Prosperity theology

Prosperity theology is a set of theological beliefs common among some Christians, especially American evangelical Protestants. Prosperity theology, which is also known as the prosperity gospel and word of faith, teaches believers that those people who are most favored by God will benefit materially from God. Adherents of prosperity theology believe that they will be blessed with material wealth because of their devotion to God and their willingness to make other sacrifices for him. This line of thinking links prayer with success. Prosperity theology has its roots in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; however, it became a larger cultural force in the United States in the 2000s and 2010s. Prosperity theology is, for the most part, an American theological tradition. Some theologians believe that the embrace of capitalism in the United States has helped propel the popularity of prosperity theology. In popular culture, the concept has become linked with televangelists and large evangelical megachurches; however, this theology is practiced by many different groups with different backgrounds. The philosophy has also been criticized by many people, both other Christians and non-Christians.

Background

Prosperity theology is tied to the New Thought movement of the late nineteenth century. This movement, which was practiced by many people, including non-Christians, believed in mind over matter. Its adherents believed they just had to think positively to receive positive results. After World War II, people’s acceptance of the power of positivity again reemerged. At this time, the thinking became more fused to Christianity, with people believing that humans “reap what they sow.”

In the 1970s, popular evangelists such as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Frederick K.C. Price used television to spread their messages to thousands of people. These televangelists are often seen as early proponents of prosperity theology. In the 1980s, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker became the most famous televangelists in the United States. They amassed a large fortune and became the faces of prosperity theology in that era. Eventually, Jim Bakker was convicted of financial fraud, which set the movement back. However, in the 2000s, prosperity theology again became popular among evangelical Protestants.

At the same time, megachurches were becoming more prevalent across the country, with some of the preachers at those churches becoming famous. Joel Osteen, a preacher from Texas, became the next face of prosperity theology. He was a millionaire and promised worshipers that they could also become financially successful if they were faithful and devoted enough.

In the late 2010s, some critics noted that the prosperity gospel had become an important part of conservative politics. The idea that people could control their own fate through their faithfulness to God was popular for many religious conservatives.

Overview

Prosperity theology states that people who are favored by God will receive material benefits as a result of their faith. Some Christians believe that material wealth is a primary reward given by God to the faithful. However, believers in the prosperity gospel also believe that those who are faithful enough will also have their sickness and injuries healed, and their personal relationships strengthened or mended. Although many preachers who teach the prosperity gospel are wealthy, not all of those who believe in this theology have amassed great wealth. Some people of lesser means find the theology attractive because they see it as a possible way of improving their lot in life. Some people believe that if they are faithful enough, God will allow them to achieve earthly benefits such as a high-paying job, a nice car, and a large home. Nevertheless, prosperity theology also appeals to people who are already wealthy. Since the theology explains that God uses wealth as a reward, people who already have wealth feel justified in having an abundance of material goods. They also believe that their faithfulness and actions were responsible for allowing them to gain that wealth.

Some religious scholars have pointed out that the prosperity gospel even helps some people deal with larger theological questions. The nature of good vs. evil is a theological and philosophical question that has been debated for centuries. One religious paradox states that if God is all good and all-knowing, he should not allow evil in the world. Yet, the world does have evil in it, as bad things happen, often to good people. Poverty exists in the world, children often suffer, and millions have died in wars. Prosperity theology helps address the problem of evil because it states that people are responsible for bringing about success and goodness in their own lives. If people—through faith—can bring about their own health and wealth, they will never have to suffer.

Although the prosperity gospel has many adherents, it also has many critics. Some come from outside Christianity, but others are themselves Christians. In the 2000s, when prosperity theology was again becoming popularized, evangelical pastor Rich Warren commented that prosperity theology is flawed. He believed that the wealthy should not be the only ones favored by God because so many people with strong faith still lived in poverty, were dealing with illness, or experienced other types of ill fortune. Warren went as far as to say that prosperity theology helps develop false idols for people of faith because they begin to focus on wealth and happiness rather than loving and serving God. Other Christian critics have made similar arguments. Some theologians point out that having a relationship with God is meant to be the ultimate goal and the reward of Christianity. They believe that prosperity theology makes wealth and success a secondary goal that can get in the way of the first. Despite challenges, prosperity theology has become increasingly popular in the twenty-first century. Studies have also indicated that prosperity theology has become increasingly attractive to younger and more diverse church-going demographics.

Bibliography

Bowler, Kate. “I’m a Scholar of the 'Prosperity Gospel.' It Took Cancer to Show Me I Was in Its Grip.” Vox, 12 Mar. 2018, www.vox.com/first-person/2018/3/12/17109306/prosperity-gospel-good-evil-cancer-fate-theology-theodicy. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Burton, Tara Isabella. “The Prosperity Gospel, Explained: Why Joel Osteen Believes that Prayer Can Make You Rich.” Vox, 1 Sep. 2017, www.vox.com/identities/2017/9/1/15951874/prosperity-gospel-explained-why-joel-osteen-believes-prayer-can-make-you-rich-trump. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Carter, Joe. “9 Things You Should Know About the Prosperity Gospel.” The Gospel Coalition, 2 Sept. 2023, www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-prosperity-gospel. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Falsani, Cathleen. “The Prosperity Gospel.” The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/opinions/outlook/worst-ideas/prosperity-gospel.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Klett, Leah MarieAnn. “What's the Difference Between Prosperity Theology And the Gospel? Pastors Weigh In.” The Christian Post, 18 Mar. 2020, www.christianpost.com/news/whats-the-difference-between-prosperity-theology-and-the-gospel-pastors-weigh-in.html. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Laidler, John. “Try Hard, Find God, Get Rich.” Harvard Gazette, 24 Oct. 2017, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/10/the-prosperity-gospel-gains-a-foothold-in-u-s-politics-panel-says. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Luce, Edward. “A Preacher for Trump’s America: Joel Osteen and the Prosperity Gospel.” Financial Times, 18 Apr. 2019, www.ft.com/content/3990ce66-60a6-11e9-b285-3acd5d43599e. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Sullivan, Marissa Postell. “Prosperity Gospel Beliefs on the Rise Among Churchgoers.” Lifeway Research, 22 Aug. 2023, research.lifeway.com/2023/08/22/prosperity-gospel-beliefs-on-the-rise-among-churchgoers. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.