Pentecostalism

== Controversies and criticism==
Various Christian groups have criticized the Pentecostal and charismatic movement for too much attention to [[mysticism|mystical]] manifestations, such as [[glossolalia]] (which, for a believer, would be the obligatory sign of a [[baptism with the Holy Spirit]]); along with falls to the ground, moans and cries during worship services, as well as [[anti-intellectualism]].<ref>Wolfgang Vondey, ''Pentecostalism: A Guide for the Perplexed'', A&C Black, UK, 2012, p. 37-38</ref>

A particularly controversial doctrine in the Evangelical Churches is that of the [[prosperity theology]], which spread in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States, mainly through Pentecostals and [[Charismatic Christianity|charismatic]] [[televangelist]]s.<ref>Kate Bowler, ''Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel'', OUP USA, USA, 2013, p. 73</ref><ref>Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 562</ref> This doctrine is centered on the teaching of [[Christian faith]] as a means to enrich oneself financially and materially through a "positive confession" and a contribution to Christian [[Minister (Christianity)|ministries]].<ref>Kate Bowler, ''Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel'', OUP USA, USA, 2013, p. 59</ref> Promises of [[divine healing]] and [[Prosperity theology|prosperity]] are guaranteed in exchange for certain amounts of donation.<ref>Bob Smietana, 
[https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/july/prosperity-gospel-survey-churchgoers-prosper-tithe-blessing.html Prosperity Gospel Taught to 4 in 10 Evangelical Churchgoers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201180043/https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2018/july/prosperity-gospel-survey-churchgoers-prosper-tithe-blessing.html |date=2020-12-01 }}, christianitytoday.com, USA, July 31, 2018</ref><ref>Kate Shellnutt, [https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/faithful-tithing-now-comes-with-money-back-guarantee.html When Tithing Comes With a Money-Back Guarantee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108091347/https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2016/june-web-only/faithful-tithing-now-comes-with-money-back-guarantee.html |date=2020-11-08 }}, christianitytoday.com, USA, June 28, 2016</ref> Some pastors threaten those who do not [[tithe]] with curses, attacks from the devil and poverty.<ref>Eniola Akinkuotu, [https://punchng.com/youre-under-financial-curse-if-you-dont-pay-tithe-oyedepo-2/ You're under financial curse if you don't pay tithe – Oyedepo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018161332/https://punchng.com/youre-under-financial-curse-if-you-dont-pay-tithe-oyedepo-2/ |date=2022-10-18 }}, punchng.com, Nigeria, July 18, 2020</ref><ref>Raoul Mbog, [https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2015/12/25/le-juteux-business-du-pasteur-evangelique-dieunedort-kamdem_4838146_3212.html Le juteux business du pasteur évangélique Dieunedort Kamdem] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216010750/https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2015/12/25/le-juteux-business-du-pasteur-evangelique-dieunedort-kamdem_4838146_3212.html |date=2020-02-16 }}, lemonde.fr, France, December 25, 2015</ref> The collections of offerings are multiple or separated in various baskets or envelopes to stimulate the contributions of the faithful.<ref>Yannick Fer, [http://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/55/31/93/PDF/YF_session_30-43.pdf Le système pentecôtiste de gestion de l'argent : Entre illusion subjective et rationalité institutionnelle] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006133644/http://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/55/31/93/PDF/YF_session_30-43.pdf |date=2014-10-06 }}, Congrès de l'association française de sociologie (AFS), France, 2011, p. 7-8</ref><ref name="connectionivoirienne.net">Serge Alain Koffi, [https://www.connectionivoirienne.net/2021/04/04/proliferation-des-eglises-evangeliques-en-cote-divoire-le-reveil-du-business-spirituel-enquete/ Prolifération des églises évangéliques en Côte d'Ivoire: Le réveil du business spirituel (ENQUÊTE)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121160547/https://www.connectionivoirienne.net/2021/04/04/proliferation-des-eglises-evangeliques-en-cote-divoire-le-reveil-du-business-spirituel-enquete/ |date=2022-11-21 }}, connectionivoirienne.net, Ivory Coast, April 04, 2021</ref> The offerings and the [[tithe]] occupies a lot of time in some worship services.<ref name="connectionivoirienne.net"/> Often associated with the mandatory tithe, this doctrine is sometimes compared to a [[Business plan|religious business]].<ref>Laurie Goodstein, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/us/16gospel.html Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001174224/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/us/16gospel.html |date=2019-10-01 }}, nytimes.com, USA, August 15, 2009</ref><ref>Jean-Christophe Laurence, [http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/national/201011/17/01-4343412-le-business-religieux.php Le business religieux] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081405/http://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/national/201011/17/01-4343412-le-business-religieux.php |date=2014-10-06 }}, lapresse.ca, Canada, November 17, 2010</ref><ref>Trésor Kibangula, [https://www.jeuneafrique.com/134687/politique/rdc-pasteur-un-job-en-or/  RDC : pasteur, un job en or] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211073851/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/134687/politique/rdc-pasteur-un-job-en-or/ |date=2021-02-11 }}, jeuneafrique.com, France, February 06, 2014</ref> In 2012, the National Council of Evangelicals of France published a document denouncing this doctrine, mentioning that prosperity was indeed possible for a believer, but that this theology taken to the extreme leads to materialism and to [[idolatry]], which is not the purpose of the gospel.<ref>Henrik Lindell, [http://www.lavie.fr/religion/protestantisme/theologie-de-la-prosperite-quand-dieu-devient-un-distributeur-de-miracles-08-08-2012-29858_18.php Théologie de la prospérité : quand Dieu devient un distributeur de miracles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808150812/http://www.lavie.fr/religion/protestantisme/theologie-de-la-prosperite-quand-dieu-devient-un-distributeur-de-miracles-08-08-2012-29858_18.php |date=2016-08-08 }}, lavie.fr, France, August 8, 2012</ref><ref>AFP, [http://www.lepoint.fr/societe/le-ruineux-evangile-des-theologiens-de-la-prosperite-26-03-2013-1646315_23.php  Le ruineux Evangile des "théologiens de la prospérité"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112190811/http://www.lepoint.fr/societe/le-ruineux-evangile-des-theologiens-de-la-prosperite-26-03-2013-1646315_23.php |date=2016-01-12 }}, lepoint.fr, France, March 26, 2013</ref> Pentecostal pastors adhering to prosperity theology have been criticized by journalists for their lavish lifestyle (luxury clothes, big houses, [[high end]] cars, private aircraft, etc.).<ref>Cathleen Falsani, [https://www.ocregister.com/2013/10/07/falsani-get-real-preachers-of-la/ Falsani: Get real, 'Preachers of L.A.'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103200617/https://www.ocregister.com/2013/10/07/falsani-get-real-preachers-of-la/ |date=2020-11-03 }}, ocregister.com, USA, October 7, 2013</ref>

