Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”

Why the Prosperity Gospel is “Prevalent in ‘the Black Church’”

As one who has enjoyed content by both Allie Beth Stuckey and Melissa Dougherty, it was nice to see the two women chat it up during a recent episode of Stuckey’s podcast Relatable. In summary, the episode focused mostly on Dougherty’s new book, her journey from New Ageism to Christ and her take on the various false teachings that have crept into the Church. Yet, the episode took an interesting turn in its final ten minutes during a segment entitled, “Prosperity Gospel in the Black Church”. 

As Dougherty concluded her thoughts on the “little gods” doctrine, a false, word of faith teaching that ascribes innate divinity to all mankind, Stuckey inquired: 

“Can I ask something? It’s gonna be controversial,” she acknowledged. “This seems to be especially prevalent in majority Black churches.

“There’s a lot of prosperity preaching, but [also] a lot of…’You are divine. You are a queen…a goddess…something special.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever talked about the roots of that, or why that is?”

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

“Christians Who Vote Democrat Should Be…”

In response to the May 11, 2022 Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would have codified abortion nationwide, allowed abortion through the ninth month of pregnancy and for which 49 out of 50 Senate Democrats voted in favor, Pastor Tom Buck tweeted the following:

In light of today’s vote by Democrats to legalize abortion until the moment of birth, we are rapidly reaching the point that voting for a Democrat should be a matter or church discipline.” 

I believe Pastor Buck’s words were meant in jest, but some on his thread found them to be spot on and long overdue. 

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

In 2018, I penned an article making a case against the social justice movement entitled, “Social Justice: Why Jesus Didn’t Pursue It + Why Christians Shouldn’t Fight for It”. It was a well-received piece, namely among my Christian conservative friends, and it served as a resource for those who discerned the burgeoning movement was problematic, but had trouble precisely articulating why this was so. Honestly, before writing that piece I, too, struggled with offering a precise, Biblical case for how something that, on the surface, sounded so good was ultimately quite evil. 

Years later, I’ve found myself similarly positioned regarding Christian Nationalism, the latest problematic movement seeking to take root in America and in the Church. 

S4E5: Trump v Harris: When Your Candidate of Choice is Pro-Choice

S4E5: Trump v Harris: When Your Candidate of Choice is Pro-Choice

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Host Veritéetfeu follows up on “S2E9 - Abortion: Voting Bloc or Stumbling Block?” by examining the pro-choice abortion positions of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. How might Christians navigate this important election in light of their convictions on abortion? And would many still suggest that voting for a pro-choice candidate is a sin?

S4E4: Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

S4E4: Questions for My Christian Nationalist Friends

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu discusses concerns with Christian Nationalism and poses thoughtful questions to leaders and supporters of the movement. 

S4E3: The Age of Accountability, God’s Sovereignty + the Gospel

S4E3: The Age of Accountability, God’s Sovereignty + the Gospel

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this Subscriber Engagement edition of Truth + Fire: The Podcast, host Veritéetfeu and Truth + Fire subscribers recap the 2023 G3 Conference, engage in Q&A and discuss “the age of accountability” through the lens of God’s sovereignty and the Gospel. This episode was recorded in September 2023 before a live audience in Atlanta, Georgia. *Listen now on Spotify via the link below, Apple Podcasts or other podcast streaming platforms.

This episode addresses sensitive themes concerning miscarriage, abortion and infant mortality. Listener discretion is advised. 

S4E2: Why I Left Social Media

S4E2: Why I Left Social Media

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

It’s been about a year since host Veritéetfeu deactivated her social media platforms. In this revealing episode, she discusses her social media departure, lessons learned and she updates listeners on what she’s been up to in the meantime.

Articles mentioned in this episode

Something in the Milk Ain’t Clean: Christian Influencers to Leave in 2023

‘For I Resolved to Know Nothing’ About Israel-Palestine

Mental Illness Is Real...But It Isn't True

Mental Illness Is Real...But It Isn't True

Thanks to John MacArthur’s recent comments on mental illness, and the controversy that ensued thereafter, I’ve felt compelled to further explore this topic through the lens of Scripture.  

Understandably, MacArthur’s take that “there’s no such thing” as mental illness is not sitting well with many, especially those who personally struggle with mental illness or who have the charge of caring for someone who does. 

I know his commentary certainly gave me pause when I first heard it.