Materialism in Nigerian Prosperity Gospel

Background

Prosperity gospel has become popular amongst the youth in Nigeria as reported in literature; there are also some questions raised about the legitimacy of prosperity gospel given its propensity to develop materialism and consumerism amongst the youth and even the clergy (Akinbola, 2012). In the specific context of African Pentecostal universe, an idea has achieved some acceptance that material prosperity is promised to the believer who seeks the kingdom of righteousness (Anderson, 2013 ). Criticism of this approach in literature has centred on the way in which Pentecostal churches emphasise on wealth and personal accumulation rather than on righteousness (Anderson, 2013 ). In African discourse on the subject, there has been significant criticism of how a growing number of Pentecostal pastors have managed to acquire immense wealth and prosperity while their congregations remain poor (Umoru & Akoni, 2014 ). The prosperity principle that has become an important aspect of Pentecostalism has been critiqued also for inverting the equation that “linked wealth to evil-doing and poverty to sanctity” (Bayart, 2007 , p. 170). In other words, criticism of the Pentecostal Churches’ emphasis on prosperity principle is not just due to the churches’ and the clergy’s acquisition of immense wealth, but also due to the emphasis on the prosperity and wealth as signs of liberation and sanctification (Obadare, 2016). From a theoretical perspective, prosperity gospel is based on Protestant teachings, particularly Calvinism, which takes an opposite approach to Roman Catholicism. Where Catholicism emphasised on the assurance of salvation, which required the authentication of the priests, Protestantism did not accept this authentication of priests. Calvinism developed the belief that salvation cannot be attained unless the adherents had a belief that they were predestined for salvation rather than the priestly assurances offered in Catholicism (Akinbola, 2012). Calvinist beliefs emphasised on self-confidence which then led to worldly success and positive economic ends (Akinbola, 2012). Prosperity gospel which is linked to Protestant ethic has led to the emphasis on the material rewards, is also highlighted by Berger (2008) who writes that the empirical data shows that there is a belief that people who do adhere to the Protestant ethic will be materially rewarded, or their children will be rewarded. Protestant prosperity gospel emphasises on the narrative that if people work hard then they can achieve material betterment and that those who follow the Protestant ethic can have a better chance to undergo social mobility (Berger, 2010).

The present research seeks to explore the depth of the impact of prosperity principle and gospel in the Nigerian Churches on the clergy and their perspective on material prosperity and its link to the sanctification and liberation doctrine. Using literature to identify the main themes in the discourse on prosperity principle in Nigerian churches and doctrine, the research then employs these themes to inform the creative piece. To be clear, the study is not aimed at providing a critique on prosperity principle, because it can be admitted at the outset that the prosperity principle is itself complex and not represented completely by the emphasis on the personal prosperity angle as is seen in Nigerian context (Obadare, 2016). Indeed, it is pointed out in literature that the exclusive focus on personal prosperity in Pentecostalism “is merely scratching at the surface” so that “its understanding of prosperity is shallow at best” (Obadare, 2016, p. 5). Peel (2016) has argued that the western Nigerian prosperity gospel’s emphasis on personal prosperity is at odds with the Alafia, which is an emphasis on a holistic state of ease, well-being, health, and sufficiency. Against this brief background, it can be considered that the idea of Pentecostal prosperity is more aligned with the idea of personal wealth and 'getting rich', and not a state of spiritual, physical, psychic and medical wholeness as is emphasised on in the Alafia. The working title of “A Few Drops” has been formulated for this research study. The working title is a reflection on how religious doctrinal error or spiritual manipulation evolves in a slow and gradual manner in the same manner as the contamination of a glass of water takes place by tiny drops of cyanide. In the context of the present study, ‘ A few drops’ are a metaphor for the seemingly harmless innuendos, manipulative lies, and other such misrepresentations, that alter the doctrinal beliefs and practices. These seemingly harmless innuendos, manipulative lies, and other such misrepresentations are presented as revelatory knowledge to alter long established doctrinal practices/beliefs based on grounded scriptural truths.

A brief Synopsis.

The proposed creative piece is a story narrated by the story’s main protagonist - a character named Kunle Lawanson. Written in the first voice, Kunle Lawanson, now in his early fifties, provides a vivid account of his three-year-long mentor/mentee relationship with an impressive, charismatic preacher called Reverend Jim – the story’s main antagonist. This occurred when Kunle Lawanson was in his late twenties to early thirties. Kunle Lawanson’s relationship with Reverend Jim started out with Kunle finally gaining what he saw as a firm handle on his life. He was finally gaining success in ministry and was well on his way to earning back his family’s respect, particularly his dad, who’d concluded that his first son had turned out to be a huge disappointment and a failure in life, since he did not complete his degree, and become the lawyer, his dad was so desperately keen to see him become. But three years later, a series of events brought their relationship to an abrupt end, leaving Kunle spiritually, emotionally, financially, and mentally shattered. He eventually took solace in excessive drinking and the constant use of cannabis. Overall, this story reflects Kunle Lawanson’s journey - his rapid rise and shameful crash in ministry, his slow and difficult recovery, the overall impact of that experience both mentally and spiritually, and most importantly, the invaluable insight he’d gained from the experience.

