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Minutiae
- "the small, trivial details"
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# 1 The Prosperity gospel
The prosperity gospel is no new thing. For those of you who have not heard anything about it well then heres the quick idea of what it’s all about (although there is much detail, I’ll try and keep this short as this a minutiae article): if you’re a Christian, God wants you, indeed his plan for you, is to be materially prosperous. The more you sacrifice (materially, financially etc) the more you will be blessed (materially, financially etc). Basis for this is claimed to be found in certain Biblical texts such as Genesis 17 and the Deuteronomy passages which state that God would give to Abraham and then the Israelites prosperity and well-being. Also Mark 10:29 stating that those who give up the things of this life-time will be blessed in this age with more. The problem with viewing these verses in this way is that it is taking them completely out of their contexts and robbing them of their true meaning! The Genesis and Deuteronomy passages are promises that are being made firstly under the old covenant of blessings to Abraham in regards to his offspring becoming a great nation in the Promised Land and also of the future Messianic hope that would come through his seed. Yet Christians of the prosperity gospel persuasion take these verses to mean a financial and material gain that is still applicable to them today! Also the passage in Mark 10:29 is taken out of its context by saying basically that it’s a statement about financial gain when it is actually a passage about a costly giving up everything to follow Jesus – whether that be family, friends, homes etc. With following Jesus does come blessing (though not the type of the materialistic prosperity gospel) - a Christian family, a heavenly home, the Holy Spirit and the promise of eternal life. Mark also tells of ‘persecution’ as a result of following Jesus. I remember hearing of one story of Egerton Young who left everything and preached the Gospel to the Indians of Saskatchewan and he told them that God was the Father. The Chief of the Indians, who had held the view of God being like lightning and storms, said to Young, “Did I hear you say that God is our Father?” “I did,” said Young. “God is your Father,” asked the Chief. “Yes,” said Young. “And,” went on the Chief, “He is also my Father?” “He certainly is,” said Young. Suddenly the Chief’s face lit up with a new radiance. Then the Chief’s hand went out to Young, “Then you and I are brothers,” he said as their new brotherhood was recognised. So apart from verses like this, and others which are taken completely out of context, the prosperity gospel is seen as false. On the contrary, the Gospels and Jesus affirm time and time again the dangers of wealth and how easily it can lead one astray from complete devotion to God (see: Mark 10:23-25; Luke 8:14, 16:13; 1Tim 6:10). So why then is the prosperity gospel believed by so many? No doubt it is because it is so attractive! After all, what person would want to deny an opportunity of gaining material wealth from God, security, health – complete freedom from the grief’s and worries of this lifetime. How disillusioning for those who believe this message, come to Christ, only to be shattered than this prosperity gospel has not come true from them and they turn away from Christ feeling that they’ve been left down or they have let down God in some way. I know of one occurrence of this in Mongolia. A group of ‘Christian’ missionaries preached the gospel of prosperity to a poor, native Mongolian village who had previously been betrayed by past government rule and as a result, were currently poor and suffering. The missionaries assured them that if they came to Christ, they would no longer be materially or financially poor – they would be blessed. They embraced Christ, only it wasn’t exactly as they thought – they stayed poor and began to feel let down immediately – that God was not living up to His promises. They once again felt that their trust has been betrayed and they turned away from Christ…all on the account of a false teaching of the gospel by those who had been entrusted with it. Or what about the more immediate dangers in our culture today? This message would seem attractive to many Australians too, but God does not promise them material blessings. How then would someone who had been led to believe in the promises of the prosperity gospel feel? I know of some who felt disillusioned also – that they weren’t proper Christians and as a result have left the church they were at, renouncing Christ all together. These people had a chance! And the leaders who have preached this message have committed utterly detestable sins! With my own ears I have heard one prosperity gospel preacher call those who speak out against the prosperity gospel teaching as being under ‘demonic influence’! All of this really comes back to a good understanding and interpretation of the Bible. That’s why so many Bible scholars labour faithfully, trying to interpret the Bible message the way it was intended to be with the audience. And that’s what we should be doing too. When it comes to the prosperity gospel – it is dangerous, and promises much – only not what God has promised. As Christians, we are blessed! We have eternal life, new family, the Holy Spirit, a hope and assurance of salvation, peace with God, freedom from slavery to sin – eternal life! Lets not abandon the Gospel of Jesus Christ to another. I’ll close with a well known verse regarding false teaching such as this: “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from what we believe; they will follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons. These teachers are hypocrites and liars. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead…Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.” (1Tim 4:1-2, 16). PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE TO THE DISCUSSION FORUM |
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