Biblical Hermeneutics and the Problem of Prosperity Theology in Nigerian Pentecostalism: A Critical Analysis

Prosperity theology dominates significant segments of Nigerian Pentecostalism and has generated extensive theological critique, yet systematic empirical analysis of how its practitioners construct and defend its hermeneutical foundations is relatively underdeveloped. This study conducts a critical analytical examination of the biblical hermeneutics employed by Nigerian Pentecostal prosperity preachers and their responses to standard evangelical critique. A document analysis and interview methodology was adopted, examining the published sermons, books, and theological statements of fifteen prominent Nigerian prosperity theology advocates, alongside structured interviews with twenty Nigerian evangelical theologians who have publicly critiqued the movement. The hermeneutical methods used in 120 published prosperity theology sermons were analysed using an adapted hermeneutical analysis protocol assessing concordance method use, contextual interpretation, covenant theology application, and narrative genre sensitivity. Results reveal systematic selective use of Old Testament covenant blessing passages divorced from their canonical context, and consistent marginalisation of Pauline suffering theology. Advocates demonstrate consistent resistance to canonical and redemptive-historical critique, and deploy experience-based testimonial argument as counter-evidence to exegetical challenges. The study makes an original contribution to the analytical literature on Nigerian prosperity hermeneutics by providing systematic documentation of the hermeneutical logic and its internal defences. It recommends that Nigerian evangelical seminaries develop dedicated apologetic curricula addressing prosperity hermeneutics from within the Pentecostal tradition.

Keywords: prosperity theology, biblical hermeneutics, Nigerian Pentecostalism, critical analysis, evangelical critique