ENTANGLEMENT OF THE POLITICS OF PROSPERITY GOSPEL ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF NIGERIANS : THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Prosperity gospel has bedeviled the moral values of many a Nigerian as many clergymen have moved to preaching prosperity as against what are stated in the Holy Scriptures as regards prosperity gospel. The prosperity preachers are not only seen in the Pentecostal churches as some people perceive, but are now in the mainline churches. The truth about prosperity gospel has been misrepresented to suit the heart desires of the prosperity preachers in contrary to what actually the Holy Scriptures say about wealth, health and success as the prosperity gospel rings. Many Nigerians have been deceived by this gospel. The work traced the history of prosperity gospel to USA and then to Nigeria highligting its history in Pentecostalism. Prosperity gospel though understood in the negative sense, is not without benefits when scriptural references are properly assimilated and devoid of human misinterpretations. The theories backing up the work as invented by the writers are the Realistic theory and the Salvific theory.The historical and sociological approaches were used for the research as the history of prosperity gospel was traced and the impacts it has on the society were discussed. It is recommended among others that government and the umbrellas covering Christianity such as CAN(Christian Association of Nigeria) and PFN(Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria) should formulate policies to restrain these preachers from going contrary to the gospel message. The overseers of some of these churches should monitor and redirect their pastors or clergymen from deviating from the true gospel