Bible Discussion Thread

The Prosperity Gospel: Origins (continued).

After analyzing what seem to be the two types of churches that began this whole "prosperity" movement in our nation and later throughout the world we could probably look at some elemental psychology involved in their tactics. The ultimate issue as with all things is what is really going down in the spiritual realms; but nonetheless certain common actions are done by men who doubtless are mentored by demons who have their own agenda. Needless to say that explains the verse that people are "deceiving and being deceived" ( 2 Tim. 3:13).

On the surface; it may seem that a correct Gospel is preached as to the terms of salvific faith in many of these compromised churches. And as the previous scripture also indicates in Timothy; things go from bad to worse over time. We see this often with sons of doctrinally sound preachers of good reputation who go out and begin later to preach a false gospel; but often are able to glean some of the congregation that attended their parent's church.

Anyway; mind games are the usual means to an end with disingenuous preachers. The pressure to live a life worthy of His calling is manipulated to assigning guilt to those who do not contribute what usually becomes a more and more egregious goal over time as the spending habits of the top hierarchy of the church always seem to outpace the mountain of revenue coming in.

If guilt doesn't work of course puffing up man's vain aspirations for greed will cause one outrageous promise after another of "blessings" coming to those who give and give big. As with any cult; deprivation is used to control the masses and when necessary there can be physical abuse as well to gain control. OF course the love of money is the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10).

This close knit group of megachurch pastors and leaders often have; therefore strange "bedfellows". Hobnobbing with the rich is necessary; and strangely they don't need to hear the Gospel.