It will ruffle no feathers here if I say the prosperity gospel is a uniquely American heresy that is utterly false. To its adherents it is the cheapest form of cheap grace, in fact, it is grace that gives back. To its purveyors it is a mighty grift. But it is much worse then just an easy way to make money from eager marks. The lie that makes the prosperity gospel acceptable to so many people is also the lie that ultimately led to the vast majority of evangelicals supporting trump — an individual who proudly embraces every one of the seven deadly sins.
Let me illustrate the lie. From the (actual) Gospel of Matthew: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” That seems like a pretty clear indictment of the prosperity gospel. But here is the out. It’s not in the Gospel but the out is “You cannot serve God and mammon. Unless God gives you the mammon.”
And of course this is part of the heresy of the prosperity gospel. That God will bless people he favors with wealth. Therefore, if you are wealthy, you are blessed by God. (Note the logical fallacy there.). And, if you are not wealthy, God is not blessing you, and you are not favored by God. Send more money to the televangelist and God will bless you though. If he still doesn’t you haven’t sent enough. Completely circular and utterly broken “logic.”
Back to the lie. See what they did there? This obvious admonition against wealth has an exception. If God gives you the money, you can serve both God and money. It is an easy leap to make other exceptions. I am sure everyone noticed Kaleigh McInanity wearing a cross (she always displays it) while making bald face lies defending her seven-deadly-sin-embracing boss. How do you reconcile those two things? The exception! It’s okay to lie if you are lying for God. It’s okay to overlook that trump is about as anti-Christian as you can imagine because trump is pro-God.
Locking up kids in cages? Hating certain people? God hates them too!
The true beauty of the lie is that you don’t have to change anything about your life. Anything you are doing that might be prohibited in Scripture can be excepted this way. You can get the benefits of being a Christian — eternal life — while also enjoying all of the carnal benefits of this one. Win-win!
There is a commandment against this lie, by the way, the lie that you can make anything okay by asserting God’s imprimatur on it: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain”. That isn’t about using vulgar language. Taking someone’s name means assuming their authority, lending their approval. The adherents of this lie should also be aware of the second part of the commandment: “for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
Unfortunately, all I have is a diagnosis. I have no antidote for the prosperity gospel. The truth should be an antidote, but the truth is not very attractive. The truth is the Christian life is one of sacrifice, of serving others, of loving your enemies, of turning the other cheek. Who would want that when there is such an easy alternative with all the same benefits?