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The Word of Faith (WOF) Movement is difficult to pinpoint as to when it formally began. Without question its main doctrines came from E.W. Kenyon's writings. Kenneth Hagin is the individual initially responsible for the propagation of Kenyon's heretical concepts. Every major WOF minister looks to Kenneth Hagin as the father of the movement.
Kenneth Hagin has been involved in Pentecostal ministry since the late 30's but the Word of Faith Movement did not take off as a discernable movement until 1967. Today "dad" Hagin's heresies reach over 450,000 homes each month via his free magazine "The Word of Faith." His Bible School Rhema Bible Training Center has spawned WOF churches globally. His disciples have also started Bible schools which in turn release more error into the Body of Christ.
Some would argue that the WOF movement is not a denomination and they are probably correct in the classic definition of a denomination. However, Buddy Harrison (Ken Hagin's son-in-law) is Pastor of Word of Faith Church in Tulsa and Buddy has ordained 100's of pastors who subsequently started Word of Faith Churches in America and around the world. These ministries are under his oversight. Our former pastor, Ellis Smith of Jubilee Christian Church in Detroit was ordained by Buddy Harrison and his church was originally called "Faith Christian Fellowship" but Ellis later broke with Buddy. Pastor Keith Butler of Detroit was ordained by Buddy Harrison and Keith's church is called "Word of Faith." Keith has also started "Word of Faith" churches is several other cities. . .all of which are under his direct control and supervision. 100's if not 1,000's of local congregations look to certain men and women as leaders. These congregations hold the exact same beliefs, and operate in the same manner as to order of worship equal a denomination. The organization cited below consists of the major leaders within the WOF movement. These men and women control what is taught in most WOF congregations: (1) they are looked upon as the revealers of God's present day truth. (2) Pastors of WOF congregations routinely teach exactly what they have received from these individuals at seminars. (3) Most WOF churches sell their books in their local church bookstores. (4) When they can afford it, they have these leaders come and speak in their churches.
International Charismatic Bible Ministries
Minister Affiliation Position in the Church
Oral Roberts Chairman of ICBM Prophet
Kenneth Copeland Secretary of ICBM Prophet/Teacher/televangelist
Charles Green Exec. Dir of ICBM
Billy Daugerty* Vice Chairman of ICBM
Carlton Pearson Member-at-Large of ICBM Bishop/megachurch pastor/vacillates bet. WOF & Prophetic Movements
John Hagee Member of ICBM megachurch pastor/televangelist/TBN regular
Thomas F Reid Member of ICBM Latter Rain Proponent/WOF
Marilyn Hickey* Member at Large Teacher/televangelist/WOF/has her own Bible school
John Avanzini Trustee of ICBM Prosperity teacher/WOF/TBN regular
Dick Bernal Trustee of ICBM Spiritual Warfare teacher/WOF
Morris Cerullo Trustee of ICBM Owns on television network/WOF/televangelist
Happy Caldwell Trustee of ICBM pastor of megachurch/WOF
Paul Crouch Trustee of ICBM Owns TBN/WOF
Benny Hinn Trustee of ICBM Healing Ministry/megachurch pastor/WOF/TBN regular
Howard-Rodney Browne Trustee of ICBM Started Holy Laughter Movement/WOF/pastor
John Mears Trustee of ICBM Bishop/ Prophetic Movement/pastor
Earl Paulk Trustee of ICBM Bishop/Prophetic Movement/megachurch pastor
Myles Munroe Trustee of ICBM Apostle/Prophetic Movement/teaches black dominance gospel
Benson Idahosa Trustee of ICBM Archbishop/Prophetic Movement
This list does not include all of the cast of characters of the ICBM for that you have to surf to: http://www.oru.edu, where you can get the entire vision of this organization. These individuals have input into the spiritual lives of several million Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians. These individuals agree on the following WOF heretical doctrines (I am not citing all WOF doctrines, just some major points of error):
Spiritual Law
Positive Confession
Divine Healing
The Atonement
Financial Prosperity
Demonology
Infamous Quotes
Spiritual Law -
God and His creation operate according to spiritual laws. These laws cannot be violated and when properly used these spiritual laws will always produce the desired results.
"We must understand that there are laws governing every single thing in existence. Nothing is by accident. There are laws of the world of the spirit, and there are laws of the world of the natural. .We need to realize that the spiritual world and its laws are more powerful than the physical world and its laws. Spiritual law gave birth to physical law. . .God a Spirit, created all matter. . . with the force of faith." The Laws of Prosperity" pg. 15
Positive Confession -
God creates by confessing what He wants. We are created in His image, thus we too have the ability to release faith-filled words and thus create what we need in life. Spiritual law generally works by confessing properly what you need. If you need physical healing you confess passages of text on prosperity. The "spiritual law" is simple (1) believe in your heart, (2) confess it with your mouth, and (3) believe you have it and you will {read Mark 11:23-24}.
