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.
In Christ...Alone!
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Simply having the "knowledge" does not teach us His Word. After all, Satan and his demons have knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Mark 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
In Christ...Alone!
Mike Corley's had him on his radio show a few times.
No analysis of Word of Faith doctrine needed than that it has its basis in the violation of the 10th Commandment. You know, the part about NOT coveting. It also violates the 1st Commandment, in that it exalts mammon above the true God. It violates the 8th Commandment against theft, in that WOF preachers are chisling, manipulating conmen and thieves. It violates the 7th Commandmant in that it turns its adherents into spiritual whores.
BROTHER,PRAY ALL IS WELL,PING YOUR BIBLE STUDY LIST TO THESE,A BELIEVER SHOULD BE KNOWLEDGABLE ABOUT DISCERMENT.
5 SOLAS!
There is a very unfortunate modern Christian narcissism, encouraged by topical sermons (”what does the Bible say is the secret to __________”) to study the Word from the wrong point of view. We don’t study it as a value in itself but for what our immediate payoff is. That’s tantamount to using it as a ouija board.
Oh you’re so MEAN. :-) So many people get so blessed by these preachers, why you shouldn’t JUDGE them...
glad you posted it.
He said “apart from Scriptures”
VERY good point. It’s the old “inductive vs deductive” or “exegesis vs eisegesis.”
Bingo! The modern believer thinks that the Bible is like God's telegraph machine. He or she doesn't seek to grow in grace and knowledge, but get a quick-fix to a perplexing problem and then move on. It really is a disgrace at how the Word is treated.
The eisegesis has infiltrated many churches under the radar screen (to steel a phrase from “America’s pastor”), in part, via Blackably’s “Experiencing God” - embraced by many people who had disengaged their minds from what their church masters put before them.
I do believe that many decisions - such as jobs - are not much concern of the Lord. He tells us not to worry about mundane things such as food and clothing nor to work at being rich. I think He reveals to us that our character being conformed to Christ is of utmost concern - for in that He is glorified and we are true to the One who bought us.
To the slave, be content. To the rich man, be not high minded. In all things, do unto the Lord and not your earthly master.
“Manage” your character (pursue Christ) and take the job you want. If greed is one’s motivation, the character of Christ will restrain, convict, re-direct, etc.
Most of us (I speak for myself) do not well at following the explicitly revealed will of God for us (1st Thessalonians 4:3-7 for example) - why would we expect Him to reveal beyond His Word in such a situation? He who is faithful in little things will be given more.
I have found that when I am faithful to the “little things” that He has revealed to me, the “bigger things” that are temporal either take care of themselves or “grow strangely dim”.
Could you elaborate on that a bit?
Remember at the wedding feast at Cana? Mary wanted Jesus to fill the family's need when she told Him, "they have no wine". Jesus' response was pretty clear when He said, "What is that to Me and to you, woman?" (Literal Translation)
Jesus wasn't at this marriage feast to fulfill the family's needs, but that He "...manifested forth his glory".
I believe it's the same with our material needs. As long as we seek first the kingdom of God, all these other things will be added unto us. (Matthew 6:33)
In Christ...Alone!
In Christ...Alone!
Please let me know if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list.
Will you be sponsoring a WOF ping list? If so please add me!
“Could you elaborate on that a bit?”
“That” is a rather expansive topic. I would be happy to elaborate on whatever I’m able - perhaps you can be a bit more specific in what your questions is.
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