THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT
Fairly recently, the charismatic movement experienced division with regard to two "movements" within them.[1] The first is the Shepherding-Disciple Movement which was identified in the early 1980's.
The second, and the one we will discuss here, is the Word of Faith Movement, or Faith Movement. What are the true origins of its doctrines and teachings? Who can be said to be the founder of this Movement in the charismatic churches?[2]
The first individual we will discuss is Kenneth Hagin, Sr., since he has the distinction of being called, "The Grand-Daddy of the Faith Movement". Paul Crouch of TBN calls him "Dad Hagin".
KENNETH HAGIN SR.
From the point of view of several objective Christian scholars, the real claim-to-fame as the "founder" and "grand-daddy" of the Faith Movement was not Kenneth Hagin, Sr., but E.W. Kenyon.
The charge of plagiarism has been made many times with regard to Kenneth Hagin using E.W. Kenyons' works, but Hagin denies outright doing so. Take a very close look at The Two authors' works compared side-by-side.
The works of E.W. Kenyon are found almost verbatum within the published writings of Kenneth Hagin, Sr. Nearly every single principle used by the Word of Faith Movement can be traced to E.W. Kenyons' writings. So what is wrong with E.W. Kenyon that more credit is not given him? For the simple reason that:
"E.W. Kenyon freely admitted to close associates that he drew upon cultic, metaphysical sources in the formulation of his teaching." (McConnell)
Kenneth Hagins' defense basically is that, "God gave them both (E.W. Kenyon and himself) the exact same words to write". Kenneth Hagin Sr., of course, wrote them after E.W. Kenyon did, but Hagin never mentions any cultic roots! Hagin says he got the words "all straight from God"!?!
MORE
This was passed-over until 1983, when Dale Simmons, a graduate student at Oral Roberts University, discovered that over 75% of one of Hagins' best-selling pamphlets, The Authority of the Believer was taken word-for-word from Jack MacMillans' work with the same title: The Authority of the Believer! The work was passed-off as Hagins' own also and sold extremely well.
Hagin again stated that he did this study before reading MacMillans' book, and any failed reference to Mr. MacMillan were "ommitted in error". People are prone to ask, "for 75% copied word-for-word from MacMillans' book and using the same title even?"
Dale Simmons answered:
"While John MacMillan may have been flattered that the Holy Spirit finds him so quotable...(Hagins') excuse seems weak at best. One is certainly justified in asking why Hagin feels it necessary to read any books at all if the Spirit is going to inspire him to 'have the same thoughts' as a particular author even though he 'may have never met or read after the person'. Whatever the case may be one fact is certain, when Hagin received his 'inspiration' to write his version of 'Authority of the Believer', the voice that inspired him was that of Jack A. MacMillan."
PROPHETIC MESSAGES AND DEATH THREATS
It is well-known that in most cults, threats, including actual death threats, are made to discourage the questions of their followers. In this way, followers can be more easily controlled and are more "obedient" to the will of the cult and its "leaders". The following are actual quotes from Kenneth Hagin. Sr.
"If the church won't accept this ministry (his, Hagins') then they wouldn't accept His Word and He (God) can't help them." Hagin said that God would, "remove their candlestick".
"The Lord said to me, 'If I give you a message for an undividual, a church, or a pastor and they don't accept it, you will not be responsible. They will be responsible. There will be ministers who don't accept it and will fall dead in the pulpit'."
"I say this with reluctance but this actually happened in one place where I preached. Two weeks from the day I closed the meeting, the pastor fell dead in the pulpit. When I left that church I left crying. I told the pastor in the next church where I went to hold a meeting, "That man will fall dead in the pulpit." And just a very short time after that he did. Why? Because he didn't accept the message that God gave me to give him from the Holy Spirit."
"There are going to be lay-members that are going to fall dead in the church, in the last days, like Ananias and Sapphira. They lied to God."
With these type threats, his followers don't say much.
JESUS WAS 'BORN AGAIN' IN HELL"?
According to Hagin, (following E.W. Kenyon again) Jesus was "begotten" (Born Again) in Hell.
Kenneth Copeland teaches became "a worm", "a demoniac" and "took on the nature of Satan" in Hell. That is why He "needed to be Born Again in Hell".
Kenneth Copeland said, "the holy spirit" told him that he himself (Copelend) could have "saved the whole world" himself, had he (Copeland) just known enough Scripture when he (Copeland) was Born Again!
