The Prosperity Gospel Understanding of the Bible: God's Success Book
What is the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible? What is the "avenue" by which many proponents of the prosperity gospel receive such spiritual "revelation?" How has the prosperity gospel misunderstood what is "special" revelation? What is "special" revelation? What is the "general" revelation of the Bible in regards to the creation of the universe? How does a person attain salvation based upon what the "revelation" they receive from God? These are questions that needs to be answer by those who claim that in order to understand the Bible are to be understood esoterically and mystical (Col. 2:18, 19).
As I stated in my previous articles is that mere casual reading of the scripture (e.g. "3 John 2") is just Only the tip of the theological iceberg. There is a philosophical basis by which the prosperity gospel originate. It may appear that many proponents of the prosperity gospel seem to have a "good" teaching ministry but to look at it much closer is the message that they represent contradict that of the clear teaching of scripture (2 Tim. 6:3-5). The reading of 3 John 2 for example does not conclude the whole story but there are other issues that are involved when many prosperity teachers teach the Bible: that of the kind knowledge and the "way" by which they receive such spiritual "knowledge." (Col. 2:4, 8, 18) Paul the apostle in his letter to the Colossian believers warns against the infiltration of mysticism (Col. 2:18). Many Gnostics sought to infiltrate the church by appealing to what was essential to the church's teaching (i.e. Jesus Christ). The elaborate theological scheme of early Gnosticism was to fashion itself as well as to its own fashionable teaching so as to be acceptable to the church as a whole. Many Gnostics would utilize the biblical terminologies of the Church so as to appear that they are in agreement with the Church's doctrine in regards to the Person and work of Jesus Christ but beneath their diabolical scheme was a radically "redefinition" by which they redefined the doctrine of Christ. Most Gnostic systems separate Jesus/Christ as to say that it is impossible for the Spirit Christ to "reside" in the humanity of Jesus. There is a sharp dichotomy or distinction between the Jesus/Christ. The apostle John warns against those who will deny the full deity of Jesus Christ as to appear in human flesh (1 Jn. 4:1). Jesus is the Christ whereby he is God in human flesh. To deny that of the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ is that the apostle John call them "antichrists" there are in the world.
Throughout this article I will begin the address the subject, "The Prosperity Gospel Understanding of the Bible: Special Revelation?" by answering a series of questions that will shed light upon this particular subject. It is important that many of these questions are being answered by those who would like to have some basic knowledge as to what the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible (Joshua 1:8). Even though many Faith leaders will consider themselves as "anointed" teachers of the Word of God but have in fact explicitly deny that of the authority of scripture: that of what the Church ought to believed based upon what is essential Christian doctrine. For the prosperity gospel to deny that of the authority of scripture is to adversely affect other areas of doctrine and theology (2 Tim. 2:17-18). It is evident within many Word-Faith churches and ministries the deterioration of its doctrinal stance when it comes to what is the essentials of the Christian faith. For example the Christ of scripture is to be created by God's spoken word of faith, that faith is a force, the Holy Spirit is a power source by which a person can tap into what is there greatest potential as Conqueror over sin, sickness, disease, death, and poverty. These are a few examples of how the Word-Faith theology have in fact trash the crux of the Christian faith. Error begets error by which it leads into a plethora of theological errors.
In order to answer many of the questions that are being asked as to, "The Prosperity Gospel Understanding of the Bible" is to clearly understand that proponents of the prosperity gospel have in fact clearly deny that of the authority of scripture. Such a "fraudulent" gospel do not believe in the nature and character of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16). When it comes to the nature and character of scripture is that God's Word is true and reliable (2 Pet. 1:19; Psa. 119:4, 6). Also the nature of scripture is that God's Word is, "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. 3:16b) Many proponents of the prosperity gospel claim to believe in what God's Word says but what they teach goes contrary to the clear teachings of scripture (Rom. 16:17-18).
