A Falling Away
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NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS
www.freep.com
In recent years, proponents of what some call the "prosperity gospel" have gotten popular after the televangelists of the 1980s faded away. No two preachers are the same, and some are reluctant to use that phrase to describe themselves. But they all share a belief that God wants you to be successful, including financially. Here are some prominent ones:
• Joyce Meyer -- Based in the St. Louis area, Meyer offers her down-home wisdom to millions in arenas and books as well as on TV. She has been criticized for her lavish homes and private jet, but says there’s nothing wrong with being successful. As part of a look into six churches that preach the prosperity gospel, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requested in November to see her financial records. Grassley later said her church has been open and transparent with his staff.
• Creflo Dollar -- Based in Georgia, he is part of the Word of Faith movement and heads Christian World Changers Ministries. Sen. Grassley also asked to see his financial records; other preachers who received such requests from the Senator are Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Eddie Long, Randy and Paula White.
• T.D. Jakes -- Featured on the cover of Time magazine in 2001, he heads the Potter’s House, a Dallas-based megachurch.
• Keith Butler -- As head of the Southfield-based Word of Faith International Christian Center. Butler oversees one of the largest church networks in Michigan. His Word of Faith ministry now has churches stretching from Michigan to Philadelphia to England. But he has been faulted for using his tax-exempt status for his personal fortune, including a Troy mansion.
• Ben Gibert -- Pastor of Detroit World Outreach in Redford Township, Gibert preaches that those who live moral lives according to the Bible will be blessed despite the economic downturn. Lives in a $6 million house.
 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. – Romans 1:22-32
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