The Prosperity Gospel in Africa: An African Pentecostal Hermeneutical Consideration

Africans prevailing interest in the prosperity gospel is not only connected to the influence of American prosperity teachers reaching a worldwide audience through their imaginative use of the media but is also related to the African world-view and African traditional religion and its lasting influence on contemporary Africans and the way they think about prosperity as well as their interest in prosperity in post-colonial Africa. The research from a classical Pentecostal perspective about the impact of the prosperity message on Africa is necessary timely and relevant because of its influence in the African Pentecostal movement and its potential to harm the faith of believers leading to the potential disillusionment of Christian believers who put their trust (and money) in formulas and recipes that seemingly only work for others especially the prosperity leaders who lead by example with incredulous riches and wealth.. This discussion of prosperity teaching offers a well-informed contribution to recent church history and an insightful analysis of sociological pressures on the church. While some may not agree with all of Nels presentation there is much here that needs to be taken seriously.. William P. Atkinson Senior Lecturer in Pentecostal jiut (Iharisfnatk Studies London School of Theology. `This book is a timely contribution on the prosperity gospel in Africa. The author shows commendable insight into a highly complex and widely misunderstood phenomenon. The style is compassionate succinct and clear. A must read for every person interested in the religious landscape of Africa.. Nico Vorster professor of Systematic Theology North West University South Africa. `As a Pentecostal and African scholar Marius Nel provides an important voice speaking into the prosperity gospel message. Nel navigates the complexity of issues specific to the African context while providing a hermeneutical solution with global significance.. Jacqueline Grey Dean of Theology. Alpliacrucis College. Australia