THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT

A DOCTRINAL THESIS: WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF THE RECENT MOVEMENT CALLED "THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT"? MAINLY THE HERESY TEACHINGS OF A FALSE PROPHET NAMED KENNETH COPELAND

INTRODUCTION

The Word of Faith movement, often dubbed the "prosperity gospel" or "health and wealth theology," has surged in popularity since the mid-20th century, captivating millions with promises of material abundance, physical healing, and personal empowerment through faith. At its core, this movement posits that believers can harness a "force of faith" to manipulate reality, claiming divine rights to prosperity and success. Kenneth Copeland, a pivotal figure in this movement, exemplifies its teachings through his ministry, which boasts global reach via television, books, and conferences. Contemporary reformed theologians, such as John MacArthur, John Piper, and R. Albert Mohler, have rigorously critiqued these doctrines as distortions of biblical truth, emphasizing God's sovereignty, the sufficiency of Christ's atonement, and salvation by grace through faith alone.

This thesis examines the dangers of the Word of Faith movement, focusing on Copeland's heretical teachings. Drawing from reformed perspectives, it provides scriptural rebuttals to key falsehoods and highlights the movement's threat to the true gospel. Ultimately, it argues that this movement preaches "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9), fulfilling Christ's warning of false prophets in the last days (Matthew 24:24), who exploit believers for gain while leading souls astray.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Word of Faith movement traces its roots to 19th-century metaphysical cults, particularly New Thought philosophy, which emphasized mind-over-matter and positive confession to shape reality. Phineas Parkhurst Quimby, a key influencer, taught that illness stems from wrong thinking, curable through mental affirmation. This ideology infiltrated Christianity via E.W. Kenyon, a Baptist minister who blended New Thought with evangelicalism, asserting faith as a creative force akin to God's. Kenyon's ideas influenced Kenneth E. Hagin, regarded as the "father" of the modern movement, who popularized "positive confession" and the notion that believers are "little gods."

Hagin's Rhema Bible Training Center disseminated these teachings, mentoring figures like Copeland, who founded Kenneth Copeland Ministries in 1967. Copeland amplified Hagin's doctrines, claiming God desires believers' wealth and health, achievable through "seed faith" giving—donations to ministries like his, promising multiplied returns. By the 1980s, televangelism propelled the movement, with Copeland's broadcasts reaching millions. Today, it thrives globally, especially in Africa and Latin America, blending with local cultures but often exploiting poverty.

Reformed theologians like MacArthur trace its errors to Gnostic dualism and humanism, where man usurps God's sovereignty. Mohler condemns it as a "false gospel" promising earthly riches over eternal salvation.

KEY TEACHINGS OF WORD OF FAITH AND KENNETH COPELAND

The movement's core tenets, amplified by Copeland, include:

1. Faith as a Force: Faith is a tangible, creative power believers wield to manifest desires. Copeland claims, "Faith is a power force...a conductive force," used by God to create the universe. Believers, as "little gods," activate this force through words.

2. Positive Confession: Words shape reality; "name it and claim it." Copeland teaches, "Words are spiritual containers," releasing faith's power. Negative speech invites calamity.

3. Prosperity and Health: God wills wealth and healing for faithful believers. Poverty or illness signals weak faith. Copeland boasts, "God is the greatest failure in the Bible," for losing control post-Eden, regained via faith.

4. Atonement Redefined: Jesus "died spiritually," taking Satan's nature in hell, reborn as the first "born-again" man. Believers replicate this, becoming incarnations like Christ.

These doctrines elevate humanity while diminishing God, portraying Him as bound by faith's "laws."

BIBLICAL REBUTTALS FROM A REFORMED PERSPECTIVE

Reformed theology, emphasizing God's sovereignty and Scripture's sufficiency, rebuts these errors scripturally.

1. Faith as Trust, Not Force: Faith is relational trust in God, not a metaphysical tool (Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8-9). Piper warns it reduces God to a "cosmic bellhop." MacArthur calls it "voodoo," manipulating God (James 4:13-15). True faith submits to God's will (Matthew 6:10).

2. Confession and Sovereignty: Words don't create reality; God does (Isaiah 46:9-10). Proverbs 18:21 warns of tongue's power in relationships, not ontology. Mohler critiques it as "positive thinking" idolatry, exalting man over God (Psalm 115:3).

3. Prosperity vs. Suffering: Scripture promises spiritual riches, not material (Ephesians 1:3). Jesus warned of persecution (John 16:33). Piper abhors it for ignoring suffering's role in sanctification (Romans 5:3-5). Wealth can ensnare (1 Timothy 6:9-10); contentment is key (Philippians 4:11-13).

4. Atonement's Sufficiency: Christ died physically for sins, victorious over death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). No "spiritual death" in hell; He proclaimed victory (1 Peter 3:18-20). Sproul condemns it as diminishing Christ's work (Isaiah 53:5). Believers are adopted, not deified (Romans 8:15).

DANGERS TO THE TRUE GOSPEL

The Word of Faith movement endangers the gospel by:

• Anthropocentrism: Elevates man, demotes God (Isaiah 42:8). MacArthur labels it "man-centered heresy."

• False Assurance: Ties salvation to outcomes; failure implies unbelief, causing despair (Hebrews 4:9-11).

• Exploitation: "Seed faith" enriches leaders (Copeland's $760M net worth), exploiting vulnerable (2 Peter 2:3).

• Eternal Focus Lost: Prioritizes temporal over eternal (Colossians 3:2). Piper calls it "damnable" for promising too little.

IS THE MOVEMENT YET ANOTHER GOSPEL? OR WORSE, THE ANSWER TO CHRIST'S STATEMENT THAT MANY FALSE PROPHETS WILL ARISE IN THE LAST DAYS AND CLAIM TO BE THE CHRIST

Paul warns of "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9), anathematizing its preachers. Word of Faith qualifies, perverting atonement, deifying man, and promising unbiblical rewards. It fulfills Matthew 24:24, with "signs" like alleged healings deceiving elect. Copeland's claims—e.g., commanding weather—mimic Christ's authority, echoing false christs (Matthew 24:5). Mohler deems it a "false gospel," echoing end-times deception.

CONCLUSION

The Word of Faith movement, epitomized by Kenneth Copeland, poses grave dangers, distorting Scripture and the gospel. Reformed critiques underscore its heresies, urging believers to cling to sovereign grace. It is "another gospel," fulfilling warnings of false prophets. Yet, God's faithfulness endures; trials refine faith under His control (James 1:2-4), His eye upon us (Psalm 33:18).

FOOTNOTES

1. Hank Hanegraaff, Christianity in Crisis (Harvest House, 1993).

2. D.R. McConnell, A Different Gospel (Hendrickson, 1988).

3. John MacArthur, Charismatic Chaos (Zondervan, 1992).

4. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., "It Promises Far Too Little" (2009).

5. John Piper, Desiring God (Multnomah, 1986).

6. Gordon Fee, The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels (Regent College, 1985).

7. Justin Peters, Clouds Without Water (seminar, 2009).

8. Dave Hunt, The Seduction of Christianity (Harvest House, 1985).

9. Michael Horton, The Agony of Deceit (Moody, 1990).

10. E.S. Williams, Christian Hedonism? (Belmont House, 2017).