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