how to think

September 18, 2006 edition asks the question, printed over the front end of a Rolls Royce, "Does God Want You Rich?" I read the article and, in the name of objective journalism I read about preaching that I had read about and listened to for years. It was touted as new. I learned little. The writer reported about the new generation of preachers who proclaim that God’s blessing includes prosperity. Some of them might stop short of God wants you rich, but certainly preach that material prosperity is a part of God’s plan for His followers. They quote verses from Scripture; quoting from both Old and New Testament, ending with Jesus’ own words.
On the other hand the writer quoted other high-profile Christians who oppose the teaching. These teachers, too, quote scripture from both Testaments and including Jesus’ own words. So we, thoughtful Christians who want to follow God as revealed through scripture, are faced with a dilemma: Does God teach prosperity or not?
I won’t address the question directly, but use it as an example of thinking theologically. We have to interpret scripture’s words through principles of interpretation, through weight of evidence, through comparison with other scriptural teachings and see what makes the most sense.
On what basis do we assess the journalist’s report? Who defines the terms? Who weighs the evidence? Is Christ against, part-of or absorbed by culture? It seems to me that these questions are very important. The article spoke about a recent phenomenon in Christianity – mega-churches and their teaching. It also seems to me that some of the definitions of prosperity are cultural, not biblical definitions. (Oops, I think I’m starting to show my opinion. Oh well!)
These are theological questions. And these questions are vital to understanding what’s happening in Christianity, in our culture, today.
So Does God want us rich? Let’s think this one through.