Prosperity theology facts for kids

Prosperity theology is a religious belief that says if a person has a lot of wealth and good health, it means that this is what God wants for them. It is most common among certain groups of Protestant Christians. It is also known by other names like prosperity gospel or the health and wealth gospel.

Followers of this belief think that strong faith, speaking positively, and giving donations to religious groups will help them get more money and good things. Prosperity theology sees the Bible as a special agreement between God and people. It suggests that if people have faith in God, He will give them safety and good fortune.

This teaching says that God wants His followers to be blessed. They believe that God's plan for salvation includes healing sickness and reducing poverty. They see sickness and poverty as curses that can be broken through faith. This is thought to happen by giving money, imagining good things, and speaking positive words.

How Prosperity Theology Started

Groups that believe in prosperity theology first appeared in the United States in the 1950s. Some of its ideas might have come from an older movement called New Thought, which began in the 1800s. These early ideas were important for another movement known as Word of Faith.

In the 1980s, televangelism, which is religious broadcasting on TV, sometimes became popular because of these ideas. In the 1990s and 2000s, prosperity theology was adopted by important leaders in the Pentecostal Movement and Charismatic Movement in the United States. From there, it spread to many other parts of the world.

Some well-known leaders who helped develop prosperity theology include Oral Roberts, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, and Kenneth Copeland.

What Others Think About It

Leaders from other Christian groups have criticized prosperity theology. They say it is not responsible, encourages people to worship money (which they call idolatry), and goes against what the Bible teaches.

People who are not religious, as well as some Christian observers, have also criticized prosperity theology. They say it takes advantage of poor people. Some preachers who follow this theology have faced problems with money and have been accused of misusing funds.

Images for kids

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  Proponents of prosperity theology often cite the parable of the talents (here depicted in a 1712 woodcut)

See also

In Spanish: Teología de la prosperidad para niños