I'm not sure if it has so much to do with less belief in a literal place of eternal torment (lots of us Biblical Christians have a dynamic view of what awaits unbelievers).

In fact, I wonder if our pulpits spend so much time preaching against our preferred vices of sexuality and the gnostic idea that saying a special prayer is a get into heaven free card that we've neglected to preach against the Gods of mammon in our culture. How many white evangelical Christians really understand the judgment that awaits us for the disparity of wealth in our world and the destructive dangerous forces of consumerism which go untouched from the pulpit.

Fine. So as long as we're not too religious we'll be well off. And it doesn't matter what we believe as long as we believe something. Now we know!

This reminds me of the saying attributed to Seneca the Younger (just substitute "hell" for "religion"):

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

Perhaps feel good theology is just part of the package that includes the idea that we deserve to get everything we want right now without having to pay for it.

I agree with most of the above. Jesus told us that Love of God and fellow man is the ultimate beliefs to follow. If that were followed all other things would fall into place.

I am a former pastor and my preaching never contained references to hell in order to scare people into behaving properly or following denominational judgements as to what a "proper Christian" acted like, looked like, etc.

I taught about love and Jesus. Actually those teachings are two sides of the same coin. Guess what? It seemed to work very well.We had a very diverse congregation, racial as well as financial standing. It's not hell that teaches the "way". Its the love of Jesus.

There is a much more simple, more reliable predictor of the economic health of the United States or any country: How do they treat Israel and the Jews? Pushing Israel to give up land is consistently followed by an economic downturn. Trace that through u.S. history from WW II until now.

I remember the days of the "Promise Keepers" stadium events, more than 10 years ago, when the financial speakers were teaching the woes against going into debt. They would even make real-time calculations of the total amount of debt that the group in attendance was carrying, urging that by getting out of debt the kingdom of God would be better served, as well as each of the families represented.

The Christian community doesn't seem to have been willing to accept that teaching. It is troubling that the Republican party is so clearly the party of the rich, and yet is also associated with Christian beliefs. Real Christians have a charge to be interested in the needs of the poor, and less fortunate. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune presents data stating that about 47% of Americans have a net worth of negative to $10,000. This is about half the country! These people have nothing to give! They will have nothing to support them in retirement, assuming they live that long. They are poor. Half of Americans are poor.
The republican party thinks money issues that are fair for the very rich, are fair for America. This is wrong. Those people (~47%) have no stocks, no 401(k), and their future is not bright.
It is troubling that Evangelical Christians tend to view a profession of faith, support of Israel, and support of the Pro-Life agenda as the only things necessary to be representative of Christian values, because concern for the needs of the general public are sadly lacking.
Republicans who are Christians on the low end of the wealth spectrum are the ones who are severely tempted to vote independent or democratic, even knowing that the polarizing issues of abortion rights and gay rights are espoused. They feel the negatives of the orientation to the "very wealthy" (high net worth) affecting them. Instead of seeing godly evangelicals, appreciating their gifts, they see money seeking individuals wanting to squeeze a little more out for themselves, even if it means other Christians and the unbelievers don't get any. Those who give spiritual counsel to these individuals aren't doing their job. Jesus never encouraged this kind of lifestyle.

D. Lindsay, articles broaches a topic that is foreign to the Christian Church’s discussion, but reality states, it is an in-your-face topic the church must deal with. The Christian Church historically has been poor, powerless, and marginalized. In the past the questions about wealth were answered simply - wealth is evil, end of story. Today’s Church is wealthy, but where do our people hammer out their theology of wealth. The truth is, believers to a large extent learn about wealth from non-biblical sources, much of which leaves them on shaky ground. Having written and lectured in this area for many years, I’ve asked a simple question to believers worldwide, “Can you be a Christian and a Capitalist?” The question stuns the participants. Why, (1) the question is never asked, (2) human economic philosophies to a large degree shape our beliefs about wealth and economics. Shouldn’t the gospel shape our economic thought? What is the church’s theology of economics?

