There is a post over at The Washington Post claiming that the prosperity gospel helps explain some Evangelical support for Donald J. Trump. Chris Lehman, the author of the piece, connects Donald Trump to the views of Joel Osteen of Houston and claims that the message of Mr. Osteen may explain how followers of his gospel views Donald J. Trump. I am no fan of the prosperity gospel, which claims that wealth could be seen as a blessing from God. There is just so much that is wrong with this gospel, the least of which is its failure to interrogate ill-gotten wealth.
However, it does not sound proper to claim that this gospel explains Donald Trump. What the prosperity gospel does not do is to explain how people who do not honor God may become wealthy. Donald Trump is clearly a man who does not honor God, demonstrated through his various bombastic statements and his screwing of small businesses. The claim of the prosperity gospel is clear - God blesses those who strain to maintain a pure lifestyle. Such lifestyle of purity is one with which Donald Trump could hardly be associated. Most followers of the prosperity gospel would not agree that all wealthy people should be seen as people who have been blessed by God. Thus, even though Mr. Osteen may speak well of Donald Trump, this may only be in line with his view that he is compelled to speak only positive things about people, that he is no prophet - however this self-understanding may skew the gospel.
This post is not a defense of the prosperity gospel (with which I have no affinity) or Joel Osteen (with whom I have no personal relationship) but a rejection of the claim that this gospel may help evangelicals understand Trump better. This claim forces the available evidence and the belief this gospel promotes.
However, it does not sound proper to claim that this gospel explains Donald Trump. What the prosperity gospel does not do is to explain how people who do not honor God may become wealthy. Donald Trump is clearly a man who does not honor God, demonstrated through his various bombastic statements and his screwing of small businesses. The claim of the prosperity gospel is clear - God blesses those who strain to maintain a pure lifestyle. Such lifestyle of purity is one with which Donald Trump could hardly be associated. Most followers of the prosperity gospel would not agree that all wealthy people should be seen as people who have been blessed by God. Thus, even though Mr. Osteen may speak well of Donald Trump, this may only be in line with his view that he is compelled to speak only positive things about people, that he is no prophet - however this self-understanding may skew the gospel.
This post is not a defense of the prosperity gospel (with which I have no affinity) or Joel Osteen (with whom I have no personal relationship) but a rejection of the claim that this gospel may help evangelicals understand Trump better. This claim forces the available evidence and the belief this gospel promotes.
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