The Prosperity Gospel: A Critique of the Way the Bible is Used

Femi Adeleye
The ‘prosperity gospel,’ which is also variously referred to as the ‘health and wealth gospel,’ ‘Name it, claim it gospel,’ or ‘Gospel of greed’ is one of the fastest growing emphases within the contemporary Church. Initially prominent in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches, it has now spread across various denominations and Church traditions. The gospel focuses primarily on material possessions, physical well-being, and success in this life, which mostly includes abundant financial resources, good health, clothes, housing, cars, a promotion at work, success in business, as well as other endeavours of life. This gospel asserts that believers have the right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and of the ‘sowing of seeds’ through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings. The extent of material acquisition and well-being is often equated with God’s approval. Although the Bible affirms that God cares enough to bless his people and provide for their needs- and although there are legitimate ways to work for such needs to be met- this gospel often makes the pursuit of material things and physical well-being ends in themselves. Scripture is always applied and sometimes misinterpreted or manipulated to promote the main emphasis of the ‘prosperity gospel.’

1. Some Early Proponents of the Emphasis
   • Oral Roberts and his son Richard Roberts: The ‘Seed-faith’ Wagon
   • Gloria and Kenneth Copeland: The ‘Hundredfold Return’ Teaching
   • John Avanzini and Morris Cerullo
   • An African Case Study- David Oyedepo
2. The Hermeneutics of the ‘Prosperity Gospel’
3. Some Shortcomings of the ‘Prosperity Gospel’
   1. Escape from RealityMisinterpretation of the purpose of ‘Giving’<;li>
   2. A Misunderstanding of Jesus
   3. Lack of a Theology of Suffering
   4. Issues of Lifestyle
   5. Is the ‘Prosperity Gospel good news for the poor?
4. How then should we respond to this ‘gospel’?

For more information go to The Prosperity Gospel: A Critique of the Way the Bible is Used on the Lausanne Movement website.
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