adminA lot of damage has been done to Christianity because of the teaching known as “the gospel of prosperity”. This gospel has turned Christianity into a “bless me club” which could be summed up as “if you pray the right way, God will make you rich”.
News coming from Botswana is that our local “man of God,” the maverick Prophet Uebert Angel, the son of Mr and Mrs S K Mudzanire, born on 6 September 1978, “made it rain” when he produced “miracle money”.
It is reported that the Spirit Embassy founder — Uebert Angel — left parishioners dumbfounded when he raised more than P2,4 million during a “miracle money” crusade in Botswana.
Such news gets Christians and fanatics into a frenzy but most do not ask the main questions which is HOW and WHY?
If one follows the gospel of prosperity that all Pentecostal churches preach, they will notice six tenets which are:
1. Christians should as rights expect material wealth to come their way as a seal of God’s approval.
2. If material wealth does not manifest in one’s bank account, it is probably due to a lack of faith.
3. If you are going through any suffering or sickness, you are out of the will of God, and most likely are in sin namely unbelief.
That is why as in a report carried by the B Metro of 4-10 January 2013, a certain man who had tested HIV- positive committed suicide after testing positive again months later. His argument was that he had prayed so much about it and with faith his status would be reversed.
4. Christians should speak positive confessions eg “name it, claim it” until the desired amount of money is acquired although this is a trap, because all it does is cause one to focus on the temporal, thus the person is never really satisfied or content.
5. All the wealth in the world will be transferred to the Christians before Christ returns, then we will deliver the kingdom to Him.
6. Jesus lived his earthly life as a rich man I know — it’s absurd, but that’s what some teach. But, the mission churches, will translate the “riches” as “spiritual” not monetary.
I learnt from a friend that in some Pentecostal circles “if you don’t understand what is happening in things that involve a man of God do not ask questions”.
This dear friend therefore chooses not to ask questions and takes whatever comes his way with open arms as long as it is endorsed by a “man of God”.
Thus there are many people out there like him who just get into situations “head first with eyes closed” as long as it is said to be in the name of God.
They will sell their houses in the hope of getting mansions through miracles without working towards those goals. They would rather pamper the pastor with presents yet they go hungry in their homes — all this with no questions asked.
Whenever I probe him about these issues he tells me that “the Word of the Lord is foolish to the wise” but as he said this I noticed that he like many do not understand the meaning of this phrase.
It has become more of a fashion statement for Pentecostal worshippers to recite the Pentecostal jargon with words such as “anointed” — “exorcism” — “blessed” — “man of God” — “year of favour” — “I am favoured” — “mighty man or woman” to mention a few.
Before writing this opinion a dear friend warned me that if I say something negative I will be cursed. Someone would curse me for challenging the work of God.
But I am not challenging I am just probing what mortals like you the reader and I are doing but backing things up with God.
My Sunday School teachings made me understand that Christianity is a transparent religion with no secrets because every Christian has a personal relationship with God then everyone has the right to know the truth.
The only way known to mankind in as far as finding out the truth is through probing.
But when that process is stopped by someone who says he will “curse” you, those gullible enough will avoid asking the real questions that will make one understand the true philosophy of religion and not only Christianity.
Online Reporter