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The gospel preached in Africa's New Pentecostal Churches ends up leaving the poor more impoverished than ever.
The dramatic growth of non-Western Christianity across Africa is due largely to the flourishing New Pentecostal Churches. Why has the prosperity gospel, imported from the West and preached in these churches, found such fertile soil in Africa? In the second installment of the Global Conversation, Ghanaian seminary professor Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu explains how these churches' peculiar emphases resonate with tribal religious backgrounds. Unfortunately, the prosperity gospel leaves behind the rural poor and other marginalized people who have little access to wealth and success. The gospel of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, glorifies neither poverty nor prosperity, but instead offers deliverance, forgiveness, grace, and restoration.
For thousands of believers in Ghana, Jericho Hour is the place to be if you are looking for a breakthrough. Founded in 1998, the prayer meeting—where, according to its slogan, "giant solutions await your giant problems"—is hosted by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams and his Action Chapel International in the Prayer Cathedral on Spintex Road in Accra. On Thursday mornings 3,000 people make their way to the cathedral, where they are encouraged to pray for breakthroughs in business dealings and employment, international travel, money to build houses and buy cars, help with finding a spouse or bearing a child, and, when experiencing setbacks, vengeance on those spiritually responsible.
Founded by Duncan-Williams in 1979 as Christian Action Faith Ministry International, the church was the first of a new stream of Pentecostal churches that have since flourished in Ghana and across Africa. Duncan-Williams's mentor was the late Nigerian Benson Idahosa, who, before he died in the late '90s, conferred upon himself the titles "Professor" and "Archbishop." Duncan-Williams's own transition—from "Pastor" to "The Rev. Dr." to "Bishop" and now "Archbishop"—reflects his growing influence, though these elevations must be understood as vivid examples of the blessings he promises to those who exercise faith.
Duncan-Williams's "blessings" are not just nominal. Though his 26-year marriage ended in 2005 (after American pastor T. D. Jakes tried to mediate much-publicized efforts at reconciliation), he married a prominent African American diplomat turned entrepreneur in 2008. Their lifestyle, including a home many describe as palatial, might not be exceptional in the United States, but in Ghana, lavish displays of wealth are usually the domain of politicians believed to achieve their material success by stealing from the public purse. Rumors about where the couple's wealth comes from are probably inevitable.
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Ralph W
Idols - there plenty to go around that impact the evangelical Christian community. Materialism - new, bigger, more space, etc. Driven by consumerism rather than guarded against it. Sports - How many families are away from worship because of sports? Sports can consume by participate and entertainment much of our extra time. Entertainment - conversations reveal a greater knowledge of the latest movies, Hollywood scandels, and TV shows than our relationships with each other or in ministry to meet the needs in our neighborhoods. What consumes us away from loving God and loving our neighbor? Money, sex and power are just the starters. Talk to the Christian counselors. Christians are strung out on drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, and more. We missed the verse that says, "Thou shalt not have any other gods besides Me." We are all in the same boat. So "Be on guard, that your hearts may not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life..." Luke 21:34
Steve R
I see cynicism rungs high. I know Tim, and the negative assessments of his motives / character are off. He doesn't need the money. What he desires is God to be honored and glorified in aware, healthy, and godly lives. If "idolatry" is finding one's "functional salvation" in anything other than Christ, then this topic is certainly relevant today, even among Christians. Rare is the one who finds his or her meaning and ultimate satisfaction in being God's beloved child, rather than the successes, pleasures, and gains of *this* life. The topic *has* been touched upon by others, but Keller is a gifted communicator, and may well reach and deeply touch many. We shall all stand before the Great Throne to give account soon enough, so "why dost thou set at nought thy brother?" (Romans 14:10)
Anonymous
it is not a matter of not liking the book. many of the issues are standard and have been around for decades. Why do we need another book on it when the issues have been discussed in a way which do not help resolve the problems. I think either the author is stuck (immature) or is wanting to earn money from a sure-fire issue.
Doug
Who are we to judge the author's character? If you don't like the book, fine, but don't attack the author's heart or intent without knowing him on a personal level.
Old hat
This old chestnut can only have been hauled out to make the author money. It contains no new theology or prophesy to give it spice and flavor. And the problem with this old-hat theology is that it does not take us far enough into God's heart where we learn that worries over finances is, as the gospel says plainly, a sin against God. By worrying at all about money we do like the heathen nations of old did. And we are the wild olive descended from these arrogant nations who want to build their nest amongst the stars.
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