Word of Faith? (Jesus Christ, ritual, gospel, soul, follower)

[LoveNeverFails]

From Word of Faith - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ...

Word of Faith, also known as Word-Faith or simply Faith, is a teaching within neo-pentecostal and charismatic churches worldwide. The central doctrine is that health and prosperity are promised to all believers, and are available through faith.

Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003), of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was heavily influenced by Kenyon's writings. Hagin is often referred to as the "father" of the modern Word-Faith movement. Other preachers in Tulsa were mentored by "Papa" Hagin, and began to preach the same doctrines. The most prominent of these is Kenneth Copeland.

The Word-Faith teachings are that physical healing was included in Christ'satonement, and therefore is available here and now to all who believe. Frequently cited in favor of the doctrine is Isaiah 53:5: "By his stripes we are healed." They also point to Jesus' healings, especially Matthew 8:17, which says that he healed the sick so that "it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet, 'Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses'."

Because Isaiah speaks in the present tense ("we are healed"), many of the most prominent Faith preachers teach that believers should overlook the symptoms of sickness, and instead positively believe and confess that they are already healed. According to adherents, sickness is an attempt by Satan to rob believers of their divine right to total health.

Most do not openly advocate dispensing with medical treatment, although some, such as Fred Price, have claimed to be strong enough in faith that they no longer need medicine.

According to Word-Faith theology, financial prosperity and wealth was also included in the Atonement. This is based on an interpretation of the words of the Apostle Paul: "Yet for your sakes he became poor, that you by his poverty might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). Critics believe Paul was speaking of spiritual riches, rather than material prosperity. Faith proponents support their view by arguing that the context is the giving of material wealth.

It is often taught by Word-Faith proponents that Jesus and the apostles were rich, and therefore that believers should expect the same financial success. Supporters such as Kenneth Copeland have argued that Prosperity Gospel is validated by the teachings of the Apostle John: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (3 John 2). Copeland posits that “as the seeds of prosperity are planted in your mind, in your will and in your emotions…they eventually produce a great financial harvest." Critics argue that interpreting the salutation of John at the beginning of the epistle as a promise of prosperity is not consistent with New Testament teaching.

In Word-Faith teaching, the central element of faith is "confession". The doctrine is often labelled "Positive Confession". Noted Word-Faith teachers such as Hagin and Charles Capps have argued that God created the universe through the power of the spoken word (Genesis 1), and that humans were created with the same power to speak things into being by their words. Thus, making a positive confession (by reciting a promise of Scripture, for example) has the power to cause things to happen. Word-Faith preachers have likened faith to a "force".

Conversely, according to Word-Faith teaching, "negative confession" can bring about negative results, and therefore believers should be careful to watch their words. This is often based on a literal interpretations of Proverbs 18:21: "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and they that love them will eat the fruit thereof."


I was raised in the above doctrine my entire life, and my parents are still heavily and firmly rooted in it. They are more balanced than some...they go to the doctor, they don't believe in looking and seeking after wealth, just God...but they do believe that wealth and health are bi-products of strong faith in God, and in doing what He has called you do to.

I think there is balance to be found. I do believe in thinking and speaking positivally, and do believe God wants us to prosper if we seek Him first and desire Him first.

But sometimes, life can't be all mountaintops...how would we appreciate the good without bad to compare it to?

I believe a balanced approach is needed for any doctrine, or religion...or anything, really!

Any thoughts?

[*Paul*]

I have to say that I believe it is a delusion and an embarrasement ot the church of Jesus Christ and I think it is a Christianty that the Sudanese Christians or Christains of times past would not recognise. B

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by *Paul*

I have to say that I believe it is a delusion and an embarrasement ot the church of Jesus Christ and I think it is a Christianty that the Sudanese Christians or Christains of times past would not recognise. B

As with most flavors of Christianity.

I agree that word of faith is an embarassment to Christianity, and there is no room for balance with that.

[YmirGF]

Somehow I can't see Jesus looking fondly on a follower who asks him and/or God to make them rich.

[michel]

Originally Posted by *Paul*

I have to say that I believe it is a delusion and an embarrasement ot the church of Jesus Christ and I think it is a Christianty that the Sudanese Christians or Christains of times past would not recognise. B

I agree; personally I find the idea doesn't "sit" with me well at all.

[wizanda]

Isa 56:11-12
(11) Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
(12) Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.

[I Panicked! At the Disco]

Originally Posted by YmirGF

Somehow I can't see Jesus looking fondly on a follower who asks him and/or God to make them rich.

Ditto.

I think that faith in God promises us spiritual health, not necessarily physical health.

[wizanda]

Originally Posted by I Panicked! At the Disco

I think that faith in God promises us spiritual health, not necessarily physical health.

Isa 65:20
(20) There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.