As a keynote speaker at the 2012 Padova international conference on Pentecostalism (Italy), I was glad to present my paper today (Friday 8th of June, 2012).
I was not the only one : several fascinating studies have been presented, including one describing a theological schift occuring within the Health and Wealth Gospel trend in Nigerian Pentecostalism.
According to professor Danny McCain, University of Jos, Nigeria (pictured below), this "Kingdom Theology" which is currently gaining popularity among Nigerian Pentecostals teaches that God created the World on everlasting principles.
Therefore, if God's Kingdom is to be restored to the earth, His people should discover and apply them as much as possible. This includes honesty, hard work, discipline, good stewardship, family values and good health.
Sunday Adelaja, famous megachurch pastor in Ukraine (pictured above), appears to be one of the leading figures of these "Apostles in the marketplace", who basically teach that instead of the basic "seed theology" of a crude variety of Health and Wealth Gospel" (give the more you can to God, and God will give you), this new refined version of Health and Wealth Gospel restores individual responsability and hard work.
Will God give back? Yes sir! But as long as His creatures take seriously their calling to work, to discipline, dedicating themselves to create riches for the good of the Kingdom.