Significant social and historical developments

What is the message of Mark 10:25 (the Kingdom of God)?

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Material possessions mean nothing in the afterlife - wealth is an obstacle to heaven.

What is the message of Matthew 6:33 (do not worry)?

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Prioritise trusting in God over material concerns like food or clothes and God will provide these things.

What is the message of Luke 12:33-34 (treasure)?

“A treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also.”

Material wealth is fickle, spiritual wealth is assured and real - this will get you to heaven.

What is the message of 1 Timothy 6:10 (root of evil)?

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

Money is a distraction from seeking God and creates greed.

What is stewardship in the context of wealth?

Accumulate wealth with the goal of using it to help the needy.

What is tithe?

Giving 10% of your income, a form of stewardship.

What was the stewardship message of Methodist preacher John Wesley?

“Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”

Where does the word asceticism come from?

The Greek “askeo” which means exercise or training.

What is the ascetic attitude to wealth?

To deny material possessions, any earthly distractions that takes away from your relationship with God. Also may include abstaining from sexual relationships.

What quote of Jesus’ is linked to asceticism?

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” - Mark 8:34

Give two examples of asceticism in the Bible

• John the Baptist - lived in the wilderness, self-denying lifestyle.

• Jesus’ 40 days spent living in the desert without food and water (although Jesus was not an ascetic all the time)

Give two historical examples of asceticism

• The Desert Fathers - renounced the increasingly worldly Church on the first centuries after Jesus and lived a life of prayer in remote areas.

• St Teresa of Avila

What are more violent forms of asceticism?

Self-flagellation - wearing hair shirts and chains to focus on the suffering of Christ.

Give three arguments that asceticism is compatible with Christian teachings

• Examples in the Bible such as John the Baptist

• Many passages in the New Testament warn about the dangers of wealth

• Sexual abstinence seems to have been followed by Jesus, and many priests do this too

Give three arguments that asceticism is not compatible with Christian teachings

• Jesus himself wasn’t an ascetic, and ate and drank with wealthy people

• Stewardship - asceticism deviates from our duty to help the poor, stewardship is more effective

• Jesus’ prescription to the rich man to give up his wealth could have been individual, not a universal law

What is the prosperity Gospel?

A Christian doctrine that teaches believers have a right to expect wealth and good health as a part of God’s blessings.

How can wealth be attained according to the prosperity Gospel?

Faith, positive confession, tithes and other offerings to churches/causes

How did the prosperity Church gain popularity?

In the late 20th century through televangelists.

Why is the prosperity Gospel popular in economically deprived areas of the world?

It gives people hope that they can become wealthy if they are blessed by God.

Why is the prosperity Gospel popular in rich areas?

It is easier for a rich person to accept that they are blessed by God than to have the responsibility to give wealth away.

What is positive confession?

Proclaiming aloud the things you desire as if they have already arrived, e.g. “I am a giver, and so others give to me.”

What is the belief in positive confession based on?

Biblical passages that emphasise the power of faith, such as James 4:3 “You do not have because you do not ask.”

What biblical evidence does the prosperity Gospel have that wealth is a sign of divine favour?

• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob were all blessed with enormous wealth

• In the OT God promises the Israelites a land “flowing with milk and honey.”

Who is the main critic of the prosperity Gospel?

Craig L. Blomberg

Give three criticisms of the prosperity Gospel

• The promise of prosperity to Israel was meant for the whole nation, not for the individual.

• Nowhere in the NT does God promise wealth for obedience to the Church, rather virtues like hope and love.

• Traditional Christian teachings often emphasise the corrupting power of wealth.