The Gospel For Sale

Contemporary Christianity in Africa has been characterized with degree of theological and practical extremism. The negative effect of colonialism - impoverishment of most African nations - has plunged most of these countries into historical suffering and strive for economic stability. The contemporary churches, in attempt to address the socio-economic challenges of the continent, have drifted into propagation of a different gospel, popularly called "Prosperity Gospel", a contrast of Jesus' kingdom of God. Drawing examples from some West African countries (namely, Ghana and Nigeria), the author argues that Jesus' kingdom message has been misrepresented and that, whereas Jesus' ultimate concern was/is to bridge the gap between the socio-economic rich and the poor, contemporary preachers are rather extorting money from the poor. The gap between the rich and the poor in the church today is rather widened.

David Stiles-Ocran is currently Acting Head of the School of Theology and Leadership of the Fountainhead Christian University College, Tema-Accra, Ghana. His interest is to research into the theology of the Spirit in the contemporary Pentecostal - Charismatic movements and the latter's engagement in community development and diakonia in Ghana.