Article 7 responds to prosperity theology's mishandling and misrepresenting God's predictions of suffering in the Christian life. What does the Bible say a believer can expect will happen when he or she truly follows Christ? And how does the experience of the church throughout its history, and our own experience today, inform us about these realities? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 6 of this statement responds to teaching within the church that places, locations, and certain "anointed altars" still play a part in correct worship practiced by believers. Is it true that Christians are supposed to pray in certain places, or that God hears us better when we pray from a certain location? What are the things that God does explain hinder us from being able to offer true worship to him? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 5 deals with the popular misconception of "generational curses" - the idea that I can be saved and yet still experience God's judgment in my life due to the sins of my ancestors. What does the Bible have to say about this concept and how has Jesus redeemed us from every curse of the law? Find out in another study of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
Article 4 of the statement responds to the common practice of prosperity preachers to apply promises given to individuals or Israel in the covenant of the law to believers today. A very common example of this comes from Deuteronomy 6 where God predicted the Israelites would take possession of vineyards they didn't plant and houses they didn't build. Is it appropriate to understand these promises as applying to us today? What underlying motive might lead someone to such a conclusion? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we examine article 3 of this statement which does a faithful job of countering the false doctrines rampant in the prosperity gospel theology. Article 3 deals with principles of proper Bible study and interpretation and denies the claims often made by prosperity teachers about the sources of "new revelation." Be blessed by another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we discuss article 2 of the aforementioned statement dealing with the teachings of the prosperity gospel. Prosperity teachers often mingle and confuse promises that pertain immediately to the believer's life and ones that context shows refer to the eternal state when we are with God and God is with us. Prosperity teachers insist that the atonement must eliminate things like poverty and illness, to the point where one teacher has even said "it's impossible for a believer to get sick." What is the meaning of the word atonement and how does the Bible describe the atoning work of Christ on mankind's behalf? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In this study, we unpack Article 1 of the aforementioned document. Prosperity theology claims that genuine faith will mean material prosperity, good health, and generally lead to all our worldly desires being fulfilled. It also teaches that the mark of being a true child of God is most reflected by a person's material prosperity. Do these ideas agree with scripture? Why or why not? Consider these things and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
This episode introduces a new topic where we will be looking at a document titled "Africa Statement on the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith movement. The statement was drafted by pastors in Africa who are greatly concerned by the corruption of prosperity theology in the preaching of churches professing to follow Jesus. The article does an excellent job of articulating issues with this false theology in the form of articles of affirmation and denial. A full PDF version of the statement for download is available here - https://africastatement.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Africa-Statement-on-the-Prosperity-Gospel-and-Word-of-Faith-Theology.pdf
In Paul's closing statements of 1 Corinthians, he makes a statement that many believers might find unusual. He says, "If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed." Some might say this is a harsh or even offensive statement, which would certainly be true if it came from a perspective that we are somehow better than those who have not responded to the grace of God in Christ. But what is the underlying perspective in the statement and what does it say about believers' view of Jesus if we can't affirm what the Apostle Paul wrote? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In 1 Corinthians 16:15-16, Paul admonished the Corinthian believers to "be subject" to men who had "devoted themselves to the service of the saints." Many times, we admire people and leaders for their ability. We pay homage to those who do things we can't. But what is the supreme quality Jesus said was essential for leaders in his kingdom, and is it something we all can truly emulate? Consider this in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
As Paul brings this letter to a close, he gives us 5 imperative exhortations to put into practice. We are to be watchful, to stand firm, to act like men, to be strong, and do everything we do in love. There is much debate in Western culture around the topics of masculinity and femininity. In Uganda, manhood is defined by cultural practices. How do we know what it really means to "be a man" and to exercise the attributes of true manhood as God intended them? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 gives us insight into where and when Paul wrote the first letter of Corinthians. He mentions he is in Ephesus, and planning to stay there, because there was "an open door for effective labor." Immediately after describing this open door, he adds though that there were "many adversaries." Those two statements might seem like a contradiction, but actually, the Bible is full of predictions that we are in a spiritual struggle against deception and rebellion. How does knowing these things help us to remain faithful, even when people don't respond to our good news how we wish they would? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 16 opens with instructions for the believers in Corinth relating to their participation in a collection that was being taken for the saints in Jerusalem. For some, giving can be among the list of commands easy to understand, but challenging to put into practice. What principles does the Bible give to us in this chapter that are helpful guides to ensure we actually fulfill our Christian duty to give to the Lord's work? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
The conclusion of 1 Corinthians 15 includes statements about the rapture of believers, Christ's conquest of death, and a reminder again of believers' hope in a literal resurrection. But the final verse gives us a reminder that all of God's truth is given to us to reshape our thinking and actions. So, in light of these truths we've been studying, how should we live in this world? Should we be people who doubt because we are uncertain of the future or whether our efforts will truly mean anything? Or should we be people who are steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord? Consider these things in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 15:35-49 gives us another piece of Paul's refutation that there was no literal resurrection. Sometimes in life, we can be mired in a perspective limited to the natural world we relate to. This can cause us to doubt things we can't see. But Paul addresses how illogical it is to reject the resurrection by giving us an example that reveals the resurrection, even in the natural world God has made. Consider this in more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In 1 Corinthians 15:29-34, Paul adds another proof in his argument for the Christian hope of literal resurrection. If Christianity pertains only to this life, why would anyone be influenced to follow Christ, when even Christ himself was killed? In other words, what about a Christian's death would be persuasive to convert another person to Christianity if there was no true hope for life after death? Consider this and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
In V23-28 of 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul suddenly jumps from speaking of the event of the resurrection of Christ to describing events at the return of Christ. At first, this might seem odd and off-topic, but when we follow the progression of Paul's instruction and remember the context is refuting those who say there is no resurrection, we can better grasp our hope of resurrection in the gospel, and also gain insight into things the Bible predicts are still to come. I hope you are blessed by another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 explains that just as we can be sure that sin and death have come to us through Adam's transgression, we can also be assured that resurrection will come to us through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. How does this parallel help us understand the importance of hope in a literal resurrection? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
1 Corinthians 15:12-19 begins Paul's correction of some members of the Corinthian church claiming there was no actual resurrection. Why is this such a dangerous and unsound position in light of scripture's gospel claims? How does this false claim still affect the church and its witness today? Consider these questions and more in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.
There are several warnings in the NT for professing Christians to examine themselves to see whether they are truly in the faith. This can be an intimidating instruction, especially due to how false presentations of the gospel have emphasized a basis of salvation on human merit rather than the atoning work of Christ. Why is it important that we understand not only the method of salvation, but God's purpose in it? How do we test ourselves to see whether our belief is empty or not? Find out in another episode of transforming our thinking through the power of God's Word.