Review by broberts2735 -- Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and P...
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Review by broberts2735 -- Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and P...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa" by Elijah Oladimeji.]
It is not often that books repel me within their opening pages, but I found that to be the case with Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and Poverty in Africa. The first chapter laments the brain drain from Africa as talented people seek higher paying jobs elsewhere in the world. However, the dedication to the book shows that the author, Elijah Oladimeji, lives in the United States, and thus is seemingly a part of this brain drain. This seeming contradiction between his laments and his actual actions left a bad taste in my mouth for the remainder of the book.
Speaking of the dedication, the author mentioned there that he wrote this book in 24 hours after recovering from COVID-19. Unfortunately, the book suffers for that. The book struggles with repetitiveness - either with similar ideas being repeated in different sections, or with strings of sentences with repetitive wordings. The book does not appear to be professionally edited, as there were frequent errors.
Oladimeji had two primary aims in this book. His first goal was to present a picture of charismatic church life in Africa. His second goal was then a defense of the prosperity gospel that is taught and practiced in those churches. I appreciated his portrayal of charismatic churches in Africa, even if it was not entirely clear if he was presenting real case studies or fictionalized accounts. Coming to grips with his understanding of the events in these churches is valuable for interacting with his thinking.
However, there are significant issues that weaken the overall quality and value of this book. One of these issues is that Oladimeji ignores contradictory evidence against his beliefs. Rather than grappling with these challenges, he simply ignores it or does not mention it. For instance, at one point, he presents biblical evidence for the prosperity gospel by pointing to the rich and wealthy in the Bible. Yet, he ignores biblical figures like the widow whom Jesus pointed out as an example of faith when she donated her last two coins. Her example - among many others - undercuts the claims of the prosperity gospel.
A second issue with this book is that Oladimeji does not interact well with the thinking and writing of other people. He appears to put his own interpretation and meaning into the words of others rather than allowing them to speak for themselves. This is particularly prominent when he claims that John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and John Stott taught forms of the prosperity gospel. These men would be shocked to be considered part of the prosperity gospel, and I can only conclude that the author is reading his understanding into what these older ministers were saying.
A third issue with the book is the method for dealing with critics. Rather than acknowledge legitimate criticisms of the prosperity gospel, Oladimeji says that critics must not have truly been born again, which renders them unable to speak about it. I guess that means I wasn’t born again like I thought I was. A certain fragility of thinking becomes evident when only people who agree with the idea are able to speak in an understanding way about it. This perhaps is an extension of the first two issues, but it makes the book not terribly valuable as a resource about the prosperity gospel. Theologically, there is much to discuss about the prosperity gospel - such as the role of the pastor as mediator, the motivation for action, and the Biblical evidence - but this book does not make a good conversation partner.
In the end, I would give Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and Poverty in Africa 2 out of 4 stars . People who want a picture of the charismatic African church or get a sense of how some prosperity gospel advocates defend their position may appreciate this book. However, there are likely better resources out there that benefit from the time, reflection, and openness that was not present in this one.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
It is not often that books repel me within their opening pages, but I found that to be the case with Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and Poverty in Africa. The first chapter laments the brain drain from Africa as talented people seek higher paying jobs elsewhere in the world. However, the dedication to the book shows that the author, Elijah Oladimeji, lives in the United States, and thus is seemingly a part of this brain drain. This seeming contradiction between his laments and his actual actions left a bad taste in my mouth for the remainder of the book.
Speaking of the dedication, the author mentioned there that he wrote this book in 24 hours after recovering from COVID-19. Unfortunately, the book suffers for that. The book struggles with repetitiveness - either with similar ideas being repeated in different sections, or with strings of sentences with repetitive wordings. The book does not appear to be professionally edited, as there were frequent errors.
Oladimeji had two primary aims in this book. His first goal was to present a picture of charismatic church life in Africa. His second goal was then a defense of the prosperity gospel that is taught and practiced in those churches. I appreciated his portrayal of charismatic churches in Africa, even if it was not entirely clear if he was presenting real case studies or fictionalized accounts. Coming to grips with his understanding of the events in these churches is valuable for interacting with his thinking.
However, there are significant issues that weaken the overall quality and value of this book. One of these issues is that Oladimeji ignores contradictory evidence against his beliefs. Rather than grappling with these challenges, he simply ignores it or does not mention it. For instance, at one point, he presents biblical evidence for the prosperity gospel by pointing to the rich and wealthy in the Bible. Yet, he ignores biblical figures like the widow whom Jesus pointed out as an example of faith when she donated her last two coins. Her example - among many others - undercuts the claims of the prosperity gospel.
A second issue with this book is that Oladimeji does not interact well with the thinking and writing of other people. He appears to put his own interpretation and meaning into the words of others rather than allowing them to speak for themselves. This is particularly prominent when he claims that John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and John Stott taught forms of the prosperity gospel. These men would be shocked to be considered part of the prosperity gospel, and I can only conclude that the author is reading his understanding into what these older ministers were saying.
A third issue with the book is the method for dealing with critics. Rather than acknowledge legitimate criticisms of the prosperity gospel, Oladimeji says that critics must not have truly been born again, which renders them unable to speak about it. I guess that means I wasn’t born again like I thought I was. A certain fragility of thinking becomes evident when only people who agree with the idea are able to speak in an understanding way about it. This perhaps is an extension of the first two issues, but it makes the book not terribly valuable as a resource about the prosperity gospel. Theologically, there is much to discuss about the prosperity gospel - such as the role of the pastor as mediator, the motivation for action, and the Biblical evidence - but this book does not make a good conversation partner.
In the end, I would give Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and Poverty in Africa 2 out of 4 stars . People who want a picture of the charismatic African church or get a sense of how some prosperity gospel advocates defend their position may appreciate this book. However, there are likely better resources out there that benefit from the time, reflection, and openness that was not present in this one.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
