Prosperity theology

== Theology ==

[[File:Parable of talents.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1| Proponents of prosperity theology often cite the [[parable of the talents]] (here depicted in a 1712 woodcut)]]

Prosperity theology teaches that Christians are entitled to well-being and, because spiritual and physical realities are seen as one inseparable reality, interprets well-being as physical health and economic prosperity.{{sfn|Hunt|2000|p= 332}} Teachers of the doctrine focus on personal [[empowerment]],{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 28}} promoting a positive view of the spirit and [[Human body|body]]. They maintain that Christians have been given power over creation because they are made in the [[image of God]] and teach that positive confession allows Christians to exercise dominion over their [[Soul in the Bible|souls]] and material objects around them.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 28}} Leaders of the movement view the [[Atonement in Christianity|atonement]] as providing for the alleviation of sickness, poverty, and spiritual corruption;{{sfn|Hunt|2000|p= 333}} poverty and illness are cast as curses which can be broken by faith and righteous actions.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p= 91}} There are, however, some prosperity churches which seek a more moderate or reformed paradigm of prosperity.{{sfn|Brown|2011|p= 152}} [[Kirbyjon Caldwell]], pastor of a [[United Methodist Church|Methodist]] [[megachurch|mega-church]], supports a theology of [[abundant life]], teaching prosperity for the whole human being, which he sees as a path to combating poverty.{{refn|name= time}}{{cref2|B}}

Wealth is interpreted in prosperity theology as a blessing from God, obtained through a spiritual law of positive confession, visualization, and donations.{{sfn|Wilson|2007|pp= 141–142}} Believers may see this process in almost mechanical terms;<ref>{{Harvnb|Coleman|2000|p=28}}: "[...] the association of the self and spiritual practices with mechanical processes is a common feature of believers' discourse."</ref> [[Kenneth Copeland]], an American author and televangelist, argues that prosperity is governed by laws,{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p=30}} while other teachers portray the process formulaically.{{sfn|Hunt|2000|p=333}} Journalists David van Biema and Jeff Chu of ''Time'' have described Word of Faith pastor [[Creflo Dollar]]'s teachings about prosperity as an inviolable contract between God and humanity.{{refn|name= time}}

The prosperity theology teaching of positive confession stems from its proponents' view of scripture. The Bible is seen as a faith contract between God and believers; God is understood to be faithful and just, so believers must fulfill their end of the contract to receive God's promises. This leads to a belief in positive confession: the doctrine that believers may claim whatever they desire from God, simply by speaking it. Prosperity theology teaches that the Bible has promised prosperity for believers, so positive confession means that believers are speaking in faith what God has already spoken about them. Positive confession is practiced to bring about what is already believed-in; faith itself is a confession, and speaking it brings it into reality.{{sfn|Walton|2009|pp= 93–94}}

The teaching often depends on non-traditional interpretations of Bible verses,{{sfn|Hunt|2000|p= 333}} the [[Book of Malachi]] often being given special attention. While Christians have generally celebrated Malachi for its passages about the [[Messiah]], teachers of prosperity theology usually draw attention to its descriptions of physical wealth.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p=92}} Frequently quoted verses include:
* {{Bibleverse||Malachi|3:10|KJV}}: {{"'}}Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.{{'"}} ([[King James Version|KJV]]){{refn|name=time}}
* {{Bibleverse||Matthew|25:14–30|KJV}}: the [[Parable of the talents or minas|Parable of the talents]]{{refn|name=rosin}}
* {{Bibleverse||John|10:10|KJV}}: {{"'}}I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.{{'"}} ([[King James Version|KJV]]){{refn|name= time}}
* {{Bibleverse||Philippians|4:19|KJV}}: "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (KJV){{sfn|Hunt|2000|p= 333}}
* {{Bibleverse|3|John|1:2|KJV}}: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (KJV){{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 41}}