Essence of this research

A critical examination of the growing phenomenon since the early nineties of “prosperity” Preachers and their penchant for money and the rock-star lifestyles they are renowned for; their cult-like status and their associated cult-like practices, using Sub-Saharan Africa as a case study.

Research methodology

The research methodology is qualitative methodology. A desk-based research method will be employed for the purpose of collecting data for this research. A qualitative method allows the researcher to uncover the nuances of the topic which relates to the critical examination of the phenomenon of prosperity of the preachers and its impact on the religious doctrinal error or spiritual manipulation. This section of the proposal discusses the research methodology adopted by the researcher and also discusses the reasons for adopting this methodology. Qualitative method is considered to be flexible and able to examine the nuances and layers of a phenomenon which is complex and involves multiple layers (Opoku, Ahmed, & Akotia, 2016). The qualitative research method is useful in research studies that involve complexity, and which cannot be researched under fixed or rigid structure (Creswell, 2013). Qualitative researcher has flexibility in formulating research design and the researcher is not even bound by any pre-specified methods or hypotheses for the research so that the researcher can commence the research study by formulating research questions instead (Willis & Jost, 2007). Dig deeper into Materialism in Nigerian Prosperity Gospel with our selection of articles.

Qualitative research methodology is able to help the researcher gain a deeper and nuanced insight into the given area of research. Where a subject matter involves many layers of information or perspectives, then the qualitative research methodology is helpful in leading the researcher to identify and discuss these multiple perspectives and narratives (Collis & Hussey, 2009). Qualitative research methodology is not based on numerical data, rather the focus is on discursive data that is able to help the researcher identify different themes that are pertinent to the subject of research (Creswell, 2013). This is a desk based research, which involves the collection of data from literature on the subject of phenomenon of prosperity of the preachers and its impact on the religious doctrinal error or spiritual manipulation and then writing a story based on the data. There are two steps to the research, with the first involving collection of data that identifies certain themes and the second concerns writing a piece of creative work that is reflective of these themes. The first part of the research involves a literature review which is part of the secondary data collection; this data will be collected from books, journals and reports that also provide the empirical data that will indicate the themes that are relevant to the research (Bettany-Saltikov, 2012). The research also involves case study method because the research is focussed on Nigeria within the Sub Saharan African region. The case study method is useful for collecting focussed data on one case (Myers, 2013). This one case is a single unit, which can be an organisation, individual or even a country (Bryman & Bell, 2015). A case study can be used by the researcher for gathering in-depth and focussed information on the given case study. Thus, the method selected for data collection is case study method, wherein the researcher shall collect data from Nigeria. The researcher shall use literature review method to collect data on Nigeria where the focus will be on the data related to the lifestyle choices of preachers and members of the Church.

This study involves a creative piece and it would be pertinent to discuss the use of creative writing as a research method. As Cook (2005) points out the “idea of creativity or creative writing as a research method may seem a contradiction in terms” because of “Long-held beliefs about the nature of creativity” as something that does not come within the scope of methodical thought (p. 200). There is some conflict in the area of use of creative writing as a research method (Webb & Brien, 2010). However, as Cook (2005) argues, writing can be used as a method of research when it becomes a means of discovery; this is explained as using writing as a technique through which discovery can be made. Cook (2005) explains that “to conceive of writing as discovery or technique implies the necessity of rewriting, and it also calls for a practice of writing informed by extensive reading” (p. 204). In this context, writing as a research method involves two processes of discovery, which are the as yet undisclosed dimension of experience and its adaptation or invention of a form that ultimately lead on to self-realisation (Cook, 2005). Creative writing as a research methodology would involve a craft that is used without reference to the feelings or self, as well as a technique which can use experience to inform evaluation and critique by giving ‘voice’ to characters who are part of that experience (Heaney, 1980). The argument advanced by Heaney (1980) is that craft can be transformed into technique in a moment of discovery.

Bibliography

Anderson, A., 2013 . An introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Bettany-Saltikov, J., 2012. How To Do A Systematic Literature Review In Nursing: A Step-By-Step Guide: A Step by Step Guide. London : Mc Graw and Hill.

Collis, J. & Hussey, R., 2009. Business Research: A Practical Guide for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students. London: Palgrave Macmillon.

Creswell, J. W., 2013. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Los Angeles: Sage.

Opoku, A., Ahmed, V. & Akotia, J., 2016. Choosing Appropriate Methodology and Method. In: V. Ahmed, A. Opoku & Z. Aziz, eds. Research Methodology in the Built Environment: A Selection of Case Studies . Oxon: Routledge, pp. 32-50.

Peel, J., 2016 . Christianity, Islam, and Orisa religion: Three traditions in comparison and interaction. Oakland, CA: University of California Press.

Umoru, H. & Akoni, O., 2014 . Ribadu preaches less purchase of private jets, beautiful government houses, cars, Lagos: Vanguard.

Willis, J. W. & Jost, M., 2007. Foundations of Qualitative Research: Interpretive and Critical Approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage .