Kenneth Copeland, Bryce Crawford talk prosperity gospel, love of money and apostle Paul

Evangelist and social media influencer Bryce Crawford has landed the first one-on-one scheduled sit-down interview with televangelist Kenneth Copeland in more than 15 years.

In the over two-hour-long podcast, Crawford, 22, told the 89-year-old Copeland he disagreed with the pastor’s trademark “prosperity gospel,” but remained cordial despite the disagreements. 

The discussion covers Copeland's childhood in Texas during the Great Depression, meeting and marrying his wife, Gloria, in 1961, and his subsequent conversion and ministry start in the mid-1960s, when he founded Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

It then shifts to deep Bible study on the definition of prosperity, redemption from the curse of the law, tithing, divine health and the “word of faith” teaching.

Here are four highlights from the podcast.

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1. ‘True prosperity’ stems from the Gospel

When Crawford asked Copeland to explain his definition of abundance and prosperity, Copeland said, “Well, Jesus came and said the thief comes but to steal, to kill and destroy. I've come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. Prosperity.”

He also clarified that the Bible never condemns money, but rather the love of money. “When one mentions prosperity, most people think about money,” he said. “Now, money is not the root of all evil. The Bible said the love of it is. And there are people that commit that that don't have any money.”

Copeland added, “True prosperity starts with John 3:16. That's where it starts. And then you go from there.”