Imaging prosperity in African Christianity: a practical theological case study of urban congregations in Lusaka, Zambia

The Prosperity Faith attracts many scholarly discussions from a variety of angles. There is much to consider within the subject, but the area of imaging prosperity stands out as both a literature and an empirical gap within the Prosperity Faith discussions. The concept of imaging is becoming an important term in practical theological circles and other disciplines like art forms and psychology. This research project investigates how adherents of this current and popular trend of theology in Africa understand “Prosperity Faith” and how they deliberately apply techniques of imaging prosperity, thus enforcing their beliefs and attracting new members. This study also aims to bring to light the meaning of imaging prosperity and why understanding this concept is an important part of the practical ministry and lived faith of the Prosperity Faith. Additionally, the research reflects on the contribution Prosperity Faith is making towards contextual and authentic African Christianity. Research questions were raised to investigate this research gap. Among them, the primary question that came to light bordered on whether and how particular techniques and practices are applied in imaging prosperity in Zambian churches that adhere to the Prosperity Faith. How are ministers and members perceiving the practices of imaging prosperity? Is it done deliberately? Is it contributing to an authentic and contextual expression of African Christianity? The research is essentially composed of a qualitative, descriptive, and interpretive research design. Osmer’s four tasks was used as an approach to the research. This was followed by data collection using literature studies, structured open-ended interviews, document reviews, and observation of practices. The six visited locations were three congregations of the Reformed Church of Zambia (RCZ), and three Neo-Pentecostal churches. A total of 14 participants out of 18 were interviewed, with results showing that the three RCZ congregations had been influenced by the “material prosperity” practices taught by the Neo-Pentecostal churches. Their desire for self-preservation in spirituality has led these three RCZ congregations to image prosperity in the same way Neo-Pentecostal churches do. And this is neither a hermeneutical problem nor a blind response to the needs of their context, rather, it is a departure by these three RCZ congregations from a biblical theology. They have chosen to follow a trend – a prosperity trend. The three congregations of the RCZ practise interpretation on prosperity based on the persuasion, influence, and pressure from the prosperity trends in their societies. To this, the Neo-Pentecostal and the selected RCZ congregations place imaging prosperity first, in the form of what the researcher calls a general technique embedded in our desire. This desire conforms to the secular standard of prosperity evidence. Subsequently, they take prosperity as a must-have or necessary experience for a believer. It is a required possession for all those who profess faith in Christ. To avoid being judged as people of no faith, some deliberate spiritual techniques are used to silence a faithless mind. In this sense, they apply, teach, and encourage the following distinct techniques of imaging prosperity: conceptions (in the mind), confessions (by mouth), and assimilations (by perception). These are clear practices of imaging prosperity as shown in the research. These findings entail that the concept of imaging should be used truthfully to reflect the very essence of Christ in Christian practices. Christ must be the reason for imaging and not the opposite. Imaging in biblical terms must reflect the life of Christ and embody his totality into our everyday faith practices. For the purpose of theological clarity, the study reflects on the Lord’s Supper as one biblical example or illustration of imaging. The researcher considers this kind of imaging as theologically and biblically acceptable. The study recommends that further research be done on imaging the sacrament of baptism instead of imaging prosperity within the faith community, offering avenues for continued scholarly exploration and dialogue. Additionally, Neo-Pentecostalism tends to embrace political figures who seek political office should be considered. It would be helpful, therefore, to explore the relationship between democracy in Africa and religion or how political leaders use their faith to garner support but become unaccountable to the electorate that has put them there. This requires further research and can be a fruitful follow-up to this thesis. It is also the researcher’s considered view that the concept of ‘flourishing’ must be explored further as the sure replacement for the concept of ‘prosperity’.