Aberrant Theologies #1: Health & Wealth / Prosperity Gospel

God never promised a pleasant journey, He only promised a pleasant destination and only if we accepted the work of His Son on the cross at Calvary.

I generally do not criticize Christian denominations as it is counterproductive to Christ so that should give you a clue to where I stand on this topic. There are certain "Christian" entertainers that I do not even consider Christian and if they think they are, they are sorely mistaken because their works and words give them away for that they are. Frauds and charlatans.

Health and Wealth or the Prosperity Movement. This movement is an anomaly in the Christian faith. In claiming to have direct revelation from God, the health and wealth teachers/preachers have made a radical departure from Christianity. Direct revelation ceased with the advent of Jesus Christ and the completion and canon of the Bible. So when you hear wealth/health prosperity people telling you the God told them that if you just pray to God for something you will get it. Well, that kind of makes God into a cosmic cash register. To me that concept is obnoxious and totally demeans God. It makes God's existence into being there for our uses when in actuality we are here for His.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:1-2

Another serious problem that arises in these fake pulpits is they contain false teachers that sit in judgment on Scriptures in high profile positions that have the ear of potentially millions of people (Enns 681).

The word faith belief or doctrine is Biblically delinquent and sinful. It teaches that Jesus died not only for sins but also for sickness. It says you can claim health and wealth. It says that we to reign over poverty. We are to reign over sickness. Conquered were the spiritual maladies. We were not promised or guarenteed that all of our physical maladies will be healed. If that is the case tell that to all the people that died of heart disease, cancer, etc. If this is what we were promised then everyone would always be healed and no one would die. If we observe life closely we see that just the opposite happens. We die. The wages of sin is death and we are all sinners. Spiritually we are healed and we are guranteed eternal life if we believe. They say that God has provided physical healing and prosperity to those that obey His commands. God is not a money or health genie. He never ever promised a pleasant journey. So what do you suppose happens if someone does believe and has faith and they don't recieve healing and/or wealth? Does that mean they did not have enough faith? Can you imagine the damage this does to a person's faith that believes this scamboogery? Look at what Jesus Himself said...

"And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." ~Luke 9:23-27

Think about it people. Having people constantly pray and expect a person to be healed and it never happens. What happens to the faith of that believer? Do I believe God heals people? Yes, I do. What if He chooses not to even though you want Him to? Things happen according to HIS will, not yours. He knows what is good for you, you do not. God is not a vending machine!

Word of Faith Movement preachers are another branch of this aberrant theology. The ability to speak words to produce positive results in life. These folks get there conclusion from this by saying that God created things by speaking them into existence. Since we are created in His image, we should be able to do the same (Enns 2008, 681).

You know the figures in the movement. They elevate man to the position of God and talk themselves up to the status of "gods". If you can think it, you can speak it, you can become it! Religious motivational speakers. Religious...or should I say spiritual/mystics. The problem is that many people forget that demons and Satan are of the spirit realm also.

Is it possible to be healthy and wealthy and still be a Christian? Of course, but it is more likely it is because of God's grace and mercy rather than anything we have done to warrant it. Because it was part of His bigger plan to begin with. We as humans always try to make ourselves better than we really are. We are all sinners worthy of death. In the flip side Jesus atoning sacrifice made us co-hiers/royalty and can approach the Father with our supplications. Lets not look a gift horse in the mouth expecting the world to treat us like royalty because it probably won't happen. This is especially true if we act like a bunch of spoiled princesses.