Even the Southern Baptists, as low and grasping a denomination as may be found, are hooting at Creflo Dollar.
Western Christianity never looks more lavish, or less like Jesus, than when its leaders are embroiled in scandal. This past weeks events proved no different, as Creflo Dollar, an Atlanta area pastor and “Word of Faith” teacher made waves across the internet by asking his congregation to provide funds for a new private jet–at the bargain price of $65 million.
Anyone even casually acquainted with Dollar’s background and ministry will not be surprised at this latest development. Formerly a student of Kenneth Copeland, Dollar promulgates a message of health, wealth and prosperity that sounds less like Jesus’ call to take up one’s cross, and more like Milton Friedman on steroids.
So first things first: when scandals like this are caused by prosperity preachers, followers of Jesus need to send an abundantly clear message that this is NOT Christianity.
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So when it comes to the origins and essence of “health, wealth, and prosperity,” Word of Faith theology bears absolutely no historical, Biblical, theological, or philosophical resemblance to anything like orthodox Christian faith. We may call this twisted faith system many things. “Christian” is not one of them.
“In truth, there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.”
Friedrich Nietzsche
How can you not love this? Creflo? Not a r-e-e-e-a-l Christian?
As if there is any such thing.
Allright, never mind; all believers know themselves to be the gen-u-ine article, and everybody else to be at least misguided — if not affirmatively evil. What makes this fun is the no-nonsense beating the poor guy is getting. I don’t think it’s racism, because Southern Baptists don’t hesitate to trash other prosperity gospel types (most notably Joel Osteen). I think Creflo is being pounded because he doesn’t belong to their club, because he isn’t one of them
After all, nearly every last one of them would rather choke than say a word against Perry Noble, Ed Young, Steven Furtick, Mark Driscoll, even Ergun Caner — people whose grotesque excesses might actually be susceptible of influence by the denomination.
So, don’t be deceived. This is as much a Southern Baptist sales pitch as a critique of predatory clergy.