Question #1: What is the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible? As we look at Joshua 1:8 where it says, "This book of the law shall not depart from thy mouth but that thy shalt meditate upon it day and night." First, the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is that it God's Success Book by which the "Faith" Christian are taught a set of principles in regards to achieving prosperity (Deut. 28). God's Word is a God's Success Book. Everything that is composite that of the whole of scripture is from Genesis to Revelation; not a particular doctrine or principles of Faith and prosperity. When it comes to the issue of "meditating" upon God's Word is what is contemplative as the believer reflect upon what God's Word says (Matt. 4:4). It is what is known as "Christian Meditation"; not what is New Age meditation. Secondly, the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is for the "Faith" Christian to "meditate" upon God's Word so as to anticipate getting a revelation within a person's spirit in gaining knowledge and understanding God's Word (1 Tim. 6:20). Many proponents of the prosperity gospel very seldom encourage many of their followers to study God's Word in being a student of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).
Question #2: What is the "avenue" by which many proponents of the prosperity gospel receive such spiritual "revelation?" Many prosperity teachers rely upon their "inner" witness of the spirit to gain such knowledge or "gnosis" (1 Tim. 6:20). In so many words that to think rational or that of such reasonable faith are "discarded" simply because God does not utilize our minds, but our "spirit" to gain such superior knowledge or "gnosis" so as to be in the "know." The act of "knowing" by many Gnostics in the professing church today is that of the "kind" of knowledge and experience that they possess. When it comes to the "type" of knowledge that many prosperity teachers claim to possess is what are beyond the human senses; that which is within a person's human spirit. The experience by which prosperity teachers claim such knowledge or "gnosis" is what are revealed "directly" from God (contrast, Deut. 29:29). The "experience" of many professing Christian teachers is what make the experience real as to their supposedly revelatory knowledge (Col. 2:18, 19). When it comes to the authority and inspiration of the Bible they clearly deny that of the authenticity and veracity of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) despite the contrary (2 Tim. 6:3-5).
Question #3: How has the prosperity gospel misunderstood what is "special" revelation? Many prosperity "theologians" are not students of the Bible nor have they taken any course in biblical theology. The knowledge they claim to receive is "directly" from God by which they do not feel the necessity of taking any course in biblical theology or to attend any theological institution. Whenever they are challenged as to their faith they avoid any meaningful dialogue or theological debate. They will attack their critics so as to possess such "head" knowledge but that the spirit and the word are life changing. When it comes to the "special" revelation of the Bible is God revealing Who He Is in scripture and through the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14; Heb. 1:1-2a). The extent by which many prosperity "theologians" pervert that of the "special" revelation of the Bible is that of some "reveal" word or "special" revelation that is revealed within a person's human spirit (2 Pet. 3:16). They will say, "The letter kills but the spirit gives life." The Church possess that of the written Word of God by which the God of the Bible reveals Who He Is and especially through the incarnate Son of God (Jn. 1:14). Everything that the Church needs to know is within the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Once again the "special" revelation of the Bible is God revealing Who He is and especially through that of the incarnate Son of God (Jn. 1:14).
Question #4: What is "special" revelation? The "special" revelation of the Bible is the disclosure of Who God is especially through the incarnate Christ as revealed in human flesh (Jn. 1:14; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2a). Jesus Christ Who Is God in human flesh purpose is to reveal Who God Is (Jn. 1:14). Everything that the church needs to know pertaining to life and godliness is exactly what is revealed in God's Word; nothing more; nothing less. The purpose of the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit is to give believers understanding of what is already revealed in scripture; not what is outside the boundaries of God' Word (2 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 22:18-19).
Question #5: What is the "general" revelation of the Bible as it relates to the creation of the universe? According to Hebrews 11:3 where it says, "By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." (NLT) The "general" revelation of the Bible as it relates to the creation of the universe is that the theistic God of the Bible spoke the world into existence but that it was based upon His eternal power and Godhead. In so many words when God spoke the universe came into being (Gen. 1:3, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29). The tri-unity of God was involved in the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:15-17). The eternal preexistence of Christ was in fact involved in the creation of the universe (Col. 1:15-17). Many prosperity "theologians" claim to possess that of the "omnipotence" of God so as to create their own world through the power of faith-filled words. They claim that what God says the "Faith" believer can say by utilizing Mark 11:22-24. They have taken Mark 11:22-24 out-of-context to say that God needed "faith" in order to create the universe as to make the God of the Bible a "mere" Man; not the omnipotence God (Heb. 11:3a). How is it be possible for God Who is "omnipotence" so as to create the universe needs "faith" to create the universe? God is God; Man is Man. There is no way possible for Man to possess the omnipotence of God to create their world through such faith-filled words. God did not need "Faith" to create the universe simply because He is the Omnipotent God Who created the universe out of nothing but it was based upon His eternal power and Godhead. Neither was the eternal Son of God created by God's spoken word of faith as to create a Redeemer but that Jesus Christ is eternally preexistent God (Jn. 8:58).
