Why I used to believe in the prosperity gospel like Kenneth Copeland believes

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

If you haven’t seen the video of Fort Worth, Texas, televangelist Kenneth Copeland attempting to answer questions about his private plane and the prosperity gospel in a rare and unexpected interview with Lisa Guerrero of “Inside Edition,” do so. It’s stunning, and important.
It’s difficult to get time with prosperity preachers. I would know, as I used to be one and work with one — my uncle, Benny Hinn...

Wealthy preachers like Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, Paula White and my uncle live like rock stars in multimillion-dollar mansions, drive luxury cars, fly in private jets and do it all using donations from their faithful followers. Let’s face it, the prosperity does look pretty good!
This twisted version of Christianity promises that Jesus will make you healthy, wealthy and happy.
The heartbreaking reality of the prosperity gospel is that by the time you reach the top of the pyramid, you’re still empty. Many preachers spend the better part of their ministry exploiting people to have it all, only to weep with regret decades later when they realize they’ve got a date with destiny coming for them.

To read more:

https://religionnews.com/2019/06/06/why-i-used-to-believe-in-the-prosperity-gospel-like-kenneth-copeland-believes/

Greed, and a desire for power in action.

[keithbvadu2]

1. Why are the faith 'healers' in stadiums and television instead of going from hospital to hospital cu

Why are the faith 'healers' in stadiums and television instead of going from hospital to hospital curing//healing people?

1. Because those venues are far more profitable.

2. Because hospitals can check the results.

[guillaumeb]

3. True.

They are driven by money.

And, they are good salespeople for their message. Their own wealth is seen by some as proof that their message is correct.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. thoroughly nauseating, disgusting human beings, the lot of them.

Hell can not be too hot or too eternal for them all.

Even more pathetic are those who fall for it.

[guillaumeb]

4. Some of those who fall for it are not intelligent enough to see the lies.

Worse are those who deceive.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. yes it's a good point, I know...it is frustrating knowing so many think

they can get something for nothing - and that is all about "stuff" and "Money". I guess a lot of people are simply lost.

[guillaumeb]

6. An excellent point.

The advertising industry exists to tell us that wealth is a substitute for everything.

[Bretton Garcia]

7. But poor people do need more material things.

Maybe not riches. But at least a minimal prosperity.

So it might not be entirely good when very smug, superior, spiritual people denigrate prosperity TOO much. Since that denigrates and works against the poor.

It's all too easy for moderately well-off Christians to disdain or put down prosperity. Because 1) the already well-off already have it. And 2) often they don't know what it is like to be without basic necessities, like good food and medical care.

Granted, the filthy rich ministers of prosperity, those who went too fat with prosperity, are bad people. But what about the metaphorical, over-spiritual Christians, who attack the efforts of poor people to lift themselves up?

[guillaumeb]

8. Well said.

The argument should be that we all need a living wage, not a minimum wage.

In my view, the issue with prosperity is that all too often it comes at the expense of the workers.

But the issue with the prosperity Gospel ideology, in my view, is that prosperity is presented as a sign of divine favor, and thus a good thing in itself.

[Bretton Garcia]

9. You may be answering your own objection partly

If prosperity is sign of divine favor, then it is not just good in itself.

[trotsky]

11. "prosperity is presented as a sign of divine favor"

That's because the bible says it is.

Malachi 3:10: "'Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord All-Powerful. 'I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.'"

Matthew 25:14–30: (the Parable of the talents)

John 10:10: "'I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'"

Philippians 4:19: "My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

3 John 1:2: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

[guillaumeb]

15. These verses do not explicitly refer to material wealth. eom

[trotsky]

18. That's your personal interpretation. They, of course, disagree.

And you can't prove they're wrong.

[Bretton Garcia]

14. "By their fruits you shall know them"

"He who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater things than these... Whatever you ask in my name, will do it...." (John 14.12-13 RSV.)

"'I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, he is God.' ... Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones...." (1 Kings 19.24, 38).

Just metaphors for spiritual things? Note the vivid physicality of thousands of Biblical descriptions. And the scientific experiment in Dan. 1.4-15. KJE. As well as many warnings about false things even in spiritual things; "false spirits," etc..

[guillaumeb]

17. One assumes that you had a point.

Feel free to elaborate on it.

[trotsky]

19. Why so rude?

Is that a Christian way to treat someone, guillaumeb?

[Bretton Garcia]

21. The points: 1) the Bible promised many material things.

In fact, it 2) stressed science; learning from observing physical material things. And 3) it told us to evaluate Christians by their physical material fruits.

These 4) do not have to be read as mere metaphors for spiritual things. And in fact. the Biblical stress on "science" (Dan. 1.4-15/KJE) militates against it. As do 5) warnings about bad and "false" things in spirit, spirituality ("false spirits," etc.).

Many proud, vain, elitist Christians assert the Bible should be read as spiritual metaphor, mostly. But? Actually the Bible warned constantly about many bad and false things in spirits - and in effect, in spirituality.

So finally the "spiritual" reading of the Bible and its apparent physical miracles and so forth, is hardly better than the prosperity reading, that took them as real, literal, physical events

[trotsky]

10. They just have a different interpretation of the bible than you do.

You can't prove otherwise.

[Act_of_Reparation]

12. Objections that could just as easily be directed at any denomination.

But whatever. Let's pretend these assholes are unique.

[trotsky]

13. Well you see, it's OK to tell these believers they are wrong.

But not others. Because reasons.

[guillaumeb]

16. Greed, and a desire for power in action.

My opinion.

[trotsky]

20. That's right, it's ONLY your opinion. n/t