Introduction Part 1 - Is this the Prosperity Gospel?

Alcorn’s introduction says,

Until Christ completely cures us and this world, our happiness will be punctuated by times of great sorrow. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be predominantly happy in Christ. Being happy as the norm rather than the exception is not wishful thinking. It’s based on solid facts: God secured our eternal happiness through a cross and an empty tomb. He is with us and in us right this moment. And he tells us to be happy in him.

But does God wants us “predominantly happy in Christ”? I don’t know about you, but I believe the prosperity gospel (believe in Jesus and he will make you healthy, wealthy, and happy) is heretical. It turns Jesus into a magic genii who grants us our worldly wishes. When I see a Christian book with “Happiness” in the title, it makes me suspicious that it may be pushing the prosperity gospel. But Alcorn is not a prosperity teacher. He is far more solid than that. He has plenty of support from other theologians and scripture about biblical happiness: 

Thomas Watson (1620 – 1686), a Puritan preacher and author, said, “He has no design upon us, but to make us happy . . . Who should be cheerful, if not the people of God?” 

Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892) said, “Those who are ‘beloved of the Lord’ must be the most happy and joyful people to be found anywhere upon the face of the earth.” 

May all those who seek you be happy and rejoice in you! (Psalm 40:16, NET) 

You are the LORD’s people! So celebrate and praise the only God. (Psalm 97:12, CEV) 

Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! (Psalm 98:4, CEB) 

You also should be happy and full of joy with me. (Philippians 2:18, NCV) 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV) 

So what distinguishes this book from the prosperity gospel? First, we need to point out that there are different kinds of happiness. There is worldly happiness that comes from us loving God’s gifts but not God himself (idolatry); then there is godly happiness that comes from loving God himself. Second, I don’t think we can lump health, wealth, and happiness together in the same way. Scripture does not promise believers wealth and health in this lifetime, but it does call believers to be joyful regardless of our bank account or medical report. Paul, who suffered more than is humanly understandable (from prison) wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4 ). It seems happiness is a different category than health and wealth. Third, Alcorn does leave room for exceptions by using the word “predominantly.” Jesus wept, sweat blood, and cried out in anguish. It would be silly to expect no sorrow in this fallen world. 

So it seems that a happiness in the Lord (not in idols), in spite of circumstances (not because of them), and predominantly (not without exception) is what sets biblical happiness apart from the happiness found in the prosperity Gospel. 

1. Did the title make you nervous? 

2. Are the qualifications helpful? 

3. Might you have written off happiness as a sinful (or at least wrong) pursuit?