Ready-Made Phrases and the Lack of Faith
This invasion of one’s mind by ready-made phrases … can only be prevented if one is constantly on guard against them, and every such phrase anaesthetizes a portion of one’s brain. (George Orwell, Why I Write, “Politics and the English Language” at 117)
In a prior article, The Words of God: Precision’s the Thing, I used this Orwell quote as a jumping-off place to check ourselves against the modern ready-made Christian jingles that lobotomize our faith. An article on another blog illustrates the point. In one of his latest posts, Phil Cooke asks the question: Do You Believe What’s Called “The Prosperity Gospel” is:
a) Absolutely Biblical;
b) Good Intentions, but It’s Gotten Off Base;
c) Not Exactly Orthodox, but Still Biblical;
d) Erroneous Teaching;
e) Heresy.
Interestingly, enough people responded to the survey that he’s been able to publish the results in percentages for each answer.
The real issue of Cooke’s question is the ready-made phrase “Prosperity Gospel.” What exactly is that supposed to mean? If it means Psalm 35.27:
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant (ASV)
then you’d have to wonder about the folks who answered the poll saying that it was erroneous teaching or even outright heresy (43%). But, obviously, those people had something else in mind about what the “Prosperity Gospel” means besides Psalm 35.27. But does it mean Paula White’s First Fruits, Leroy Thompson’s “Money Cometh”, Oral Robert’s “Seed-Faith”, Robert Tilton’s Job Vow, or Benny Hinn’s Anointing of Increase? Therein lies Orwell’s astute observation (in the Christian context): real faith does not grow out of the soil of ready-made phrases.
Sounds to me like the Word of Faith movement has a perception problem… :-)
Phil, thanks for commenting.
Just a couple of thoughts.
In my mind, most of the Word of Faith movement has a doctrinal problem with regard to “prosperity”. While Psalm 35.27 is in the Bible, many of the ready-phrase theology is not. Years ago, Kenneth Hagin came out with a book called “The Midas Touch” where he attempted to deal with the doctrinal problems with many of the prosperity teachings. I’m not sure that many of the popular WOF preachers (or adherents) ever read it.
The term “Prosperity Gospel” is an Orwellian term (political, not doctrinal) that has been used to denigrate and not inform. For instance, Kenneth Hagin, the so-called “Father of the Faith Movement,” never ever preached anything like Paula White’s First Fruits Offering (currently on her web page), but both are cited as being Word of Faith prosperity preachers.
Going back to Orwell, the detractors of the prosperity message have been good at using their own ready-made phrases to anaesthetize the public mind to that message.
Peter, I guess my question is, “Who coined the phrase, ‘Prosperity Gospel?’” I don’t believe it came from within the ranks of the WOF. The reason I say this is because “prosperity teaching” is only a fraction of what one will find at Rhema’s Faith Library Publications. To listen to some outside of WOF ranks, you would think prosperity is all they teach…a fallacy. The perception problem has not been so much a fault of the WOF but rather, from those who take exception with the prosperity teaching, as well as a host of other WOF/charismatic teachings. When I first “stumbled on” the WOF in 1973, I heard all kinds of peripheral critique’s of their teachings…long before Paula White, Leroy Thompson or Kenneth Copeland, et al., were ever heard of.
Just to be fair, I seldom ever hear about the WOF bashing (as heretics) the mainline churches or fundamentalists about their lack of teaching the “full Gospel,” ie., gifts of the spirit, divine healing, baptism of the Holy Spirit or faith as taught by KH, CP, EWK or PCN. That is why I believe a poll like the one mentioned is more devisive than informational and further divides the body of Christ. It would be no different than taking a poll on a…” to the right of middle website,” about how much in error are those who do not believe in “tongues.” It ultimately serves no purpose and is counterproductive to the cause of the Gospel.
