I often say that one way in which we can test our doctrine - to know whether it is true Gospel, or an Americanism - is to put it through the "persecuted Church test". That is, to ask ourselves, "What would believers in a persecuted country think of this doctrine?"

For example: prosperity. Any statement about prosperity, probably isn't the Gospel - unless it can apply equally to both a tortured, imprisoned Pastor on death-row in China, and to one of your fellow-televangelists in the United States. Or at least, such a statement may need some qualification (especially if it's being broadcast around the world to audiences who are facing varying degrees of persecution).

And vice versa. Perhaps Pastors in the persecuted house-church movement in China could similarly guard against any extremes in their thinking, through testing how any of their statements might apply in a more peaceful, prosperous environment.

The Church can thrive during persecution and prosperity alike. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Extremes in doctrine can sometimes occur in persecuted countries, but unfortunately, we in developed countries are not immune from the opposite extreme, the tendency to dilute the Gospel's message.

It was good to read a post that brought Gospel doctrine and values into focus again.