Exporting The Prosperity Gospel to Africa?
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Church
Nathan Clarke, documentary film-maker and fellow blogger, sent me a video a weeks ago that he shot in Ghana. I finally got around to watching it and found it well-filmed but disturbing, especially after being in Africa so recently myself.
This short film was made to accompany the lead article in Christianity Today by Ghanaian scholar Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, exploring the forms the prosperity gospel takes in West Africa. Our Western prosperity gospel, exported and preached in many Pentecostal African churches, has found fertile soil in the hearts and empty wallets of these impoverished people.
This documentary does a good job of looking at the issue from inside the churches in Africa who are being peddled this message of attainable health and wealth that is within their grasp. For an added perspective, check out this excerpt from a message by John Piper on the subject (ht: @ChadWright).
What are your thoughts after watching this film? Have we exported a dangerous gospel to our African brothers and sisters? Or is there value in the message?
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August 4, 2010
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Makes me sad. Breaks my heart. Makes me angry.
I watch this video of Piper and his hatred for the prosperity gospel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s
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August 4, 2010
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I guess I’m wondering the point of the video. I mean, yes, ofcourse it’s going to stir people up and frustrate them. So what?
This may be unpopular to say, but why make the video? What purpose does it serve? Does it match up with Phil. 4:8? Whatsoever things… think on these things?
If it’s for unbelievers to see, it will just turn them against christianity even more.
If it’s for believers, it will more than likely cause division and frustration, anger and sadness.
Is there anything we can do to stop people from preaching the “prosperity gospel”? I’m not saying I agree with it, but again, what’s the benefit of the film?
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August 4, 2010
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Aaron,
The video inspires me more than ever to preach the God of the Bible. That is the only way to combat the Prosperity Gospel. Not to stop others from preaching it but to provide a counterpoint that is saturated with the word of God. The truth of God is the only way to combat ignorance.
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August 4, 2010
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As one who makes films on a weekly basis, this is the question we ask continually. If there is no point to this, don’t make a film. If it can be better said live, don’t make a film.
But I see great value in this film. The point is awareness. The prosperity gospel is no gospel. To add anything in front of “gospel” actually is no gospel. It should stand alone. But this is about awareness, this so-called gospel doesn’t work in practicality. It works for people who already have resources and means. God’s not out to make people rich, he’s working for his glory.
But saying it will divide or create division, etc…What doesn’t?
You can’t stop HIV/AIDS from happening by telling people about it, but by making people aware of the harmful effects, people are more likely to at least think through what they are doing.
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August 4, 2010
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Chad, I’m with you. Thanks for the insight.
B/, I agree that the gospel should stand alone. However, I can’t see how making people aware of the “prosperity gospel” will keep it from being preached, and I think we could agree that the majority of people see it as impractical as well.
I also agree that many things may cause division, so does that mean we should keep pointing it out? Again, the “whatsoever things” applies here.
I can agree to disagree on the need for this film. I just don’t see people viewing the film and changing their mind about much.
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August 4, 2010
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I tend to talk more than think.
Final word:
spot on Chad.
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August 4, 2010
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i live in east africa — which is why i haven’t been able to watch the video yet (and probably won’t). so… i have no idea what the video says or shows, but the prosperity gospel is thriving here in tanzania.
the way it works is that the preacher/pastor/apostle gets about a 20% cut from the offering each week. when he speaks at special services, though, i think his cut of the “love offering” is much higher. he uses this money to have nice clothes and jewelry, maybe cars, etc. then that is his “proof” that the more we give the more we will receive. so more christians give more money, in attempts to be blessed like their pastor has. he continues getting rich and, more often than not, the church members do not — and are basically told it’s either because there is sin in their lives or they aren’t giving enough. another increase in giving. and a cycle is born.
the prosperity gospel is prevalent, and a lot of the fault does lie on western missionaries — NOT, however, because they’ve taught this gospel necessarily. i think a lot of it has to do with western missionaries starting the whole evangelism process with the fact that we’re sinners and are guilty before God and, therefore, in need of a sacrifice and a savior.
there doesn’t exist in africa a sense of guilt, an idea of inherent right and wrong, good and bad. [rather, there is allowed and disallowed.] so somewhere down the line, when african christians are seeking for something of value to offer others, this prosperity thing is what they come up with. because the idea someone dying for my sins because of my guilt means nothing to me at all.
