When you examine the roots of the word “theology,” (“theo” = God + “ology” = study), you might think it means the study of a deity. To some, that might sound like religion itself, especially since many of the world’s largest religions expect adherents to study as part of their practice. Theology is the study of religious thought and expression as doctrine. Within a particular faith or denomination, believers may embrace one or more theologies. One such theology in Christianity is “prosperity theology.”
What Is Prosperity Theology?
Prosperity theology is a doctrine that affluence, financial success, and physical health are the will of God. Also known as “prosperity gospel,” “health-and-wealth gospel,” and “seed faith,” this doctrine is based on the idea that faith, the giving of tithes and offerings, and positive speech will improve a believer’s well-being and material wealth. Christians who are healthy and successful are recipients of God’s divine favor.
Espoused mostly by Protestant Christians, this theology considers the Bible a roadmap for overcoming the curses of poverty, insecurity, and sickness. Prosperity theology focuses on the concept of personal empowerment as God’s will. If you can visualize and verbalize positive outcomes as evidence of your faith, God will reward you.
Where Did Prosperity Theology Come From?
Some religious scholars link the origin of prosperity theology to the New Thought movement of the 1800s. One of the core tenets of New Thought was a link between one’s mental state and manifestation into daily experiences. Prosperity gospel, in their view, is formed by the cross-pollination of New Thought, Pentecostalism (with its emphasis on healing through faith), and American ideals such as pragmatism, individualism, and upward mobility.
Prosperity theology emerged in the mid-20th century “healing revivals” that were fundamental to modern evangelical and charismatic Christian movements. Although many early Pentecostals often linked material wealth to spiritual infirmity, by the 1940s and 1950s, Pentecostal leaders began to promote the idea of health-and-wealth gospel as doctrine (i.e., “Ask and ye shall receive” and “give and it will be given back to you.”)
This doctrine spread further through the rise of televangelism thanks to prominent leaders such as Oral Roberts and Jim Bakker. The Trinity Broadcasting Network became a major vehicle for the international spread of prosperity theology by the end of the century. In the 1970s, the “positive affirmation” element of this theology emerged through the teachings of Kenneth Hagin. This “Word of Faith” movement focused on the belief that you can speak things into reality if they’re aligned with God’s will.
What Criticisms Do Some Have With Prosperity Gospel?
Detractors of health-and-wealth gospel exist both outside of and within the Christian faith (including Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians). Some of the most common criticisms include the following:
- It is heretical and based on misleading or faulty interpretations of scriptures related to tithing, divine reciprocity, and God’s covenant with Abraham.
- It suggests that righteousness can be earned and that an easy life is assured by following the Bible.
- It contradicts the gospel of Jesus and misrepresents him and his life on Earth, death, and subsequent resurrection.
- It emphasizes material wealth and possessions, promoting idolatry and the love of money, which the Bible asserts is “the root of all evil.”
- It is exploitative of the poor, especially those who believe that regular giving will improve their situation.
The practices of some prosperity gospel proponents have resulted in scandal and fraud charges. Some Christians embrace certain aspects of seed faith while rejecting others.
Although Christianity is the world’s most popular religion, there are various denominations, sects, and movements within it. Theologies, such as prosperity gospel, also add to the diversity of belief within the Christian faith. Walking your spiritual path often requires you to take a look at your beliefs and experiences and how they compare and contrast with certain theologies.