, he was a Catholic priest who was looking to trade in his three year old Cadillac De Ville on a brand new Bonneville SSEI (the most expensive Pontiac at about 38K). He paid cash for the difference. This was not the move of a poor man. While I am not going to say my denomination is any better, I have always felt it is best to be honest with your readers. I went to a Catholic school for two years, the church it was attached to was appointed very well. You felt like you were going into a high end museum, which I enjoyed to say the least. I have also been in Catholic churches in the southern hemisphere which are sparse and barren, so to say it is one way or the other would be wrong, but there is the underlying monies within the denomination.
This is at the heart of my problem, we as Christians are to obsessed with what we have. If we were not people like Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and Joyce Meyer would not be so popular. They would not have financial empires that rival the captains of industry of old. You would not have a man like Creflo Dollar telling his followers that God wanted them to give so that he could buy a $65 million dollar airplane. [7] Why are these “preachers” so obsessed with money, well, why is America so obsessed? Because we have made religion and prosperity the same. We see God as giving us blessings, but they are always looked for in health and wealth. This does not play in other countries I have been to, try telling a small church in Coro, Venezuela, that God’s blessings are given in the form of wealth as they struggle to eat, tell a small village in Africa, who has had all their children stolen by Boko Haram that God wants to give them “Their Best Life Now”. These things never are spoken of in Scripture. We have to get back to a better understanding of scripture if we are honest with ourselves. I believe that is the only way we will see growth in the church.
[1] Douthat, Ross Gregory. Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics. New York: Free Press, 2013. p. 184.
[2] Oppenheimer, Mark. “When American Faith Transcended Differences.(Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics)(The Arts/Cultural Desk)(BOOKS OF THE TIMES)(Book Review).” The New York Times, 2012, C9.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Douthat, Ross Gregory. Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics. New York: Free Press, 2013. p. 199.
[5] Tully, Shawn. “The Vatican’s Finances (Fortune, 1987).” Fortune. February 17, 2013. Accessed March 20, 2018. http://fortune.com/2013/02/17/the-vaticans-finances-fortune-1987/.
[6] Garcia, Ahiza. “Vatican Inc.: 5 Facts about the Business of the Catholic Church.” CNNMoney. September 24, 2015. Accessed March 22, 2018. http://money.cnn.com/2015/09/24/news/pope-francis-visit-vatican-catholic-church/index.html.
[7] Stringer, Sam. “Minister Creflo Dollar Asks for $60 Million for a Jet.” CNN. March 16, 2015. Accessed March 22, 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/living/creflo-dollar-jet-feat/index.html.
About the Author
Jason Turbeville
A pastor, husband and father who loves to be around others. These are the things that describe me. I was a youth minister for 15 years but God changed the calling on my life. I love to travel and see where God takes me in my life.11 responses to “Am I a Heretic?”
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Hi Jason,
Your post mentioned Robert Tilton. I had never heard of him in Canada in the late 70s but when I visited my uncle in Atlanta, we sat on his couch and watched him together.
My uncle was a Nazarene pastor’s kid who eventually abandoned any pretense of faith and, sadly, later took his own life. I think the excesses of the health-and-wealth gospel had a role to play. He would sit there and mock the preacher relentlessly, seeing through the charade. His bitterness was palpable, and I would say it eventually consumed him.
Mark,
I have seen it push many people away from Christ, the damage done by these people is insane.
Jason
The short answer to your question is YES! haha just kidding. Actually, we are all heretics in some way. We each see through a glass darkly. God forgive our heresy! I resonated with this like you, Jason, as well as the sober assessment of the Roman Catholic Church’s addiction to money. “While seeing that Douthat is a conservative Catholic, it was refreshing to see him find fault with the right and the left, I can appreciate looking at ones own side and seeing the many faults in the mirror. ” Thanks for your post.
Chris,
I am pretty sure I have done many heretical things in my life as a pastor. I just hope that in doing so I can see my faults and learn from them.
Jason
Jason, it seems that there are too many religious icons equating God’s love with God’s financial blessings. However, what happens when money gets tight or bills get behind; is it then that we begin to question the power or the love of the Almighty God? It is not only money though; after all, we live in “Land of the Free”, and the “Land of Opportunity”. It seems that we have sold the American dream for so long, we have to justify our greed in the eyes of God as well; again, not just money, but time, energy, possessions, sexuality, and power. God is now equated to the icon that drives us most…that is the god too many now serve.
Shawn,
I agree the effects of the “American Dream” on Christians is extremely detrimental. I see a similar correlation in the land of Israel. The Hebrews equated the land with God’s blessing but when you look at scripture, God tells us he will be with us no matter where we are.
There is nothing new under the sun…
Jason
Preach it Jason! I’m on board with your perspective. Fascinating story re. your car sales and Catholic school experiences. You have a lot of life experience which lends to your perspective on this. Out of curiosity, did your family finally “land” at a home church?
Jean,
We did not growing up, we seem to be travelers, in fact. My parents still jump around much to my chagrin. They never seems to find a place to stay.
Jason
We can’t help but be influenced by our culture…even the areas we wish had no influence. Jason you are a great example of the grace of God moving in and through you…you saw and experienced not the good aspects of the “church” and yet still heard the voice of God calling you. Keep on listening, Bro.
Greg,
I really appreciate it, it is a constant fight within to not get drawn into the stuff the world has to offer even as a pastor.
Jason
Thanks for this post, Jason! I enjoyed your conversational style of writing and really “heard” your voice in this post. Is this an area that you are focusing on for your own research (around the financial dealings of churches and leaders), or was your interest just piqued in reading this book? I also appreciated that Douthat is a committed Roman Catholic, who also writes for the New York Times and is wrestling with these topics in the public square. I am thankful that someone like him is writing books like this that (hopefully) a lot of people will read!