Did Jesus teach the ‘prosperity gospel’? Did the Apostle Paul? Should we? These are some of the questions we’ll attempt to address in this ongoing series.
What is the prosperity gospel?
The prosperity gospel, or the health and wealth gospel, is a theologically based school of thought that teaches that God provides financial prosperity and physical health through faith, positive thinking, and positive affirmations of material success, health and prosperity.
Along with faith and positive thoughts and confessions of course donations to the preachers’ ministry will greatly help seekers along the path to personal success, abundance, and happiness.
It’s basically Norman Vincent Peale, Jim Rohn, and Zig Ziglar all rolled into one, but with some Jesus and a few Bible verses sprinkled in.
Who are the top proponents of the prosperity gospel?
There are several, but here are a few of the most popular and recognizable:
Joel Osteen: Joel Osteen is the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Known for his charismatic sermons and positive affirmations, Osteen’s televised sermons reach over 100 million households in the United States every week. His teachings emphasize the power of positive thinking and faith in achieving financial and personal success.
T.D. Jakes: T.D. Jakes is the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas. Renowned for his powerful preaching and motivational speeches, Jakes has written over 40 books, many of which have become New York Times bestsellers. His messages often focus on overcoming adversity and achieving prosperity through faith and determination.
Joyce Meyer: Joyce Meyer is a prolific author and speaker who emphasizes the importance of applying biblical principles to everyday life. Her ministry, Joyce Meyer Ministries, operates in over 200 countries and provides humanitarian aid and support to those in need. Meyer’s teachings often highlight the connection between faith, personal growth, and financial success.
Others include Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, and Paula White.
Is the prosperity gospel biblical – or a scam? We’ll start the deeper exploration of that question in Part 2 of this series coming soon. Stay tuned.