Question #6: How does a person attain salvation based upon "mere" knowledge? Within many Gnostic systems that the "avenue" by which they attain salvation is based upon such "superior" knowledge that is outside the boundaries of God's Word. The "mere" knowledge of neo-Gnosticism comes from "within" a person [human] spirit; not what is based upon what is the objective truth of God's Word (Col. 1:9, 10; 2 Pet. 3:18). The teaching of the prosperity gospel believe that salvation is based upon the amount of information or spiritual "revelation" that a person receive "directly" from God as if they are in the God-class of men. It is the spiritually "enlighten"; not the spiritually "immature" that can have access to this kind of "special" knowledge that are inaccessible to the Church as a whole (Col. 2:18, 19). In order for people to attain salvation is through the Person of Jesus Christ; not what is "mere" fleshly knowledge of many professing Christian teachers in the church today (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 10:9-10; [Col. 2:18-19]). Nor does salvation involved in a person "recognizing" who they are in Christ as if they are the "Christ." The believer's position in Christ does not mean that we can sit in Christ's seat so as to possess the authority of God. Everything have to be subjection to Christ's Rule; not the believer claiming to rule their own world nor people around them (2 Pet. 2:1). The true biblical meaning of salvation is to trust in Christ Only for our salvation; not in the "mere" knowledge or "gnosis" of theological mysticism (Col. 2:8; 18-19). Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone. It does not depend upon any human works nor human achievement (Eph. 2:8-9).
In conclusion the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is to be understood from what is revelatory within a person's human spirit devoid of any rationality or reasonableness of faith. It is within a person's spirit that the spiritually "enlighten" receive such Revelation Knowledge; not the spiritually "immature." Many prosperity "theologians" have in fact greatly misunderstood that of the "special" revelation of the Bible as to what is, "esoteric" insight to unfold God's divine mysteries that are "beyond" the mere reading of the Bible (1 Tim. 6:20). The "special" revelation of the Bible is the disclosure of God revealed in scripture and through the Person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:14; 2 Tim. 3:16).
Whenever the prosperity gospel and that of its proponents deny that of the authority and inspiration of scripture in place of what is revealed within a person's spirit so as to get such spiritual "revelation" does not fit within the ranks of biblical orthodoxy but are heretical in its views regarding the nature and character of God's Word. The completeness and sufficiency of scripture is everything that God wants the Church to know as it pertains to life and godliness. If in fact God's Word is not sufficient than there is no sufficiency whatsoever. Many of cults and heresies rely upon what is "intuitive" that which is revelatory as to their "mere" knowledge of the Bible (Col. 2:18, 19; 1 Tim. 6:20).
The Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge as oppose to Gnostics in the professing church today who possess such mere "fleshly" knowledge (Col. 1:9-10; Col. 2:18, 19).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? @ www.Amazon.com. He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs regularly @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Throughout this article I will begin the address the subject, "The Prosperity Gospel Understanding of the Bible: Special Revelation?" by answering a series of questions that will shed light upon this particular subject. It is important that many of these questions are being answered by those who would like to have some basic knowledge as to what the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible (Joshua 1:8). Even though many Faith leaders will consider themselves as "anointed" teachers of the Word of God but have in fact explicitly deny that of the authority of scripture: that of what the Church ought to believed based upon what is essential Christian doctrine. For the prosperity gospel to deny that of the authority of scripture is to adversely affect other areas of doctrine and theology (2 Tim. 2:17-18). It is evident within many Word-Faith churches and ministries the deterioration of its doctrinal stance when it comes to what is the essentials of the Christian faith. For example the Christ of scripture is to be created by God's spoken word of faith, that faith is a force, the Holy Spirit is a power source by which a person can tap into what is there greatest potential as Conqueror over sin, sickness, disease, death, and poverty. These are a few examples of how the Word-Faith theology have in fact trash the crux of the Christian faith. Error begets error by which it leads into a plethora of theological errors.
