Christianity: Details about 'Word Of Faith'
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The Word of Faith movement or word-faith theology developed in the latter half of the 20th century in mainly Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. Its beginnings trace back to an early twentieth century evangelical pastor and author E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948), who preached that God would award financial and other gifts if the faithful would ask. Kenyon coined the phrase, "What I confess, I possess." Kenneth E. Hagin is often credited with being the father of the modern Word of Faith movement, using a four-part formula he claimed to have received from Jesus: "Say it; do it; receive it; tell it." Proponents of the doctrine include charismatics Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn (who renounced the doctrine in the 1990's), Joel Osteen, Hobart Freeman, Marilyn Hickey, Rod Parsley, T.D. Jakes, Jesse Duplantis, Oral Roberts, Brian Zahnd, evangelist Jay West of Omaha, Jerry Savelle, Kate McVeigh, Jim Kaesman and Keith Butler, among others. They teach that Christians must claim the grace God has promised them, whether in material goods, health, social position, or roles within the church. Detractors, such as Ole Anthony, Ron J. Bigalke Jr., Norman Geisler, Hank Hanegraaff, Dave Hunt, and Roger Oakland, denounce word-faith theology as aberrant and contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Hanegraaff, among the others, claims that this teaching goes against God's sovereignty and his prerogative to grant or deny what the praying one asks for. Word of Faith theologians counter that they believe the Bible is God's will and they are having faith in his Word. Critics have also often noted a remarkable resemblance of key Word of Faith doctrines to Christian Science (which detractors believed is a cult, due to its unorthodox doctrines), and have demonstrated that some of the key leaders were likely influenced by Christian Science, thus establishing a direct descent (which Word of Faith leaders have vigorously denied). Critics have also objected that the Word of Faith movement distorts the Gospel and that the Bible condemns seeking wealth (, , , , , ). Detractors and proponents alike acknowledge that word-faith theology finds echoes in the "prosperity gospel" often preached on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Relevant passages
ResourcesCriticism of Word of faith
Support of Word of Faith
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