Review of Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
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Saerah Junes
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Review of Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
[Following is a volunteer review of "Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa" by Elijah Oladimeji.]
"It is a small booklet, but it is from my heart."
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and African Poverty is a 69 page read authored by Elijah Oladimeji. Elijah introduces himself as one of the few survivors of Covid19 and holds the book out as "a thanksgiving" to a lord that saved him.
The book onsets with his story of surviving the virus. His immense thankfulness to Jesus for his life when even the richest and the highest succumbed to the disease. According to him, this forms the core of his motivation behind writing this book.
The book is divided into several sections and claims to provide a snapshot of the intersection of poverty and faith. It talks about lack of access to good quality education, inadequate and poorly equipped health services, fallen living conditions, and even Brain Drain. The content seems well researched. It reveals how poverty lies at the root of the evils like child marriage, corruption of the system, and even the church.
The telling of the book has a chief pastor at the center, talking about the issues, resolution, and "who tries to hold everyone and everything together by faith." There are chapters filled with hope, joy, belief, and local songs and prayers. Some of them deal with the pastor's struggles. The narration of the happenings is easy to follow, and even though the events seem miraculous at times, they still spark joy. None of the god's acts are less than a miracle; neither are the blessings in hard times.
The book explores at length how comfort and riches drive us away from god. I enjoyed the discussion of the rise of Christianity in Africa and its decline in Europe. "Give us this day our daily bread," a prayer that seems a formality, is an actual request in Africa. Having to struggle for basic human needs, one prays for stability, one turns to god and asks for his mercy. The healing message of salvation from Christianity feels like the sense of peace desired that poverty doesn't allow. As you read this book, you are sure to look at faith as a hope that manifests prosperity.
I chose to read the book for two reasons. First, I have been looking for views on religion from different regions, and second I hoped to see the Covid19 in a new light. Unfortunately, the latter was not delivered. With the introduction, I assumed the book put further emphasis on surviving the pandemic through faith. I kept waiting for Elijah to elaborate on why and how he believes the good Lord helped him get well.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. The book is a short read that offers great content and is naturally engaging. It just fell short of the expectation that itself sets in the beginning and also included several errors. I do not regret reading it, and I recommend it to anyone who likes reading about Christianity or just religious arguments and faith in general.
The book is particularly religious, and it constantly commends the importance of god and the church. The non-religious audiences can still read it for a sense of arguments, but the discussion about tithes and quotes from Bible might not be a pleasure.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
"It is a small booklet, but it is from my heart."
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel, and African Poverty is a 69 page read authored by Elijah Oladimeji. Elijah introduces himself as one of the few survivors of Covid19 and holds the book out as "a thanksgiving" to a lord that saved him.
The book onsets with his story of surviving the virus. His immense thankfulness to Jesus for his life when even the richest and the highest succumbed to the disease. According to him, this forms the core of his motivation behind writing this book.
The book is divided into several sections and claims to provide a snapshot of the intersection of poverty and faith. It talks about lack of access to good quality education, inadequate and poorly equipped health services, fallen living conditions, and even Brain Drain. The content seems well researched. It reveals how poverty lies at the root of the evils like child marriage, corruption of the system, and even the church.
The telling of the book has a chief pastor at the center, talking about the issues, resolution, and "who tries to hold everyone and everything together by faith." There are chapters filled with hope, joy, belief, and local songs and prayers. Some of them deal with the pastor's struggles. The narration of the happenings is easy to follow, and even though the events seem miraculous at times, they still spark joy. None of the god's acts are less than a miracle; neither are the blessings in hard times.
The book explores at length how comfort and riches drive us away from god. I enjoyed the discussion of the rise of Christianity in Africa and its decline in Europe. "Give us this day our daily bread," a prayer that seems a formality, is an actual request in Africa. Having to struggle for basic human needs, one prays for stability, one turns to god and asks for his mercy. The healing message of salvation from Christianity feels like the sense of peace desired that poverty doesn't allow. As you read this book, you are sure to look at faith as a hope that manifests prosperity.
I chose to read the book for two reasons. First, I have been looking for views on religion from different regions, and second I hoped to see the Covid19 in a new light. Unfortunately, the latter was not delivered. With the introduction, I assumed the book put further emphasis on surviving the pandemic through faith. I kept waiting for Elijah to elaborate on why and how he believes the good Lord helped him get well.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. The book is a short read that offers great content and is naturally engaging. It just fell short of the expectation that itself sets in the beginning and also included several errors. I do not regret reading it, and I recommend it to anyone who likes reading about Christianity or just religious arguments and faith in general.
The book is particularly religious, and it constantly commends the importance of god and the church. The non-religious audiences can still read it for a sense of arguments, but the discussion about tithes and quotes from Bible might not be a pleasure.
******
Jesus, Prosperity Gospel and Poverty in Africa
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Smart Love by Vincent Fudge II
