Skip to content

Soul Preaching

Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Popular Updates
    • Preaching Methods
    • Homiletic Theory
    • Sermon Construction
    • Exegesis
    • Feature Articles
  • SUBSCRIBE
Menu

Should We Preach Prosperity?

Posted on June 8, 2012

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Well, there is a new book that helps us understand what the question even means. Many of the most popular preacher in the African American community could be considered “prosperity preachers.” These are preachers who seemingly guarantee financial and other kinds of blessings based on parishioners “sowing seeds” in ministries.

The preachers often use language taken directly from the Bible and this fact can trip up many. Well, Dr. Debra J. Mumford, a homiletics professor from Lousiville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, has written a book that will help all who wish to deal with this phenomenon.

The name of the new book is Exploring Prosperity Preaching: Biblical Health, Wealth, and Wisdom and we are participating in a Blog tour.

In the book, Dr. Mumford looks at the roots of prosperity preachers. It also provides a look at many of the common teachings of these preachers.

In the book, Dr. Mumford zeros in on the use of the Bible in that community. Including looking at the Biblical texts that are often used to promote this theology.

There is undeniably an African American “tint” to the book, but it can be helpful to all preachers in that it identifies and addresses the fundamental theological positions that prosperity preachers present.

On a side note, Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr, forward is worth reading in that it provides three questions to ask before attempting to apply scripture to your life situation.

What Do They Teach?

But back to the book, Dr. Mumford provides a look at the hermeneutical principles at work in the use of the Bible by Prosperity Preachers.

Then the book goes into specific teachings used by prosperity preachers. Like the divine economy is not the secular economy. In that position, members of God’s kingdom can ignore the world and live into your wealth by simply following the divine economy.

How many of you have heard this next one, “Jesus wasn’t poor, and poverty is a curse.” What does the Bible actually say on that? These and other theological positions are addressed from an African American prophetic preaching perspective in this book.

You Need To Be Informed

Let me add, that “prosperity preaching” has affected many of us in some way. It has invaded many churches, even those who may not be considered “prosperity churches” they hear aspects of these theological positions. Even here at SoulPreaching.Com I often have to answer in emails and comments why we don’t teach that theology. This book will be one that I suggest as a resource to those of us who have to address such questions.

It ain’t all grim news. There are significant issues, but as Dr. Mumford also attempts to recognize and name the beneficial things that prosperity theology can give to us in the Christian world.


Finally, I want to thank the publisher, Judson Press, for making the book available on the Kindle. The publisher graciously offered me a PDF version of the book for this review, but I think I am going to pony up and buy the Kindle version. But don’t worry if you still want the tired and true paperback, those are available as well.

You can buy the book at this link:

Exploring Prosperity Preaching: Biblical Health, Wealth, & Wisdom

And we will be coming back to this book again in the coming weeks. I encourage all to check it out and let me know what you think.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

Related posts:

Default ThumbnailSurface Needs or Deeper Needs Default ThumbnailGod’s Grace or Mere Methods? Default ThumbnailAre Pastors Kings? Bishop Eddie Long And Pastoral Kingship Preaching The Coming Kingdom

8 thoughts on “Should We Preach Prosperity?”

  1. Allen White says:
    June 8, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I am the minister of a Unity church (Unity in Silver Spring–part of the Assocation of Unity Churches International). Prosperity preaching really got its start with Father Divine who was enamored with the writings of Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science)and Charles Fillmore (founder of the Unity movement)

    It really blossomed with Rev. Ike who again studied the writings of Charles Fillmore. He was instrumental in enhancing the preaching style of Johnnie Colemon. Johnnie Colemon was a Unity minister and had one of the largest Unity churches (Chicago). She preached mainly the prosperity gospel.

    WHere things went wrong was that Fillmore clearly stated that prosperity was the natural result of one’s conscious experience of God’s presence through silent prayer. The above cited ministers left this part out. Yet, it is the most important part.

  2. Ali Grace says:
    June 8, 2012 at 2:32 pm

    I m happy on this topic.One thing I would like to suggest is that all God’s work should be judged in the last day by God Himself .Consider what Paul said in Philippians 1:15-18.15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

    Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
    Another fact I really recommend all of us minister to know before we pen anything against someone’s way of serving God is ,wisdom.You really never know when you will be doing the samething tomorrow or one day .1 Samuel 19;24 says…He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” I saw many cases in the ministry.These who start by critics end up in the same work.
    Third ,Love is above all said Paul in 1Corinthians 13:13.
    The greatest world need is love .And the major reason the pagan are reluctant to believe in our Lord Jesus is how juggemental we treat oneonother in the christian family .Take your book as one example .When some one write a book against or criticising another’s ministry,where is love?
    Finally, we should not forget ,how good ,God is using these prosperity preacher ,and how powerful their ministries are than judgemental ones.
    I m not a prosperity preacher ,but I believe in the word in Malachie 3:8-12.“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

    “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

    “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse —your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
    May God help christianity.
    Thanks
    Ali

  3. Angela Lee Price says:
    June 9, 2012 at 7:39 am

    Bro. Sherman,

    Thank you for this book review! I am glad a person of color has written this kind of book, not to mention she is right here in my hometown. As a matter of fact, I have met Dr. Mumford on more than one occasion, and I have attended one of her seminars at a Those Preachin’ Women Conference here and at the seminary. I have met Dr. Soaries, too. I look forward to reading this book.

