What Is The Word of Faith Movement?

The Word of Faith movement grew out of the Pentecostal movement in the late 20th century. The founder was E. W. Kenyon, who studied the metaphysical New Thought (mind science) doctrines of a man named Phineas Quimby. Mind science (where "positive confession" and "name it and claim it" originated) was mixed with Pentecostalism, producing a strange mix of Christianity and mysticism. Kenneth E. Hagin, in turn, studied under E. W. Kenyon and made the Word of Faith movement what it is today. Despite the fact that individual teachings range from totally heretical to completely ridiculous, we'll examine the basic theology of the majority of Word of Faith teachers. At the center of the Word of Faith movement is the belief that faith is a force! Bible faith has been redefined from simple trust in the Sovereign God to the "force of faith." They believe and teach that words can be used to manipulate the "faith force," and thus actually create what they want or desire (wealth and health). How strange is that? What kind of power has their words ever produced? Where's the evidence? Laws that they say control the "faith force" are said to function independently of God's sovereign will and that God Himself is subject to these laws! How strange is that? Even a casual reading of Daniel 4:34-35, shows that God is subject to no one or no thing! How can there possibly be any "force" that operates independently of God? How can there possibly be any "force" that God Himself is subject to? According to Daniel, God "does according to His will among the inhabitants of earth!" Since God is sovereign, He could never, ever, be subject to any person or any so-called "faith force!" Teaching that our words can be used to manipulate some "faith force" which God is subject to is nothing short of idolatry and witchcraft, turning our "faith" and by extension ourselves, into god! This is not surprising, for it's the natural progression of these unsound and dangerous teachings. Remember Paul's words to the Ephesian elders concerning the dangers of false doctrine. He said, "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30). Your move. Be encouraged!