Last posts on prosperity gospel

Nigerian Pentecostalism and Development

2022-03-10T00:05:00+01:00

Some scholars suggest that the combination of an enchanted worldview, an emphasis on miracles and prosperity teaching, and a preoccupation with evangelism discourages effective political engagement and militates against development. However, Nigerian Pentecostalism and Development argues that there is an emerging movement within contemporary Nigerian Pentecostalism which is becoming increasingly active in development practices.

This book goes on to explore the increasingly transnational approach that churches take, often seeking to build multicultural congregations around the globe, for instance in Britain and the United States.

Link

Prosperity Gospel : at least 5 varieties

2021-06-03T12:26:00+02:00

Who did not hear about Prosperity Gospel ? However, even if it's easy and simple to remember, the label misleading.

The more I read (for example, Blessed, from Kate Bowler, and Coleman, The Globalization of Charismatic Christianity) and the more I do field research (In France, Congo, Madagascar Burkina Faso etc), the more I come to realize that there is at least FIVE distinct theologies behind the "Prosperity Gospel" label. In a nutshell, let me share these varieties with you:

-A magico-religious variety

-A performative variety (Word of Faith)

- A gift /countergift version (Mauss)

-A contract variety (Covenant, Laws of the Kingdom)

-A postcolonial version

To be followed....

A much needed book to understand Health and Wealth Gospel

2013-09-10T21:28:00+02:00

The CEIA, located in Lognes, near Paris, is the biggest Evangelical meeting in France. Last year, the main theme was Health and Wealth Gospel. Not surprising!

This growing movement, mostly popular within some Charismatic circles, is taking roots in France. The two biggest Evangelical congregations in Paris, which are Charisma Eglise Chrétienne and Paris Centre Chrétien, could be described as linked to Prosperity Gospel.

This is why Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel (Oxford University Press, 2013), authored by Kate Bowler, is not only needed in America. It is also a great tool for a better understanding of a world-wide movement much more diverse than what most people think.

Good review to be read here (link).

Kingdom Theology : a shift within Health and Wealth Gospel?

2012-06-08T00:39:00+02:00

As a keynote speaker at the 2012 Padova international conference on Pentecostalism (Italy), I was glad to present my paper today (Friday 8th of June, 2012).

I was not the only one : several fascinating studies have been presented, including one describing a theological schift occuring within the Health and Wealth Gospel trend in Nigerian Pentecostalism.

Click to continue

According to professor Danny McCain, University of Jos, Nigeria (pictured below), this "Kingdom Theology" which is currently gaining popularity among Nigerian Pentecostals teaches that God created the World on everlasting principles.

Therefore, if God's Kingdom is to be restored to the earth, His people should discover and apply them as much as possible. This includes honesty, hard work, discipline, good stewardship, family values and good health.

Sunday Adelaja, famous megachurch pastor in Ukraine (pictured above), appears to be one of the leading figures of these "Apostles in the marketplace", who basically teach that instead of the basic "seed theology" of a crude variety of Health and Wealth Gospel" (give the more you can to God, and God will give you), this new refined version of Health and Wealth Gospel restores individual responsability and hard work.

Will God give back? Yes sir! But as long as His creatures take seriously their calling to work, to discipline, dedicating themselves to create riches for the good of the Kingdom.