In this Article:
- How do Christian Nationalism and the Prosperity Gospel misinterpret Jesus’ teachings?
- What does the Gospel say about wealth, power, and exclusion?
- Are these movements aligned with Jesus’ call for love and humility?
- Why did the Founding Fathers separate church and state, and how does Christian Nationalism ignore this?
- How can Christians reclaim Jesus' true message in today’s world?
Reclaiming the True Message of Jesus
by Robert Jennings, InnerSelf.com
In today's religious landscape, it's hard not to notice a troubling disconnect between the teachings of Jesus as found in the four Gospels and the messages promoted by modern movements such as the Prosperity Gospel, certain strands of Evangelicalism, and Christian Nationalism. While these movements claim to follow Christ's teachings, they often distort the core messages of love, humility, and service—focusing instead on wealth, power, and exclusion. How did we get here? And what does this shift mean for the faithful? We must recognize how these movements stray from the true essence of Jesus' teachings and why we need to return to the heart of the Gospel urgently. This return is a theological necessity and a moral imperative for all Christians.
Prosperity Gospel, Evangelicalism, and Christian Nationalism
Throughout history, various movements within Christianity have emerged, each claiming to embody the actual teachings of Jesus. However, some modern movements—like the Prosperity Gospel, certain strands of Evangelicalism, and Christian Nationalism—have taken significant detours from the spiritual and ethical principles found in the four Gospels. By focusing on wealth, power, and exclusion, these movements distort the core messages of Jesus, which center on love, humility, and compassion. This distortion has led to a misinterpretation of the Gospel and a division within the Christian community. Let's dive into the heart of each of these movements to understand how they differ from the teachings of Christ.
Prosperity Gospel
The Prosperity Gospel teaches that faith in God leads to material wealth and personal success. Preachers like Oral Roberts and Kenneth Copeland popularized this doctrine through televangelism, spreading the idea that financial blessings signify God's favor. They claim positive thinking, donations, and unwavering faith will increase wealth.
But here's the thing: this interpretation is a far cry from the teachings of Jesus. He emphasized spiritual wealth over material gain, often warning of the dangers of wealth. Yet figures like Joel Osteen and Creflo Dollar encourage their followers to see God's favor through the lens of financial success, turning faith into a transactional relationship with God. Jesus never promised material riches for faith—He preached a life of service, humility, and care for people experiencing poverty.
Modern Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism traditionally emphasizes personal conversion and biblical literalism, but parts of this movement have become deeply entangled with political conservatism. This shift began in the 1970s and 1980s and significantly departed from the original focus on personal faith and spiritual growth. Figures like Jerry Falwell and James Dobson merged religious devotion with right-wing political agendas, making issues like abortion, school prayer, and LGBTQ+ rights into rallying cries as Evangelical leaders sought political influence. This historical context should prompt reflection on the evolution of the Evangelical movement.
However, this focus on political control contradicts Jesus' teachings on humility and servanthood. While these leaders sought to shape policy according to their interpretation of Christian values, Jesus consistently emphasized serving others rather than seeking power. His message in Matthew 20:26-28—"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant"—starkly contrasts the political ambitions intertwined with parts of the Evangelical movement.
Christian Nationalism
Christian Nationalism is a political ideology that merges Christian identity with national identity. Leaders like Robert Jeffress and Tony Perkins argue that Christian principles should govern the United States, and they often support exclusionary policies that marginalize non-Christians, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals. This vision of a Christian nation starkly contrasts with Jesus' teachings and the Founding Fathers' vision for America. The exclusionary nature of Christian Nationalism should raise concerns about its alignment with Jesus' teachings.
This vision of a Christian nation starkly contrasts with Jesus' teachings and the Founding Fathers' vision for America. The Founders intentionally separated church and state to prevent one religion from dominating national governance. Thomas Jefferson famously called for a "wall of separation" between church and state. James Madison ensured religious freedom in the First Amendment, creating a nation where governance was based on reason and individual rights—not religious dogma.
Jesus, meanwhile, consistently calls for compassion toward all people, regardless of background or status. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a powerful example of Jesus challenging us to love and help those who are different. Christian Nationalism's focus on exclusion contradicts this radical inclusivity. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus clarifies: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Christian Nationalism's push for exclusion and division turns the Gospel's call for compassion into a tool for political power.