In Pentecostalism, rifts accompanied the teaching of [[faith healing]]. In some churches, pricing for prayer against promises of healing has been observed.<ref name="auto"/> Some [[pastors]] and [[evangelism|evangelists]] have been charged with claiming false healings.<ref>BBC, [https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region-47138902 Un pasteur qui 'prétend guérir' le Sida condamné au Zimbabwe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121155116/https://www.bbc.com/afrique/region-47138902 |date=2020-11-21 }}, bbc.com, UK, February 6, 2019</ref><ref>Bbc, [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47370398 South Africa funeral firm to sue pastor for 'resurrection stunt'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211132641/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47370398 |date=2020-12-11 }}, bbc.com, UK, February 26, 2018</ref> Some churches have advised their members against [[vaccination]] or other [[medicine]], stating that it is for those weak in the faith and that with a positive confession, they would be immune from the disease.<ref>Marwa Eltagouri, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/02/06/televangelist-suggests-alternate-flu-shot-inoculate-yourself-with-the-word-of-god A televangelist's flu-season advice: 'Inoculate yourself with the word of God'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927160625/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2018/02/06/televangelist-suggests-alternate-flu-shot-inoculate-yourself-with-the-word-of-god/ |date=2018-09-27 }}, cnn.com, USA, February 6, 2018</ref><ref>Richard Burgess, ''Nigeria's Christian Revolution'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2008, p. 225</ref> Pentecostal churches that discourage the use of medicine have caused preventable deaths, sometimes leading to parents being sentenced to prison for the deaths of their children.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Crombie |first1=Noelle |title=Followers of Christ criminal investigations: A history |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/oregon-city/2017/03/followers_of_christ_investigat.html |newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |access-date=19 September 2023 |language=en |date=11 March 2017}}</ref> This position is not representative of most Pentecostal churches.{{cn|date=February 2024}} "The Miraculous Healing", published in 2015 by the {{ill|National Council of Evangelicals of France|fr|Conseil national des évangéliques de France}}, describes [[medicine]] as one of the gifts given by God to humanity.<ref>Serge Carrel, [https://lafree.ch/info/un-texte-du-cnef-pour-dialoguer-autour-de-la-guerison Un texte du CNEF pour dialoguer autour de la guérison] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008202027/https://lafree.ch/info/un-texte-du-cnef-pour-dialoguer-autour-de-la-guerison |date=2020-10-08 }}, lafree.ch, Switzerland, 13 May 2016</ref><ref>CNEF, [https://www.lecnef.org/page/510844-comite-theologique La guérison miraculeuse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201171336/https://www.lecnef.org/page/510844-comite-theologique |date=2021-02-01 }}, lecnef.org, France, June 2015</ref> Churches and certain evangelical humanitarian organizations are also involved in medical health programs.<ref>Stephen Offutt, ''New Centers of Global Evangelicalism in Latin America and Africa'', Cambridge University Press, UK, 2015, p. 143</ref><ref>Melani McAlister, ''The Kingdom of God Has No Borders: A Global History of American Evangelicals'', Oxford University Press, USA, 2018, p. 223, 256</ref><ref>Sharon Henderson Callahan, ''Religious Leadership: A Reference Handbook'', SAGE Publications, USA, 2013, p. 494</ref>