Journal: Trinity Journal
Volume: TRINJ 09:2 (Fall 1988)
Article: The Gospel Of Greed Versus The Gospel Of The Grace Of God A Sermon Critique By
Author: David L. Larsen

TrinJ 9:2 (Fall 1988) p. 211

The Gospel Of Greed Versus
The Gospel Of The Grace Of God
A Sermon Critique By

David L. Larsen

TRINITY EVANGELICAL DIVINITY SCHOOL
DEERFIELD, ILLINOIS

Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ (Luke 12:15)

A pernicious and dangerous teaching is stalking our land. It has filtered into evangelical communication and thinking more than we realize. Unfortunately we have exported it to Europe and the third world where it has brought dissension and even schism. I am referring to what we may call “the gospel of greed.” It is the prosperity gospel, health and wealth theology, the grab it and get it, name it and claim it, God is for our gain message which has such widespread currency in our time.

One of the major textbooks of the movement is Mrs. Kenneth Copeland’s God’s Will Is Prosperity. On the far southside of Chicago, Dr. Johnnie Coleman preaches to the largest audiences within the city limits on the topic, “What is Your Dream? Peace? Health? Prosperity? Love? Your Dreams Can Come True.”

A particularly blatant and brash expression of this message has been given by the Reverend Terry in San Diego. In an extended article, The Wall Street Journal reports that “The Rev. Terry has a Gospel to Cheer the Me Generation — Affluence is Your Right —Yuppies Take Notice.” “You can have it all now! Being rich and happy doesn’t carry with it a burden of guilt. If you are poor, you’re irresponsible,” she proclaims with gusto. Her parishioners have bumper stickers reading, “Prosperity is your divine right.”1

The Journal goes on to describe her as bouncy and relentlessly upbeat as she preaches her gospel of “happiness now.” “Live fully now and create a heaven on earth. We are the cause of our own unhappiness. Our ministry isn’t into sin, guilt, disease, pain or hunger. Truly religious people are happy and light instead of sober and se-

TrinJ 9:2 (Fall 1988) p. 212

rious.” Her emphasis is on success. Attending these services is like a trip. One devotee testifies: “I feel great every time I leave a service.” This is “the new Christianity… people don’t need to change for the better but simply to realize that they are already perfect.” She doesn’t believe in sin or hell. “Sin is simply self-hatred.” Her latest book is entitled How to Have More in a Have Not World. Adherents can take advantage of all kinds of seminars and workshops such as “Dressing to Win�...