A Philosophical Appraisal Of Prosperity Teaching In Selected Churches In Southwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Prosperity teaching is the idea that health and wealth are compulsory benefits of the Christian faith. Most followers of this teaching have accepted it dogmatically, making them vulnerable to exploitation and delusion. Previous studies on prosperity teaching have examined it from hermeneutical and theological perspectives without sufficient attention paid to its appraisal from the philosophical viewpoint which is capable of providing a balanced understanding of prosperity teaching. This study, therefore, assessed prosperity teaching in terms of its principles, logicality, consistency with biblical teachings and effects on its followers. The study adopted Immanuel Kant‟s Principle of Humanity. Three Pentecostal churches; Living Faith: (LFC), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and Livingspring Chapel (LSC) were purposively selected because prosperity teaching is more entrenched in their practices. Data were collected from books written by Bishop David Oyedepo, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Pastor Femi Emmanuel. Additional information was collected from thirty tapes/DVDs on prosperity teaching. Forty members of selected churches were randomly interviewed (RCCG 15, LFC 15, LSC 10). Using the stratified random sampling technique, 640 copies of a questionnaire were administered to 440 members and 200 officers from two branches each of RCCG and LFC (Ogbomoso, Oyo, Lagos, Sagamu and Otta) and LSC (Ibadan). Data were subjected to philosophical analysis and percentages.