Health, Wealth & Happiness: Has the Prosperity Gospel Overshadowed the Gospel of Christ? - Softcover

David W. Jones; Russell S. Woodbridge

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0825429307 ISBN 13: 9780825429309

Publisher: Kregel Publications, 2010

Synopsis

The desire for a thriving, healthy, and productive life is as strong as ever, especially in tough economic times. As people become more disillusioned at the state of the economy, they also become more susceptible to the lure of the prosperity gospel and its teachings of health, wealth, and happiness for the faithful. But what happens when the promise of prosperity overshadows the promise of the real gospel--the gospel of Christ?
 
Believing that the prosperity gospel is constructed upon faulty theology, authors David W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge take a closer look at five crucial areas of error relating to the prosperity gospel. In a fair but firm tone, the authors discuss the history and theology of the prosperity gospel movement to reveal its fraudulent core biblical teachings that have been historically and popularly misinterpreted, even by some of today's most well-known pastors. After an introduction and assessment of the movement, readers are invited to take a look at Scripture to understand what the Bible really says about wealth, poverty, suffering, and giving.

Theologically sound but acessible to all readers, Health, Wealth & Happiness is sure to become a trusted resource for laypersons, pastors, and Christian leaders.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

"The prosperity gospel is a false gospel, and prosperity preachers are false prophets.  This book is as clear as that--and persuasive--but it is even more. Jones and Woodbridge have written a simple, careful account of the new religion that is sweeping Asia, Africa, and the Americas.  And they've provided a fair, biblical and searching critique.  I'm sad to say that this book is desperately needed; I'm thankful that it's now available."
- Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.

"The prosperity gospel is neither prosperous nor is it the gospel as defined by Scripture. Simply put, it is a false teaching and a dangerous heresy. This book written by two dear friends and superb biblical scholars carefully and accurately investigates, critiques, and exposes the biblical and theological errors that pervade this movement. This is an important and valuable work. I pray for its wide distribution and reading." 
- Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

"This book takes a balanced approach that is both biblically rigorous and in touch with current issues. This is an invaluable resource for those wishing to deal with the prosperity gospel with accuracy and clarity. This is a very Gospel-centered book."
- J. D. Greear, Lead Pastor of The Summit Church, Durham, NC.

"I praise God for the release of this book. It is a reliable resource for all who want to understand the destructive nature of the prosperity gospel movement. Jones and Woodbridge carefully point out its major biblical errors and call attention to the presence of erronious concepts found in prosperity theology. By exposing these errors, as well as interacting with some of the leading proponents of the prosperity movement, Jones and Woodbridge have provided a wonderful resource to hand to those who've bought into a counterfeit gospel, and for pastors who desire to protect their flock from wolves. May God use this book to direct people to the only true Gospel, and to the Savior, who is Himself our inheritance and our treasure."
- Tony Merida, Teaching Pastor at Temple Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS
"In this book Jones and Woodbridge have given us the truth about the prosperity gospel. This brief survey is remarkably clear and concise, providing both the historical background and biblical critique of this movement. Their treatment is fair and balanced, penetrating to the heart, and it reveals the danger of the prosperity gospel. I highly recommend this well written book."
- Benjamin L. Merkle, Associate Professor of New Testament at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC
"This book is long overdue. The authors rightly warn us that the prosperity gospel has eclipsed the true message of the cross in many pulpits. Sadly, much of evangelicalism has been duped by a message that sounds biblical, but on closer examination is seen to be heretical. I pray that this book will help correct this error."
- Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor, The Moody Church, Chicago, IL
"In a work that is long overdue, Drs. Jones and Woodbridge deal the prosperity gospel a fatal blow through their thorough research and irrefutable documentation.  The authors, blending biblical theology with persuasive wit, create a rare blend that will appeal to both the layperson and theologian. Churches wrestling with the destructive doctrine of the prosperity gospel now have a staunch advocate and ready defense that clearly delineates God's will on such matters." - Emir Caner, best-selling author, President, Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, GA

From the Back Cover:

46% of self-identifying Christians believe God will make them rich if they have enough faith.

Every day on radio or TV there's a new gospel being proclaimed--the gospel of prosperity. This gospel teaches that God wants to fulfill our every desire for health, wealth, and happiness, and all it takes is enough faith. The preachers of prosperity tout their own opulent lifestyles as proof of their message: God wants his children to have it all. Is this the gospel? Or is it just a feel-good, self-centered appeal to our materialistic impulses that omits the message of Jesus and the cross?

The Bible does have a lot to say about wealth and possessions, but those teachings are routinely twisted out of context or carelessly misinterpreted. Authors David W. Jones and Russell S. Woodbridge go back to the Scriptures to set forth a truly biblical understanding of wealth, poverty, suffering, and giving. They identify five crucial areas of error related to the prosperity gospel movement and challenge readers to rediscover the true gospel of Jesus.

About this edition

• Publisher: Kregel Publications
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0825429307
• ISBN 13: 9780825429309
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208