In order to answer many of the questions that are being asked as to, "The Prosperity Gospel Understanding of the Bible" is to clearly understand that proponents of the prosperity gospel have in fact clearly deny that of the authority of scripture. Such a "fraudulent" gospel do not believe in the nature and character of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16). When it comes to the nature and character of scripture is that God's Word is true and reliable (2 Pet. 1:19; Psa. 119:4, 6). Also the nature of scripture is that God's Word is, "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." (2 Tim. 3:16b) Many proponents of the prosperity gospel claim to believe in what God's Word says but what they teach goes contrary to the clear teachings of scripture (Rom. 16:17-18).
Question #1: What is the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible? As we look at Joshua 1:8 where it says, "This book of the law shall not depart from thy mouth but that thy shalt meditate upon it day and night." First, the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is that it God's Success Book by which the "Faith" Christian are taught a set of principles in regards to achieving prosperity (Deut. 28). God's Word is a God's Success Book. Everything that is composite that of the whole of scripture is from Genesis to Revelation; not a particular doctrine or principles of Faith and prosperity. When it comes to the issue of "meditating" upon God's Word is what is contemplative as the believer reflect upon what God's Word says (Matt. 4:4). It is what is known as "Christian Meditation"; not what is New Age meditation. Secondly, the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is for the "Faith" Christian to "meditate" upon God's Word so as to anticipate getting a revelation within a person's spirit in gaining knowledge and understanding God's Word (1 Tim. 6:20). Many proponents of the prosperity gospel very seldom encourage many of their followers to study God's Word in being a student of the Bible (2 Tim. 2:15).
Question #2: What is the "avenue" by which many proponents of the prosperity gospel receive such spiritual "revelation?" Many prosperity teachers rely upon their "inner" witness of the spirit to gain such knowledge or "gnosis" (1 Tim. 6:20). In so many words that to think rational or that of such reasonable faith are "discarded" simply because God does not utilize our minds, but our "spirit" to gain such superior knowledge or "gnosis" so as to be in the "know." The act of "knowing" by many Gnostics in the professing church today is that of the "kind" of knowledge and experience that they possess. When it comes to the "type" of knowledge that many prosperity teachers claim to possess is what are beyond the human senses; that which is within a person's human spirit. The experience by which prosperity teachers claim such knowledge or "gnosis" is what are revealed "directly" from God (contrast, Deut. 29:29). The "experience" of many professing Christian teachers is what make the experience real as to their supposedly revelatory knowledge (Col. 2:18, 19). When it comes to the authority and inspiration of the Bible they clearly deny that of the authenticity and veracity of scripture (2 Tim. 3:16) despite the contrary (2 Tim. 6:3-5).
Question #3: How has the prosperity gospel misunderstood what is "special" revelation? Many prosperity "theologians" are not students of the Bible nor have they taken any course in biblical theology. The knowledge they claim to receive is "directly" from God by which they do not feel the necessity of taking any course in biblical theology or to attend any theological institution. Whenever they are challenged as to their faith they avoid any meaningful dialogue or theological debate. They will attack their critics so as to possess such "head" knowledge but that the spirit and the word are life changing. When it comes to the "special" revelation of the Bible is God revealing Who He Is in scripture and through the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14; Heb. 1:1-2a). The extent by which many prosperity "theologians" pervert that of the "special" revelation of the Bible is that of some "reveal" word or "special" revelation that is revealed within a person's human spirit (2 Pet. 3:16). They will say, "The letter kills but the spirit gives life." The Church possess that of the written Word of God by which the God of the Bible reveals Who He Is and especially through the incarnate Son of God (Jn. 1:14). Everything that the Church needs to know is within the written Word of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Once again the "special" revelation of the Bible is God revealing Who He is and especially through that of the incarnate Son of God (Jn. 1:14).
Question #4: What is "special" revelation? The "special" revelation of the Bible is the disclosure of Who God is especially through the incarnate Christ as revealed in human flesh (Jn. 1:14; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-2a). Jesus Christ Who Is God in human flesh purpose is to reveal Who God Is (Jn. 1:14). Everything that the church needs to know pertaining to life and godliness is exactly what is revealed in God's Word; nothing more; nothing less. The purpose of the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit is to give believers understanding of what is already revealed in scripture; not what is outside the boundaries of God' Word (2 Pet. 1:20; Rev. 22:18-19).
