Where Did the Prosperity Gospel Come?

Many followers of the Word of Faith movement who are ignorant as to the history of the prosperity gospel as to where it came from.  Also proponents of the prosperity gospel give such vague, but distorted view of the prosperity gospel so as resort to the Bible to support their claim to prosperity (3 John 2). Their are such Faith teachers like Kenneth Copeland for example claim that prosperity is based upon the Bible; not Christian nor the New Age.  Many of cults will insist that they are Christians, but are cults who utilize at will the Bible language of the Bible by which they have radically total different meanings (2 Pet. 3:16, 17).

   Throughout this article I will begin to address the historical origins of the prosperity gospel in connection with such Gnostic influence (1 Tim. 6:20).  Their are individuals like Oral Roberts who claim that to have receive the prosperity message via Revelation knowledge (2 Cor. 8:9).  According to 2 Corinthians 8:9 the elder Oral Roberts claim that by saying, "That Jesus became poor that I might become rich."  The problem with this statement made by Roberts is that he fail to come to grips with the plain meaning of the context of scripture: that of looking at the immediate passage as well as its surrounding context.  In order to understand the Bible is to compare scripture with scripture even those passage/s that may seem so obscure (1 Cor. 2:13, 14).  Gnostics in the professing church today are not concern with the historicity of the context of scripture, that of its grammatical structure, and its literary meaning, but seek such "allegorical" interpretation of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).

    Proponents of the prosperity gospel are of such allegorical school of thought: that of Valentinism and Marcion whose interpretation of the Old Testament are wield as to their own interpretation of the characters of the Bible. The elaborate scheme of many Gnostics interpretation as to sexuality of Satan with Eve so as to bring forth children from the lower regions of the earth by which they are infused with the nature of the devil (Jn. 8:44).  The dreadfulness of its monstrosity by "allegorist" in the professing church today is to (1) turn the Bible on its own head so as to question the context of scripture. (2) by being argumentative with the Author of the Bible. And that of (3) that of Gnosticism elaborate but theological trickery through such allegorical interpretation  of the biblical context of scripture in and of itself (Jud. 8-10).

    Over the years I have seen where many Faith teachers have put words in God's mouth to make the Bible say what they want it to say in conformity to the cultural context of Faith theology.  The cross of Christ is a symbol of the serpent dying on the cross, Adam and Eve partaking of the forbidden fruit in losing their godhood, and the God of the Bible as some impersonal "god" force at the beck and call of the Faith believer (Rom. 4:17).

    It is true that prosperity luminaries like Dollar, Jakes, Price and a host of imitators of the Faith movement have in fact accumulated wealth at the expense of their followers by such biblical distortion based upon 3 John 2 where it says, "Beloved, I pray above all things that you may [prosper] and be in health even as your soul prospers."  The term "prosper" subjectively been interpret as "financial and material wealth."  As we look at the rendering of 3 John 2 John letter of Gaius was for the physical well being of his beloved Gaius as to say, "Gaius I pray that everything will go well with you even as your soul is getting along well."  Historically Gaius was known by others as a (1) lover of the truth. And (2) showing hospitality towards traveling ministers.  Neither are many Faith televangelist lovers of the truth nor will they extend a helping hands towards the poor and needy.  They are only concerned about themselves at the exclusion of the poor and needy.  Those who benefit from the prosperity message are the one's who are preaching it; not people who are sitting there hearing the message.  Much of the theology of the prosperity theology believe wealth is contentment; not godliness with great contentment.

   The biblical basis of the historical background of the prosperity gospel is that of hedonism and utilitarianism: that of pleasure at the exclusion of financial "lack" in pursuit of happiness. The end justify the means; not the other way around. In the minds of utilitarians anything that produces pain (financial "mishap") is to avoided at all cost, but the means that justify the end is the pursuit of happiness. That is the goal and objectives of Christian hedonist in the professing church today.  

     Also the theological basis of the prosperity gospel is via Revelation Knowledge (1 Tim. 6:20).  Revelation knowledge within a person's [human] spirit bypassing such sensory perception.  As one Faith televangelist says, "God by-pass the mind to get into your [human] spirit." The [human] spirit is the candlestick by which God gives revelation.  This is the typical statement made by Gnostics within many Faith circles today.  If in fact God gives revelation within a person's [human] spirit than what is the basis by which many pseudo spiritualist judge truth?  Is it within a person's [human] spirit? Or Is it based upon content of biblical truth written within God's Word?  The influence and danger of mysticism have in fact spread throughout the church today by which many within the Faith movement today have become "indifferent" towards the things of the Spirit of God.  There is a lack of theological presupposition as to the content of biblical truth concerning many Faith leaders and their followers.  The reason for the proliferation of cults and heresies is due to biblical ignorance and church history (Acts 5:35, 37).

    In order to avert such crisis within Christianity is a biblically centered faith that believe in the authority and inspiration of the Bible so as to avoid the "trappings" of theological mysticism in the church today. Mystics in the professing church today take pride in their so-called revelatory knowledge of scripture by which they are "puffed" up by their own fleshly mind.  Neither do they possess the Spirit nor the knowledge of God in Christ: that of the fount of the wisdom and knowledge of God (Col. 1:9, 10).  The Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge; mystics in the professing church today possess such "earthly" knowledge: that of intuition and esotericism outside the perimeter of the revelation of the Bible (Col. 2:18, 19; 2 Tim. 3: 15, 16).

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is founder and Lead pastor of Contending for the Faith Church International of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the president and Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? Darryl is also the Radio Host of, "Answers In Focus" that is aired weekly in metro Atlanta and around the world.  As a apologist, pastor, evangelist, Senior researcher/editor, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world.  Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."