Shifting Beliefs: How Pastor Abel Damina's Take on Prosperity Gospel is Changing the Conversation

Introduction

The prosperity gospel, a teaching that links faith and financial giving to material wealth, has long been a polarizing topic in Christianity, especially in Nigeria. Pastors like Matthew Ashimolowo have championed this doctrine, while others, like Pastor Abel Damina, have publicly rejected it after years of adherence. Damina’s dramatic shift has ignited discussions, leaving many believers confused. This blog explores the issues surrounding prosperity preaching, Damina’s role in challenging it, social media reactions, and guidance for believers seeking clarity.

The Prosperity Gospel: A Controversial Doctrine

Prosperity theology, often called the “health and wealth gospel,” posits that faith, positive confessions, and donations to religious causes guarantee financial prosperity and physical well-being. Rooted in the mid-20th century with figures like Oral Roberts, it gained traction through televangelism (Prosperity Gospel). Proponents view the Bible as a covenant: faith in God yields security and wealth. Critics, however, argue it distorts scripture, promotes materialism, and exploits the poor, with some pastors facing fraud allegations (Prosperity Theology).

Key features of prosperity gospel include:

• Seed-Faith: Donating money to ministries as a “seed” for multiplied blessings.

• Positive Confession: Speaking wealth and health into existence.

• Atonement Interpretation: Christ’s atonement includes freedom from poverty and sickness.

Despite its popularity—61% of American Christians believe God wants prosperity, per a 2006 poll—it’s criticized for contradicting Jesus’ teachings on humility and suffering (What You Should Know).

Matthew Ashimolowo: A Prosperity Advocate

Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, a Nigerian-born pastor, leads Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), one of the UK’s largest churches. His dynamic preaching on wealth creation, leadership, and positive thinking aligns with prosperity theology. With over 100 books and a media company, Ashimolowo’s influence is global (Ashimolowo Biography). His “Money MasterClass” aims to raise millionaires, and his real estate ventures, including 900 acres in Nigeria, reflect his wealth-focused message (Ashimolowo Quits Preaching).

However, Ashimolowo’s ministry faced scrutiny. A 2002–2005 Charity Commission investigation found mismanagement at KICC, and the church lost $5 million to bad investments, raising questions about financial stewardship (Ashimolowo Wikipedia). Despite this, his followers value his practical approach to faith and finance.

Abel Damina’s Transformation

Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Power City International in Uyo, Nigeria, was once a leading prosperity preacher. He admitted to being so immersed in materialism that he’d “collect money even from the devil” (Damina’s Confession). In a pivotal shift, influenced by Andrew Wommack’s books, Damina renounced these teachings, calling them meaningless and misleading. He now urges followers to burn his old prosperity books, arguing they don’t lead to Christ (Burn Books).

Damina’s current teachings focus on:

• Christ-Centered Gospel: Emphasizing salvation through Jesus, not wealth.

• Scriptural Fidelity: Challenging misinterpretations, like Luke 6:38, used to promote giving for profit (Luke 6:38 Critique).

• Criticism of Peers: Calling out pastors for transactional doctrines, sparking debates with figures like Paul Enenche and David Oyedepo (Damina vs. Clerics).

His shift has made him a controversial figure, with some labeling him a heretic (Counter-Evangelism).

Social Media Reactions

On X, Damina’s transformation elicits mixed responses, reflecting broader confusion. Supporters like @abayomikola praise him, saying, “God bless pastor Abel damina” (X Post by @abayomikola). @promiseikejior1 credits Damina for revealing “dark secrets” of religious practices, moving away from materialism (X Post by @promiseikejior1). Conversely, @Christophe72119 supports his anti-prosperity stance but criticizes other teachings, suggesting Damina “gets every other thing else wrong” (X Post by @Christophe72119). These varied reactions highlight the theological divide and confusion among believers.

X User	Sentiment	Comment Summary
@abayomikola	Positive	Blesses Damina for his teachings.
@promiseikejior1	Positive	Values Damina’s shift from religious materialism.
@Christophe72119	Mixed	Agrees on prosperity critique but disagrees on other doctrines.

The Confusion Among Believers

The clash between prosperity advocates like Ashimolowo and critics like Damina leaves many Christians uncertain. Prosperity gospel’s appeal lies in its promise of tangible blessings, especially in economically challenged regions like Nigeria. However, Damina’s public reversal and critiques of prominent pastors challenge long-held beliefs, causing some to question their faith’s foundation. This confusion is evident in X posts where users express both admiration and skepticism, unsure which teachings align with scripture.

Guidance for Believers

To navigate this confusion, believers can adopt the following approaches:

1. Study Scripture Independently: The Bible is the ultimate authority. Passages like Matthew 6:24 (“You cannot serve both God and money”) and Luke 12:15 (“A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”) counter prosperity’s focus on wealth (Biblical Critique). Personal study helps verify teachings.

2. Prioritize Spiritual Growth: Christianity centers on salvation through Christ, love for God, and neighborly compassion, not material gain. While God may bless financially, it’s not a faith metric.

3. Guard Against Exploitation: Prosperity teachings often pressure giving with promises of returns. Believers should give willingly, not transactionally, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 advises giving “cheerfully.”

4. Embrace Humility: Damina’s journey shows that beliefs can evolve. Being open to correction aligns with Proverbs 3:11–12, which values God’s discipline.

5. Seek Community Wisdom: Engage with diverse Christian perspectives to discern truth, as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

Conclusion

The prosperity gospel debate, exemplified by Ashimolowo’s advocacy and Damina’s rejection, underscores a critical moment for Nigerian Christianity. While prosperity preaching offers hope, its critics highlight its risks. Damina’s transformation invites believers to re-evaluate their faith, focusing on Christ over wealth. Social media reflects this tension, with supporters and skeptics alike grappling with the implications. By grounding themselves in scripture, prioritizing spiritual growth, and approaching teachings with discernment, believers can find clarity amid confusion, pursuing a faith rooted in truth and humility.