I know many American evangelical churches implicitly practice New thought movement concepts as evident from the prosperity gospel msg from Joel Osteen to Joseph Prince, and I know their positive message of self-image and gratitude is the source of healing and moral transformation (despite the ironic totally depravity self-image). However, I am looking for some Christian author or church which explicitly teach the meditation and visualization techniques as taught by Joe Dispenza which involves changing the habit of past thought pattern, hoping/visualizing a better self in present-tense with gratitude. The prosperity doctrine's prayers to God functions as the meditation and these concepts for receiving blessings, healing and elevated self-image is taught in the Bible. I am curious if there are books and churches that directly promote the approach of meditation as the way to manifest God's prosperity, and how exactly do they practice it, coz I know the popular prosperity preachers use "Name it and claim it" approach and the regular pray or faith. I am looking for examples of sources in favour of this approach, not against it. PS: As a Christian, I do not adhere to any particular sect or denomination.

Matthew 19:24 (New International Version) > Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a > needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Generally I think Christians interpret this to avoid materialism and place physical, earthly concerns below concerns about what God expects from us. I was curious as to how people who preach the Prosperity Gospel interpret this passage. I did some googling, and I found several articles using it as a way to discredit the Prosperity Gospel. But, I didn't find a Prosperity Gospel interpretation of it. How to people who preach Prosperity Gospel interpret this scripture?

The Word of God says, >Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1) Many televangelist claim miracles happen and profess the name of Jesus. Some have claimed they witnessed terminally ill people get healed and such. There have been some high profile preachers from around the world who have been accused of staging miracles and preaching the "gospel of prosperity" for their own gain. What is the way to test whether they are false prophets taking care not to touch the Lord's anointed? I went through [a similar post](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/8074/how-do-we-identify-false-teachers) , but am concerned with teachers who say they are doing it in the name of Jesus.

[Prosperity theology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology) , or the "health and wealth gospel," is a recent movement that teaches that God promises material blessings, in this life, to those who have faith in him and who do his will. Wikipedia traces its origin to the 19th century, but while researching the subject, I found Augustine apparently addressing something similar in a sermon on shepherding: > But what sort of shepherds are they who for fear of giving offence not only fail to prepare the sheep for the temptations that threaten, but even promise them worldly happiness? God himself made no such promise to this world. [...] >For the Apostle says: *All who desire to live a holy life in Christ will suffer persecution.* [...] You say instead: “If you live a holy life in Christ, all good things will be yours in abundance." ([LotH, 1010](https://books.google.com/books?id=p5OjDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT416&lpg=PT416)) This looks like indirect evidence that even around the year 400, Augustine was dealing with teachings similar to those of today's prosperity theology. Thus I'd like to know: - **Is there any surviving direct evidence of these sorts of teachings in the early church?** - I.e., surviving writings that actually teach this, as opposed to secondhand accounts - **How much indirect evidence is there?** - **Can we tell how popular these teachings were, and when they gained traction?** I am interested in material **after** the apostolic age, up to the end of Augustine's life (AD 430). I know it's somewhat anachronistic to apply the term "prosperity theology" to writings 1500 years older than the movement by that name, but to help clarify what I'm looking for, here's an example, followed by two counter-examples: - God promises1 material2 blessings, in this life,3 to those who have faith in him and live holy lives - This is an example of what I'm looking for; note the three marked elements - God promises blessings to those who have faith in him - Not an example; blessings may be spiritual or material and may not be in this life - God [generally] blesses those who live holy lives - Not an example; this is a proverb, not a promise

Prosperity gospel, as I understand it, is the teaching that God wants to bless us with wealth and health. I can't really see this in the Bible. For example, Paul writes in **2 Cor 12:7-10 (ESV)**: > 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Or, looking at what Jesus has said: > **Matt 22:10 (ESV)** and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. > > **John 15:20 (ESV)** Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. What arguments (biblical or otherwise) can be used to support prosperity gospel? What does prosperity theology say about passages such as the ones I cited?

Beyond the arguments that claim prosperity theology misinterprets the meaning of the passages it uses to support it, what are some of the main scriptural-based references that would be used in a theological discussion against prosperity theology?

From my understanding and study, here are some of their main teachings: - God wants us to be prosperous in this life (health, wealth, relationships etc) - If we don't receive we don't have enough faith (faith is a like a force) - we are little gods; we have creative power to speak things into reality (i.e think positively and that thing will come to pass - often related to success) (name it, claim it) - Jesus was tortured in hell/hades by demons, for 3 days to atone for our sin (the cross wasn't the end of his suffering. - There are some other niches of teaching within these doctrines I simply can't remember currently (these are the main ones above) From listening to some of these preachers they do use verses to back up their claims; are these actually what the bible says, or are they being twisted? *I do have my own thoughts about the truth of these teachings, however I am not going to include them, as I still want to neutrally approach the topic/question.*

What are the main beliefs/themes of the Prosperity Gospel? And which are the current prominent groups and their pastors?

Which denominations more or less explicitly reject prosperity theology? As far as I understand, most Charismatics, and probably Pentecostals believe in prosperity theology. Right? But it is rejected by Baptists, right? Or are there Baptists which believe in this doctrine? I am writing a manuscript where I touch the question about reception of prosperity theology by various denominations and want to be sure I don't mis-attribute who agrees with this and who disagrees.

There is already this decent post: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1095/what-is-the-argument-for-prosperity-gospel But more specifically how do prosperity theologians square what must be regular 'clobber' passages for their interpretation? For example: > Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) And: > Looking at his disciples, he said: > “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. > “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. > “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets. Luke 6:20-26 (NIV)

Some people who teach that Christians can expect to be blessed materially in this life by God base their teachings in the covenants. What is the Biblical basis that through the covenants God has promised to bless his people materially and financially in this life?

What Christian denomination(s) believe(s) that "prosperity theology" is derogatory, and why? What are the justifications against prosperity theology? I know that some neo-Pentecostal churches preach prosperity theology, and they preach it, considering the socioeconomic status of their members, providing social services and stuff like that. Doesn't Jesus want Christians to be happy and healthy?

In the comments of an answer to another question , the topic of prosperity theology was raised, and someone stated that a large portion of Christianity is in some way supportive of prosperity theology. I am defining prosperity theology as the following: > Financial blessing is the will of God for Christians, and that earthly prosperity is a reward for those who follow God. I personally don't know of any mainstream denominations that espouse prosperity theology (most that I've heard of are non-denominational or independent churches - e.g. Joel Osteen's congregation). I'm not asking if prosperity theology is Biblical or not, I'm asking **are there any mainstream denominations that espouse prosperity theology?**