THE WORD-FAITH MOVEMENT
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
By: Victor T. Stephens
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
WORD-FAITH COUNTER-MEASURES
Fortunately, during these last days of mass deception, there are emerging increasing numbers of forthright watchmen and discernment ministries to expose and refute the mendacious doctrines of the Word-Faith sect, as well as other factions who are disseminating erroneous teachings. As a result, the Word-Faith camp has taken counter-measures to protect their reputations and financial interest.
While it is a biblical mandate to expose false teachers, Word-Faith false teachers attempt to maintain their cloak by charging such a mandate as an "over-reaction" or "nit-picking." They view public refutation as a personal attack. Supposedly, since Word-Faith proponents preach salvation and that Jesus is the Son of God, then open rebuke (an "attack") is an unsuitable measure to take against "God's anointed" regardless of the degree of all other errors. The common saying is that "we shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater." They reference Philippians 1:15-18 to support such reasoning.
"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." (Philippians 1:15-18)
Firstly, their assertions may have some merit if we were addressing non-essential doctrines. We can respectfully disagree on such matters and remain united in the faith. However, as we are about to discover in this study, the issues surrounding Word-Faith theology encircle and distort essential doctrines of the Christian faith. For example, Word-Faith theology distorts salvation and the person of Jesus Christ. In essence, Word-Faith proponents are teaching a different gospel. These are vital issues where biblical accuracy must be maintained and protected. It is not God's will that His church is subject to misrepresentations of essential matters of biblical doctrine. In such instances, a division is not optional but required.
Secondly, we should not construe an open rebuke as an "attack." The second book of Timothy 3:16 says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." The first book of Timothy 5:20 states, "Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning." Since sin includes the willful intent of publicly teaching false doctrine, then a public refutation is appropriate "so that the others may take warning." No Christian should stand by in a state of indifference and allow false teachers to deceive fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. Such irresponsible and politically correct conduct is a betrayal to Christ and the Church.
Thirdly, in Philippians 1:15-18, Paul is not saying that some are preaching false doctrines. Instead, he says that some are preaching "out of envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition." In other words, on account that some teachers of the gospel were jealous of Paul, they preached the truth but did so with the wrong motives. In Acts 17:11, Paul commended the Bereans for searching the scriptures daily to judge the accuracy of his teachings. Therefore, to employ Philippians 1:15-18 as a prohibition of exposing error opposes the biblical mandate to expose and refute error.
Next, Word-Faith proponents argue that "heresy hunters" are taking their writings out of context. Word-Faith advocates often make the blanket charge that resources that expose their false doctrines reflect an out-of-context view of their messages. However, they fail to provide evidence to substantiate their accusations. For example, a defender of Benny Hinn made such a claim regarding Hinn's following unbiblical comment:
"Never, ever, ever go to the Lord and say, 'If it be thy will' don't allow such faith-destroying words to be spoken from your mouth." (Benny Hinn, "Rise and Be Healed," Page 47).
Upon being asked to describe the context of Hinn's statement, the supporter became silent.
Speaking of Benny Hinn, demonstrating his dismay of those who exercise discernment and confront false doctrines, Hinn had this to say:
"The Bible warns us clearly that we must not attack men of God no matter how sinful they may have become or wicked in our eyes." ("The Many Faces of Benny Hinn" [DVD])
Equally astounding, Hinn states:
"You wonderful people of God quit attacking men of God by name! Somebody's attacking me because of something I'm teaching! Let me tell you something brother, you watch it! You walk around with your stiff lip and collar on your neck... dear God in heaven I wish I could just... ooh! You know I've looked for one verse in the Bible; I just can't seem to find it; one verse that said, 'If you don't like 'em, kill 'em.' I really wish I could find it!" (Benny Hinn, "Praise the Lord", TBN)
Such statements by Hinn represent fear, foolishness, and immaturity at its finest.
In their effort to silence the increasing number of believers speaking out against false teachers, Word-Faith advocates also claim that warnings of false teachers were not a significant part of Paul's ministry. Such a charge has no biblical basis. Many scriptures in the Bible speak about false teachers and the believer's authority to expose such ungodly individuals. Paul says in Acts 20:29-31:
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears." (Acts 20:29-31)
There are many "savage wolves" within the church today. In this passage, Paul commands us to be on guard! Should the watchman remain silent when he detects a wolf, or should he sound the horn to protect the sheep? Notice that Paul says, "for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." Paul's statement does not indicate that he spent little time warning the church against false teachers. On the contrary, Paul consumed much time exposing and cautioning the church against "wolves in sheep's clothing," "false apostles," "false prophets," and "ministers of Satan."
While every true teacher of the gospel is deserving of much respect and honor, we must refrain from allowing misguided loyalty to cause us to support a hierarchy of men who are purposely teaching false doctrines. The Word of God is abundantly clear. False teachers are to be exposed, confronted, and refuted.
Next: The Historical and Theological Roots of the Word-Faith Movement
