Bad Religion and the Prosperity Gospel<\/p>\n
April 11, 15<\/p>\n
While I am not totally against the message of prosperity through faith, I want to clarify I am not a Word of Faith minister or any of those main stream movements that advocate this totally luxurious life style. I do believe that, as a child of God it does come with some perks and God will bless you by your faith. Ross Douthat comes very hard at some of the mainstream leaders who are prophets of the Prosperity Gospel. He really hits hard at Joel Osteen. I am not a real fan of Joel and it\u2019s not because of his mega church. It\u2019s just some of the things he preaches. He does not seem to have a well-rounded gospel. I am not his judge so I will move on.<\/p>\n
It is very clear to me though that the capitalist spirit of America has definitely crept into the church. As Douthat says is Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation of Heretics, <\/em>\u201c By linking the spread of the gospel to the habits and mores of capitalism, and by explicitly baptizing the pursuit of worldly gain, prosperity theology has helped millions of believers reconcile their religious faith with their nation\u2019s seemingly unbiblical wealth and un-Christian consumer culture.\u201d[1]<\/a> I see this in the churches I go too and I hope that the seeds of our culture when it comes to wealth are not seen in me. I think we should preach success though. As I strive to be the best leader that I can I don\u2019t see anything wrong with inspiring others to be their best in what they do. I don\u2019t think it should just be about money though. I believe it should also be the kind of person you are as a Christian.<\/p>\n Now without getting into the \u201cname it and claim it\u201d crowd I do believe in receiving what you ask for. One of Kenneth Hagin\u2019s mantra was, \u201c Here is the principle of faith: believe in your heart, say it with your mouth, and \u2018he shall have whatsoever he saith.\u201d[2]<\/a> Now I learned years ago to stop speaking negative things into my own life. I have seen God bless me because of it so there is truth to Hagin\u2019s statement. I also believe that not every thing we ask God is according to his will. I believe you need to ask according his will and in the end just say, \u201cnevertheless thy will be done.\u201d So again without becoming a name it and claim it person I still believe you do have to confess with your mouth in prayer for the things you need and even some things you want.<\/p>\n Is it so sinful to have nice things while we suffer in this world? I don\u2019t want to be poor all of my life. I thank God for what he has blessed me with but to be realistic who wants to be poor? I lived on the east side of Los Angeles and it was nothing virtuous about poverty. Even though virtue can come out of humble beginnings, it is still hurtful to see how some people degrade themselves with drugs, alcoholism, sex, and violence. I like this snippet from Bad Religion, <\/em>\u201cIn the story of the camel and the needle\u2019s eye, the disciples recognized, all men stand condemned not because we are all rich, but because almost all of us desire to be so and too often organize our lives around that desire.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p>\n I like the picture Doss Douthat painted of some of these mega church superstar preachers because some are just over the edge but I believe that God is interested in our welfare too. He wants us to look to him so that we are not captivated by the world and the Capitalist spirit that our un- Christian Consumer culture fosters!!!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ross Douthat, Bad Religion: How we Became a Nation of Heretics <\/em>[New York: Free Press, 2012], 183.<\/p>\n