A theological evaluation of God business: A case study of the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries of Zimbabwe

Abstract

The issue of wealth accumulation by some leaders of neo-prophetic movements is a burning issue in the world, and Zimbabwe in particular. The emphasis on financial prosperity and health restoration as a fruit of commitment to prayer and faith has taken precedence within the Gospel. Recent insights from researchers have shown that Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries is among the richest Zimbabweans, while the country is facing economic doldrums and high unemployment. This article provides us with an example of research on how people grasp the Gospel, suffering and Christian teaching. The phenomenon of doing business in the name of God has spread to other parts of the world that include Africa. In treating this topic, I endeavoured to look at the PHD Ministries using secondary literature, participant observation and oral interviews to elaborate God business with first-hand experiences. The article is divided into five sections. These included the historical development of prosperity gospel, the foundation of PHD Ministries, the approaches of PHD Ministries, reasons why people are attracted to PHD Ministries, brief assessment of PHD Ministries and pastoral and spiritual recommendations. The aim of the article was to look at god business in the PHD Ministries through theological lenses. It sought to prove how religion had been used to make a multimillion dollar enterprise. The PHD Ministries portray wealth and health as the aim of Christianity which God promised. It shows that God only blesses those who sow the seed and believe. But according to Scripture, God blesses unconditionally. There is a narrow approach to interpreting Scripture, and as a result the minimised meaning and application of the texts are used to propagate the prosperity gospel.