Why do American Christians teach prosperity, when the Bible clearly tells us to

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   SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years ago

   Why do American Christians teach prosperity, when the Bible clearly tells us to expect suffering?
   
   The American Church teaches that prosperity is a sign of God's favor, this includes prosperity of health as well as wealth. What does this say about Christians in the Middle East who are tortured and murdered for their faith? Has God forgotten them?

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   Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

   I take some light insult here. I am an American Christian and I don't teach prosperity like you make it sound like a bad thing. There is prosperity in the good life. There is also hell on earth for those living the good life. Other men suck. People are horrible in some places given the right crazy lunatic teaching horrible things. God allows that -- do not ask me why as I am not God. No soul is forsaken although the flesh may be.
   What is the American Church anyway?

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      This teaching is most prevalent among American Churches. See Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, Rick Warren ect.

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I am pretty sure it is "prevalent" In Mexico, Spain, Germany and I heard it once in Vietnam. There is no "American" Church, there are only churches in America. Oh for sure Canada and England and Australia,

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   peter565posted 8 years ago

   Modern western Christianity, is in fact not real Christianity. It is what we refer to as "New Christianity" where we only select certain aspect of Christian value we agree with to follow and have gotten rid of the rest. But the problem is new christianity, still use Christianity's bible. So it become confusing. For example, the bible say
   
   "And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire." (Leviticus 21:9)
   
   Deuteronomy 22:20-22
   But if the thing is true, that evidence of virginity was not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done an outrageous thing in Israel by whoring in her father's house. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. “If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman. So you shall purge the evil from Israel.
   
   Deuteronomy 13:6-10
   “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him. But you shall kill him. Your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. You shall stone him to death with stones, because he sought to draw you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
   
   Real Christianity is a sick, bloody and evil religion and prior to the emergence of Age of Enlightment, many of these brutal act was been practiced, for example, during the dark and middle ages, they use to execute people for not been Christians. New Christianity emerged as a result of Age of Enlightment, due to influence of non western value and pre christian value, people started question Christianity and start speaking of stuff like human right, thus a new version of Christainty that is in coalition with these idea emerged.

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      ginjill ashberryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Just as the Pharisees in the old testament using God's word as a sword to justify their religion, yet God searches the inner things..our heart. Let God be the judge and let us not condemn one another. Do not forsake the truth due to these who abuse

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   LoliHeyposted 8 years ago

   Americans do not know the suffering of Christians in other parts of the world yet, because we live in a country that (at least right now) has freedom of religion.  It does say in the bible that many would be persecuted for their faith, and many important figures in the bible were also persecuted.  Satan is hard at work at corrupting the world, and it is because of him that this happens to Christians.

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Indeed. I wonder how many in America would continue to be Christians when it comes to true persecution ie torture, rape and death, not just negative feedback media.

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      LoliHeyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So do I.

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   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Clearly people "cherry pick" which scriptures they want to read, learn, and (internalize). The bible much like any book read by individuals elicits various points of view and insight to it's readers.
   Most likely those who are "suffering" do not put {their focus} on scriptures such these:
   Job 36:11
   "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures."
   Matthew 7:7
   "Ask, and it shall be given you."
   Matthew 9:29
   "According to your faith be it unto you."
   Mark 11:24
   "Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
   Joel 3:10
   "...let the weak say, I am strong."
   Psalm 23
   "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
   Philippians 4:13
   "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
   John 10:34
   "Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?"
   John 14:12
   "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do (shall he do also); and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
   Luke 17:21
   "Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
   All of the above scriptures are in everyone's bible!
   However if the (individual) skims over them or doesn't take them to heart their life is not likely going to reflect these scriptures.
   Hebrews 11:1
   Now faith is the (substance of things hoped for), the evidence of things not seen."
   Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."

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      flpalermoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hey! Well said.

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      John 15:20 A slave is not above his master. Jesus was persecuted and rejected by society. All of the Apostles expect John were executed. We are to expect suffering and persecution as well, for are we above the Master (Jesus)

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      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Kris, You proved my point!
      Whatever scripture (you choose to internalize) bears fruit in (your) life!
      Isaiah 54:17   no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So the Apostle Paul internalized the verses on suffering and that is why he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and driven from city after city?

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Do not forget he had a thorn in his side that would not be removed and even spiritual battles within the founding of the Church. Yet he declared he lived abundantly. So do your martyrs that worry about. The life is about the living not the suffering

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Paul's abundance was in the Gospel, not health or wealth. His "good life" was suffering for the name of Christ. Opposite of the "best life now" theology that has crept into the church.

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      dashingscorpioposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Kris, Christianity in the days of Paul was considered blasphemy! It was seen as a "new cult" or evil.
      Anytime someone attempts change the world it's not uncommon for them to be attacked. Even the U.S. was founded through bloodshed. That's life!

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What is "the church"? There is not a group in America that is "the church". Do you think that the Catholic Church preaches and teaches too much prosperity? Lutherans, Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians?

