Before current “prosperity gospel” preachers like Kenneth Copeland, Paula White and rightly-named Creflo Dollar hit our TV screens, there was the well-polished “Reverend Ike” calling his disciples to get wealthy by sending him money.
According to The New York Times, he has gone on to his “reward.” Perhaps his prayer cloths will become collectors items on eBay now, giving his supporters another shot at some divinely-delivered cash.
The “prosperity gospel” is an oxymoron The first part is focused on oneself. The latter emphasizes self-giving. But selfishness and greed get excused in some church circles as long as they are neatly tagged as “blessings.”
Director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and former executive editor and publisher at Good Faith Media.