Question #5: What is the "general" revelation of the Bible as it relates to the creation of the universe? According to Hebrews 11:3 where it says, "By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." (NLT) The "general" revelation of the Bible as it relates to the creation of the universe is that the theistic God of the Bible spoke the world into existence but that it was based upon His eternal power and Godhead. In so many words when God spoke the universe came into being (Gen. 1:3, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29). The tri-unity of God was involved in the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:15-17). The eternal preexistence of Christ was in fact involved in the creation of the universe (Col. 1:15-17). Many prosperity "theologians" claim to possess that of the "omnipotence" of God so as to create their own world through the power of faith-filled words. They claim that what God says the "Faith" believer can say by utilizing Mark 11:22-24. They have taken Mark 11:22-24 out-of-context to say that God needed "faith" in order to create the universe as to make the God of the Bible a "mere" Man; not the omnipotence God (Heb. 11:3a). How is it be possible for God Who is "omnipotence" so as to create the universe needs "faith" to create the universe? God is God; Man is Man. There is no way possible for Man to possess the omnipotence of God to create their world through such faith-filled words. God did not need "Faith" to create the universe simply because He is the Omnipotent God Who created the universe out of nothing but it was based upon His eternal power and Godhead. Neither was the eternal Son of God created by God's spoken word of faith as to create a Redeemer but that Jesus Christ is eternally preexistent God (Jn. 8:58).
Question #6: How does a person attain salvation based upon "mere" knowledge? Within many Gnostic systems that the "avenue" by which they attain salvation is based upon such "superior" knowledge that is outside the boundaries of God's Word. The "mere" knowledge of neo-Gnosticism comes from "within" a person [human] spirit; not what is based upon what is the objective truth of God's Word (Col. 1:9, 10; 2 Pet. 3:18). The teaching of the prosperity gospel believe that salvation is based upon the amount of information or spiritual "revelation" that a person receive "directly" from God as if they are in the God-class of men. It is the spiritually "enlighten"; not the spiritually "immature" that can have access to this kind of "special" knowledge that are inaccessible to the Church as a whole (Col. 2:18, 19). In order for people to attain salvation is through the Person of Jesus Christ; not what is "mere" fleshly knowledge of many professing Christian teachers in the church today (Jn. 3:36; Rom. 10:9-10; [Col. 2:18-19]). Nor does salvation involved in a person "recognizing" who they are in Christ as if they are the "Christ." The believer's position in Christ does not mean that we can sit in Christ's seat so as to possess the authority of God. Everything have to be subjection to Christ's Rule; not the believer claiming to rule their own world nor people around them (2 Pet. 2:1). The true biblical meaning of salvation is to trust in Christ Only for our salvation; not in the "mere" knowledge or "gnosis" of theological mysticism (Col. 2:8; 18-19). Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone. It does not depend upon any human works nor human achievement (Eph. 2:8-9).
In conclusion the prosperity gospel understanding of the Bible is to be understood from what is revelatory within a person's human spirit devoid of any rationality or reasonableness of faith. It is within a person's spirit that the spiritually "enlighten" receive such Revelation Knowledge; not the spiritually "immature." Many prosperity "theologians" have in fact greatly misunderstood that of the "special" revelation of the Bible as to what is, "esoteric" insight to unfold God's divine mysteries that are "beyond" the mere reading of the Bible (1 Tim. 6:20). The "special" revelation of the Bible is the disclosure of God revealed in scripture and through the Person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:14; 2 Tim. 3:16).
Whenever the prosperity gospel and that of its proponents deny that of the authority and inspiration of scripture in place of what is revealed within a person's spirit so as to get such spiritual "revelation" does not fit within the ranks of biblical orthodoxy but are heretical in its views regarding the nature and character of God's Word. The completeness and sufficiency of scripture is everything that God wants the Church to know as it pertains to life and godliness. If in fact God's Word is not sufficient than there is no sufficiency whatsoever. Many of cults and heresies rely upon what is "intuitive" that which is revelatory as to their "mere" knowledge of the Bible (Col. 2:18, 19; 1 Tim. 6:20).
The Church possess such "true" spiritual knowledge as oppose to Gnostics in the professing church today who possess such mere "fleshly" knowledge (Col. 1:9-10; Col. 2:18, 19).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? @ www.Amazon.com. He is the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" which airs regularly @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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