Prosperity gospel teaching
Whether material prosperity and physical health are the promised inheritance of faith ("name it and claim it", "Word of Faith", "seed-faith giving"). Prosperity teaching is widely rejected as a distortion by Reformed, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox, confessional Anglican, and most evangelical bodies, but is prevalent in some Pentecostal / charismatic and televangelist circles. "Affirms" = the historic rejection of prosperity teaching; "denies" = a church that teaches prosperity. Look for "seed faith", "100-fold return", "your best life now" framing as denying signals, vs. teaching on suffering, cross-bearing, and contentment.
This doctrine distinguishes traditions but is not a boundary of orthodoxy.
Who binds this (creedal)
Every affiliated congregation inherits its denomination's position. Follow a chip to see the confession's language.
Key scriptures
- 1Pet 5:10 — But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
- 1Tim 6:10 — For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
- 1Tim 6:7 — For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
- 2Cor 12:9 — And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
- 2Cor 4:17 — For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
- Heb 13:5 — Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
- James 1:2
- John 16:33 — These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- Luke 12:15 — And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
- Luke 9:23 — And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- Matt 5:10 — Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Matt 6:19 — Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
- Matt 6:33 — But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
- Phil 4:11 — Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
- Rom 8:18 — For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
What the confessions say
Articles of the historic confessions that address this doctrine.
- Reformed Canons of Dort 4.R2 — Of the Perseverance of the Saints
- Reformed Canons of Dort 4.R7 — Of the Perseverance of the Saints
- Lutheran Augsburg Confession Article 20 — Of Good Works
- Reformed Westminster Confession of Faith 16.2 — Of Good Works
- Anglican Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion Article 38 — Of Christian men's Goods, which are not common
- Roman Catholic Council of Trent (Canons) On Justification · Canon 28 — On Justification
The Church Fathers
The earliest Fathers who commented on the Scriptures above.
"But the love of money is the root of all evils." Knowing, therefore, that "as we brought nothing into the world, so we can carry nothing out," let us arm ourselves with the armour of righteousness; and let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, [teach] your wives [to walk] in the faith given…
Long-suffering therefore was God, when man became a defaulter, as foreseeing that victory which should be granted to him through the Word. For, when strength was made perfect in weakness, it showed the kindness and transcendent power of God. For as He patiently suffered Jonah to be swallowed by the whale, not that he should be…
We must join in disciplining ourselves to beware of all that is subject to the passions. We must, like true philosophers, escape from any foods that arouse sexual desire, from a dissolute relaxation in bed, from luxury and all the passions that make for luxury. We realize that others find this a grievous struggle. It is no longer so…
It remains for us, lest ancient times may perhaps have had the sacrament (exclusively) their own, to review the modern Christian system, as though, being also from God, it might be different from what preceded, and besides, therefore, opposed thereto in its code of rules likewise, so that its Wisdom knows not to murder her own sons!…
For to what, most dearly beloved, does the wisdom of this world urge us, but to seek things that are hurtful, and to love things that are to perish, and to neglect things that are healthful, and to esteem as of no value things that are lasting? It commends the love of money, of which it is said, The love of money is the root of all evil;
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come which shall be revealed in us." If anyone should consider that, in exchange for a person's being made a son of the most high God, and an heir of his goodness and glory, and a coheir of Christ the only-begotten Son of God, even if he…