Posted on 01/20/2008 3:19:30 PM PST by WileyPink
This is the first in a series of analyses by correspondent Justin Peters. These special articles were first printed in the Baptist Record each week from September 25, 2003, to October 16, 2003.
Analysis: Word of Faith crosses heresy line
First in a series (originally printed 9/25/03)
“Satan conquered Jesus on the cross.” “He died spiritually! …Jesus Christ understood that spiritual death is union with the satanic nature.” “Man was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God’s presence without any consciousness of inferiority.” “He [God] doesn’t even draw a distinction between Himself and us. …I have His name. I’m one with Him…I am a little god! Critics, be gone!”
Shocked? You may have just read the above four quotes from four separate individuals and are wondering, “What blasphemy is this? Who teaches such heresy? Mormons? Jehovah’s Witnesses?” You would be correct in discerning such statements as heretical but, unfortunately, incorrect in assuming that they come from groups considered outside of orthodox Christianity; they come from within.
More commonly known as the Health and Wealth, Name It and Claim It, or Prosperity gospel, the Word of Faith (WOF) movement comprises the majority – though not all – of what is seen on cable Christian television. WOF doctrine is beamed to hundreds of countries around the world via Christian networks such as TBN and Daystar, and preached in thousands of churches across the United States.
Much of WOF doctrine is in line with orthodox Christianity. However, the error is sufficient and egregious enough to persuade many, myself included, to conclude that the Health and Wealth gospel is indeed a different gospel (Gal. 1:6-9).
The WOF movement compromises the non-negotiable fundamentals of the faith. The origins of the WOF movement can be traced directly to the metaphysical cults such as Unity School of Christianity, Religious Science, Christian Science, and New Thought. Though the father of the modern WOF movement is often considered to be Kenneth Hagin (whose son can be seen preaching today on TBN), as he is referred to by Charisma magazine, this dubious honor actually goes to one Essek W. Kenyon (1867-1948), whose works were extensively plagiarized by Hagin.
Kenyon was heavily influenced by the metaphysical cults which flourished at Emerson College of Oratory where he attended. Kenyon, in turn, was influenced by Phineas P. Quimby (1802-1866), a student of occultism, hypnosis, and parapsychology and the father of New Thought. Knowing the roots of a theological movement or system is critical in understanding its teachings and practical implications.
What follows is a very brief listing of some of the doctrines of the WOF movement:
Positive confession – The belief that what is spoken can be brought into literal existence. Believers may simply speak the things which they desire of God and He is obligated to give it to them; hence the label “Name It and Claim It” gospel. If this sounds eerily like God’s act of creation in Gen. 1 and 2, it is.
Little gods doctrine – The belief that man was created to be an exact duplicate of God. Believers, then, are little gods on the earth.
Spiritual death of Jesus – The belief that Christ’s physical death was insufficient to atone for sin. He also had to die spiritually. Of course, if Jesus died spiritually, then He ceased being God and if He ceased being God even for an instant, He never was God to begin with.
Revelation knowledge – The belief that God dispenses to certain believers, apart from the Scriptures, secret knowledge of Himself. This is a modern day version of the ancient heresy of Gnosticism against which the New Testament repeatedly warns.
Health and wealth – The belief that all believers have the right to walk in perfect, divine health and prosper financially. This stems from the erroneous view that sickness was paid for by Christ’s spiritual atonement in hell and that prosperity is a cosmic law ordained by God respectively.
Heresy is never promoted in a manner which exposes its darkness for all to see. Rather, its poison is wrapped in familiar Christian language to make it more palatable. The WOF movement has craftily packaged its counterfeit gospel to look like the real thing. It is making alarming inroads into all Christian churches, including Southern Baptist churches. Many honest, sincere, born-again Christians are being deceived and hurt.
Fantastic - thank you for posting this!
Sigh.. I don’t watch much TV. What’s this about? Yall talk with God don’t you?
You will have to watch the nonsense that goes on on TBN in order to understand I guess.
Post 15 was responding to Post 13. In 13 you referred to a book that you thought had impact on modern Christianity, but you also made a cryptic mention of “church masters.” Sorry, but the post had me a bit confused.
I agree blackaby was nauseating... let’s “find out what God is doing and join him there!”
God has already told us what we’re to do. We just don’t like what happens when we do it because then the world hates us. So Rick Warren has capitalized on that unease by creating a NEW job for us that minimizes the flack we get from the world, nay even REMOVES it and makes us loved by the world.
“church masters” are pastors, et.al. who disregard the Lord’s teaching on how they should serve the church. Many such masters see themselves as “leaders” and “Lord it over” others. Refer to Matthew 20:25 – 28 and 1 Peter 5:1 – 4 for examples.
No. Please note that not once do you mention the word "repent". Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sin. You must come to recognize you're a sinner in need of cleansing.
Following your script, all you are doing is playing church.
Good point TG, I missed that on the first, second, third, forth, and fifth proof reads...lol.
In Christ...Alone!
In Christ...Alone!
Love your tagline, and I hear that more moslems are converting now than ever before. Praise God.
Pastor Bob DeWaay wrote a great article on this subject. You can find all of his Critical Issues Commentary at his website (just google Twin City Fellowship for a listing.)
http://cicministry.org/commentary/issue98.htm
is an article on Personal Words from God. The article points out that we have liberty in Christ to make certain decisions. For example, he points out that Adam and Eve were told not to eat of a certain tree, but not what they should then eat and in which order. These are personal decisions within Christian liberty.
So you want to know if you should marry Numbskull. The bible says not to be unequally yoked, and offers some practical advice, but God doesn’t reveal a specific name. See what you think!
Let me see if this helps. Most of us were created with an interest/talent that lies in a certain area. I think we should pursue that interest because God has wired us in that direction. As far as working for a particular company, are they ethical, trustworthy, etc. We should endeavor to work for a company that is upright.
Who to marry? Don’t follow your heart thinking you can change/fix them, after all, the heart is deceitful. And you won’t change them. Look for potential mates in a Christian environment, who shares your values. Don’t yoke yourself to a nonbeliever.
Do the above and I think you will be where God wants you to be.
If that's what you want, you may as well consult a fortune teller. That is not what the Bible is for.
God's providential will is worked out as we learn his principles for living and make decisions based on them as best we can. He can also redeem bad decisions or teach us things through them if we are humble and confess our mistakes and sins and continue to study the Word.
BTW there is a great DVD teaching series out called “decisions decisions” by Way of the Master which may be worth your time... Todd Friel and Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron are easy to understand and very biblical.
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