Consecrating Capitalism: The United States Prosperity Gospel and Neoliberalism

Abstract:

Neoliberalism relies on optimism. Without faith in meritocracy—unwavering belief that rewards will eventually and justly come to those who work hard enough—support for the capitalist system and belief in neoliberalism would unravel. How that optimism is perpetuated in the face of persistent income inequality and exploitation within the workplace requires an examination of those cultural institutions which reinforce and reproduce optimism over practical experience. This research focuses on one particular religious institution of the United States—the Prosperity Gospel.

The Prosperity Gospel is a modern, neoliberal variation of Pentecostalism that is premised on the belief that a Biblical covenant between the individual believer and God guarantees that believer blessings of health and wealth, provided she demonstrates adequate faith. Accordingly, for those who are less adept at navigating the business world, financial success is still available for those believers who can dedicate themselves with the same frenzied ambition to the spiritual world. The Prosperity Gospel thus supports and sustains neoliberalism; the Prosperity Gospel is an institution which provides ref-uge to individuals from the exigencies of the market as well as a social practice which reinforces individual responsibility and fault. The Prosperity Gospel is the spiritual articulation of neoliberalism as well as a reinforcing institution.

Keywords::

• neoliberalism
• religion
• institutions
• emotions

JEL Classification Codes::

• B52
• Z12
• N00

Notes

¹ The Prosperity Gospel preaching churches transcend denominational lines; most of the mega-churches who preach the Prosperity Gospel self-categorize as non-denominational. Prosperity Gospel preaching also transcends traditional media as the followers of the Prosperity Gospel learn and participate in its teachings through a sundry of mediums outside the traditional in-person church sermon, whether through watching televised services, books and videos, engaging with the material through social media or participation in workshops. For this reason, counting the number of believers is a difficult, if not impossible task (Bowler 2013).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary V. Wrenn

Mary V. Wrenn is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of the West of England and Researcher with the Social Justice Group. The author would like to thank Dr. Kate Bowler, Associate Professor at Duke Divinity School.