Introduction
The prosperity gospel, also known as the health and wealth gospel or the word of faith, is a relatively new gospel that has gained increasing acceptance since the later part of the 20th century till today. In Singapore, the prosperity gospel has been around for the last 20 years and has grown in prominence in the last decade. This gospel promises wealth and health. According to this gospel, if believers repeat positive confessions, focus their thoughts and generate enough faith, God will release blessings upon their lives. This gospel claims that God desires and even promises that believers will live a healthy and financially prosperous life
I am writing this article primarily because of the health claims of the prosperity gospel. I have spent more than a year researching on the development of the prosperity gospel and I have come to believe these claims to be wrong both biblically and medically. The prosperity gospel has deeply penetrated the mindset of Christians even to those who are not worshiping in the prosperity gospel churches. My article is written for 2 groups of readers
1. For my medical colleagues are who treating Christian patients who believe in the prosperity gospel. And these same patients are now struggling with their illness and faith because of the health claims of the prosperity gospel
2. For my medical colleagues who themselves are attracted to the prosperity gospel. And now have difficulty reconciling the reality of medical practice and their faith
Why is the prosperity gospel so popular?
1. The prosperity gospel uses the same basic tenets, similar sermon styles with familiar Christian words and quotes multiple bible verses to support it. This makes most Christians think the prosperity gospel is a legitimate theology of the bible
2. The prosperity gospel is a very attractive gospel. It promises a lot for the believers and demands a little. It appeals to a materialistic culture and promises power over illness and death. And all these is done under the veneer that this is God’s will for His children. People love to hear that God wants them to be rich and to make them healthy.
To understand how prevalent the idea of linking faith, wealth and health, the book, 'Health, Wealth & Happiness' refers to the 10 Country Survey of Pentecostals done by the Pew Forum in 2006 .
Here are 2 questions found in the survey on pg 147 & 148
Question 1. God will grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith
Percentage of Pentecostals and charismatic who completely agree or mostly agree
Pentacostals Charismatics
United states 66% 59%
Brazil 83% 61%
Kenya 85% 83%
India 93% 95%
Philippines 90% 85%
Question 2. God will grant good health and relief from sickness to believers who have enough faith
Percentage of Pentecostals and charismatic who completely agree or mostly agree
Pentacostals Charismatics
United states 68% 71%
Brazil 89% 72%
Kenya 94% 94%
India 93% 97%
Philippines 99% 97%
The survey can downloaded at
http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Evangelical-Protestant-Churches/Spirit-and-Power.aspx
The prosperity gospel, also known as the health and wealth gospel or the word of faith, is a relatively new gospel that has gained increasing acceptance since the later part of the 20th century till today. In Singapore, the prosperity gospel has been around for the last 20 years and has grown in prominence in the last decade. This gospel promises wealth and health. According to this gospel, if believers repeat positive confessions, focus their thoughts and generate enough faith, God will release blessings upon their lives. This gospel claims that God desires and even promises that believers will live a healthy and financially prosperous life
I am writing this article primarily because of the health claims of the prosperity gospel. I have spent more than a year researching on the development of the prosperity gospel and I have come to believe these claims to be wrong both biblically and medically. The prosperity gospel has deeply penetrated the mindset of Christians even to those who are not worshiping in the prosperity gospel churches. My article is written for 2 groups of readers
1. For my medical colleagues are who treating Christian patients who believe in the prosperity gospel. And these same patients are now struggling with their illness and faith because of the health claims of the prosperity gospel
2. For my medical colleagues who themselves are attracted to the prosperity gospel. And now have difficulty reconciling the reality of medical practice and their faith
Why is the prosperity gospel so popular?
1. The prosperity gospel uses the same basic tenets, similar sermon styles with familiar Christian words and quotes multiple bible verses to support it. This makes most Christians think the prosperity gospel is a legitimate theology of the bible
2. The prosperity gospel is a very attractive gospel. It promises a lot for the believers and demands a little. It appeals to a materialistic culture and promises power over illness and death. And all these is done under the veneer that this is God’s will for His children. People love to hear that God wants them to be rich and to make them healthy.
To understand how prevalent the idea of linking faith, wealth and health, the book, 'Health, Wealth & Happiness' refers to the 10 Country Survey of Pentecostals done by the Pew Forum in 2006 .
Here are 2 questions found in the survey on pg 147 & 148
Question 1. God will grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith
Percentage of Pentecostals and charismatic who completely agree or mostly agree
Pentacostals Charismatics
United states 66% 59%
Brazil 83% 61%
Kenya 85% 83%
India 93% 95%
Philippines 90% 85%
Question 2. God will grant good health and relief from sickness to believers who have enough faith
Percentage of Pentecostals and charismatic who completely agree or mostly agree
Pentacostals Charismatics
United states 68% 71%
Brazil 89% 72%
Kenya 94% 94%
India 93% 97%
Philippines 99% 97%
The survey can downloaded at
http://www.pewforum.org/Christian/Evangelical-Protestant-Churches/Spirit-and-Power.aspx
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Or It can be downloaded here. Turn to Page 147 & 148 for the survey quoted above
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