People use the term Evangelical Christianity as if there were a single understanding of what that means in terms of doctrine. In many poverty stricken areas the type of Evangelical Christianity which is flourishing is what is commonly called the “Prosperity Gospel” this is very different than Evangelical Christianity of more traditional Pentecostal or Baptist or Nondenominational sects. Even within those traditions there are different approaches and responses to Biblical teachings.
It would be interesting to see more specifics of just what type of Evangelical Christianity is gaining ground.
“Even within those traditions there are different approaches and responses to Biblical teachings.”
As for the prosperity gospel, this requires defining terms. Most Pentecostals in Africa affirmed (2006) that God would (not had to) “grant material prosperity to all believers who have enough faith,” which is justified under the premise that faith can move mountains, and “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. “ (Matthew 21:22)
But which must be understood in the light of other teachings, such as praying in Jesus name, which is not that of appending His name at the end of a prayer (not wrong but be careful), but praying consistent with His revealed will, as a representative of Him.
Thus while we can believe God for prosperity, that means if it be His will for us, and that such prosperity is not so that we can live extravagantly, or other than sacrificially, no matter what we have, with all we have being committed to the work of the Lord who gave himself for us.
While it is Biblical to “wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth,” (3 John 2) the error of the prosperity gospel is teaching that it is always God’s will that every believer has material prosperity and lives in perfect health, and which means living as richly as well, and “supposing that gain is godliness,” (1Tim. 6:5) rather than their needs being met as they seek 1st the kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Mt. 6:33) which calls for an overall sacrificial live, and having faith to endure hardship and afflictions.
For indeed, faith not only sees escape and victory, but also being as those described who “took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” (Hebrews 10:34)
An old Amish saying goes like, “to be content with little is hard; to be content with much is impossible.”
And the “hall of faith” includes those who were “stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. “ (Hebrews 11:37-38)
On the other hand, it is sin to not believe God will fulfil Mt 6:33, or to equate poverty with Godliness. And to the poor, who make up most of the “prosperity churches” worldwide, believing God to raise them up from poverty is part of the attractive positive overcoming faith they preach, though without proper theological balance. In addition, many of the preachers seem to have so little faith they spend much of their time raising funds.