Prosperity theology is a Christian religious doctrine that financial
blessing is the will of God, and that faith, positive speech, and
donations to Christian ministries will increase one's material wealth.
Based on non-traditional interpretations of the Bible, often with
emphasis on the Book of Malachi, the doctrine views the Bible as a
contract between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, he will
deliver his promises of security and prosperity. The doctrine emphasizes
the importance of personal empowerment, proposing that it is God's will
for his people to be happy. It came to prominence in the United States
during the Healing Revivals of the 1950s and later figured prominently
in the Word of Faith movement and 1980s televangelism. In the 1990s and
2000s, it was adopted by influential leaders in the Charismatic Movement
and promoted by Christian missionaries throughout the world. Churches in
which the prosperity gospel is taught are often non-denominational and
usually directed by a sole pastor or leader, although some have
developed multi-church networks. Prosperity theology has been criticized
by leaders in the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, as well as
other Christian denominations, who maintain that it is irresponsible and
theologically unsound.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology>
_______________________________
Today's selected anniversaries:
1885:
Sino-French War: French troops under General François Oscar de
Négrier defeated a numerically superior Qing Chinese force at Nui Bop
in northern Vietnam.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Nui_Bop>
1903:
Topsy, a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at
Luna Park, Coney Island, was executed by electrocution after it was
deemed a threat to people, an event captured on film by inventor Thomas
Edison.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsy_(elephant)>
1973:
Last of the Summer Wine, the longest running sitcom in the
world, premiered as an episode of the BBC's Comedy Playhouse.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_of_the_Summer_Wine>
1976:
The Troubles: Volunteers from the Ulster Volunteer Force shot
dead five Irish Catholic civilians in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reavey_and_O%27Dowd_killings>
2006:
Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon suffered a severe
hemorrhagic stroke, leaving Ehud Olmert as Acting Prime Minister.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariel_Sharon>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
swage:
A tool, used by blacksmiths and other metalworkers, for cold shaping of
a metal item.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/swage>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
Godliness consists in the knowledge love & worship of God, Humanity in
love, righteousness & good offices towards man.
--Isaac Newton
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton>