The Prosperity Gospel in Uncertain Times

Paul Matzko
[Copy of external blog post. For links and youtube video feed, go to http://paulmatzko.edublogs.org/2009/07/08/the-prosperity-gospel-in-unce…

Slate just published this article on the prosperity gospel. The article is of uneven quality (postmillenialism tied to prosperity gospel?), but his central point, that the prosperity gospel continues to attract followers in the midst of economic recession, is significant.

Discussion

Historical Perspective: Come Out or Stay Put?

Paul Matzko
In the 1940s and 50s, during the late stages of the Fundamentalist-Modernist controversy, Fundamentalists divided into two roughly defined camps: those who left the mainline denominations to avoid the leaven of modernism and those who remained behind in hopes of reforming the established denominations from within. Representative of those Fundamentalists who withdrew (or were forced) from the mainline denominations was Carl McIntire and other separatist members of the American Council of Christian Churches.

Discussion

Is Fundamentalism a Cultural Phenomenon?

Gerald Priest

Editor’s Note: This article accompanies FBFI Resolution 09-02 and is reprinted with permission from the May/June 2009 issue of FrontLine magazine.

One criticism leveled against Fundamentalists is their refusal to engage the culture. Sociologist Alan Wolfe writes, “When believers refuse to engage the culture, their opponents dismiss them as fanatics, frustrated people rendered insecure by the dilemmas and opportunities of modernity.” 1 Implicit in this complaint is resentment toward Fundamentalists for being unsociable: they are generally an intolerant people who do not mix well with their culture. Interestingly, this same complaint was directed against first-century believers by Roman hedonists.

It is true that historically Fundamentalists have refused to tolerate, let alone participate in behavior that exalts sensual pleasure and denigrates Christian values. The criticism is perennial, and understandably so, since sincere Christians have taken seriously the Biblical admonition to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. They love and are loved by God, whose values are theirs and whose commands they seek to obey. And those living for the world have hated them for it.

Discussion