Scholar Reza Aslan Denounces 'Prosperity Gospel,' Calls Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes 'Charlatans'

Controversial author and religious scholar Reza Aslan recently denounced "prosperity gospel" and megachurch pastors including T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen, decrying them as "charlatans."

Aslan, author of the controversial book Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, made his recent comments while speaking at a the 2014 Indian Summer Festival in Vancouver to promote his book.

During his talk, Aslan discussed the portrayal of Jesus in movies, suggesting that there are so many different versions of Jesus in movies because Christians have the ability to shape Jesus' personality to conform to their personal beliefs.

"The fastest growing Protestant movement in North America is this movement that is referred to as the prosperity gospel," he continued. "This is the gospel preached by people like Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes — and when I say people, I mean charlatans."

"The argument of the prosperity gospel, if I can put it flippantly, is that Jesus wants you to drive a Bentley. That is basically what the argument is. That what Jesus wants for you is material prosperity, and that if you literally give, you will literally be given tenfold. That's not a metaphor, as it is in most churches. It is literal. You give me $10 and Jesus will give you $100."

 Osteen has previously denounced the "prosperity gospel" label, with the mega-church pastor telling The Christian Post in April 2013: "I get grouped into the prosperity gospel and I never think it's fair, but it's just what it is. I think prosperity, and I've said it 1,000 times, it's being healthy, it's having great children, it's having peace of mind. Money is part of it; and yes, I believe God wants us to excel."

 Aslan released his controversial book, Zealot, last summer, and the book was discredited by several Christian scholars who said the book failed to provide an accurate depiction of the New Testament.