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What are the biblical criticisms of the prosperity gospel movement?
Executive summary
Critics say the prosperity gospel conflicts with core biblical themes: it elevates material blessing as a primary mark of God’s favor, relies on proof‑texting, and downplays suffering and the cross [1] [2]. Major evangelical critiques list theological errors — misreading atonement, literalizing select verses, and marginalizing Jesus’ centrality — and tie these to ethical harms and exploitation [3] [4] [5].
1. What critics mean when they call it a “different gospel”
Many evaluations frame prosperity teaching not as a tweak but as a competing “gospel”: critics argue it promises health, wealth, and happiness here and now and makes material blessing the primary sign of faith, thereby altering the gospel’s center on Christ’s death and resurrection [6] [4]. The Gospel Coalition and other theological reviewers contend this is more than bad emphasis — it asserts benefits (physical healing, financial prosperity) are secured in the atonement in ways the wider church does not affirm [3].
2. Hermeneutics under fire: proof‑texting and context collapse
A repeated biblical criticism is methodological: prosperity preachers are accused of proof‑texting — selecting isolated verses and stripping context to support predetermined claims about wealth and health [2] [7]. Critics from Lausanne and commentators like Dieudonné Tamfu argue this naively literal hermeneutic misapplies texts and ignores passages that teach suffering, self‑denial, and the theology of the cross [1] [8].
3. Theology of suffering vs. promise of constant blessing
Scripture contains sustained teaching about suffering, persecution, and self‑denial for believers (e.g., 2 Tim. 3:12, Acts 9:16, Mark 8:34 referenced as background in critiques). Critics point out the tension between those texts and a movement that often promises trouble‑free health and worldly success, saying the latter “has no theology” for pain and hardship [7] [1]. The Lausanne analysis emphasizes that prosperity teaching “has no theology or Biblical explanation for challenges related to pain” [1].
4. Doctrinal errors flagged: atonement, covenant, and the role of confession
Scholars highlight particular doctrinal claims of prosperity theology as mistaken: for example, asserting that the atonement secured physical health and material wealth for every believer. Ken Sarles and others identify this as a misunderstanding of the atonement’s scope; the error then undergirds practices like “name it and claim it” or transactional relationships with God [3] [5]. Bible.org criticizes how the movement reinterprets the Abrahamic covenant and elevates consumerist desires as divinely promised [5].
5. Ethical and practical consequences raised by critics
Beyond exegesis, critics point to harms: exploitation of vulnerable people, an idolization of wealth and power, and pastors who may promote material gain while neglecting biblical calls to sacrifice and service [2] [5]. Britannica notes high‑profile reversals — figures who recanted prosperity claims — and questions about equating possessions with God’s favor, asking what the message means for billions in poverty [9].
6. Defenders and counterarguments (briefly noted)
Defenders assert Scriptural support for God’s blessing and point to testimonies of transformed lives; Britannica records that proponents cite many verses and personal success stories as evidence that God wants believers blessed [9]. The sources provided indicate this pro‑prosperity case exists but also show mainstream evangelical institutions dispute its theological foundations [9] [3].
7. How critics recommend responding theologically and pastorally
Across critiques the recommended remedy is consistent: recover a Christ‑centered hermeneutic that honors the cross, teaches a robust theology of suffering, resists proof‑texting, and reorients discipleship away from consumer success toward service [8] [2]. Lausanne and other evangelical bodies call for careful missionary and theological work to articulate an alternative that resonates especially with younger, upwardly mobile believers tempted by prosperity promises [2].
Limitations and gaps: these sources document a broad and sustained critical consensus among many evangelical and academic voices, but available sources do not quantify how many Christians accept or reject prosperity theology worldwide, nor do they present extended interviews with leading prosperity proponents within this set of documents (not found in current reporting).