[missionaries would be better off to start with the incredible power of a creator God -- that he is more powerful than evil spirits and curses and even death itself.]
all of that said, there is definitely biblical support for something that would sound similar (at least) to the prosperity gospel.
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August 4, 2010
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I think a piece like this works when it is presented to the average person who attends/supports a prosperity church/organization. Sometimes we need to see ourselves from a third person point of view to see what a jackass we actually are.
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August 4, 2010
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vince, are you suggesting the people being lied to (and oppressed in many ways) are jackasses for believing what a supposed man of God is telling them?
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August 4, 2010
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Wow, great comments and discussion from everyone.
Aaron – I agree with Vince that it helps to see what things look like from a different perspective. Someone may think they subscribe to the prosperity message but might change their mind when that same “gospel” is preached in impoverished Africa. The most important reason for videos like this is to create discussion.
JamesBrett – Thanks so much for jumping in on the discussion. Your perspective is especially interesting since you’re seeing the effects of the prosperity gospel first-hand in your country. What you described adds a very interesting context to the conversation and helps shed some light on how this kind of message can take root so easily.
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August 4, 2010
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I’m the filmmaker responsible for putting this together so I thought it might be good to either explain myself or throw a little fuel onto the fire (about the subject of whether stories like this should be told.)
I guess at the most basic level, I fundamentally don’t agree with the notion that we as Christians should avoid anything that might be controversial. Sure, if we do that for the sake of drawing attention to ourselves then that is problematic, but I firmly believe that all truth is God’s truth and anything that tries to honestly look at what is happening is in some way honoring much of what Jesus chose to do when confronting the powers and authorities in his cultural context.
That being said, I’m not sure this video is just a voyeuristic look at the prosperity gospel in West Africa. If one stopped at about the 4 minute mark, I could understand that conclusion. But in fact, I think it advances the discussion and looks at the causes of this teaching and why it has indeed “prospered” in Africa. These are important ideas if we want to dialogue on this subject. We can’t just say, “The prosperity gospel is wrong.” We need to be able to speak about why it takes root in certain cultural contexts and why it in fact addresses needs that tradition Christian mission endavours have failed to address.
Finally by injecting myself into the narrative (something I was reticent to do) I think the piece (hopefully) forces us to examine ourselves and our own approaches to prosperity and God’s provision.
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August 4, 2010
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Wow. I like the video, and it seemed shared by a true ‘reporter’ of yester-year. One who let’s the readers hear the facts, and draw their own conclusions about realities going on we may not be in on. For me – I truly didn’t even imagine this. I had just made the comment to a friend today, that I want our church to always be a place, where we present JESUS and His Kingdom…and frankly I want a gospel presented that works and keeps balance, rich or poor. I for one, appreciate the insight given by this video.
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August 4, 2010
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Thanks for jumping in on this Nathan and for your great work filming this documentary. You did a fantastic job presenting the story and leaving it open for people to discuss. It raises some great questions.
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August 4, 2010
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Hi Brad, I’ve been reading your site for a time – love your posts!
This is my first comment.
This video makes me angry. Well, not the video, but what it shows is happening. Thank you Nathan (and others) for making this video. When has it ever helped to hide reality? We need more videos like this.
What this video showed is things happening that do not line up with the spirit of Jesus’ words. Yes, you can find a verse or two to support it (I call those verse grenades) but if you read the overall ‘good news’ story, I don’t think the things seen/heard in this video are taught.
And excuse me – but what was with the dancing and pushing (yes, pushing) on foreheads until people went down? So sad ….
