Date of Award
Spring 4-24-2020
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Classics, Philosophy, and Religion
Department Chair or Program Director
Joseph Romero
First Advisor
Mary Beth Mathews
Major or Concentration
Religion
Abstract
The biggest critic of the megachurch has consistently been its theology: the prosperity gospel. Megachurches are accused of using this gospel to take from attendees while promising prosperity that is simply not guaranteed. Why is this the prominent belief about megachurches? What does the megachurch have to say about such accusations? This paper explores these questions and the role of the prosperity gospel in shaping the identity of the megachurch. I believe it’s come to redefine the megachurch as a church whose motives for evangelism are questioned because of the theology of health, wealth, and victory that is synonymous with such large churches. A fair amount of research on the megachurch either focuses exclusively on its theology, the prosperity gospel, or addresses it at great length. I would argue that critics have observed issues with the theology that characterizes the megachurch that leaders and promoters of the megachurch don’t see a problem with. The question then becomes less about the megachurch alone and more about its theology, its biggest identifier. What is so wrong with the prosperity gospel according to critics, what do leaders and promoters of the megachurch have to say about this and why does this matter?
Recommended Citation
Ngambwe, Ronic, "The Megachurch, its Critics and The Prosperity Gospel" (2020). Student Research Submissions. 349.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/349