Prosperity Gospel Music: Mavis Asante mounts a strong defence

“Gospel simply means good news, and so it’s not inappropriate for a singer to share their grass-to-grace story in gospel music,” Mavis Asante has said.

Speaking to Taller Dee, host of Journey to Heaven on No.1 105.3 FM, the gospel singer pushed back on the notion the gospel singers had lost their way, distracted by centring financial advancement and miracles instead of Jesus Christ and his message, rebuking sin and offering salvation from divine judgement.

“Telling someone, ‘Tomorrow by this time, by God’s grace, it shall be well with you’ is good news,” Mavis argued.

“From Genesis to Revelations, the Bible rebukes sin and pronounces judgment but also speaks of prosperity. Anything concerning prosperity is in the Bible, same as anything concerning salvation.”

Utilising a proverb in the Bible that encourages growth from milk intake to chewing of bones, she said consumers of gospel music must demonstrate maturity, allowing for diversity in music themes.

“Since you were in your mother’s womb, you’ve heard about salvation repeatedly. I don’t think you need someone to tell you now that fornication and adultery is unacceptable. You know it already. It’s not my song that will bring you that knowledge because you should know by now. And when you go to church, you hear all you need to be told,” she added.

Mavis Asante categorically stated, “It is not true Gospel musicians have no lost sight of their primary responsibility. Gospel is good news. Good news includes encouraging people with: ‘God will prosper you in no time; the times are hard but God has the power to glorify himself with your story; God will heal you’. So what is more good news than to tell people their tribulations will soon end?”

She noted, also, while some people may be believers for one reason or the other, often “it takes a miracle to establish their faith”.

“Miracles also have the power to convince people to surrender their lives to God afresh,” she added.