WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT

BEGINNINGS

Phineas Quimby (1802-1866), considered the father of New Thought, taught that illness originated in the mind as a consequence of erroneous beliefs

E. W. Kenyon (1867-1948) was an evangelist who is usually given credit as the originator of Word-Faith teaching

Napolean Hill (1883-1970) was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal success literature (self-help books)

In one of his books (Grow Rich! With Peace of Mind), he coined the expression, “What the mind of man can conceive and belief, it can achieve”

Kenneth Hagin (1917-2009) was a main disciple of Kenyon and has been called the “father of the WOFM

Oral Roberts (1918-2009) is often considered the father of the prosperity gospel/message initially through radio broadcasts

Kenneth Copeland (1936-Present) was the principle disciple of Hagin and is considered to be the unofficial leader of the WOFM

Several mass media Word-Faith preachers have become more popular: Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer

BELIEFS

(1) Faith Is A Force

Word-Faith (WF) teachers argue from that faith is an actual substance, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”

“Faith was the raw material substance that the Spirit of God used to form the universe”

However, the Greek word translated “substance” in is hypostatis, which literally means “assurance,” “confidence,” or “confident expectation”

says, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visable”

However, by context it is clear that all is telling us is that God created the world by his sovereign power and we comprehend this fact through faith

(2) Just Ask In Faith

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them” ()

God is obligated to heal and give you financial blessings beyond your wildest dreams

A common positive affirmation example is, “God is my source of healing and prosperity: I am well and rich”

The context of Jesus’ promise in shows that He was not speaking unconditionally

Other texts reveal that God places many conditions on His promise to answer prayer in addition to faith

a) We must ask “according to His will” () b) We cannot “ask amiss” because of selfishness () c) We must “abide in Him” and let His Word “abide in us” ()

(3) Financial Prosperity

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” ()

God promised Joshua he would prosper militarily in the Promised Land if he maintained his commitment to meditate upon and obey God’s Word

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” ()

The Greek word for “prosper” here simply means “to go well with someone”

Paul wrote, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that through His poverty might become rich” ()

Paul in another writing informed the Philippians that he had learned to be content even when going hungry ()

(4) Physical Healing

“It is up to the believer to appropriate the guaranteed heeling that has been available in the atonement. If the believer has unbelief or sin, then this available healing is thereby prevented”

a) God allowed Paul to suffer a “thorn in the flesh” ()

b) Paul could not heal Timothy (), Trophimus (), and Epaphroditus ()

c) God allowed Job to go through physical suffering (Job 1-2)

d) Twice Jesus stated that sickness could be for the glory of God (; )

e) Paul described our bodies as perishable, weak, and decaying (; )

(5) God Has A Body

“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured the heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? ()

However, the Bible is clear that God is a spirit (), and a spirit does not have flesh and blood ()

Scripture tells us God is not a man () and has no form that people can see (; ; )

The mention of God’s hand is anthropomorphic language (language that figuratively describes God in humanlike terms)

(6) Christ Took On The Nature Of Satan

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” ()

However, Scripture tells us that Christ as God is immutable (; cf. )

Jesus never committed a sin personally, but He was made sin for us substitutionally

(7) “Little gods”

WF leaders argue from Scripture that since we are made in God’s image then we are “little gods.” reads, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in our image, according to Our likeness”

Word-Faith teacher Jerry Saville asserts the Hebrew word for “likeness” in this verse literally means “an exact duplication in kind”

Hagin wrote humanity, “was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God’s presence without any consciousness of inferiority . . . God has made us as much like Himself as possible . . . He made us the same class of being that He is Himself”

Although some would argue, as humans we could never seriously be called all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere-present, and eternal as God is

(8) Reason

“One almost has to by-pass the brain and operate from the inner man (the heart or spirit) to really get into the things of God”

However, in the LORD says, “Come now, and let us reason together”

The Hebrew word for “reason” (yakah) in this verse is a legal term that carries the meaning “to decide,” “to prove,” and “to judge”

Jesus said, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” ()

The “mind” here is known as ‘intellect,’ or ‘intellectual faculty’

Paul reasoned to the Jews from the Scriptures () - Scripture tells us to “prepare your minds for action” ()

(9) Criticism and Accountability

says, “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm”

However, the phrase “My anointed ones” is used in OT Scripture to refer to Israel’s kings ( and a dozen other verses)

Scripture is clear we are to test all teaching by the Word of God ()

Like the Bereans, we are to use Scripture as a gauge for truth ()

We are instructed to constantly be on guard against false teaching (; cf. ; ; ; ; )