Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved

Bowler begins the preface with the definition of “prosperity gospel:” “There is a branch of Christianity that promises a cure for tragedy. It is called by many names, but most often it is nicknamed the ‘prosperity gospel’ for its bold central claim that God will give you your heart’s desires” (xi). She describes growing up in Canada near a Mennonite community, from which she learned the beauty of a life of simplicity.

As she grew older, she found the theology and behaviors of prosperity gospel adherents intriguing and began to study this movement as a scholar. She wrote the first history of the prosperity gospel and traveled extensively, interviewing televangelists, ministers who do religious television broadcasting, and investigating their theology.

By her thirties, Bowler has fulfilled many of her dreams. She describes living a beautiful life with a husband she adores and a beautiful young son. Hired by her alma mater to an associate professor’s position, she publishes the first monograph on the prosperity gospel. Then she finds out she has cancer. She is beset by people telling the same things she heard over and over again while studying the prosperity gospel, in particular the maxim that everything happens for a reason.