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August 4, 2010
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Money is a universal language. Recently, my Dad got back from Sudan. He was surprised by (though his Sudanese-American friend prepared him for it) the people and pastors in Sudan who only saw him with dollar signs on him. They looked at him as an infinite pile of money just because he’s an American. One pastor wanted him to raise money for various projects – including a public transit system. That’s how they look at us – that a middle class guy could finance public transportation for a city. Unbelievable. Their hearts are already becoming hardened against the gospel as they get a look and taste of that delicious Western money.
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August 4, 2010
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well… and it’s not just that africans see all whites as being ridiculously wealthy. friendship (and fellowship) is viewed differently here, and involves money. what is a quality friendship to me (as an american) is doing things together, sharing many of the same views, and being open and honest towards one another. if you bring money into the situation in the states, it often harms the friendship.
it’s nearly the opposite here. a friend is someone who is mutually beneficial to you. i help this guy with his medical bills today, and next year he’ll help me pay for my daughter’s wedding. friendship is basically an insurance network. and, so, it’s important to “collect” friends, so that you always have an option to ask someone else for help. it sounds like i’m saying this system of friendship is shallow, but i’m not. it’s just different — and therefore difficult for me.
so it’s not just that people think we’re wealthy. it’s that when we demonstrate a desire to be friends, this is what’s expected — for us to share our money (a lot). just different worldview.
[i should make a disclaimer that this is most true in the rural areas and is less so in the really big westernized cities. because an insurance network of friends starts to break down in a big city with bills and the like.]
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August 5, 2010
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@james // yes…and we all have been there. When I look back to some of my theological positions in college I just laugh. I was being guided by people who I trusted. It was when I had people speak into my life about what I was learning that I finally saw that I was a total tool and not thinking for myself.
I think most Christians need to see how the rest of the world sees them…not just the prosperity people.
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August 5, 2010
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And I use the word Jackass because I was and probably still am a jackass.
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August 5, 2010
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vince, that makes more sense. we were just defining ‘jackass’ differently. still, though, i think the idea of expecting people to “think for themselves” is a pretty western concept and (i’m guessing on this) a relatively new one at that.
a whole lot of the world still thinks in communities. it’s in these places that it’s easy for greedy and corrupt leaders to take advantage of others. i’d call it a form of oppression.
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August 6, 2010
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Not sure that it’s been “exported” but the prosperity gospel has certainly taken root in certain parts of Africa, as it has in Latin America and other impoverished areas.
I think that one thing we as western Christians need to be very intentional about promoting (with our voices AND lifestyles) is that affluence does not equal happiness. I think that as we examine how we live our lives, we may find this to be quite difficult.
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August 6, 2010
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@james // great point man!
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August 8, 2010
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[...] about what sickness taught her about love and the one thing many fear the most – death.Have we exported a dangerous gospel to our brothers and sisters in Africa?James 3:17 says: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, [...]
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December 10, 2011
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I Pastor a Pentecostal church in the USA. I am Pentecostal from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I have been very outspoken against the so called “prosperity gospel” for a couple of reasons. 1.I believe that it falls in line with what Paul described in 2 Cor. 11:3-4, and Galatians 1:6-10 as “another gospel”. This is not the gospel of the cross or of the bible it is America’s gospel. The reason why people run to this message is because it appeals to the flesh and not the spirit. The “prosperity gospel” gives false hope and security. It says you’ll never have problems, but did Jesus say that? He said you would be persecuted, he said you will have tribulation.
2. Jesus was not rich in material nor did he promise to make people millionaires. He promised to save people from their sins and from damnation. He promised to give us peace in our hearts not necessarily in this world. He promised heaven to those that walk according to his will. Jesus met people’s needs not all of their selfish desires or wants. Paul gives a strong warning to those that desire to be rich. Read 1 Tim. 6:3-10 We should never strive to be rich in this world, we should strive to be rich in good works, loving God and loving people. I believe in biblical tithing but I do not believe in manipulating people to give so that my pay check will get larger. It may be that their are some genuine believers in the prosperity movement but many of the ministers are false prophets who exploit even the poor to gain wealth for themselves. 2 Peter 2:3 – Says they make merchandise of you. Lets teach people the real gospel of the bible and that is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ! That is the only way to find true joy and contentment. GOD Bless!