"Even though God had the image inside Him and the Spirit of God was there to cause it to come to pass, it had to be released out of His mouth before any changes could take place. . .God used His words to bring the image into manifestation. He filled His words with the spiritual force of faith." "God's Image of You" Charles Capps, pg. 48
"So if we decree or affirm unwaveringly, steadfastly, we hold God by His own unalterable laws to do the establishing or fulfilling. . ." Lessons", Cady, pg. 52
Every WOF teacher has written books dealing with positive confession, which is why the WOF movement became known as "the Positive Confession Movement" or "name it and claim it." The above list of people sincerely believe we create our own realities by what we say.
God's Will Is Always Healing -
It is not God's will for any of His children to be sick. It is His will for all of them to be healed when (if) they do get sick. This heresy has probably caused more pain, suffering, and guilt than almost any other lie that WOF promotes. Many of the WOF ministers have had bouts with serious illness and have had to resort to using (gasp) doctors and medicine. Oral Roberts, had the lack of faith to start a medical school. Charles Capps wife suffered with cancer and was treated for it. Fred Price's wife was treated for cancer. R.W. Schambach has had heart by-pass surgery, etc. Yet, to a person, they will tell you that it is God's will to always heal the believer. Dr. Hobart Freeman taught that using doctors was a sin, as a result over 50 people died in his church, and later he himself died of a treatable ailment. Now there is a big push on diet, vitamins, herbs, and exercise among charismatic ministers (they are growing older now). Dr. Cherry is a medical doctor who has a show on TBN and many follow his medical advice . . .yet it is still God's will to always heal.
Jesus Died Spiritually -
I dealt with this heresy in another section, please press the button to go there (). In all fairness some WOF ministers have broken ranks and come to a more orthodox view. I have e-mailed several of the "biggies" recently and I am waiting to hear their response regarding the atonement.
Financial Prosperity -
Not only does God want you well, He wants you wealthy! The majority of the people in the ICBM leadership are millionaires or multimillionaires. Tracy and I attended a small WOF church on Detroit's east-side. Our congregation had at most 300 poor inner-city people (children included). Yet the Pastor made over $60,000.00 per year and was provided a Cadillac, Lincoln Town car, Pontiac Bonneville SSE, and lastly a fully maxed-out Conversion Van. Why? Because God's people are to (1) eat the best, (2) wear the best, and (3) drive the best. Paul Crouch holds a "Praise-A-Thon" and tens of millions will be raised in a matter of days.
"Good news to the poor is: You don't have to be poor anymore." Authority In Three Worlds", Charles Capps, pg. 21
The way to enter into financial prosperity is by giving! We were told we did not give to get, yet it was a spiritual law and when we gave it would be given back to us in greater measure. WOF churches all operate on the tithing principle of 10% of the paycheck (preferably the gross amount) was to be given each and every payday. On top of the 10% we were to give offerings. Being faithful in doing this meant that God would: (1) open the windows of heavens for us, (2) He would pour out an overflowing blessing on us, (3) He would rebuke the devourer for our sakes, (4) and our endeavors would not fail to bear good fruit (see Mal. chapter 3). The bottom line is this- tithing does not exist as a New Testament doctrine or practice. It is legalism and often abusive and manipulative. Every WOF minister has also written about and taught on financial prosperity. Most of the people teach that: (1) poverty is a curse, (2) Jesus was wealthy, (3) financial prosperity is part of the atonement, (4) you have a right to be rich, and (5) you will get rich by sowing into my (fill in the blank) ministry.
Demons -
One thing we charismaniacs know about is the Devil and his demons! We have scores of books on the devil, various ministers have seen demons (Kenneth Hagin, Norval Hayes, Robert Tilton, Lester Sumrall, Howard Pittman, etc.). Some have tapes of demons speaking (sometimes all you need to do is simply turn on TBN). Our job is to enforce Satan's defeat. Jesus has given His authority over Satan to the Church and it is up to us to use His name, His blood, His armor and conquer Satan and his forces. Most problems are relegated to satanic influence (sickness, poverty, disease, strife, and society-at-large). Prophetic Movement teachers (Myles Monroe, Earl Paulk, Rick Joyner, Paul Cain) teach that the problems in the world are the result of the Church not exercising her authority over Satan and his demons. Hagin and Summral both have written extensively on demons and spiritual warfare. There are now congregations that are known for their spiritual warfare (our former congregation was once such church). There is an emphasis on warfare praise, warfare prayer, prayer walks, fasting for spiritual power over principalities and powers. Jubilee Christian Church, got so far off into this they even had warfare dancing and a warfare clap.
