Word-Faith Movement 2

Error, indeed, is never set forth in its naked deformity, lest, being thus exposed, it should at once be detected. But it is craftily decked out in an attractive dress, so as, by its outward form, to make it appear to the inexperienced...more true than the truth itself. --- Irenaeus of Lyons

Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that others may take warning. (1 Timothy 5:20)

An invasion force consisting of great multitudes of wolves in "decked out" sheep's clothing has cleverly infiltrated today's modern Christian church for the sole purpose of preying, rather than praying, on their unsuspecting victims. How did this happen? In consequence of indifference, emotionalism, and ministerial idolization, most Christians today are not paying attention to Jesus' warning that there will be many false teachers in the church during these last days (Matt. 24:4-5). Learning how to detect heretical doctrines (1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Tim. 4:3) has not been an uppermost priority for many believers. In fact, doctrinal discernment is almost completely void. To a certain extent, this predicament has been kindled from the false teachers' inappropriate and antagonistic use of "Judge not" and "Touch not the Lord's anointed" --- a terror strategy that is designed to keep congregations in their place. As a result, we have many well-meaning believers who are unequipped to discern the true from the false ... the light from the darkness ... the wolves from the sheep.

When speaking of false teachers, it has become the norm for many believers to conceive that the implication is in reference to those outside the Christian church. On the contrary, believers are repeatedly warned to be on guard against falsehood within the church. It is those who allege to come in Christ's name, seemingly confessing the Lord as their Savior and claiming divine revelations from God, who may not be so obvious to doctrinal transgressions. It has been this type of pretense coupled with seductive entertainment and self-empowerment sermons that has further contributed to the acceptance of false leaders within mainstream churches.

With that said, I encourage and challenge you, the reader, to study and draw a comparison between the scriptures that we will be examining to those of the pastor of your church. The Berean Christians, who were of noble character, "searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things (which Paul taught) were so" (Acts 17:11). In like manner, it is your responsibility to diligently search and test the teachings of the leadership in your church without partiality. Any pastor who cannot stand the test of investigation and challenge should be approached with circumspection.

While there is a great degree of duplicity in today's church age, it is this author's perspective that the Christian church is currently endangered primarily by two major bands of influences. The first element, which operates from outside the church, should readily be discernable to the serious believer who possesses a basic knowledge of the Bible. This fragment of falsehood is seated within the malevolent religion of Islam. The second element, which operates from within the church, is the chief influential threat. This component consist of a tight network of false leaders who have established a movement that is rapidly spawning cultic doctrines within the body of Christ in epic proportions. It is this movement, more commonly known as the Word-Faith Movement, that this article will confront, expose and refute without restraints of political correctness.

The Word-Faith teachers addressed in this study are very high profile "celebrity ministers" who are televised on The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) in addition to a vast network of other stations. These religious profiteers employ motivational techniques, smooth talk, and captivating charm; mixing lies with the truth as they mislead and financially rape the most vulnerable segments of our society. Sadly, they have numerous devoted, loyal, yet incognizant followers who are unskilled in recognizing the errors being perpetrated against them (2 Cor. 11:3,4,13-15, Heb. 5:13-14). For those who love the Lord, the unveiling and refutation of these impostors who mishandle the Word of God should take precedence over emotionalism, elitism and ministerial admiration. John said, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (3 John 1:4).

What follows in this article will be a history of the Word-Faith Movement succeeded by a contrast of Word-Faith theology, as espoused by these notable teachers, with a contextual analysis of the scriptures. In addition, this article will address the threats announced by Word-Faith teachers upon those who dares to criticize them. This examination should effectively validate that Word-Faith doctrines are heretical teachings from cult leaders who are highly determined to maintain their positions.

Regrettably, many of those who call themselves Christians have allowed their blind zeal and idolatrous demeanor to adopt a policy of appeasement -- exalting these false teachers above the authority of scripture. In spite of the clear evidence that will expose the heterodoxy of the WF teachers, such carnal believers will conveniently discard the facts and deliberately tolerate, defend, and embrace these individuals without questions --- deceiving themselves and becoming prey to exploitation (2 Peter 2:1-3).

