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The Prosperity Doctrine

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Bob, Do you ever tell the poor how to get "filthy rich" like you or do you leave it to woffers to do that so that they can get "condemned" for it?
that's an awesome point.... we teach/tell people how to get saved.... because we don't want them to go to hell....

we do the same concerning healing.... because we don't want them to suffer.... and/or die prematurely.....

someone has to care about the poor and needy.... we can give them handouts.... forever.... OR.... we can teach them GOD'S WORD on prosperity..... and let them receive HIS blessings in their area of need/ignorance/suffering....

if we see our brother in ANY need.... it is wrong to say.... be blessed.... and DO NOTHING to help them....
 
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Bob Carabbio

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"Bob, Do you ever tell the poor how to get "filthy rich" like you"

It's right there in my post, y'all.

The day before I was saved, I was a terminally Depressed, and suicidal High school dropout (Sophomore year) with no prospects, and no interest in survival. Only the threat/fear of HELL kept me alive for several years.

The day AFTER I Was saved in 1962, there was hope, confidence, and I (without knowing what that really even meant) committed my way to HIM, and let HIM do the steering and guiding from then on.

In my particular case, HE brought me to a company in '63 that hired me as an "Electronics technician" (when all I was was an electronic hobbyist who knew how to solder pretty well) and that led, after a year or two, to an Electronic Engineering Technician position, that led in '69 (through a series of God-ordained "coincidences") to a position as a non-degreed Electronics engineer for a major Press company, that led to a promotion to "Project engineer" in 75 when I was successful in what I did, that led to a position as Chief engineer of a Multi-National Press company in 1979, and I've been a Chief Engineer, or Manager of Engineering ever since. I'm Presently Chief Engineer at the Bailey Tool and Manufacturing Conglomerate here in the Dallas area. I do have a certain "aptitude" for that sort of thing.

But it was ALL because HE led the way and opened doors that I simply walked through when the time came. Some of it wasn't particularly "Pleasant", and Some of it was flat-out stressful - but "All things work together for the Good of those who Love the Lord, and are the called according to His purpose - which is to conform us to the IMAGE of His Son. (Rom 8:28-30). I'ts been an interesting ride.

"or do you leave it to woffers to do that so that they can get "condemned" for it?"

I see no evidence that the adherents of popular "Word of Faith" teachings have anything of particular value to offer "the poor" one way or another. I started out at $2.50 and hour in '65 when I was married, and moved into a $40 apartment with my Wife, hand me down furniture, and a '48 Plymouth 5-Window Coupe (that I wish I had today!!). And it's been all up from there.

I tell my OWN Kids: "Commit your way unto the Lord, and believe also in HIM and He will bring it to pass" (Ps 37). SO far they're doing just fine too - except the one that's still running from God.

Mom always told me that "God had a plan for my life". Looks to me as though He did now that it's nearing its end.
 
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Bob Carabbio

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And this is different in what way from "Normal Biblical Process Christianity"?????
 
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And this is different in what way from "Normal Biblical Process Christianity"?????
not quite sure what you mean?.... are you agreeing that we SHOULD teach poor people about receiving GOD'S blessing/prosperity?.... or are you saying we SHOULDN'T teach them because they will just pick it up on their own?.... without ANY teaching?....
 
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probinson

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As for your newsflash, I have no use for your propaganda. It reeks of Calvinism.



Now THAT'S funny. I've been accused by a great many people of being a great many things, but I can honestly say this is the first time someone has accused me of being a Calvinist.

In any event, it's a shame that you see the unmerited favor (i.e. grace) of God is "propaganda". In fact, it is the cornerstone of Christianity that not one of us on our own is worthy of anything, but it is only by the shed blood of Jesus Christ that we have been made worthy. To steal a line from Casting Crowns, "...Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done. Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are..."

 
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statistics prove you are wrong in this assumption.... there are a lot of poverty-minded law-abiding (GOD'S laws & man's laws) people... that are poor....

there are a lot of law-breakers in america.... saudi arabia.... europe.... mexico.... etc.... EVERYWHERE.... that break a lot of GOD'S laws.... and have way more money than the law-abiding people do....
 
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dkbwarrior

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Bob, Do you ever tell the poor how to get "filthy rich" like you or do you leave it to woffers to do that so that they can get "condemned" for it?

And that is really the point isn't it?

Of course, whether something 'works' or not is entirely dependent upon your place in time when you are observing it. For instance, if you talked to Abram when he was 98 years old, it would have been easy to laugh at him and tell him that it obviously didn't work for him. After all, how many years had he been waiting for a son? Forty some?

But if you talked to Abraham when he was 100, it was a different story, wasn't it? If Abram had already had a son, or several sons, when God spoke to him the first time, would he have had the oppourtunity to believe God, or would he have even wanted to?

The problem with Bobs scenario is that it is exactly what Jesus was addressing when he spoke to the rich young ruler. Jesus told him to go, sell that you have, give it to the poor, and come follow me. The rich man went away sorrowful, because he couldn't give away his goods. The question is why? It was because he had already been provided for by virtue of his birth and status, as well as by his own hand, and by obeying the law. He felt no need to believe God for his wealth or even just for his needs to be met, when they already were.

This was when Jesus said, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."

The kingdom of God operates by faith, and one has no oportunity to believe God for anything or to use their faith when they have already managed to meet their own needs without believing the promises.

That is why the WOF message is the only branch of christianity that is exploding outside of the US in the thrid world. There have been multiple articles written about it, and many of the mainline and older established churches, as well as the WOF critics are completely confused by the movement of world christianity towards WOF beliefs. Specially in light of the fact that some of these groups and denominations have had missionaries in these countries for decades, and even generations without much success. A handfull of salvations here and there, but no mass conversions. Yet mass conversions is the name of the game for WOF, and it is the fastest growing and largest group of Protestants in the third world today.

I remember that 20 years ago the main argument of the WOF critic was that it was an American phenomenon, that could only occur here, and would never work in the third world. This to them, was proof positive that their criticism of WOF was justified. Since then, whole countries, (pluralities and/or majorities) have come to saving knowledge of Christ through the spread of the WOF message, to the absolute consternation of the ciritcs. They cannot understand it. Yet it has happened, and continues to happen.

Why? Because the gospel to the poor is a powerful thing. When you cannot feed your family, or have a roof over your head, or even have clean drinking water, a God who has provided for and cares about your physical well being, and who has provided promises of prosperity to that end, is a God worth serving. These people need to believe in a God who prospers. The argument that Bob has put forth, is simply a symtom of those that do not need to believe in a God who prospers. They have already taken care of themselves, so they don't need to believe the promises of God.

Peace...
 
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TasManOfGod

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dk Just in support of your reference to the rich man discourse , it appears that when camels were loaded up with a rich mans possessions they couldn't fit it through the small gate (called the eye of the needle) when the big gate closed at days end. He had to empty all his goods then get the camel through then load up again inside. This completes the parable of entering the kingdom as you referred to it.
 
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amen.... and HALLELUJAH.... absolutely excellent post.... compassion dictates that we help the poor.... wof works best amongst the poor.... because they have NO hope besides GOD.... perhaps ONLY poor people realize how great a suffering poverty really is....

as an ex-ANTI-wof.... i clearly remember the suffering/pain i was in....

i was delivered from poverty/sickness/suffering/devastation.... ONLY as i accepted the prosperity/healing/favor/protection principles.... that wof alone teaches.... thank GOD for wof who endure persecution.... and keep teaching GOD'S goodness to others....
 
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Bob Carabbio

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"not quite sure what you mean?.... are you agreeing that we SHOULD teach poor people about receiving GOD'S blessing/prosperity?.... or are you saying we SHOULDN'T teach them because they will just pick it up on their own?.... without ANY teaching?...."

well - lets look at your list:

"we teach/tell people how to get saved"

Yup - that's called "Evangelism" - it's what "Evangelicals" do - nothing specific to popular "WoF".

"we do the same concerning healing."

Yup - the Full Gospel branch,and others of the Church, Pentecostals and Charismatics also teach Healing - always have. Some are healed, and others aren't - just like in WoF groups. Nothing specifically "WoF" here. Physical Healing is in the Atonement.

"someone has to care about the poor and needy.... we can give them handouts.... forever.... OR.... we can teach them GOD'S WORD on prosperity..... and let them receive HIS blessings in their area of need/ignorance/suffering...."

And in fact the "Prosperity teaching" has little or no actual effect on their actual "provision level", and we all know it. If it did, there'd be no "Controversy", and the efficacy of the teaching would be obvious for all to see.

The BIBLE DOESN'T tell us to "Teach Prosperity" it tells us to "Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and HIS Righteousness - and these "Things" will be added unto us". AND it tells us that God WILL provide and the church as a whole teaches just that, so nothing specifically "WoF" there either.

"if we see our brother in ANY need.... it is wrong to say.... be blessed.... and DO NOTHING to help them"

And so the "Normal Process Church" Helps others in many ways - always has. Nothing uniquely "WoF" in any of that either.
 
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Bob Carabbio

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"The problem with Bobs scenario is that it is exactly what Jesus was addressing when he spoke to the rich young ruler."

Disingenuous, y'all.

I didn't START like the rich young ruler, I had next to nothing starting out, and God simply "Added to me and my family" over the next 50 years.

If I was "WoF" you'd say SEE!!!! IT REALLY WORKED, and proved our teaching!!!

But since I'm not you just say that I "ALWAYS WAS RICH", and "didn't need God".

"Yet mass conversions is the name of the game for WOF, and it is the fastest growing and largest group of Protestants in the third world today."

Actually it's the "Pentecostals/Charismatics" that are the Fastest growing segment of the church in the World - including the "Third World" nations. Statistically 1 out of every 2 protestant Christians (and 15% of Catholics) are "Pentecostal/Charismatic". The Roman Catholic Church has lost SERIOUS "Market Share" in third-world nations, since they offer nothing but tradition, superstition, and pagentry.

Some percentage of the full-gospel folks are "Wof" oriented, but it's not a significant part of the overall world expansion of the church which is "Full Gospel". South America, Africa, and the Far East are the "Growing edges".

The AoG, for example is 2.7 Mil in the U.S., but 60 mil overseas.
 
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now faith

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prosperity teaching has no effect on provision level? Sowing sparingly will yield what? You do not believe the Gospel teaches increase provision, just what ever you can happen on or dig up I suppose. Consider Philippians chapter 4 verse 17. Not because I desire a gift : but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Why would Paul encourage them to give if not for being blessed for giving. Why do some ignore all the bible verses that teach that giving and prosperity are united. How can people God just gives more to some Christians than others. It comes down to faith. And people just don't have the faith to give knowing they will be blessed beyond what they hope for. So they denied the idea of prosperity and condemned those who apply the word to their lives.
 
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so are you saying that prosperity IS GOD'S will for HIS people?... just don't teach it?....
 
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good point on the sowing sparingly.... deuteronomy 28:1-15 ALSO teaches prosperity....
 
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dkbwarrior

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I didn't say that you were always rich. You said that, not I. And I didn't say that you didn't need God, I said that you didn't need the promises of God regarding prosperity.

You worked hard, you obeyed the rules, and you prospered. But why did that work for you? Because you were born in America, where hard work, and good character will usually result in a postive financial outlook for most Americans by virtue of where we are born. Our status and birth right give us this, much like the rich young ruler. But this comes to unbelievers as well, who work hard.

But there are many places in the world where you or I could have been born that working hard, and obeying the rules, would not likely ever result in us prospering financially.

God has made many promises regarding wealth and prosperity. You personally don't need to believe them in order to prosper. Good for you. That is fine. But there are many around the world who do need to believe them, because just working hard and obeying the rules will never meet their needs.

By the way, I am not guessing on my numbers. I got these numbers from the Encylopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Moves. Or even better yet, read the aritcle Gospel Riches at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/july/12.22.html. It is an article that appeared in Christianity Today, which as you probably know, is critical of the prosperity teaching, yet it gives the staggering numbers. Of course they are talking about how bad it is, and discussing what can they do to stop the spread of the "health and wealth" message, but the numbers confirm the trend. 90% of Pentecostals in many of those areas identify with the WOF message. Not only that, but it is the only form of Christianity that is outpacing the growth of Islam in the African continent. I love this particular quote from the article:

"Similar scenes unfold every day in countless venues throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where prosperity-tinged Pentecostalism is growing faster not just than other strands of Christianity, but than all religious groups, including Islam."