DENIAL OF THE ATONING BLOOD OF JESUS OUR MESSIAH
Kenneth Hagin, Sr. and his chief disciple and heir-apparent, Kenneth Copelend, do deny the Blood Atonement and physical death of Jesus Christ as being of any value whatsoever in Atonement. They claim it was His spiritual death that Atoned, and not His Blood.[3] E.W. Kenyon taught the same thing, and so did Mary Baker Eddy, the foundress of "Christian Science", who referred to Christs' Precious Blood Atoning as a "heathen concept". Kenyon studied Mary Baker Eddys' works. Many other metaphysical cults deny His Blood Atonement. This denies plain Scripture.
The Apostle Paul wrote that Christ's Work Atoned and Yeshua:
...made Peace through the Blood of His Cross. Colossians 1:20
Kenneth Hagin Sr., on the other hand, says that:
"Christ's physical death on the cross was not enough to save us." (Kenneth Hagin, "How Jesus Obtained His Name", Tape 44H01)
And his chief disciple Kenneth Copeland agrees with even stronger words, saying:
"When His (Jesus') blood poured out it did not atone." (personal letter to D.R. McConnell, dated 12/3/79. Cited in A Different Gospel, p.120)
Benny Hinn also says similar things that agree with Hagin and Copelands' teachings:
"Jesus at His death became one with Satan." (Benny Hinn broadcast, recorded 12/15/90)
Kenneth Hagin, Sr. claims the title of "Prophet". Copeland agrees. And they both follow E.W. Kenton and Mary Baker Eddy and the metaphysical cults with regard to Christs' Atonement. Hagin claims both divine authority and divine sanction. All this to spread metaphysical teachings with cultic origins in the Church?
TBN AGREES
Paul and Jan Crouch agree with the teachings of all those above. If anyone dares point out Scriptural error in the Word of Faith Movement, they are called "heresy hunters" and are not welcomed on their show.
In addition, TBN is promotiing UPC ("Oneness", "Jesus Only") doctrine in the person of one "Bishop" T.D. Jakes and the book The God Chasers by Tommy Tenney, an ex-UPC preacher. Although separated from UPC for a "wider ministry" Tommy Tenney was recently quoted in Charisma Magazine that he believes in "three manifestations of God" (not Persons) which is classical "Jesus Only" UPC theology.
Lastly, many charismatics are encouraged to possess The Dake Bible which contains many heretical statements in its notes.
We are not saying an individual involved in these teachings is not Saved. What we are questioning are the teachings thenselves, and those that claim "divine inspiration" for said teachings.
MORE FOLLOWING SOON!
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FOOTNOTES
[1
There is also strong division in the Pentecostal Churches and some Southern Baptist Churches over Dispensationalism as well, as might be expected because Dispensationalism causes great division wherever it goes. It was Ruled not a true Christian doctrine at all by the Presbyterian Church in 1945. Most are unaware of this, and their "teachers" do not tell their students this either.
But back to when they say the Darby-type Rapture will most certainly happen. For instance, whether the Rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation (Pre-Tribbers), in the midst of the Great Tribulation (Mid-Tribbers), or after the Great Tribulation (Post-Tribbers). They all have Scripture for their positions and many times will vehemently defend their positions against all comers. Each is thouroughly convinced they are right. Church splits are not uncommon among the opposing factions because of this issue alone.
NOTE: The charge that we do not believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is competely false. We do believe in I Thessalonians 4:15 - Chapter 5, just not how they interpret the verses to make them agree with their doctrines.
FURTHER NOTE: Both Grace and Talbot Seminaries are both moving away from their strict Dispensationl positions held formerly. Dallas Theological Seminary is currently working on some still "newer and more improved" version.
For example, read I Thessalonians 4:15 and following which clearly says that the Return of Jesus Christ will be neither "secret" ("and every eye shall see Him") nor "silent" ("with the voice of the Archangel and the Trumpet of G-d"). Yet they openly conjecture, teach, write books and make movies about "secret" and "silent" Raptures. (?)
The Movement known as "Promise Keepers" is also causing divisions. Here is a site that is LaRouche-based, but also has some interesting documentaion on the Promise Keepers.
[2
Here are some Quotes from Word of Faith teachers.
[3
Our Messiahs' primary mission therefore (according to the Dispies) was not to die for the sins of His people, but was instead an offer to usher in "perfect environment"!
Hunt, Dave. The Seduction of Christianity.
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. Peabody, Massachusetts. Prince Press. 1999.
McConnell, D.R. A Different Gospel. Peabody Massachusetts. Hendrikson. Fourth Printing, 1991.