Righteous Riches: The Word of Faith Movement in Contemporary African American Religion
Author(s): Milmon F. Harrison (Author)
- Publisher: Oxford University Press
- Publication Date: 24 Mar. 2005
- Edition: 1st
- Language: English
- Print length: 192 pages
- ISBN-10: 019515388X
- ISBN-13: 9780195153880
Book Description
Does God want us to be wealthy? Many people believe that God offers not only eternal joy in the hereafter but also material blessings in the here and now. Other Christians see this "prosperity theology," as nothing more than vulgar materialism, incompatible with orthodox Christianity. In Righteous Riches, Milmon F. Harrison examines the Word of Faith movement, an independent, non-denominational Christian movement that preaches the so-called "health and wealth gospel." Drawing on his personal experiences as a former insider and in-depth interviews with members, Harrison takes us inside the movement, revealing what it is like to belong, and how people accept, reject, and reshape Word of Faith doctrines to fit their own lives. Analyzing the movement's appeal to African Americans, Harrison argues that, because of their history of oppression and discrimination, African American religious institutions have always had to address the material - as well as spiritual - concerns of their members. Situating the movement in thecontexts of both contemporary American religions and the history of the Black Church, Righteous Riches offers a fascinating look at a quintessentially American phenomenon.
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Those interested in and concerned about contemporary African-American religious practices owe a debt of gratitude to Harrison. He has meticulously documented a religious movement that is highly visible but scarcely understood." --Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
"...a careful yet sympathetic phenomenological analysis of a predominantly African American "Word church." Righteous Riches contextualizes the Faith movement with touchstones from the black church experience and contemporary American culture and therefore is an important contribution to American studies as well as contemporary American religion." --The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies
"Indispensible for anyone interested in understanding contemporary permutations of the black church. Highly recommended." --Choice
Review
Does God want us to be wealthy?
Review
"Those interested in and concerned about contemporary African-American religious practices owe a debt of gratitude to Harrison. He has meticulously documented a religious movement that is highly visible but scarcely understood." --Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
"...a careful yet sympathetic phenomenological analysis of a predominantly African American "Word church." Righteous Riches contextualizes the Faith movement with touchstones from the black church experience and contemporary American culture and therefore is an important contribution to American studies as well as contemporary American religion." --The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies
"Indispensible for anyone interested in understanding contemporary permutations of the black church. Highly recommended." --Choice
Book Description
Does God want us to be wealthy?
View on Amazon
Wow! eBook
