Critique of the Prosperity Gospel

[Willie Pep]

La Civiltà Cattolica has published an interesting critique of the Prosperity Gospel.

The “prosperity gospel” is a well-known theological current emerging from the neo-Pentecostal evangelical movements. At its heart is the belief that God wants his followers to have a prosperous life, that is, to be rich, healthy and happy. This type of Christianity places the well-being of the believer at the center of prayer, and turns God the Creator into someone who makes the thoughts and desires of believers come true.

The risk of this form of religious anthropocentrism, which puts humans and their well-being at the center, is that it transforms God into a power at our service, the Church into a supermarket of faith, and religion into a utilitarian phenomenon that is eminently sensationalist and pragmatic.

The article focuses on the history of the Prosperity Gospel movement, its origins in the United States, its spread around the world and its relationship to a certain interpretation of the American Dream. Highly recommended reading in my opinion.

https://laciviltacattolica.com/the-prosperity-gospel-dangerous-and-different/

[ck4829]

1. K&R

[hlthe2b]

2. I can make it more simple. It is a theology of SELFISHNESS....

directly contravening the word and tenets of Christ.

[Midnight Writer]

3. I know so many people that buy this and send these clowns their "Faith Seeds" (money)

[procon]

4. A lucrative scam that is entirely legal.

If some thug hit on local shopkeepers like that it would be called a protection racket. Wear a cross and he can legally bilk the same shopkeepers without risk of prison.

[justhanginon]

5. Prosperity gospel must work. Pictures of Joel Osteen's

estate are mindboggling. Must have cost millions mostly from donations and scams run on his faithful, many of whom i'm sure don't have the proverbial "pot to piss in" and still donate and buy his crap. In my opinion, he and his wife are both souless.