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Beyond Prosperity Gospel and Socio-Economic Insecurity in Africa: Ethical Implications of Spiritualizing Poverty

Beyond Prosperity Gospel and Socio-Economic Insecurity in Africa: Ethical Implications of Spiritualizing Poverty

Ubong Eyo, Essien Essien, Gabriel Ekong
Copyright: © 2020 |Pages: 24
ISBN13: 9781799825746|ISBN10: 1799825744|EISBN13: 9781799825753
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-2574-6.ch026
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MLA

Eyo, Ubong, et al. "Beyond Prosperity Gospel and Socio-Economic Insecurity in Africa: Ethical Implications of Spiritualizing Poverty." Handbook of Research on the Impact of Culture in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, edited by Essien Essien, IGI Global, 2020, pp. 440-463. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2574-6.ch026

APA

Eyo, U., Essien, E., & Ekong, G. (2020). Beyond Prosperity Gospel and Socio-Economic Insecurity in Africa: Ethical Implications of Spiritualizing Poverty. In E. Essien (Ed.), Handbook of Research on the Impact of Culture in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding (pp. 440-463). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2574-6.ch026

Chicago

Eyo, Ubong, Essien Essien, and Gabriel Ekong. "Beyond Prosperity Gospel and Socio-Economic Insecurity in Africa: Ethical Implications of Spiritualizing Poverty." In Handbook of Research on the Impact of Culture in Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, edited by Essien Essien, 440-463. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2020. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-2574-6.ch026

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Abstract

Prosperity gospel is increasingly becoming a salient feature of Christianity in contemporary societies and especially on the African continent. Many consider it a supernatural alternative offering existential hope amidst insecurities of present life, rather than eschatological heavenly life yet to come. Its popularity is premised on the fact that the doctrine presents itself as holding the key to material prosperity, as well as the promise to provide followers with the weapons to overcome witchcraft, demonic forces and other malignant spirits through the power of the Holy Spirit. Drawing upon an extensive contemporary research on prosperity doctrine and based on content analysis, this chapter examines prosperity teachings and claims and identifies ethical issues that relate to the doctrine. Findings reveal that what makes prosperity gospel unique among religions is its overt promise of temporal, material rewards. In the absence of “natural” opportunity, prosperity gospel offers a supernatural means to material advancement.

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