Summary

Kate Bowler opens with an introduction of the prosperity gospel, a branch of Christianity "that promises a cure for tragedy" (xi). While Bowler grew up surrounded by Mennonite communities which reject "the greediness of modern life," she spent considerable time studying the prosperity gospel as the subject of her first book. This movement, associated with televangelism, believes in "asking God for more" and that the "luxuries of life [are] a reward for good behavior" (xii). The prosperity gospel purports that faith is rewarded and faithlessness and sins are punished, thus offering explanations and remedies for life's otherwise inexplicable tragedies. Although Bowler "rolled [her] eyes at the creed's outrageous certainties" she realizes now that she also believed "that God had a worthy plan for [her] life in which every setback would also be a step forward" (xiv). She does not believe that anymore.

One moment...