Prosperity theology

Not to be confused with The Gospel of Wealth.

Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, the gospel of success, seed-faith gospel, Faith movement, or Word-Faith movement)[1][A] is a religious belief among some Charismatic Christians that financial blessing and physical well-being are always the will of God for them, and that faith, positive scriptural confession, and giving to charitable and religious causes will increase one's material wealth.[2] Material and especially financial success is seen as an evidence of divine grace or favor and blessings.

Prosperity theology has been criticized by leaders from various Christian denominations, including within some Pentecostal and charismatic movements, who maintain that it is irresponsible, promotes idolatry, and is contrary to the Bible.[3] Secular as well as Christian observers have also criticized some versions of the prosperity theology as exploitative of the poor. The practices of some preachers have attracted scandal and some have been charged with financial fraud.

Prosperity theology views the Bible as a contract covenant between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, God will deliver security and prosperity.[4] The doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God's will for people to be blessed. The atonement (reconciliation with God) is interpreted to include the alleviation of sickness and poverty, which are viewed as curses to be broken by grace and faith.

It was during the Healing Revivals of the 1950s that prosperity theology first came to prominence in the United States.

Some commentators have linked the origins of its theology to the New Thought movement which began in the 19th century. The prosperity teaching later figured prominently in the Word of Faith movement and 1980s televangelism. In the 1990s and 2000s, it was adopted by influential leaders in the Pentecostal movement and charismatic movement in the United States and has spread throughout the world. Prominent leaders in the development of prosperity theology include David Oyedepo, Todd White, Benny Hinn, E. W. Kenyon,[5] Oral Roberts,[6] A. A. Allen,[7] Robert Tilton,[8] T. L. Osborn,[9] Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar,[10] Kenneth Copeland,[11] Reverend Ike,[12] Kenneth Hagin,[13] Joseph Prince,[citation needed] and Jesse Duplantis.[14]

  1. ^ Devaka Premawardhana (May 2012). "Transformational Tithing: Sacrifice and Reciprocity in a Neo-Pentecostal Church" (PDF). Nova Religio. 15 (4). University of California Press: 85–109. doi:10.1525/nr.2012.15.4.85. JSTOR 10.1525/nr.2012.15.4.85.
  2. ^ Wilson 2007, pp. 140–142.
  3. ^ Coleman 2016, pp. 276–296.
  4. ^ Walton 2009, p. 94.
  5. ^ Bowler 2013, pp. 14–16.
  6. ^ Coleman 2000, p. 41.
  7. ^ Robins 2010, p. 85.
  8. ^ Robins 2010, p. 129.
  9. ^ Harrell 1975, p. 171.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference time was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Coleman 2000, p. 30.
  12. ^ Harrell 1975, pp. 234–235.
  13. ^ Brown 2011, p. 152.
  14. ^ Willingham, A. J. (2018-05-30). "This televangelist is asking his followers to buy him a $54 million private jet". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-12-10. Retrieved 2023-12-29.