Unraveling the Prosperity Gospel: Deciphering its History and Influence w/ Ben Cornish

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Can wealth and health be a sign of divine favor? This question takes center stage as we welcome our guest, Ben Cornish, a missionary and PhD candidate in world religions and apologetics. We embark on a fascinating journey through the history and origins of the prosperity gospel, tracing its roots back to New Thought, a mid-19th-century religious system. As we unravel the intricate connections between this philosophy and various religious movements, Ben's research into Warren Felt Evans, a key proponent of New Thought, serves as our guiding light.
We further delve into the implications of the prosperity gospel on the Christian worldview. We dissect dominionism and the belief that material wealth and health are indicators of God's blessings. But we don't stop there. We also tackle the dangers of such a belief system, underscoring the primacy of scriptural authority over personal authority and highlighting how misinterpretations can mislead believers.
Our conversation culminates in a note of gratitude, celebrating our engaging guest and the insightful discussion we've shared. We eagerly look forward to future talks with Ben and promise to dig even deeper into these crucial topics. This episode promises an enlightening conversation that will both challenge and deepen your understanding of the prosperity gospel and its origins. Tune in for an episode that's as informative as it is thought-provoking.

Chapters

1. Origins of New Thought and Prosperity Gospel (00:00:00)

2. Analyzing the Prosperity Gospel and Dominionism (00:16:22)

3. Critiquing Church, Dogma, and Health Beliefs (00:27:51)

4. The Rise of the Prosperity Gospel (00:40:12)

5. The Dangers of the Prosperity Gospel (00:52:07)

6. Gratitude and Anticipation for Future Engagement (00:58:34)