It's One Or The Other: Gospel of Grace vs. Prosperity Gospel

We spent the final Sundays of August in Paul's closing to the Book of Philippians - verses 10-19.  It was no surprise that we had good interaction in the Q &A that followed those services on the "Prosperity Gospel" (PG)  In light of that, I thought I'd share some interesting recent resources from TheGospelCoalition.org website.

As I said in both sermons, the PG perspective is like the water a fish swims in: it's all around us and can have an unnoticed influence on us all.  Believers do well to cultivate a discerning heart and mind with regard to it, because "PG" is just a modern expression of what Paul would call a Different Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:6) which is really no gospel at all!

You can begin to sense you are in "PG" territory whenever you begin thinking of "Faith" as if it were a tool that you use to get what you decide for yourself you want - even if what you want has a Scriptural proof-text.  Often, it boils down to an "if/then" statement like: If I say/do/believe "this" enough, then God is obligated to respond with "that" for me.

You are deeper in to the territory when you feel like you are not receiving what you should from God because of a lack in your faith and so need to exercise more of whatever it is that you are lacking.  As this goes on, if you continue to "not receive because of your lack" you get depressed, and - perhaps even worse - if you should receive that it is that you are "believing God for," there begins to be a self-righteous pride that creeps in.  Bad stuff either way.

And very different from Paul who is able to face any circumstance -  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12-13) - because has placed his trust in the finished work of Jesus, and not in himself and the strength of his own faith.  Paul lives as he does - with contentment and generosity - not because he has "enough faith" to get what he wants out of God, but because he is content to receive whatever Jesus has for him in this moment.

The interesting thread that runs through these three resources is a pastor named Costi Hinn.  His uncle, Benny Hinn, is a high profile figure in Prosperity Gospel circles and Costi actually worked with him for years.  Then Costi came to understand the Gospel of God's Grace  and eventually left the "family business."  He now leads Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona

How Benny Hinn’s Nephew Rejected the Prosperity Gospel - CLICK HERE

This a review of Costi Hinn's book  God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies

Costi Hinn Exposes the Most Abusive Kind of False Teaching Today - CLICK HERE

If you like to listen, this is a 40 minute interview podcast with Costi and Gospel Coalition editor Collin Hansen.  Much of the conversation revolves around Costi's book, as well as further resources from other writers

God, Thank You I’m Not Like Those Prosperity Preachers - CLICK HERE

This is a helpful post by Costi himself that is helpful on responding to friends and family - ane ourselves - who are influenced by Prosperity Gospel thinking.