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Joseph Wore Designer Robes, Too!
A Response to Asamoah-Gyadu's 'Did Jesus Wear Designer Robes?'
To facilitate a truly global conversation, we ask Christian leaders from around the world to respond to the Global Conversation's lead articles. These points of view do not necessarily represent Christianity Today magazine or the Lausanne Movement. They are designed to stimulate discussion from all points of the compass and from different segments of the Christian community. Please add your perspective by posting a comment so that we can learn and grow together in the unity of the Spirit.
In Africa, where neo-Pentecostalism and the charismatic movement are exploding, the Old Testament is central to the church's spirituality precisely because of its narrative aspects. The first thing that came to my mind, then, in response to Asamoah-Gyadu's essay, is the story of Joseph and his robe of many colors. Of course, Joseph's wardrobe reflected his father's favoritism and made his brothers jealous, which resulted in his being sold into Egypt. However, it might also be said that Joseph's designer robe of his growing-up years foreshadowed his prosperity and the blessings of his later life in Egypt, to the point where he could bless his brothers and their families in return. How then does the Joseph story help us respond to the question in the title of Asamoah-Gyadu's essay? There are at least seven levels of response.
First, prosperity advocates might simply say that Joseph's wearing designer robes justifies our wearing them, period. Such an uncritical response is risky precisely because it results in the kind of haughtiness that got Joseph sold into Egypt. Any naïve and absolutistic embrace of the prosperity gospel leaves many other aspects of the biblical revelation unaccounted for, as Asamoah-Gyadu rightly notes.
Second, some might say that Joseph's example is precisely one we should not follow, and therefore, we should always say "NO!" to designer robes. This kind of reverse absolutism reflects an equally one-sided response to the broad scope of the biblical revelation. As many African Christians have observed, it is usually made by those (white, Western) Christians who already have experienced a measure of prosperity.
Third, the moral of the Joseph story could be interpreted simply as: "Don't flaunt your designer robes!" But what does that mean? Hide your prosperity so you can avoid getting mugged? Don't wear your designer robes before those who may be envious of God's blessings in your life? Live modestly or in simplicity regardless of the level of affluence you have been blessed with? No doubt there is a measure of truth in each of these interpretations of the moral.
From here, however—and fourth—we might justify our designer clothes as being important for "contextual" purposes. Why shouldn't African Christians be able to bring the prosperity and blessings enjoyed by Western Christians into their own context? Or, why is it implausible that God should call us as individuals or as churches to minister to the affluent, and if so, shouldn't we don designer robes to reach those who have such wardrobes? Of course, such "contextual," even "missiological," rationales could be no more than self-serving theological rationalizations. Still, those of us who might tend to see things this way should carefully check our own hearts to ensure we are not envious as were Joseph's brothers.
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Apostle Paul J. Nel, South Africa
The Bible teaches that human wisdom is foolishness with YHVH Elohim. The Bible teaches that endless arguments serve no purpose in building the Kingdom of YHVH. The Bible also teaches that it is to be the ONLY yardstick by which we measure. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me the truth of John 8:32 & 44 - the Bible = the written Word of YHVH = (2+2=4). You see, when you add 2 objects to another 2 objects, you will have 4 objects. It doesn't matter what you or I believe - there will still be exactly 4 objects. The original God-breathed Scripture is what it is and it says what it says. It doesn't matter what you or I believe - it doesn't change what YHVH has written. I can often just shake my head ut us "high & mighty" human cleverness (foolishness in His eyes). Shalom
Tim Molter, USA
On your "Who Is Jesus?" page you state that "God loves you and offers a "wonderful" plan for your life." I think your" Who is Jesus...Really" page is another example of the prosperity gospel. Think about it, should we be coming to Jesus for happiness or for righteousness? The early church and the disciples did not have a wonderful life, they were persecuted daily, however they did have an abundant life that was full in Christ.
Caroline, kenya
Hello I am from Africa and this video to say the least was hilarious and sad at the same time to see how christians can be taken advantage of if they do not read the word of God and understand it. I remembered the widow's mite and Jesus said that she gave the most because Jesus looks at the heart and not at the amount. I think what we really need to tell our fellow brothers and sisters in africa is to read the Bible and understand it like the Bereans did so that they will be aware of the spirits and be knowledgable about the word of God.
"Moruti" Lutz, South Africa
Hi HD Randle. I should feel honoured that you took the time to write a response [though a slightly repettitve one, but that's ok, you are American], in spite of my theological attempts being so utterly laughable. But thahnks for giving me so much food for thought, as you indicate, for my "research". So I guess, I will shut up (on that particular topic, anyway), till I have done my homework...
D.R. Randle, U.S.A.
continued... And so while, your logic might be legitimate, it doesn't square with reality (i.e., the fact that American Evangelical Calvinists are staunchly opposed to the prosperity gospel and have no connections to its root in the U.S.). I would recommend you read some popular Calvinists on the prosperity gospel in order to confirm this. Some of the most well known and influential Calvinists in the U.S. include men like J.I. Packer, Albert Mohler, John Piper, John MacArthur, D.A. Carson, Wayne Grudem, and David Platt. I hope this helps you in your research of the prosperity gospel.
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