Allure of Pentecostalism in Mainstream Churches in the Wake of the Commoditization of the Gospel

Abstract

Commoditization of the Gospel and the rise of prosperity Gospel have altered the Christian dogma. Principles such as humility, poverty and solemnity have been replaced with opulence and charisma. Human suffering including diseases, joblessness, poverty and other social-economic challenges are associated with curses or lack of faith while wealth, luxury and prosperity are equated to blessings bestowed on Christians by God out of their faithfulness to service, tithing and offering. These beliefs and practices have been associated with Pentecostals, Evangelicals and African Initiated Churches for a long time. The commoditization and sale of Christian symbols. relics, grace and blessings have been a reserve for Pentecostal churches but the opulence exhi bited by their pastors have attracted Christians from mainstream churches. Catholics, Anglican and Presbyterian Christians are attracted to the utilitarian approac h of Pentecostalism and are steadily joining them. Mainstream church leaders on the other hand are adopting to the Pentecostal practice to forestall the exodus of their sheep into the Pentecostals and to share in the lavish lifestyle of Pentecostal bishops and pastors. This paper looks at the allure of Pentecostalism in mainstream churches