Neopentecostalism and prosperity theology in latin america : a religion for late capitalist society
- Stockholm : Institute of Latin Amercian Studies / Stockholm University, 2012
The Brazilian-based Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD) is one of the most rapidly growing denominations in the early twenty-first century. Like most of the fastgrowing mega-churchs denominations the IURD is Pentecostal in this beliefs and practice and innovative in its liturgy, utilizing contemporary praise music, highly participatory worship, and it aggressively incorporates modern marketing techniques in evangelization. This is a mordern-day variation of Pentecostalism that stresses miraculous transformations of life, in terms not only of spirit and body, but sometimes even of lifestyle and patterns of consumption (prosperity theology). The IURD speaks to the material wants and need of people living in a world in which success is measured almost exclusively by affluence and consumption, where sin and grace are defined, respectively, by poverty and wealth. This article will explore the expansion of prosperity theology through the lens of the IURD as a response to the challenges of neo-liberal economic policies and the pressures of the global economy.