Prosperity theology casts itself as the reclamation of true doctrine and thus part of a path to [[Dominion theology|Christian dominion]] over secular society.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 27}} It contends that God's promises of prosperity and victory to Israel in the [[Old Testament]] apply to [[New Covenant|New-Covenant]] Christians today, and that faith and holy actions release this prosperity.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 28}} [[C. Peter Wagner]], a leader of the [[New Apostolic Reformation]], has argued that if Christians take dominion over aspects of society, the Earth will experience "peace and prosperity".{{refn|name= wagner}} Some [[Latin America]]ns who have embraced prosperity theology argue that Christianity has historically placed an unnecessary focus on [[suffering]]. They often view this as a [[Roman Catholic]] doctrine that should be discarded and replaced with an emphasis on prosperity.{{sfn|Patterson|Rybarczyk|2007|p= 77}} Prosperity-theology advocates also argue that biblical promises of blessings awaiting the poor have been unnecessarily spiritualized, and should be understood literally.{{sfn|Smith|2010|p=43}}

=== Practices ===

Prosperity churches place a strong emphasis on the importance of giving. Some services include a teaching-time focused on giving and prosperity, including Biblical references to [[tithe|tithing]]; and then a sermon on another topic which follows the offering. Prosperity-church leaders often claim that a specific blessing can be exchanged for the money being donated to their ministry; some have been reported to instruct worshippers to hold their donations above their heads during the prayer.{{sfn|Klassen|2009|p= 133}} <!-- Is this distinctive enough for inclusion here? Prosperity churches may also allot time to pray for sick members of the congregation during services.{{refn|name=b88}}-->

Congregants in prosperity churches are encouraged to speak positive statements about aspects of their lives that they wish to see improved. These statements, known as "positive confessions" (distinct from confessions of sin), are said to miraculously change aspects of people's lives if spoken with faith.{{sfn|Brown|2011|p= 88}} Prosperity churches also encourage people to "live without limits"{{sfn|Walton|2009|p= 109}} and to cultivate optimism about their lives.{{sfn|Elisha|2011|p=45}} [[T.&nbsp;D. Jakes]], pastor of [[The Potter's House]] non-denominational mega-church, has argued in favor of prosperity, rejecting what he sees as the demonization of success. He views poverty as a barrier to living a Christian life, suggesting that it is easier to make a positive impact on society when one is affluent.{{sfn|Walton|2009|p= 109}}

While some prosperity churches have a reputation for manipulating and alienating the poor,{{sfn|Clifton|2009|p= 199}} many are involved in social programs. Underlying these programs is a theology of empowerment and human flourishing with the goal of releasing people from a "welfare" or [[Victim mentality|"victim" mentality]].{{sfn|Clifton|2009|p= 199}} Many prosperity churches hold seminars on financial responsibility. Kate Bowler, an academic who studies prosperity theology, has criticized such seminars, arguing that though they contain some sound advice, the seminars often emphasize the purchase of expensive possessions.{{refn|name= rosin}} [[Hanna Rosin]] of ''[[The Atlantic]]'' argues that prosperity theology contributed to the [[Real estate bubble|housing bubble]] that caused the [[late-2000s financial crisis]]. She maintains that prosperity churches heavily emphasized home ownership based on reliance on divine financial intervention that led to unwise choices based on actual financial ability.{{refn|name=rosin}}

Most churches in the prosperity movement are non-denominational and independent, though some groups have formed networks.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p=30}} Prosperity churches typically reject [[presbyterian polity]] (or governance) and the idea that a pastor should be accountable to [[Elder (Christianity)|elders]]; it is common for pastors of prosperity churches to be the highest organizational authority-figure.{{sfn|Coleman|2000|p= 95}} Critics, including [[Sarah Posner]] and [[Joe Conason]], maintain that prosperity teachers cultivate [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian organizations]]. They argue that leaders attempt to control the lives of adherents by claiming divinely-bestowed authority.{{sfn|Posner|Conason|2008|pp= 61–62}} Jenkins contends that prosperity theology is used as a tool to justify the high salaries of pastors.{{sfn|Jenkins|2006|p= 93}}