Prosperity theology

=== Comparisons with other movements ===
Historian [[Carter Lindberg]] of [[Boston University]] has drawn parallels between contemporary prosperity theology and the medieval [[Abuse of indulgences|indulgence trade]].{{sfn|Lindberg|2010|pp=59–60}} Comparisons have also been made to [[Calvinism]], but [[John T. McNeill]] disputes the widespread semi-[[Max Weber|Weberian]] idea that Calvinism promoted the idea of prosperity as a marker of [[the elect]].<ref>{{Harvnb| McNeill | 1954 | p = 222}}: "The now popular notion that Calvin held the prosperity of believers to be proof of their election is a perversion of Weber and an inversion of Calvin."</ref> Coleman notes that several pre–20th century Christian movements in the United States taught that a holy lifestyle was a path to prosperity and that God-ordained hard work would bring blessing.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p=40}}

Coleman has speculated that modern-day prosperity theology borrows heavily from the [[New Thought]] movement, though he admits that the connection is sometimes unclear.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|pp=42–43}} Jenkins notes that critics draw a parallel between prosperity theology and the [[cargo cult]] phenomenon.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p=91}} While citing the popularity of prosperity theology in agrarian African communities, he argues that it can also bear similarities to [[Traditional African religion|traditional African religious]] rituals.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p=72}} J. Matthew Wilson of [[Southern Methodist University]] compares the movement to [[Black theology]] owing to its focus on uplifting oppressed groups, though he notes that it differs in its concentration on individual success rather than corporate political change.{{sfn|Wilson|2007|p=142}}

Observers have proposed that some doctrines and beliefs found in [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) are reminiscent of prosperity theology.<ref name="Harper">{{cite magazine|last=Lehmann|first=Chris|date=1 October 2011|title=Pennies from Heaven: How Mormon economics shape the G.O.P.|url=https://harpers.org/archive/2011/10/pennies-from-heaven/|url-status=live|magazine=[[Harper's Magazine]]|location=[[New York City]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729132146/https://harpers.org/archive/2011/10/pennies-from-heaven/|archive-date=29 July 2013|access-date=1 May 2021}}</ref> This includes a similar interpretation of Malachi 3:10 found among LDS members as among Protestant prosperity theology and LDS lesson manuals teaching a "prosperity cycle" that shows material wealth follows from obedience to God.<ref>John Larsen, "[https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/mormonism-and-the-prosperity-gospel/ Mormonism And The Prosperity Gospel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801171109/https://www.sunstonemagazine.com/mormonism-and-the-prosperity-gospel/ |date=2019-08-01 }}", January 2011 lecture at the [[Sunstone (magazine)|Sunstone Foundation]].</ref>  A ''[[Harper's Magazine]]'' editorial from 2011 alleged that these similarities were behind the Republican Party's economic policies, and further claimed that " In comparison to most other Protestant denominations, Mormonism has an established tradition of entrepreneurship and less ambivalence about the pursuit of wealth." However, it also explicitly noted that "None of the prosperity gospel’s proponents are themselves Mormon."<ref name="Harper" />