    I love apologetics. It has helped me grow tremendously in the faith. The warnings in the bible to beware false doctrine shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. God wants us to be discerning. Some people have the spiritual gift of discernment. There is a difference between being discerning and being judgmental. However, I agree to some extent with the previous comment in that we need to continually pray for prosperity pastors to reject that teaching, repent and return balanced theology.

    Keep up the great work!

    Be blessed!

  4. Dr. Anthony R. Watson says:
    June 9, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Thanks for the heads-up on this book. I’m looking forward to reading it. I’m particularly interested in seeing how it compares with David W. Jones’ book: Health, Wealth & Happiness: Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ?

  5. Rev. Dr. John Carroll Travis says:
    June 9, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    Good evening Brethren!

    I for one am sick of this so-called “prosperity gospel” that is being promoted these days! Why would God bless someone who cannot manage the money they have now with even more money.

    Besides, who says that “prosperity” is only money!

    It might help if some preachers would learn what the word CONTEXT means!

  6. Pastor Frederick D. Harris says:
    June 11, 2012 at 6:06 pm

    Rich, I’ll have to check out Dr. Mumford’s book and a look at the hermeneutical principles she discusses. It should be a good addition to my library.

  7. Sylvester Warsaw, Jr. says:
    June 12, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    My dear brother, Elder Cox,

    This is a hot topic and one worth discussing. The problem with “The Prosperity Gospel” is the gullibility of the hearer. To many people are looking at the hands of God instead of seeking the face of God to know Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of who He is. The Prosperity Gospel is tied into the so-called American Dream. The American Dream isn’t the kingdom of God. Make no mistake be not deceived God isn’t mocked. The Prophetic Word of God isn’t the Prosperity Gospel. God promises to give us this day our daily bread that which we need to sustain us not what we want.

  8. Kristin Patrick says:
    July 12, 2012 at 9:02 pm

    This is a topic that many of the churches I have attended are afraid to touch but, at the same time its members are struggling to pay its bills. I believe that churches should preach prosperity but with a grain of salt and tact. My pastor has not done a legnthy sermon on paying tithes and offering. But because I followed his advice by paying a little more in tithes and offering than my usual 10% I was blessed. It is definitely something that needs to be addressed because churches also need the money so that they can feed or clothe the poor and be a blessing to the community. God loves a cheerful giver money should not be given out of obligation but because one believes what He has promised. In order to receive what the Lord has for us we must give him something to work with. This was a very good topic!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Stop Sleeping In The Pulpit
  • Thou Shalt Have Good News
  • The Answer Is In The Records
  • Just Keep the Ball In Play
  • The Importance of Good News
  • Preaching Advent With Imagination
  • Why The Thorn

Free Email Training

Sign up for the New Preaching TIPS Email Newsletter. You will recieve 5-7 emails a week.

Click Here

Revised Common Lectionary

    Instagram

    shermancox

    Instagram post 18041906996079829 Instagram post 18041906996079829
    Instagram post 17910296783919000 Instagram post 17910296783919000
    Instagram post 18035493148903548 Instagram post 18035493148903548
    Instagram post 17887097775081541 Instagram post 17887097775081541
    #smule #smuleduet #easylikesundaymorning #smule #smuleduet #easylikesundaymorning
    I feel Good #smule #smuleglobal I feel Good #smule #smuleglobal
    Instagram post 18087447073438590 Instagram post 18087447073438590
    Instagram post 17851233018147535 Instagram post 17851233018147535
    Instagram post 17907649217946063 Instagram post 17907649217946063
    Intro to prayer Intro to prayer
    Instagram post 17982108473571505 Instagram post 17982108473571505
    Instagram post 18030258256647195 Instagram post 18030258256647195
    Instagram post 18128574130309862 Instagram post 18128574130309862
    Instagram post 18388873843007811 Instagram post 18388873843007811
    What’s on the wall when I’m singing? What’s on the wall when I’m singing?
    How bout some blues harp. With a blues guitarist. How bout some blues harp. With a blues guitarist.
    Goodness of God cover. Goodness of God cover.
    Instagram post 18229306630087412 Instagram post 18229306630087412
    Instagram post 17972316937910455 Instagram post 17972316937910455
    Logged into lose it and it said Logged into lose it and it said
    Load More Follow on Instagram

    Recent Posts

    • Stop Sleeping In The Pulpit
    • Thou Shalt Have Good News
    • The Answer Is In The Records
    • Just Keep the Ball In Play
    • The Importance of Good News

    Archives

    • September 2024
    • March 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • March 2019
    • August 2018
    • June 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • January 2015
    • November 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • December 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006

    Categories

    • 11Cartoons
    • 11Fiction
    • 11Instruction
    • Associate Ministry
    • Audio
    • Basic Preaching
    • Bible Study
    • Black Church
    • Black Preaching Style
    • blog
    • Book of the Month
    • Book Reviews
    • Devotional
    • Exegesis
    • Feature Articles
    • feedburner
    • Fixing the Sermon
    • Funeral
    • General
    • Gospel Music
    • Headline
    • History
    • Homiletic Theory
    • Issues
    • MiniBlog
    • Ministry
    • Negro Spirituals
    • Planning
    • Podcast
    • Practice
    • Prayer
    • Preaching
    • Preaching Methods
    • Preaching Style
    • Premium
    • Questions and Answers
    • racism
    • Scripture Selection
    • Sermon Analysis
    • Sermon Construction
    • Sermon Craft
    • Sermon Editing
    • Sermon Outline
    • Sermons
    • Software
    • Theology
    • Titles
    • Uncategorized
    • Video
    • Web Ministry
    • WebSeminar
    • Whooping
    • Without Notes
    ©2025 Soul Preaching | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme