In the 1960s we called this new thought “psycho-cybernetics” or Christian Science or Religious Science. It had to do with thinking big, focused thoughts to produce big bank accounts and prosperity – success to one’s life and career. It was a form of meditation upon riches, health and success
Word-Faith – Karma
Today it’s called “Word-Faith” teachings and New Thought. The New Age groups call it the “science of intention,” a form of prayer devoid of God. It has crept unchecked right smack in the middle of many churches.
It teaches that one is in control of his destiny and that mind can control matter. Surprisingly this is not far from the Buddist concepts of Karma. This kind of philosophy influenced Norman Vincent Peale’s ministry and Reverend Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral “possibility thinking.”
Magic
It is a form of magic that includes widespread magical thinking peculiar to many charismatic church leaders who preach attainable success, health and prosperity if one says the right words from the Bible – and believes it, of course. That process can be clearly evil. The Lord warns us in Deuteronomy 18 not to become a part of the pagan cultures around us and not to indulge in magical practices. He says,
When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. …And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. …the LORD your God forbids you to do such things (Deuteronomy 18:9-14, NLT).
Magic Evokes Pagan gods or demons
In a timely article Roger Olson states,
“Magic is the use of spoken phrases and/or gestures to evoke the power of God (or the gods or demons). That’s pagan, not Christian. And yet New Thought subtly introduced a form of magic into the mainstream of American Christianity. Nothing could be more ironic and alien.”
“A basic tenet of biblical, orthodox Christianity is that God is sovereign (although biblical, orthodox Christians disagree about the details of how God practices his sovereignty) and cannot be forced to do anything. Even persistent, importune prayer does not force the hand of God. God is always free to respond to prayer as he sees best” (Olsen 2008, 43).
Godly will be Persecuted
If we are truly godly the Lord says we will suffer persecution. He doesn’t say “maybe.” He says, Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). That isn’t a negotiable passage. It is a given. It is to be understood in its plain sense. We will be persecuted.
Content with Food & Clothing
I think we should remember that the next time we hear someone preach a prosperity message. In fact, the next time we see a church parking lot filled with expensive, luxury cars we need to meditate upon Paul’s words, “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
Laodicean Church
We have stretched our thinking far beyond that in many twenty-first century American churches. In fact, we mostly exist in churches that shockingly fit Revelation’s description of Laodicea:
“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…”” (Rev. 3:17-18, NASB).
Conspicuous Consumption once called a Sin
We live in an age where we revel in “conspicuous consumption,” once noted as a great sin. Most of us don’t even know what this sin is. What is the meaning of “conspicuous consumption?” Do you know what it is?
Blessings or Curses?
We tend to think we are blessed if we have McMansions with granite countertops in our kitchens, entertainment centers, six-car garages and tons of expensive clothing. Are these really blessings?
Indeed, we have forgotten that this was once considered “wasteful.” It is an obvious outward show of money that could have been spent on world missions or the persecuted church. It is clearly ostentatious behavior. But, we don’t even know it anymore. All we know is that formerly ostentatious believers are beginning to lose their homes. The health-and-wealth climate is changing.
The Art of Modesty
Peter says to women, Your adornment must not be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses – but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3-4, NASB). We have lost the art of modesty.
If we happen to be rich Paul tells us “not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” Wealthy people are to “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share…” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Proverbs 19:17 reminds us, He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.
How far we have strayed from this kind of generosity.
Stampedes
God forgive us. We have forgotten how to share and to do good works. Instead we have stampedes outside stores promising great sales for unnecessary things – wide screen TVs and fancy laptops among other “necessities.” We are surely guilty of this old fashioned sin of “conspicuous consumption.”
Violent Shoppers
Today we have even become violent as we shove and push our way into shopping malls and discount stores. It is as if God is telling us, “You became greedy and materialistic. So here’s your reward – all the violence, aggression and hatefulness that comes with your pagan lifestyle. Have it all and have it your way.”
That’s conspicuous consumption.
Message of the Cross is Foolishness
Does it seem that way to you?
I think we need to embrace the knowledge that the “word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18). “We preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness” (1:23). It is our goal to know “nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (2:2).
We’re not here to be Happy
This is not a popular message. In fact, it is a painful one. But, it is the truth. God didn’t put us here to be “happy.” No. Instead, he put us here “to be conformed to the image of His Son“… (Romans 8:29). That process of conforming us to the image of Christ may be costly and painful. To become Christ like we must be refined like silver or gold – painfully molded into an image that our heavenly Father desires for us.
In Opposition to Material Demons
So, rather than Christians engaging in vulgar, coarse “conspicuous consumption” we need to begin to present a message of sacrifice and opposition to the material demons of our age. It is a message of Christ dying for our sins and rising from the dead (1 Cor. 15:1-4). It may not be attractive to our pagan world. But, it offers life after death to dying, sinful mankind.
No matter what happens today, believers look forward to a glorious future. Do you?
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Reference:
Olson, Roger E. 2008. The American gospel: Think, pray, speak, and grow rich. Modern Reformation. Vol.17, Number 7. November/December: 41-44.
Author Valorie Mays Emilio holds an M.A. in History from UCLA focusing upon early church history, and a V.O.M. Certificate in Persecuted Church Ministries from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.