Glen Scrivener begins the conversation by saying the problem with prosperity theology is treating Jesus as though he is the delivery system for a bunch of blessings apart from him. Scrivener then references Sinclair Ferguson’s book The Whole Christ, which says that the problem with our gospel presentations is that we talk about every blessing through Jesus when we should preach every blessing in Jesus—offering Christ himself to people. Therefore, Scrivener suggests, you’re not promised health and wealth and prosperity.
Scrivener says Christians really need a good doctrine of union with Christ and be far more Christ-centered in what we preach. We’re not just offering health and wealth, and we’re not just offering fire insurance. We’re offering Jesus himself, Scrivener says.
Sam Chan agrees and says that union with Jesus is what we as Christians should be focused on when sharing the gospel. He says if we can preach it that way, there’s this incredible prosperity in knowing Jesus. The climactic blessing is shalom—peace.
Chan references John Stott’s book The Cross of Christ. In the book, Stott says, “Union with Christ is the foundational blessing. Justification and forgiveness of sins, that’s the center blessing. But the cream on top of the pudding is adoption, it’s relationship, it’s shalom.”
Credits
Thanks to Cedarville University for sponsoring this episode. To learn more, visit cedarville.edu/TGC.
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This episode was produced by Heather Calvillo and Steven Morales.
Involved in Women’s Ministry? Add This to Your Discipleship Tool Kit.
We need one another. Yet we don’t always know how to develop deep relationships to help us grow in the Christian life. Younger believers benefit from the guidance and wisdom of more mature saints as their faith deepens. But too often, potential mentors lack clarity and training on how to engage in discipling those they can influence.
Whether you’re longing to find a spiritual mentor or hoping to serve as a guide for someone else, we have a FREE resource to encourage and equip you. In Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests, Melissa Kruger, TGC’s vice president of discipleship programming, offers encouraging lessons to guide conversations that promote spiritual growth in both the mentee and mentor.