And in fact the "Prosperity teaching" has little or no actual effect on their actual "provision level", and we all know it. If it did, there'd be no "Controversy", and the efficacy of the teaching would be obvious for all to see.

I guess it depends how you define "prosperity teaching". By its most basic definition, it would be teaching people the covenant promises of God regarding prosperity. For you to say that teaching people the promises of God regarding any subject has no impact on the circumstances of such in the lives of those that believe them is mind boggling to me.

And no, we don't all "know" that; you and the other ctitics may "know" that, but I don't. I believe the promises of God always make a difference regardless of what the subject is that the promises in question cover. I believe the promises of God regarding any situation have an "actual effect" for those that believe them. What you are saying is the same argument that those that are against divine healing use, and the same argument that atheists that don't believe in God at all use.

The stance of the critic has always been and always will be that there is no "proof" that it works, so that means it doesn't. But we as chritians live by faith. I believe the promises of God because I believe God. I don't need proof of salvation, or healing, or prosperity, or favor, or peace, or joy, etc. I believe that if God said it, it is true, and can become true for me if I believe it. We listen to the prmises of God preached, and to peoples testimonies, and we choose to believe. Those promises and testimonies are our "proof". It is those promises and testimonies to the goodness and graciouness of God that bring faith. And we "choose" to believe. Then when we experience the goodness of God for ourselves, we share those promises with others, and testify to it to others, and they also receive faith. And that is that, regardless of what you or anyone else says about "proof".

Peace...
 
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dkbwarrior

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Not that I don't think there are abuses in the movement. Of course there are. To say different is to be just plain blind. But that has been and always will be the case when revelation is being poured out, and the annointing is present on corruptible flesh. Do some people say and do things that are over the edge? Do some people fall off into the ditch, or go to far? Do some people get caught up in greed, rather than promoting the kingdom? You bet, and yes to all three. But that doesn't negate the movement, nor the purpose that God has in promoting prosperity. All movements have their black sheep, because God uses men who live in a corrupted world and are encased in corrupted flesh to do His purposes. But God is able to judge His own sevants, He doesn't need us to help Him, and these excesses, while troubling and sometimes confusing, don't represent the real message.

Now, the following is just my personal opinion, but I think it is well founded based upon what I have observed and been a part of during my christian walk. I believe that the main purpose behind the "prosperity movement" was/is twofold:

  1. To gather wealth together from among the Western Church for the establishment of the major christian media networks and ministries that are today reaching nearly every corner of the globe with the gospel
  2. To bring the gospel to the poor, and the promises of provision to the masses of the world outside the West, which are primarily impoverished, and need to see a God who cares about their physical plight, and in whom saving faith can be ignighted by giving them promises that they need to believe, not only for themselves, but for their families and nations
And the movement has succeeded, and is continuing to succeed in both of these goals, in spite of the loud voices of the critics and accusers. Their loud braying and complaining often brings to mind this verse of scripture:

34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
-Acts 5:34-35, 38-39

Peace...
 
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2 extremely powerful posts dkbwarrior.... EVERY word.... and loved the article you cited...

*Gospel Riches at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...uly/12.22.html.



found some other comparable quotes from articles.... all anti-wof.... declaring the same point....

1. wof fastest growing branch....
wikipedia
"within the Christian sphere, the Word of Faith movement is the fastest growing branch of Pentecostal Christianity."[17]


2. The Word-Faith Movement*
By Gary E. Gilley
The fastest growing segment of professing Christianity today is the Word-Faith Movement, also known as the Positive Confession or simply "Faith" movement.


3. Word-Faith Movement (Prosperity Doctrine/Positive Confession)
by Sandy Simpson for the Apologetics Coordination Team

BRIEF HISTORY Word-Faith is the fastest-growing movement within the professing church. It has involved two distinct but closely related factions: the Peale/Schuller Positive/Possibility thinkers, with their roots in New Thought, and the Hagin/Copeland Positive Confession and Word-Faith groups, which have their roots in E.W. Kenyon, William Branham, and the Manifest Sons of God/Latter Rain Movement. (Charismatic Chaos , p. 281).


4. Revivalism and Fraudulent Faith

March 29, 2010 Kent Brandenburg for Jack Hammer

You may have heard of the modern “word of faith” movement. It might be the fastest growing segment of professing Christianity today.
 
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