Name It, Claim It, Grab It

Abstract

Pentecostalism being a global phenomenon has become an interesting subject in Global Christianity and academic discourses. Numerous scholars have researched and published articles on it from various perspectives. This article discusses African Pentecostalism by bringing fresh discussion on the existing literature on ‘prosperity gospel’. The article argues that Pentecostal preachers are not prosperity gospel preachers but rather preachers of a faith and hope gospel. The article conceptualises the faith and hope gospel from a Biblical perspective as well as the theological perspective of the adherents and practitioners of Pentecostal theology. Although the article acknowledges the extremist approach of some of the adherents and practitioners in their interpretation of scriptures and sometimes the abuses, the article argues that the dynamic and contextual nature of theology should be considered while the abuses are also objectively condemned. The article discusses debates on Pentecostal hermeneutics as well as the characteristics of the three perspectives of the faith and hope gospel by using the terms ‘name it, claim it, grab it’.