‘I Do Not Agree’—Bryce Crawford Challenges Kenneth Copeland on Prosperity Gospel in Rare Interview

Kenneth Copeland Bryce Crawford
(L) Kenneth Copeland (R) Bryce Crawford. Screengrab via YouTube / Bryce Crawford Podcast

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‘To Go Fast. Why Not?’—Kenneth Copeland Explains Why He Has a Jet

Throughout the discussion, Crawford maintained a respectful tone while questioning the prosperity gospel as Copeland told multiple stories about his many years in ministry.

Some of those stories included Copeland sharing how he has helped many people in need over the years—providing some with vehicles and paying off the mortgages of others.

RELATED: Kenneth Copeland’s Granddaughter Says the Bible’s Idea of Sowing and Reaping Is Same as Karma, Law of Attraction

Copeland also explained why his ministry has a jet and used Deuteronomy 28 to justify why God blessed him with one. He said that one man asked him, “Why do you want an airplane?”

Copeland responded, “To go fast. Why not?” He told Crawford, “And besides, that is safer than driving down the highway. And I go to places for a meeting [that] airlines don’t even go there.”

Copeland stressed that tithing is an absolute must.

“Absolutely tithe. Gloria and I tithe personally, the church tithes, the ministry tithes,” he said. “We sow into other ministries. And then by doing so over the years, the money that this ministry has saved by not owing is over $53 million. Anything the ministry [purchases], that goes up. That’s prosperous.”

‘True Prosperity Is Jesus Christ,’ Bryce Crawford Emphasizes

Crawford chimed in, “I think you and I can agree like true prosperity is Jesus Christ.”

He then said:

My mind has such, the hardest time wrapping around, you know, what if God doesn’t always give people what they want? What if God doesn’t always do that?…So for the person that, let’s say someone hears this prosperity message, right? They’re listening. They’re trying to apply. They’re trying to read the Scriptures. They’re doing the things. Nothing’s changing. Maybe they have a sickness. Sickness isn’t going. You know, their finances aren’t changing.

“Is that like a problem on the person or what?” Crawford asked.

“Don’t quit,” Copeland answered. “Absolute necessity to tithe. That’s old covenant.”

RELATED: Kenneth Copeland: ‘I Will Never Have COVID’ Because ‘I Walk by Faith’

Copeland proceeded to read about Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler in Mark 10. When Copeland came across the word “saved” in verse 26, he said, “Now the word includes healing. It means soundness. It includes healing, prosperity—saved. Saved from what? Poverty. Saved from what? Saved.”

Jesse T. Jackson
Jesse is the Senior Content Editor for ChurchLeaders and Site Manager for ChristianNewsNow. An undeserving husband to a beautiful wife, and a father to 4 beautiful children. He is currently a church elder in training, a growth group leader, and is a member of University Baptist Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. Follow him on twitter here (https://twitter.com/jessetjackson). Accredited member of the Evangelical Press Association.

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