Abstract

MARIMBE, Francis  and  NDAWONDE, Nompumelelo. Extravagance amidst Extreme Poverty? A Focus on 'New Religious Movements' within the Development Discourse in Zimbabwe. Studia Hist. Ecc. [online]. 2024, vol.50, n.1, pp.1-20. ISSN 2412-4265.  https://doi.org/10.25159/2412-4265/15296.

During the early 80s, Zimbabwe witnessed a rapid growth of the Third Wave Religious Right Movement (TWRRM),¹ commonly known as New Religious Movements (NRMs). These movements pride themselves on the premise that the gospel of prosperity is its central maxim. The article investigates the theological and developmental contribution of the gospel of prosperity towards its adherents' existential necessities and needs. It is on this premise that these churches have registered considerable success and popularity. This article thus seeks to provide empirical evidence on the contribution of three Charismatic churches and specifically highlight the benefits produced by this type of 'gospel' to the basic existential needs of Zimbabweans. The article will further explore whether or not this type of 'gospel' contributes to community development. In exploring the contributions of the gospel of prosperity and community development, the study will use a phenomenological approach by E. Husserl as a framework.

Keywords : Community Development; Entrepreneurship; Gospel of Prosperity; New Religious Movements; Zimbabwe.

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