Kate Bowler is a professor who studies the Prosperity Gospel — the idea that God rewards us with cars and money and big houses, if we love God enough. Anything good in your life is a reward from God, so the idea goes, because you are especially worthy. The idea falls apart when you look at the reverse — all the faithful, hard-working, committed people who love God deeply… and don’t live in big houses or; have millions in the bank.

If God actually worked that way, preschool teachers would drive Maseratis, and nurses would collect fine art. All of you would be millionaires, and football players and movie stars would live in small apartments.

We all know it doesn’t work that way.

When she was diagnosed with cancer, Kate Bowler had to rethink all of these ideas. Her diagnosis has caused her to th…