Prosperity gospel’s emphasis on positive confession and self-regulation epitomizes a high anthropology; humans have control and power over their lives, and the capacity for great things. Humans are not passive recipients, but creators of their worlds. Joel Osteen’s sermon are infused and imbibed with encouragement and positive affirmation about the power of humanity. One of Lakewood’s catchphrases “Discover the Champion in You,” illustrates this high anthropology twice over. It suggests there already is a champion inside you, and you have the capacity to discover it; each individual is made of excellent materials, it is now just up to that same individual to fully realize it. One of Osteen’s sermons drives home the point, continually reminding people about “being the champion God made you to be,” usually through positive affirmation and not allowing negativity to win out. Joel Osteen’s prosperity gospel is clear about the great potential people have. He positively and constantly affirms that by virtue of being a (Christian) human, a person is able to triumph over all circumstances—even failing health. The prosperity gospel powerfully tells people who they are—champion, conquerors, victors.
The prosperity gospel also tells people what to …show more content…
He does this by emphasizing specificity of language and of imagination, particularly in how that relates to healing the body. As noted earlier, he shares the story of his mother imagining herself dying, but because she rejected that image she did not succumb to it. He insists the power of her mind is a crucial part of her being alive: “If she hadn’t changed the channel, she would not be here.” Imagination and visualization is a necessary component to the right outcome in Osteen’s prosperity gospel, and thus they become important avenues of control patients can use when there are fewer alternative options for
The prosperity gospel also tells people what to …show more content…
He does this by emphasizing specificity of language and of imagination, particularly in how that relates to healing the body. As noted earlier, he shares the story of his mother imagining herself dying, but because she rejected that image she did not succumb to it. He insists the power of her mind is a crucial part of her being alive: “If she hadn’t changed the channel, she would not be here.” Imagination and visualization is a necessary component to the right outcome in Osteen’s prosperity gospel, and thus they become important avenues of control patients can use when there are fewer alternative options for