Distortion of Blessing Concept in Prosperity Gospel Movement
The American Prosperity Gospel, a belief system that links divine favour with material wealth, has been a significant force in shaping religious and societal attitudes since its origins in the early 20th century.
Rooted in the New Thought movement, which emphasized the power of positive thinking and mind healing, the Prosperity Gospel gained traction through key figures such as E.W. Kenyon, who blended New Thought with the idea that the Bible promises Christians a "legal right" to prosperity. Popular evangelists like Oral Roberts further popularized the movement, associating it with Pentecostalism and televangelism.
Reverend Ike, a seminal preacher during the 1960s, emphasized visualizing prosperity and preached that faith could and should bring material satisfaction. His charismatic style and wealthy image helped the Prosperity Gospel appeal to broad audiences, particularly urban African American communities.
In contemporary American culture, the Prosperity Gospel continues to influence both religious life and broader societal attitudes. It encourages a perception that economic success is a sign of divine favour, often motivating followers to give financially to ministries and reinforcing consumerist values. Critics argue it promotes individualism and materialism at odds with traditional Christian teachings on poverty and suffering, while supporters see it as empowering believers to claim God's blessings fully.
Notable critics of the Prosperity Gospel include religious scholar Reza Aslan, who has called its preachers "charlatans," and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who described it as a "war on the poor" in a 2015 editorial for Time. Theologians have also denounced the denial of the reality of suffering within the Prosperity Gospel.
Historian Kate Bowler, in her book "Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel," traces the history of the Prosperity Gospel in America and suggests that one reason for its popularity is that it serves a function similar to therapy or medication.
The Prosperity Gospel is now spreading rapidly to countries like Brazil and Nigeria, with Nigeria being home to some of the wealthiest pastors on the planet. However, the movement has faced criticism, with the Lausanne Movement, a group cofounded by Billy Graham, accusing prosperity gospel preachers of "gravely distorting the Bible."
In 2010, Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley launched an investigation into six televangelists who have been known to preach the prosperity gospel. The investigation highlighted concerns about financial mismanagement and questionable practices within these ministries.
Despite these criticisms, elements of the Prosperity Gospel continue to saturate American culture, with controversial televangelist Joel Osteen and talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey being accused of promoting Prosperity Gospel thinking. The Prosperity Gospel has even been used to explain good health and even good luck.
In a small Mennonite farming community in Manitoba, the Prosperity Gospel transformed the community where Kate Bowler grew up. The belief system's influence extends beyond religious practices, shaping social values and attitudes towards wealth in America.
While the Prosperity Gospel remains a contentious issue, its impact on faith and culture in the U.S. cannot be ignored. As the movement evolves and spreads, it continues to raise questions about the role of faith, wealth, and prosperity in contemporary society.
In light of the Prosperity Gospel's impact on American faith and culture, the promise of prosperity has expanded to encompass not only material wealth but also health-and-wellness and mental-health, as some believers now attribute good health and luck to divine favor.
Critics argue that the Prosperity Gospel, with its emphasis on material success as a sign of divine approval, has also neglected traditional Christian teachings on health-and-wellness and mental-health, failing to provide adequate support for those struggling with illness or mental distress.
