Gospel of prosperity and development: the rise of third wave Pentecostal movement in Zimbabwe.
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Date
2021
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Abstract
This study examines the nexus between NRMs’ gospel of prosperity on sustainable and
transformational development in Zimbabwe. The research was carried out in Harare,
Zimbabwe, amongst the believers of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries,
Grace Oasis Ministries (GOM), and Emmaus Encounter (EE). The study was conceptualized
within the social capital theory and the Asset Based Community Development (ABCD)
approach. The study framed with the critical and social constructivist paradigm and it utilised
a qualitative research methodology to provide a nuanced analysis of how the gospel prosperity
intersects with sustainable and transformational development. The study conducted in-depth
interviews with 18 participants and three focus group discussions, totaling 29 participants, 10
sermons and eight observations at the PHD Ministries and GOM. The major findings of the
study highlight that NRMs have a complex and contested relationship with sustainable and
transformational development. At one level, the individual initiatives of entrepreneurial
activities inspired by the gospel of prosperity provide believers with increased incomes and
access to basic goods. Believers are able to meet some of their everyday needs without
necessarily transforming their lives. The ministry/institutional activities tend to benefit the
pastor, his family and a few elites. Such activities often involve allegations of defrauding
believers. The study concludes that there is a distinct difference between the teaching of the
gospel of prosperity (hard work, entrepreneurship, saving, good life) and its practice (loss of
money through sowing, fraud and theft to the pastor) within NRMs in Zimbabwe. In such a
context, sustainable and transformational development cannot be achieved within NRMs as
currently constituted as the practices of the pastors and prophets are often predatory.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.