How These Movements Distort Jesus' True Teachings
At the heart of the Prosperity Gospel is the idea that wealth equals God's favor, and financial success is a sign of strong faith. Preachers like Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen claim that God desires His followers to prosper and that giving to their ministries will bring personal blessings. But what did Jesus say about wealth?
Jesus warned that wealth could be a spiritual hindrance. In Matthew 6:19-21, He says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven." In Matthew 19:24, He cautions, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone rich to enter the kingdom of God." These teachings emphasize that pursuing wealth can lead us away from God. Yet, Prosperity Gospel preachers encourage their followers to equate wealth with divine blessing.
This focus on material gain contradicts the spirit of the Gospels, where Jesus consistently calls for selflessness, generosity, and care for the poor. The Prosperity Gospel, by contrast, fosters a theology of personal success and individual wealth, obscuring Jesus' radical call to spiritual poverty and service to others.
In recent decades, parts of the Evangelical movement have shifted their focus from personal faith and spiritual growth to pursuing political power. Figures like Jerry Falwell Sr. and James Dobson helped create a movement prioritizing political influence, especially on conservative social issues. However, in their pursuit of power, they diverged from the model of servanthood and humility that Jesus embodied.
Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of serving others. In John 13:14-15, He models humility and selflessness by washing His disciples' feet, showing that true greatness comes through service. However, the modern Evangelical push for political dominance contradicts these teachings. Instead of seeking to serve and uplift the marginalized, many leaders focus on maintaining power and influence, distorting the Gospel's message of love and selflessness.
Christian Nationalism seeks to merge Christian identity with national identity, promoting policies that prioritize Christians over others. Leaders like Robert Jeffress argue that Christian values should govern the United States, but this vision sharply contrasts Jesus' teachings.
Jesus' message was radical inclusivity, calling for love and compassion toward all people. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to help those different, extending love beyond our group. His words in Matthew 25:35-40 also make clear that our treatment of the "least of these" reflects our relationship with God. Christian Nationalism, with its focus on exclusion and division, distorts this call to universal compassion, turning it into a tool for political and social exclusion.
Valid Message of Jesus in the Four Gospels
At the core of Jesus' teachings is radical love for all people, even those who oppose us. His command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) forms the foundation of His ethical teachings. And in Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus takes it a step further, instructing us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Jesus' call to love extends to everyone—regardless of nationality, religion, or social status. The Parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to love and help those traditionally seen as outsiders. This universal love is central to the Gospel, yet movements like Christian Nationalism distort it by promoting division and exclusion.
Another key theme of Jesus' teachings is caring for the poor and marginalized. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently uplifted the downtrodden and called on His followers to do the same. In Luke 6:20, He says, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." And in Matthew 25:40, He underscores that caring for the least among us is equivalent to serving Him.
Despite this clear message, movements like the Prosperity Gospel often downplay the importance of helping the needy, focusing instead on personal wealth and success. Jesus, however, consistently called for generosity, humility, and compassion for the marginalized, leaving no room for a faith that ignores the suffering of others in pursuit of personal gain.
One of the defining characteristics of Jesus' ministry was His humility and selflessness. In John 13:14-15, He washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating that true greatness comes through service. This radical act of humility underscores Jesus' message that leadership and power should be used for the benefit of others—not for personal gain or dominance.
In contrast, modern movements that focus on personal success, wealth, or political power often overlook the importance of humility. Leaders who flaunt their wealth, like Kenneth Copeland, contradict the selflessness Jesus embodied. The Gospel calls for a life of service and humility, not one centered on personal success or material gain.
FDR's New Deal vs. Reagan's Supply-Side Economics: Which Is Closer to Jesus' Teachings?
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, introduced during the Great Depression, was a comprehensive effort to provide economic relief, create jobs, and rebuild a nation shattered by poverty and unemployment. The New Deal's focus on uplifting the poor, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring the wealthy contributed to the common good aligns with Jesus' teachings in the Gospels, mainly His focus on caring for the marginalized and poor.
FDR's creation of social safety nets—such as Social Security, unemployment benefits, and assistance for the poor and elderly—resonates deeply with Jesus' call for compassion. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus says, "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." The New Deal embodied this ethic, providing tangible support to impoverished and unemployed people.
In contrast, Ronald Reagan's supply-side economics, or Reaganomics, took a different approach. By emphasizing tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, Reagan's policies operated on the belief that the benefits would "trickle down" to the rest of society. However, this led to greater income inequality and reduced social safety nets.
