we may be living in a material world, but…

Is God a material God?

Prosperity gospel preaching gives new meaning to the “riches” of God’s love

Arlen Faloon ’11, English

Expositions:  Theology

Let me start with a disclaimer: I don’t pretend to be a biblical scholar. I’ve been a Christian almost my entire life, but I still have a lifelong journey to grow in the understanding of my faith. I am not writing this to condemn or judge anyone. You may not have the same thoughts I have, but this topic is an important one to think about. I am just a regular dude with a lot of concerns about the American Church, and I want to continue a discussion that greater men than I have started. Last but not least, I pray that God guides me and uses me in a way beneficial to Him, and that I can seek the truth and avoid my negative biases. Amen.

Romans 16:17-18 says: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them, for those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” 1 This passage is one of many warnings in the New Testament about false teachings and teachers.

False teachings are preached as if they were scriptural truths, when they are actually far from anything in the Bible. The worst part is they come from those who purport to speak for God. They pose a major threat to the Church, because they can do a lot of damage. Can you think of anyone in America that could be considered a false teacher? Are there people in today using the message of Christ to “serve their own belly”?

A few years ago, I tuned to a Christian television channel broadcasting a church service in Texas. The pastor had a soft voice with a Southern accent, a great smile, and he seemed confident in what he was preaching. He talked about a college student who was having a tough time financially, like many of us are. The student cried out to God and was rewarded with a new job or scholarship not long after. The pastor then gave an uplifting message of how we can turn to God in times of need. All we have to do is call out His name, and He is there for us, especially in times of financial strain.

I later found that most, if not all of this pastor’s preaching is centered around the principle that having a relationship with Christ makes life easier, and he is not the only one preaching this message. Televangelists and church leaders everywhere are peddling what is known as the prosperity gospel, and many Christians are being taken in by it.

The basic idea behind the prosperity gospel is that Christ Jesus did not die on the cross just to pay for our sins and offer the world everlasting life, but also to reward His followers with a rich, prosperous life here on earth, provided that we have enough faith.

The Bible does not condemn wealth outright, and neither do I. There are many successful Christians who do great things with the wealth they earn. Solomon, the king of Israel, was extremely wealthy and dedicated to God at the same time. However, many places in the Bible warn against greed – the love of money.  Saying one should follow Christ so they can live a better life is not just blasphemy, it also has no biblical foundation to back it up.

Coming to know Christ and starting a relationship with Him is the most important decision someone can make, and it is both uplifting and rewarding. Many Christians feel like they are taken care of. It is a feeling that is difficult to describe, but warmth, joy, and comfort are a few consequences of a fruitful Christian life. However, Jesus teaches us there is another side to being one of His followers. There is a price – a price that those who follow the prosperity gospel contradict with their teachings.

Jesus tells us if we follow Him, we could lose everything and everyone we have ever loved; we might even lose our lives. He says: “If the world hates you keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” 2 And again: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” 3 These verses let Christians know what we may experience in life. We may be persecuted to the point of death, but we can take comfort in Jesus’ words, even as gloomy as they seem.

Not one of us is better than Jesus, so why should we get away from this world unscathed when He suffered for our sins? If we are truly to be His followers, we must be ready for the consequences that accompany this choice. The least we can do is to stand in the face of persecution and stay strong in our faith. However, the prosperity gospel teaches Christians that they can enjoy the good life here on earth, ignoring the needs of those around them, and later enter eternal bliss without ever having to suffer the way Jesus did. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

One of the reasons I oppose the prosperity gospel is because I fear what could happen to a person who believes the Christian life is all sunshine and happiness, only to find out the hard way that it is not. I am concerned about what type of damage could be done to someone’s relationship with Christ if they believe He wants to make them rich. What happens to a person during a difficult financial time when they pray to God for help and no help comes? What happens when someone is persecuted for their beliefs, and they are not prepared because they have heard a sugar-coated gospel? Their faith may be so damaged that they abandon it.

Christianity in America is being marketed as the new get-rich-quick scheme. The pastor I mentioned before has said that he likes to stick to the goodness of God rather than the sin part. However, the “sin part” is an important aspect of our faith – without it, we never would have fallen from God’s grace. Without sin, there is no need for a messiah whose blood washes it away and brings us into good standing with God. With no doctrine of sin, there is no reason to teach repentance – turning away from the sins we once loved – which is a vital aspect of our salvation. The prosperity gospel does not teach Christian principles; it contra­dicts them.

We are extremely lucky to live in the United States. Having the freedoms we do would probably seem like a dream come true for those persecuted for their faith in oppressed nations. As much as I feel sorry for and pray for them, I am also a little envious. Not of their pain and suffering, which I know God must feel as well, but rather of the way the trials and persecutions they endure must strengthen their faith like tempering strengthens steel. I’m not saying Americans don’t know what faith means, but people living in hellish conditions are tested differently than Americans, and they know the true meaning of persecution.

Paul Washer, a Baptist preacher who was interviewed about one of his missions trips to South America, told the story of a Christian caught by four armed attackers. The young man pleaded for his life but said he would not turn his back on Christ in exchange for his release. The men shot him five times in the stomach, and he died in a pool of blood.4

There are times when I think about this story or others that I have heard, and I wonder if I would be as brave as the young man was when he stood by his faith in the face of death. Could I look at a gun and stand for what I believe, or would I deny Him like the Apostle Peter did? I fear that the American Church is wasting the freedom we have been given and turning the message of Christ into “Do whatever you want, and you can go to heaven too.” We shouldn’t be afraid to stand up against messages we disagree with.

If anyone is preaching something as the Word of God that we don’t believe is scriptural, we shouldn’t be afraid to ask them about it. Also, we must read and know the Bible as thoroughly as we can. How else will we know if we are being led astray by someone preaching with their belly instead of their heart? Remember, God loves us all forever. Even though times might get tough, He is still there to help us overcome our tribulations in this world. Just don’t expect Him to spot you for your rent payment; that’s not what He’s there for.

1.  Romans 16: 17-18, New King James Version.

2.   John 15:18-19, New International Version.

3.  Matthew 5:11-12, NIV.

4.  Washer, Paul. Interview conducted by Kirk Cameron. Published by Way of the Master. Bellflower, Calif.: Nov. 28, 2007