The Christian world today contains numerous churches, denominations, Christian movements, and sectarian groups that approach the Bible differently. While diverse hermeneutical methods are not inherently negative, they can lead to misinterpretations, misunderstandings, and confusion. When theological ideas do not align with the overall biblical message, they can confuse the believers. Such approaches are often labeled as “misleading theology,” a growing trend that challenges many traditional churches.

One controversial movement frequently associated with this category is the “prosperity gospel.” This broad movement includes various groups with diverse influences and philosophical backgrounds and has grown rapidly worldwide in recent decades. In many regions, it competes strongly with traditional churches and increasingly influences churches not only in the Global South, but also in the United States.

Within ecumenical contexts such as the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches, the prosperity gospel is criticized as misleading because it promotes a distorted understanding of the Gospel and Scripture. However, its popularity also highlights that it addresses the concrete needs and living conditions of its followers more effectively than many traditional churches. Its growth implicitly raises the question of which aspects of their believers’ needs the established churches may have overlooked.

Given these developments, the speaker seeks to offer a critical assessment and classification of Prosperity Theology, with particular attention to responses from traditional or mainline churches. While recognizing the fact that this brand of theology addresses real needs of its followers, he will critically categorize “Prosperity Gospel” as an example of a “misleading theology” that is missing the core of the Christian Gospel and distorting the teachings of Jesus himself.

Pastor Jörg Ostermann-Ohno studied theology in Heidelberg, South India, and Leipzig. He taught theology at Orissa Theological College (1999–2000) before completing pastoral training in the Protestant Church of Rhineland. Ordained in 2003, he served as pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany (Nordkirche), first in Hademarschen (2003–2010) and later in Kiel-Kronsburg (2010–2012). From 2012 to 2019, he was Ecumenical Officer in the Church District Hamburg-West. Since 2019, he has worked as “India Secretary” in the International Department of the Ecumenical Centre of the North Church in Hamburg, and since 2021 has also been responsible for the Pacific Desk.