Roland J. Hill

From a personal point of view, most of my friends, family, and I have never attended a church that talked much about hell. Christ clearly delivered a message of love, but He also spoke a great deal about those outside of God's kingdom. It's hard for church attenders to understand salvation when they don't know what from what they need to be saved. One side of the coin alone doesn't lend itself to the full understanding and appreciation of the Gospel. Both need to be talked about unashemdly and with thanksgiving. Unfortunately, much of what's being preached today talks as if God is all about us instead of Himself. In times of relative economic health, no wonder the strength of the church dimishes; we no longer feel a desparation or need for the cross of Christ, and we pat God on the head for a job well done in our bank accounts.

You can tell who has their treasures in heaven by looking around to see who is sweating during this crisis. Capitalism is one style of getting wealth, but is not evil in itself. It provides work for the not so rich workers. What is evil is not being rich toward God. Believe me, the poor are just as guilty of coveteousness and ill gotten gain as the rich, just less successful. The -$10,000 spoken of by one writer is in part measure the result of credit card debt and the unwillingness to live within one's means. Our founding fathers put honest work close to the top of their things to do in life. Now, people sit around whinning if someone doesn't hop-to in their behalf. God commands us to work six days out of seven-- even if we don't get paid for it. The Bible also tells Christians that one reason to work is so we have something to give away. I agree with the comment that our national health and wealth is closely related with our treatment of the Jews and support of Israel. As a nation, we are long overdue for God's judgment for our wickedness. I believe it will finally come when we turn away from our support of Israel and side with her enemies.

You know, I am appaulled at the number of " Christians" who do not even tithe on a regular basis. If the Word of God says a tenth of our increase BELONGS to the Body of Christ then how is it that we are going to not do what the Word says and then wonder why we are in perilous times in our economy? This is not difficult for me to perceive...obedience is better than sacrifice. We must be an DO the Word of God in order for properity to come to us as families and especially as a nation, one which many others know as being "Christian". How are we representing The King and the Kingdom of God?What does this say about us corporately?
Oh that we would read and believe that we are Priest and Kings in the household of the King. It is about The King and The Son and the Spirit of God. That being our focus and our purpose we can not be taken off our mark or our purpose in life...remember we all have a purpose in the Kingdom and believe me, it goes much further than showing up to church a couple of times a weeka nd pulling the Handle of the "Slot Machine God" in the sky, shouting out what we need and going on our way, until next week when we return and repeat..sad so very heartbreaking.
Father forcive us as a nation for our selfserving ways.
I pray for Revival for this land.It is the only hope we have for restoration and life., for a life without fear and a purpose in raising up the body of Christ to stand and be what we are called to be. Jesus Christ is the same yeaterday today and forever. Nothing has changed from his appeasrance in the promises and power he endured us with...nothing.POWER He agve us through His Spirit,The same Spirit that raised HIm up out of that tomb is in us if we believe and recieve the Spirit of God.BOdy of Christ please REad the book of Acts and Believe It! It is true and right and Holy.
We must rise up together and put our eyes and hearts and souls and strength on The King of KIngs and restore what is broken in this culture and especially in the Body of Christ.Our body i sfractured and broken.
People are thinking this may be tied to the Return, 666. you know the deal.But I know that Jesus is coming for a church(bride) that is shining and powerful and whole not the church of today. It is a crucial time for us to join together and remember that everything is not about us, get our focus on Jesus and cry out for mercy for this nation and the nations and esp[pecially that the church of Jesus Christ be made whole. For our future and most of all for the future of our childrena and grand children. Return to the Lord you peoplea. Hear the Word of the Lord and respond with an appropriate response of Honor unto Him. He is Worthy and Holy and Greatly to be praaised. Raise up your eyes to the one who transforms lives in His presence and find a place ot get in and go and be all He has called us to be.