Recently it was reported in TIME that Donald Trump has received his greatest boost from prosperity gospel preachers. Much has been written about how Trump can receive support from evangelicals, when he is the antithesis of much of what classic evangelicalism values. However, this makes perfect sense.
Also called the “health and wealth” gospel, the prosperity gospel suggests that God’s primary goal is to bless followers materially. Jesus’ statement “I have come that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10) is warped to promise believers large homes, luxury cars, ready cash—all aspects of a Western worldview, materialistic “abundant life.”
I saw this perversion of the true gospel during my years in Ethiopia, where many struggling people are lured into the prosperity gospel web. The Director of the school where I taught liked to point out that of the ten wealthiest Nigerians, nine of them were pastors! Several of these pastors had their own Gulfstream jets. That’s usually how it works—those who are the most materially “blessed” by the prosperity gospel are those preaching it. It is now spreading all across Africa, especially through the internet and satellite TV.
One can see how Trump and purveyors of the prosperity gospel connect. Wealth is the highest value. A flashy, unembarrassed exultation of toys is “proof” that one is favored by God. A rags to riches storyline holds out hope that anyone can make it (although, in Trump’s case, he started out wealthy).
All this is repugnant to many Christians. To me the deeper problem is this: in the prosperity gospel worldview, suffering becomes evidence of distance from God. If God is not blessing you…if your loved one died…if you have unmet needs…if you are depressed, anxious, despairing…if you express any kind of human weakness… something is wrong with you or your faith.
In Ethiopia, I heard heartbreaking stories. A widow thought the death of her husband was her fault—if she had just been more faithful, God would have saved him from his disease. I heard of people turning over large sums (they could not afford) to their churches, only to be ironically told by a prosperity gospel preacher that their poor economic status was their fault for not trusting God more. Such is the cancer of the prosperity gospel, currently metastasizing in many corners of the world today.
Some have said the prosperity gospel offers a vending machine God—if one inserts the proper amount of faith or good works, getting what you want is as easy as pushing a button.
I think it’s more like a computer game. As one masters the first levels, one earns rewards or points that keep one motivated to move on to deeper levels. Often there is admiration, envy and a hero worship mystique around deeper level players: “Dude, you made it all the way to level 15?” Beginners want to learn all the techniques they can from the “game masters.” In the real world, the trappings of wealth flaunted by the masters make devoted followers want even more the formulas for success they offer.
Whether prosperity gospel preachers or politicians, these leaders say: “If you keep following me, you too can become a “master” of the game.” But it’s not God’s game they are playing. Not even close.
I’ve been cringing for months observing the evolution of Trump’s campaign. “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Hi Jennifer, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!