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.
The Public Access, L (2021). A Philosophical Appraisal Of Prosperity Teaching In Selected Churches In Southwestern Nigeria. Afribary.com: Retrieved April 11, 2021, from https://afribary.com/works/a-philosophical-appraisal-of-prosperity-teaching-in-selected-churches-in-southwestern-nigeria
Library, The Public Access. "A Philosophical Appraisal Of Prosperity Teaching In Selected Churches In Southwestern Nigeria" Afribary.com. Afribary.com, 05 Apr. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/a-philosophical-appraisal-of-prosperity-teaching-in-selected-churches-in-southwestern-nigeria . Accessed 11 Apr. 2021.
Library, The Public Access. "A Philosophical Appraisal Of Prosperity Teaching In Selected Churches In Southwestern Nigeria". Afribary.com, Afribary.com, 05 Apr. 2021. Web. 11 Apr. 2021. < https://afribary.com/works/a-philosophical-appraisal-of-prosperity-teaching-in-selected-churches-in-southwestern-nigeria >.
Library, The Public Access. "A Philosophical Appraisal Of Prosperity Teaching In Selected Churches In Southwestern Nigeria" Afribary.com (2021). Accessed April 11, 2021. https://afribary.com/works/a-philosophical-appraisal-of-prosperity-teaching-in-selected-churches-in-southwestern-nigeria