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'Preachers of L.A.' Brings the Prosperity Gospel to Reality TV
The Gospel Coalition ^ | 5 July 2013 | Joe Carter

Posted on 07/05/2013 5:23:54 PM PDT by Gamecock

The Story: The prosperous lifestyles of six megachurch pastors in California will be the subject of a new reality show, "Preachers of L.A.," slated for the Oxygen network this fall.

The Background: "The Bible says I wish above all things that you would prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. I believe that," declares Bishop Clarence McClendon, in the show's trailer. When challenged about this prosperity gospel, McClendon replies, "there is no other kind of Gospel."

"P. Diddy, Jay-Z, they're not the only ones who should be driving Ferraris and living in large houses," says cast member Bishop Ron Gibson, a former gang member who now ministers to 4,500 people each week at Life Church of God in Christ.

Why It Matters: The heretical gospel of "health and wealth" has been a staple of television for decades. But where it was once confined to obscure TV ministry channels like Trinity Broadcasting network, this new reality series will bring the prosperity gospel to a whole new audience.

While it's tempting to think these gold-chain wearing, luxury car driving preachers can be easily dismissed, we shouldn't underestimate the powerful appeal of their message. "It would be easy for young, theologically minded pastors to think of prosperity teaching as so obviously misguided that we don't consider it worthy of attention. This would be a terrible mistake, says Trevin Wax. "As pastors and church leaders, we have an obligation to preach the biblical gospel in a way that takes into consideration our current context, a setting that unfortunately is heavily influenced by the idea that God's blessing is financial and deserved."

The new series may give us an opportunity, though, to explain the difference between this gospel-less gospel and the true good news of Christ. But to do so we need to be prepared to explain why focusing on material riches makes us spiritually poor. As Al Mohler has said, "In the end, the biggest problem with prosperity theology is not that it promises too much, but that it promises far too little."


TOPICS: General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: ybpdln
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To: Gamecock

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Revelation 3:14-22 KJV


21 posted on 07/05/2013 6:02:22 PM PDT by captmar-vell
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To: Gamecock

I can’t disagree. But isn’t it interesting you didn’t get MORE what you found was that you were content with what you had.

I find that it isn’t necessarily about money (though that does factor in). I give my time as well because it is in the doing that I remain teachable


22 posted on 07/05/2013 6:04:08 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: raygunfan

Well, if the Holy Spirit genuinely is the teacher, the accuracy of the student should be better, or at least improve with time. Doing a good job as a Christian isn’t gotten just by reading the bible, any more than driving a car well is gotten just by reading manuals. Practice is required.


23 posted on 07/05/2013 6:08:48 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Whatever promise that God has made, in Jesus it is yes. See my page.)
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To: Gamecock

The real problem is when a church has preachers living the high life, but only offer their poor members little more than kind words, and there are way too many of these kinds of “churches”.


24 posted on 07/05/2013 6:20:13 PM PDT by jeffc (The U.S. media are our enemy)
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To: Nifster
I remember watching Oral Roberts on television at one time saying that God was like a Coca Cola machine....you put your coin in and you get something good back

I can remember, maybe 30 years ago, watching Pat Robertson on the 700 Club talking about the "principle of reciprocity," the more money that you donated (to Robertson), the more God would bless you with.

25 posted on 07/05/2013 6:28:46 PM PDT by iowamark
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To: iowamark

yup....just another version of the prosperity doctrine


26 posted on 07/05/2013 6:42:03 PM PDT by Nifster
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To: Nifster

My short stint illustrated God as a Flashlight ,turn it on for prosperity!!!

I snapped at that point.


27 posted on 07/05/2013 6:55:30 PM PDT by Big Red Badger ("don't hurt me , G 'man!")
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Worldly prosperity as an aim is an idol which will always dissatisfy.

It has to dissatisfy.

I encountered an interesting article last year while preparing a presentation for men's group. Human beings seem to have an interesting little built in Catch-22. We get a bigger neurological payback from seeking things, than from actually getting what we're chasing after.

28 posted on 07/05/2013 7:23:13 PM PDT by Lee N. Field ("You keep using that verse, but I do not think it means what you think it means." --I. Montoya)
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To: Secret Agent Man

So where will these preachers stand when/where Christians are persecuted? Would they tell Christians in a house church in Pakistan or China that the reason the police kicked in the door is because they don’t have enough faith?
If one the these preachers winds up facing some gubmint lawyers about performing a “gay marriage”, where will they stand?
Crunch time is coming, and these preachers are spreading destruction.


29 posted on 07/05/2013 7:54:57 PM PDT by Fred Hayek (The Democratic Party is now the operational arm of the CPUSA)
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To: Gamecock
I'll bet they don't quote this verse much:

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

- Matthew 6:24

30 posted on 07/05/2013 8:01:32 PM PDT by OrangeHoof (Howdy to all you government agents spying on me.)
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To: Gamecock

The Bible says that Christians will suffer for their faith.

So the more you give, the more you will suffer.

I want to see somebody preach that.


31 posted on 07/05/2013 8:07:05 PM PDT by AppyPappy (Obama: What did I not know and when did I not know it?)
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To: Gamecock

Wow! Thanks for the heads up Warning. Prosperity as God. Terrible.


32 posted on 07/05/2013 8:22:35 PM PDT by johngrace (I am a 1 John 4! Christian- declared at every Sunday Mass , Divine Mercy and Rosary prayers!)
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To: johngrace

they seem to worship God the lottery guy


33 posted on 07/05/2013 8:27:21 PM PDT by GeronL
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To: Gamecock
I remember the first time I read:

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. (Psalm 37:24-26)

I was in Bible college, putting myself through, working minimum wage ($1.50 hr.) at as many as three jobs at a time and sometimes wondering if I would have enough money to eat or catch the bus to work between paychecks. I learned the truth about this precious promise from our Lord firsthand. There were so many examples I could tell you of how it was proven true during those times and afterward, but it would need an entire new thread. What I learned most of all is that God uses those times of want and need far more perfectly to teach us to depend upon Him for ALL our needs. There's a song that says, "If I never had a problem, I'd never know God could solve them." and "If we had sunshine all our life, we'd be a desert.".

Paul learned, as I did and as we all must, that we should be content in every state we are in because God will not forsake us. He said:

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13) and verse 19, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."

I think the so-called Prosperity Gospel preachers are short changing God's people and promising them things that are not in their power to promise nor to grant. It short changes them because it makes people expect God to provide in material ways and, when that doesn't happen, people lose faith in God instead of the false teacher who told them unscriptural things. Our home is NOT of this world.

34 posted on 07/05/2013 9:27:13 PM PDT by boatbums (God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.)
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To: Gamecock

The Globalists will be hitting these folks up for mega bucks in the future.


35 posted on 07/06/2013 12:18:40 AM PDT by caww
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To: caww

Your opinion.


36 posted on 07/06/2013 4:21:58 AM PDT by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: Big Red Badger

no kidding


37 posted on 07/06/2013 5:04:31 AM PDT by Nifster
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To: iowamark
.


Pat "Korean War Combat Veteran" Robertson ... from 1988 ...


.
38 posted on 07/06/2013 8:12:12 AM PDT by Patton@Bastogne (Swine Piss be upon the Sodmite Obama, and his Child-Rapist False Prophet Mohammed)
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To: raygunfan; Gamecock
You can make the bible say whatever you want, and make it say WHATEVER someone wants to hear......disgusting

Don't you find it funny that the only people who think this are those who don't believe in what the Bible actually says?

39 posted on 07/06/2013 8:34:49 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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