Christianity Today has a very interesting (and disheartening) article on the influence of the so-called prosperity, or “health and wealth”, gospel in Africa. Apparently, Paul Crouch and Kenneth Copeland don’t believe the Dark Continent is dark enough.
I have a friend who is a missionary in Kenya. He has said that it is a very difficult and frustrating task explaining to those he meets there that Benny Hinn is not representative of American Christianity.
(John Piper recently wrote a brief, but excellent, critique of this movement/theology.)
Hullo Jim,
Glad to see you have a blog of your own now.
Speaking of Piper, I was very interested in what real pastors would actually say to one another regarding errors in theology, as opposed to promoting blatantly false theology, ala Attilla the Hinn.
In his book, “The Supremacy of God in Preaching”, Piper asks some very penetrating questions I believe all men should ask themselves in these days of a move away from the true gospel of Christ:
” ..if God is not supreme in our preaching, where in this world will the people hear about the supremacy of God? If we do not spread a banquet of God’s beauty on Sunday morning, will not our people seek in vain to satisfy their inconsolable longing with the cotton candy pleasures of pasttimes and religious hype?”
I would add that even a cursory study of the bible verses regarding wealth, would reveal how blatantly false is the impression of a God who lives, according to Attilla the Hinn and others, to serve us as a divine form of Santa Claus.
Blessings for your new blog.
I don’t find that surprising at all, in lieu of the fact that he has consistently refused to provide verifiable documentation of his claims for healing over the years, even to Christian ministries who have requested it.
Ooops, wrong thread. Sorry.
The dark continent???? Whose idea was that????
Come to Africa, bro. You’ll be inspired and stirred in your faith. I am South African and my wife is Nigerian. God is doing great things in His Church here. Don’t go by hearsay.
Just because the link between God’s wisdom and financial stewardship isn’t clear to you, or has been hyped up in ways not to your taste, doesn’t mean its not making a positive difference in many people’s lives around the world. It’s part of discipleship. Giving, financial or otherwise, is a principle of the Kingdom. Africans are among the most generous people on the planet.
Your comments re: “not dark enough” would be insulting if your ignorance was not so plain - so why not plan a trip to Africa - your currency would stretch a long way - let me know if you are genuinely interested. I’m sure you would really enjoy visiting the body of Christ here.
“Blessed to be a Blessing”
Love from Daniel
Daniel,
First, “Dark Continent” was coined as a reference to Africa by (I think) Sir Henry Morton Stanley in 1878. My “dark enough” comment was intended to be a humorous play on words.
Second, did you read the linked article by John Piper? It succinctly sums up my thoughts on the prosperity gospel - it’s no gospel at all.
Third, I plan on visiting Africa one day. A friend of mine is a full-time missionary in Kenya.
http://www.ericinafrica.com/
Interestingly, he has had some difficulty differentiating between the prosperity gospel and Christ’s Gospel for many he has encountered there.
I have very small children right now, and will likely not make that trip for some time. Lord willing, some day I will.
God Bless
If you are planning a trip, save my email and get in touch with me.
We also have a young daughter, of nine months. Why not bring your whole family?
love from Daniel