What I find interesting about the discussion on the “Prosperity Gospel” is that most that raise question about it are indeed striving for it. Let me explain. Most people do all they can to get wealth. How many married couples do you know that both husband and wife are not working? How many are living in fine houses and driving fine cars. They have the latest high tech goodies. And then they dare say they don’t believe in the “Prosperity Gospel”. Most of us living in America are prosperous, even by American standards. I guess it all boils down to the way you define the “Prosperity Gospel” and who is preaching it. If it is Kenneth Copeland then some would say no I don’t believe it. If it is your 401k account, yes amen I believe it! If it is any of the more popular WOF preachers then one would say no I don’t believe it. But if it is your employer that wants to promote you to a higher level then I believe it!! Bring on the prosperity just don’t call it gospel! Some where I remember reading this - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me , because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted. To proclaim ligerty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord………..Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing. If gospel means good news then what is the good news we preach to the poor? Poor you can be saved but you must stay poor??? Is that good news??? The Lord indeed takes pleasure in prospering His children.
Coming from outside the WOF movement, I probably shouldn’t add my two cents, but after all these years, why should I start acting with wisdom now? I believe in prosperity. The Bible clearly teaches that God wishes to bless us abundantly, so much so in fact, that we don’t have to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear, or (in the millieu of today) drive. The problem may be when folk try to manipulate that promise and use it as a means of baptizing fleshly desires and greed with the imprimatur of scripture. It seems to me, a person who believes in scriptural prosperity should be careless of mammon rather than careful about it, i.e. fixating on it, confessing it, trying to manipulate and manufacture it by spiritual practices (like tithing). I think Alfed E. Neuman’s attitude may be better the Kenneth Copeland’s.
Lively discusssion…nothing wrong with civility.
Peter, Larry, slw…The argument from the anti-WOF on the prosperity issue focuses on the “misuse of donor funds and excessive lifestyles.” I agree, the Jim Bakkers and Bob Tiltons started out on course, but over time fell into the ditch. They are not representative of the whole. Whether it’s Joyce Meyer, K. Copeland or Jesse Duplantis, “excessive” is all relative and I have yet to hear, “chapter and verse, names and places,” of ligitimate donors who are logging these complaints, other than Ole Anthony and the remainder of the anti-WOF/charismatic crew, who have hollered, “foul,” from day one — early 70’s. In spite of their continual tirade, the local churches within the WOF/charismatic circles continue to grow worldwide preaching the “full Gospel” to a lost and needy world. Some have even said that the “Prosperity Gospel” can’t succeed anywhere else but America because of the poverity of many countries including the third world countries. Check it out…Rhema affiliates, churches and regional offices are all over the world, not to mention the WOF churches that are nonRhema affiliates but still WOF in these remote countries. The message works everywhere because it is Gospel.
I am A/G (doesn’t fall under WOF) but to be a bonafide, voting member, tithing is required in the three A/G churches I have been a member of. I believe in tithing but per se, not mandatory. Just strike tithing and consider the word, “giving.” II Cor. 9:6-10 is talking about giving/provision/righteous deeds…”sow sparingly, reap sparingly…sow bountifully, reap bountifully.” There is not a local church/ or ministry that does not have money close to the top of their yearly goal list or yearly agenda…the books have to balance. As Larry pointed out, we want to say, “Oh prosperity and all this money business is bad.” But we go home and count our pennies to see if we can pay for the groceries, pay for the kid’s piano lessons, keep the church lights on, put in new carpet, pad the pews, etc. and we say we are not concerned about “prosperity.”(?) Something is not computing here and, again, we have delighted the devil in our endless, nonsensical debate. With all the teachings of the WOF, I see no fixation on the prosperity message. The ones who are fixated on it are the “anti-camp.”
Part of the necessity of teaching on money and giving (by the WOF) is the bill of goods sold us by religion that we as Christians should be humble and take some kind of poverty vow. My Bible just does not say such and my lack to abundance proves out the scripture. Giving is a law of reciprocity.
I don’t mean to be offensive, but some of these blog sites like the poll mentioned have become pharisaical overseers which sets them apart as not very Gospel-productive. Would that they utilize their time to more worthy causes.