Theologian: Most Christians Infected with Prosperity Gospel

The Christian Post has an article that addresses the rampant health and wealth prosperity gospel in evangelical churches, and not just the kind found on television either.

Most professing Christians in America are infected with at least some measure of the health and wealth gospel, said one theologian.

That is, believers have no concept of a love and a joy that does not eliminate hardship and heartache, Sam Storms of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City said at a pastors conference this week.

“For most professing believers if God is love He must promise to minimize my struggles and maximize my pleasure,” he lamented. Many believe it’s their spiritual birthright to experience comfort and prosperity and that it’s God divine obligation to provide it.

It’s a disease that’s rampant in the culture and in the church. People are inundated with messages from powerbrokers, media, entertainment, TV evangelists and bestselling authors that say joy is inextricably bound up in material prosperity, physical health, relational success and all the comforts and conveniences Western society provides.

For most people, joy and suffering are incompatible, Storms noted.

Thus preachers have a difficult task at hand in communicating to such a culture a genuine joy found in Christ. Read the whole article here.



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6 Responses to “Theologian: Most Christians Infected with Prosperity Gospel”

1. "reformed" says:

   February 8, 2010 at 3:41 pm

   The arrogance of John Piper in the accompanying video when he states: “I abominate” the properity gospel overshadowed the entire article for me, which, by the way is no new revelation! How about “abominating” Warren, Driscoll, Noble, Scazzero, and the other emergent Calvinist/SBC contemplatives he buddies up with?

   Reply
2. Blogger says:

   February 8, 2010 at 5:39 pm

   Great point.

   Reply
3. Cliff says:

   February 10, 2010 at 3:11 pm

   Ditto

   Reply
4. A_Disciple says:

   February 10, 2010 at 4:02 pm

   I don't know who else to share this with, but feel it might be important, very much to the current topic: http://www.kerrmedia.com/prophecy/Where%20is%20...

   The essence of the problem is that we have made the Gospel a debtor to the flesh, and the things the gentiles seek, the kingdom of God.

   Whereas the scriptures teach: Fix your hope COMPLETELY on the grace to be revieled at His coming.

   Reply
5. wearymom2 says:

   February 11, 2010 at 1:23 am

   I couldn't access the website you gave. I could get to kerrmedia.com but not to the page you referenced. Could you give the address again?

   Reply
6. A_Disciple says:

   February 11, 2010 at 8:34 pm

   Hi Disqus,
   This is the file, should only take 5 minutes to read. The problem I'm
   finding is that far from these issues being periferal, they are indeed
   impacting the core foundation of faith that no other man can lay.
   I appretiate your taking an interest, it seems few are interested these day,
   yours in Chrsit,
   Scott Kerr

   Quoting Disqus <>:

   Reply