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      ginjill ashberryposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Dashingscorpio, well said. Churches in America are many but the well known one's like the Osteen's, Graham's family, R.Warren and D.Prince, M.Lucado & many others will be the focus of Internet sermon watchers, and the preachers in America started

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   ginjill ashberryposted 8 years ago

   I have watched many American preacher's sermons including Africans and other countries around the world. When I read your question, I assume Joel and Victoria Osteen are one of the preachers you refer to? What Joel is trying to convey (Atleast what I get from the messages), is to renew one's mindset from despair to faith. There are many who are wealthy and yes, seems healthy but they do not ALL acquire these from their walk with God, so can any preacher say that it was God's favor? But many preachers teaches their congregation to renew their mind and receive God's favor by faith and walking with God in their daily lives. It has to be in this way. Regarding the prosecuted believers not only in Middle East but other countries even Asia. As Lolita Monroe has mentioned, it is the work of Satan..Lucifer. And America as well as many other countries in the west are privilege to have the freedom of religion and act in accordance to their beliefs. A believer of the word will read, hear God's word and walk in faith, claiming God's promises where and when it is applicable in our individual journey in life..trust Him and revere Him. Even those who are persecuted give thanks to God and glorify Him. Each and everyone of us are created for a purpose and each has a unique service to the Lord according to His will for us. What one are created for is what he or she does or endure as an act of service to the Lord that many will be inspired by their testimonies and great faith. He is God, the potter..He loves us all and He will never abandon us nor forsake us, means..He does not forget any one of us. In the Bible Solomon was a rich king, he was humble before the Lord and ask for wisdom; yet God blessed him more than he asked for. There's the story of king David. But David too knows many sufferings, read Psalms. Kris, there is too many examples in the bible regarding the two matters that you seemed to compare. God knows what He is doing. Why He allows things to happen. Read also Job who went through seasons in life. Know that the apostles too were persecuted for their faith. If I have failed to explain it all, just remember that God's thoughts are higher than ours. We only understand things as our human mind can comprehend. I hoped that I have enlighten you if not but a little with my answers. I know in Hubpages, there are many here who can give you a better answer. May God bless you and help you find the answers you are searching for.
   -GJAB.

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   importantopinionsposted 8 years ago

   Because many religious people become so obsessed with religion, they forget the true meaning of Christianity. They forget we are to love one another and accept one another without judgement. because only God has the authority to judge since he knows us inside out. Religious people are so obsessed they think for God, speak for God and they do not understand his commandments yet use everything in the bible against humanity. When they know that when you teach hate, and cause confusion, you are not a church!

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      Rich kelleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      1Co 5:12-13  What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you."

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   Rich kelleyposted 8 years ago

   To start with there is scripture that mentions prosperity yet the cherry picking out of context with the rest of scripture makes the reality of what they quote to justify their wealth and riches a twisting of what is written. It is the deceived laity that perpetuate this. If you were to actually meet a wealthy disciple of Christ my opinion is that you wouldn’t know they were wealthy. They wouldn’t have set themselves apart and above those in the Kingdom of God. Blessed are the poor in spirit doesn’t mean you don’t have a shirt on your back. Yet there is much to say about the attitudes of those that are rich. Again this is the standard blame the object used incorrectly in man’s life instead of the man/women. Money, guns, drugs all have a place in the lives of people yet like anything used incorrectly causes problem.
   
   To answer the first posted question not all American’s claiming to be Christians teach the prosperity gospel. The biblical suffering in scripture  is because those that are suffering are suffering because of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. No matter where you are if you are getting along with the majority of the people, more than likely you have chosen a religion that is accepted by those around you. Begin to live your life as Christ and His disciples preached and you will be persecuted first mentally and then eventually physically. Physical persecution is not always with a whip gun or sword.
   
   The second question asked is about professing Christians in other countries that are being attacked because of their faith. Today many or most of the Christians in the world are there because of evangelical movements funded or started from “American” churches. They are taught the same beliefs of the religion that came to teach their form of the gospel. There will be a building called the church, there will be a hireling called the pastor. There will be clergy and laity. None of these things are an example of the New Testament followers of Christ. “Most” of the persecuted are religious denominations that are not welcome where ever they are. It is a result of the more bad guys than good syndrome and has nothing to do with being a professing Christian. If the country was being overtaken by the Islamic faith and there were Buddhist there they would be killed and gotten rid of.

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   delleaposted 8 years ago

   The prosperity gospel is false teaching, and those that support it and preach it are leading thousands and thousands of semi-believers to their dooms because they don't know any better. It is as you say; those who claim to be Christians and actually read their bibles are smart enough to see through the so-called prosperity gospels and those that preach them. I will likely get criticized for saying this, but those who preach the prosperity gospel are not any different than Judas who betrayed Jesus for money... and guess what, the preachers and TV evangelists that preach the prosperity gospel seem to be the only ones prospering... buying their limos, beach houses and personal jets all at the expense of those who blindly send them money thinking they are tithing to God. It truly saddens me to see so many people being falsely led like flocks of sheep into slaughter houses, and they don't even know it because they don't even read their bibles.

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      SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. Many preachers are teaching "Christianized" American Philosophy and those that preach it know just enough Bible to fool those following them.

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    SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years ago

    I understand not all Christians in America teach or follow the Prosperity Gospel. I use the broad term "American Christian" or "American Church" to speak of what I believe to be the majority of those claim to follow Christianity in America.
    
    I asked this questions as a way to encourage people to think about what they are being taught. Many choose to focus on blessings and prosperity and ignore the verses where Jesus warns us that Christians will be hated by the world and that the world will persecute and reject us, just as the world rejected Christ.
    
    The Lord does want the best for us, but the best for us is Jesus, and him crucified. It has nothing to with worldly riches (although if you have them, this is indeed a blessing) it has nothing to do with worldly success (although it is the Lord who blesses you with success).
    
    The blessed life is living under the Gospel, instead of the Law. Your salvation does not guarantee you a better life, but it does guarantee eternal life. 
    
    I explain this more fully in my hub "Prosperity: The False Gospel" I encourage you to take a look.

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       Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       A very wonderful explanation. It is good of you to ask questions that make us question. I like this one as it is just plain hard to rectify in man's logic. We turn in questions like these to dig deeper into our faith and that is awesome.

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