To add to this week’s posts on the Prosperity Gospel. . . .There is a lot of heresy in the Prosperity Gospel Movement, but that strain is facing challenges from within its own circles, from preachers who are now emphasizing saving money instead of ostentatious spending. From Prosperity gospel faces challenge: frugal savers :
For 40 years, the Rev. Charles Cowan has been preaching that God wants Christians to prosper. So he's not about to change the message, no matter how bad the economy looks.
That includes telling his followers that if they are faithful in giving to the church, God will reward them financially.
"We want to be sure that we are taking care of honoring God, because his Word tells us that if we honor him, he will honor us," said Cowan, pastor of nondenominational Faith is the Victory Church in Nashville.
Despite the economic downturn, the prosperity gospel remains alive and well. Pastors like Cowan or televangelists like the Rev. Creflo Dollar and the Rev. Kenneth Copeland continue to promise that financial blessings will follow donations to their ministries.
But it faces a challenge from a new austerity gospel, which says God blesses those who work hard, save their money and pay off their debts.
The article goes on, detailing the controversy within the movement.
Both sides, of course, are still in the same conceptual error, making the gospel and faith a matter of MONEY, in direct contradiction to Scripture. Again, we have a theology of glory vs. the theology of the cross. I can’t understand why the real Gospel of Christ crucified for sinners is not enough for anyone.
Also, I have heard that much of the growth of Christianity in the developing world is of the Prosperity Gospel variety. Is that right? If so, we may be seeing the rise of a new religion rather than the advancement of the real Gospel.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In