"I say it is, for a person is to himself just what he thinks he is, and he is in his belief sick. If I am sick, I am sick for my feelings are my sickness, and my sickness is my belief, and my belief is my mind; therefore all disease is in the mind or belief. Now as our belief or disease is made up of ideas which are matter, it is necessary to know what ideas we are in; for to cure the disease is to correct the error; and as disease is what follows the error, destroy the cause, and the effect will cease. How can this be done? By a knowledge of the law of harmony...Your error is the cause of your sickness or trouble. Now to cure your sickness or trouble is to correct the error." ("Is Disease A Belief", http://www.ppquimby.com/sub/articles/is_disease_a_belief.htm)

"To those who believe in disease there is, according to their belief, neither forgiveness nor cure except through the medium of medicine. But, to those who have been born again or who have learned that disease is the result of belief, disease has no power, and consequently medicine is useless." ("Concerning The Use Of Medicine", http://www.ppquimby.com/sub/articles/concerning_the_use_of_medicine.htm)

Now compare the above statements with those of Mary Baker Eddy (1821 - 1910), an associate of Quimby and founder of Christian Science. Here, you will detect parallelism of the notion that sickness is only a state of mind:

" When the first symptoms appear, dispute the testimony of the material senses with divine Science. Let your higher sense of justice destroy the false process of mortal opinions...Suffer no claim of sin or sickness to grow upon the thought. Dismiss it with an abiding conviction that it is illegitimate, because you know that God is no more the author of sickness than He is of sin...you have divine authority for denying that necessity and healing the sick."

"Disease is an experience of a so-called mortal mind. It is fear manifest on the body. ( Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy)

Following in the footsteps of Eddy and Quimby, Essek W. Kenyon (1867 - 1948), who is today considered the Father of the Word-Faith Movement, carefully integrated these erroneous teachings with Unitarian (Unity School of Christianity) false doctrines (Source: "Christianity In Crisis", By: Hank Hanegraaff, Page 32). Kenyon proceeded to introduce this peculiar mix of doctrinal divergence into orthodox Christianity. Many of the popular apothegms devised by present day Word-Faith teachers were originally formulated by Kenyon. Take into consideration the following phrases:

"What I confess, I possess." (E.W. Kenyon, "Hidden Man", Page 98. D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel, Page 135)

"It is what we confess with our lips that really dominates our inner being...(People) confess their fear and they become more fearful. They confess their fear of disease and the disease grows under the confession. (E.W. Kenyon, "Two Kinds of Faith," Page 72. D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel, Page 137)

"It is wrong for us to have sickness and disease in our body when God laid those diseases on Jesus" (E.W. Kenyon, "Jesus The Healer", Page 44. D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel, Page 149)

Kenneth Hagin (1917 - 2003), the recognized "granddaddy" of the Word-Faith Movement, adopted and plagiarized the teachings of Kenyon and fused more fraudulent "enhancements" to the gospel in order to enthrall the Christian church. Hagin assures supreme health and prosperity to Christians, alleging:

"Yes, sin, sickness and disease, spiritual death, poverty, and everything else that's of
the devil once ruled us. But now, bless God, we rule them--for this is the Day of Dominion!" ( Kenneth Hagin, "Rejoice! This Is The Day Which The Lord Hath Made!", The Word Of Faith Magazine, Page 16, July 1996)

"I believe that it is the plan of God our Father that no believer should ever be sick; that
every believer should live his full length of time and actually wear out, if Jesus tarries, and fall asleep in Jesus. It is not---I state boldly---it is not the will of God my father that we should suffer with cancer and other dread diseases which bring pain and anguish. No! It is God's will that we be healed. (Kenneth Hagin, "Healing, The Father's Provision", Word Of Faith Magazine, Page 9, August 1977)

"He(God) wants His children to eat the best, He wants them to wear the best clothing, He wants them to drive the best cars, and He wants them to have the best of everything." (Kenneth Hagin, "New Thresholds", Pages 54-55)

Hagin then taught this theological revisionism to his star pupil, Kenneth Copeland, who has today become the leader of the Word-Faith Movement.

Today's Coalition of Heretics

The following false teachers associated with the Word-Faith Movement today include, but is not limited to:

Robert Tilton

John Avanzini

Marilyn Hickey

Juanita Bynum

Rod Parsley

Joyce Meyer

Earl Paulk

Paul Crouch

Leroy Thompson

Paula White

Pat Robinson

Myles Munroe

Although not all Word-Faith teachers are unified in their positions, they do however, share an array of tenets that are an indignity to doctrinal purity. Their chief established heresies entail:

Faith Theology.
Deification of Man and Demotion of God.
Atonement Theology
Confession & Health
Confession & Wealth

Here are some citations of the outlandish and perfidious teachings from the individuals listed above; or as they would say, "revelation knowledge."

Click photo to hear audio clips

By: Victor T. Stephens

"Just sow a seed of faith"

Doctrinal analysis begins on page four.