Cultural Context and Language of the Prosperity Gospel

The goal and objective of the "legacy" of the prosperity gospel is to mold the language and message of the Bible into the cultural context and understanding of Faith theology. For example: that of the doctrine of Faith  (Heb. 11:1) have been turned into bad mythology as a "force." God who is relegated to a "Faith" being had to utilize His "force of His faith" to create the world that we are living in by which the transcendent Creator is a Man subject to Someone outside of Himself.  If in fact God had to utilize His force of His faith to create the world than who become the object of His trust? Does "faith" become the object of His faith? Or Is there Someone else outside of Himself that He rely upon? The character of God have in fact been denounced by many proponents of the prosperity gospel: that of God being subject to "spiritual" laws. He cannot work outside of Himself unless He utilize the "force" of His faith through "faith-filled" words in order to create the universe. Neither is God subject to any spiritual laws, nor is He subjugated to anything outside Himself or any created being.  

   The legacy of the prosperity gospel as well as those who are proponents of the prosperity gospel utilize at will the language of the Bible and the language of the Christian church as if they are saying the same thing, but have different meanings. In order to strip cultist within the Faith movement of its most powerful arsenal is to insist that they define Christian biblical terminologies (e.g. "anointing") in light of the standard definition of the Bible (Ac. 17:11).  It is quite unfortunate that many who are followers of the Faith movement are unaware of the dangerous implication of its teachings in "how" it has in fact systematically distort the truth of God's Word (2 Cor. 11:3; 2 Pet. 3:16, 17). There are cults "within" that of the prosperity-faith movement especially within the context of the African American Word of Faith movement churches (Rom. 16:17-18). 

   According to Hebrews 11:1 it begins by saying, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." Not only have the biblical concept of Faith have been turned into bad mythology as a "electrical, tangible force" but that "substance" have also been perverted to mean "raw" material by which through the "force" of faith God had to utilize "words" to create the universe and as a result is was made out of substance or "raw" material.  The word "substance" means assurance. In the rendering of the text according to Hebrews 11:1 it is properly translated, "Now faith is the [assurance] of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." In so many words many of the Hebrew witnesses who through faith did not receive their promises, but look towards a better home in heaven. Their perspective was focus on what is eternal; not what is temporary.  The legacy of the prosperity gospel focus is on what is earthly material things; not what is eternal.  With all of the riches that many prosperity proponents promise many of their followers only serves to fill their own coffer at the expense of the poor and needy.  In so many words the legacy of the prosperity gospel promise so much but demands so little so as to its victims bearing the cross of Christ. Many who are followers of the Faith movement desire what is on the Master's table but despise suffering for the sake of Christ.

   The whole of the biblical concept of the doctrine of Faith taught by the legacy of the prosperity gospel is what is "subjective" (i.e. "Faith in Faith) as opposed to what is the true Object of faith (i.e. "trust in God).  The dogma of Faith taught by many proponents of the legacy of the prosperity gospel is a man-centered Faith by which faith becomes the Faith believers object of faith; not faith in God (Mk. 11:23-24).  If in fact Faith become the object of the believer's faith through the "force" of his or her own faith through the "power" of words than it is a false Faith.  God is a Faith Being by which he is subject to the laws of the spirit so the Faith believer is subject as well.  God through His "force" of His faith created the Redeemer Jesus taught by many prosperity teachers by which they explicitly deny the eternal preexistence of Christ (John 8:58). God is not a Faith being, nor was Jesus Christ created by which the Faith movement fit within the category of many cults like Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses.  

   The "legacy" of the prosperity gospel have in fact utilize at will the language of the Bible, true biblical Christianity and the historic Christian church to fit with the cultural context of Faith theology.  It has "poured" new meanings into biblical words by which the legacy of the prosperity gospel and its proponents have reached into the "depth" of its doctrinal depravity (2 Tim. 3:13).  In order to see the legacy of the prosperity gospel for what it truly is, is to examine it in light of the Bible, history, and theological context (1 John 4:1 with Acts 17:11).

Rev. Darryl Miller is president and CEO of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and around the world. As an apologist, senior researcher, pastor, evangelist, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and in many foreign countries. He is Radio Host, "Answers N Focus" in metro Atlanta. Darryl is also author of the bestselling book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia with their puppy "Little Baby."