All of the WOF ministers and ICBM supporters believe a Christian can be (1) demon possessed and or (2) demon oppressed. They agree that by the laying-on-of-hands demons are to be cast out. They agree you have to fast for some demons to leave a person. Just about everyone who does not agree with them and their doctrines has a religious spirit.
Infamous Quotes From Three of the Biggies
Word of Faith Sayings
Compiled by Jim Fox (Last updated 23/6/92)
This is a synopsis of statements made by the major Word Faith teachers; after each statement, you will find the source material listed so that you can read or hear the exact quote for yourself. It has been my intent to paraphrase these teachers as exactly as possible for the purpose of allowing you, the reader, to get an overview if you will of the Word Faith movement.
KENNETH COPELAND
Faith is a Force (Spirit, Soul and Body, #01-0601, Tape #1)
God did not create the world out of nothing, He used the Force of His Faith. (Spirit, Soul and Body, #01-0601, Tape #1)
Earth is a copy of the mother planet (Heaven).
God's reason for creating Adam was to reproduce Himself. (Following the Faith of Abraham, Tape #01-3001)
Adam was not subordinate to God. (Following the Faith of Abraham, Tape #01-3001)
God and Adam looked exactly alike. (The Authority of the Believer IV; Tape #01-0304)
Jesus and Adam looked, acted, and sounded exactly alike.
All of God's attributes and abilities were invested in Adam. (The Authority of the Believer IV; Tape #01-0304)
Adam was God manifested in the flesh.
(Following the Faith of Abraham, Tape #01-3001)
God made Adam the God of the earth.
(Following the Faith of Abraham; Tape #01-3001)
When Adam originally sinned he gave his god nature to Satan.
God could not intervene since He had made Adam the god of the earth. God was left on the outside looking in. (Following the Faith of Abraham; Tape #01-3001)
God is approximately 6'2" to 6'3" tall. (Spirit, Soul, and Body; Tape #01-0601)
God weighs approximately 200 lbs. Spirit, Soul, and Body; Tape #01-0601)
Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old
Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies. (The Power of the Tongue, pp.8-10)
Jesus death on the cross was not enough to save us. (What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Tape #00-0303)
Jesus took on the nature of Satan when He was on the cross. (Jesus lost His divine nature). (What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Tape #00-0303)
Jesus was dragged down into the bowels of Hell where He was beaten and bruised by Satan and his demons until Jesus could finally fight His way out of Hell 3 days later. (Believer's Voice of Victory, September 11, 1991)
(Classic Redemption, p.13)
Jesus was reborn in the pits of hell. What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Tape #00-0303)
Jesus is in a higher position now than before He died on the cross. (What Happened From the Cross to the Throne, Tape #00-0303)
The biggest failure in the whole Bible is God. (Praise-a-thon, (TBN) recorded 1988
BENNY HINN
God has 9 parts (tn-theistic). 1. A. God has a body, soul and spirit. 2. B. Jesus has a body, soul and spirit. 3. C. Holy Spirit has a body, soul and spirit. (Benny Hinn broadcast, recorded 10/~3/90)
Christians are little messiahs.
Christians are little gods. (Praise-a-thon (TBN), recorded November 1990) (Our position in Christ, Tape #A03 1190-1)
Jesus at His death became one with Satan. (Benny Hinn broadcast, recorded 12/15/90)
Poverty comes from Hell.
Prosperity comes from Heaven.
Adam had complete dominion over the earth and all it contains.
4. A. Adam could fly like a bird.
5. B. Adam could swim underwater and breathe like a fish.
Adam went to the moon.
Adam walked on water.
Adam was a super being, He was the first superman that lived.
Adam had dominion over the sun, moon & stars.
Christians do not have Christ in their hearts.
Sow a big seed, when you confess it, you are activating the (Praise-a-thon (TBN), recorded November 1990)
When you don't give money, it shows that you have the devil's nature. (Praise-a-thon (TBN), recorded 4/21/91)
Wants to use Holy Ghost machine gun to kill Heresy Hunters. (Praise-a-thon (TBN), 11/8/90)
PAUL CROUCH
Christians are little gods. (Praise the Lord (TBN), recorded 7/7/86)
God draws no distinction between Himself and us.
God opens up the union of the very godhead (Trinity), and brings us into it. (Praise-a-thon (TBN), November 1990)
Paul Crouch will shoot heresy hunters (theology) if God doesn't (Praise-a-thon (TBN), 4/2/91)
Heresy hunters (theology) are to go to Hell. (Praise-a-thon (TBN), 4/2/91)
Does not want to see the ugly faces of heresy hunters (theology). (Praise-a-thon (TBN), 4/2/91)
I cannot emphasize strongly enough the need to read "A Different Gospel" by D.R. McConnell or "The New Charismatics" by Moriarty. Both of these books go into great detail about what the WOF ministers and followers believe.
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