This economic philosophy starkly contrasts with Jesus' teachings on wealth and responsibility. Reaganomics favored the wealthy, assuming their success would eventually benefit the poor. But Jesus' message is clear: wealth should not be hoarded, and the rich have a moral obligation to help others. In Luke 12:33, Jesus tells His followers, "Sell your possessions and give to the poor." Reagan's policies, which prioritized wealth accumulation, starkly contrasted with this Gospel call for shared resources and compassion for the vulnerable.
How Wealthy Benefactors and Political Operatives Co-opted Christianity for Right-Wing Causes
Throughout modern American history, certain wealthy benefactors and political operatives have co-opted Christianity to advance conservative, right-wing political agendas. Figures like Father Charles Coughlin, Paul Weyrich, and Leonard Leo have used their influence to align religious beliefs with political causes, often distorting the Gospel's teachings to serve their goals.
Father Charles Coughlin was one of the earliest examples of this co-option. In the 1930s, his radio broadcasts shifted from religious teachings to far-right political propaganda. What began as a critique of economic injustice morphed into a platform for anti-Semitism and authoritarianism, revealing how religion could be manipulated for political ends. Coughlin's movement showcased how easily faith could be exploited to justify exclusion, nationalism, and fear—a stark betrayal of Jesus' message of love and compassion.
Another key figure was Paul Weyrich, co-founder of the Heritage Foundation and architect of the modern Christian right. Weyrich saw the potential to mobilize conservative Christians as a powerful political bloc, merging their faith with opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and progressive policies. Weyrich's efforts turned Christianity into a political tool for right-wing causes, diverting the faithful from the Gospel's core teachings on love, inclusion, and justice.
Leonard Leo, an influential conservative lawyer, has also played a crucial role in co-opting Christianity for political purposes. Through his work with the Federalist Society, Leo has influenced the appointment of conservative judges, embedding right-wing Christian values into the American judicial system. While Leo frames his efforts as defending religious liberty, his broader agenda reveals a push to consolidate power through a specific interpretation of Christianity—one that often excludes non-Christians and marginalized groups.
How Christians Can Reclaim the True Message of Jesus
To reclaim the valid message of Jesus, Christians must reject the materialism promoted by the Prosperity Gospel and refocus on the spiritual teachings of the Gospels. Jesus' call to "store up treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21) reminds us that faith is about spiritual growth, not financial success. We must embrace generosity, simplicity, and service to others rather than pursuing wealth as a sign of God's favor.
Additionally, Christians must return to the model of servanthood that Jesus demonstrated—rejecting the pursuit of political dominance in favor of love, service, and compassion. Instead of seeking power, believers can advocate for justice and mercy without compromising the Gospel's message of humility and care for the marginalized.
Finally, it's crucial to reject Christian nationalism's exclusionary messages and embrace Jesus's radical inclusivity. The Gospels call for compassion toward all people, regardless of background or belief. By focusing on love and understanding, Christians can live out Jesus's valid message and foster communities built on compassion rather than division.
In a world where the true meaning of the Gospel is often overshadowed by materialism and political agendas, we must reclaim the heart of Jesus' teachings. Let's focus on what truly matters: love, humility, and care for the "least of these." In doing so, we can live out the life-changing message of Jesus Christ as it was always meant to be.
About the Author
Robert Jennings is co-publisher of InnerSelf.com with his wife Marie T Russell. He attended the University of Florida, Southern Technical Institute, and the University of Central Florida with studies in real estate, urban development, finance, architectural engineering, and elementary education. He was a member of the US Marine Corps and The US Army having commanded a field artillery battery in Germany. He worked in real estate finance, construction and development for 25 years before starting InnerSelf.com in 1996.
InnerSelf is dedicated to sharing information that allows people to make educated and insightful choices in their personal life, for the good of the commons, and for the well-being of the planet. InnerSelf Magazine is in its 30+year of publication in either print (1984-1995) or online as InnerSelf.com. Please support our work.
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Article Recap:
Christian Nationalism and the Prosperity Gospel have co-opted and distorted Jesus’ true teachings, focusing on wealth, power, and exclusion. This article highlights how these movements deviate from the four Gospels, which call for love, humility, and compassion for all. By returning to the core messages of the Gospels, Christians can reject these misinterpretations and live out Jesus' teachings authentically.
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