Continuing from part two of our series…
Even though a lot of these popes in Vatican history have done some very terrible things under the name of Christendom, there are some Popes who have done some good things. However, the overall impact on Christian society today is that people are focused on the negative things that they are doing. It wouldn’t be a bad thing against the Roman Catholic Church except, that they are continually doing some of the same things that they did back then, during the years with the popes mentioned in part 2 of this series. We find out that in the 1980s, 1990s, and today, that there are Popes and Catholic priests doing some of the same terrible things. Instead of it being done openly and publicly, these things are being done secretly. How can a religious system be beneficial to the people, if they are still practicing the same paganistic mentalities that they did from years ago?
Now we will move on to another faith based system: The Word of Faith Movement.
The Word of Faith Movement is a world wide movement that teaches that Christians can access the power of faith or fear through speech. Its distinctive teachings are found on the radio, internet, television, and in many Christian Churches. The basic doctrine preaches that of wealth, health, and through positive confession. The Word of Faith Movement has distinctive teachings including physical, emotional, financial, and relational healing or prosperity for any who have the right belief filled confession. The Movement emphasizes choosing to speak the promise and provision that the speaker wants, as an act of faith and in agreement with God’s plan and purpose. They believe that this is what Jesus meant in Mark 11:22-23. The term “Word of Faith,” is derived from the passage Romans 10:8 that says…”the word of faith which we preach;”
We are not saying that the Word of Faith Movement is wrong, but when the people who are pronouncing it begin to change the very essence of what the Movement means, then problems arise. They began to pronounce to people that they were “gods.” “You are born again right? Then that makes you a Child of God, and if so, that means you are a god, because you came from God.” They emphasized this, not understanding the scriptures. In Isaiah 43:10 God says of Himself “before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me,” and further in Isaiah 44:6 that “I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God, and further in Deuteronomy 6:4 “The Lord our God is one Lord.” Also see 1 Corinthians 8:4-6. ” We are not “gods,” as though we are above anything petty and esteem ourselves higher that what we are. This world of Faith Movement started off the right way, and went on the wrong way. We will not be gods, but friends of God (John 15:15).
Below is an excerpt from an article published by Charismanews.com titled “10 Ways the Word of Faith Movement Went Wrong,” that explains how the movement, has gone astray although having faith in God is good. The entire article can be found on at this web address: http://www.charismanews.com/oinion/41054-10-ways-the-word-of-faith-movement-went-wrong
1. They preach a “rights centered” gospel rather then a “stewardship centered” gospel.
Perhaps influenced by our Jeffersonian heritage of individual rights in America, the way the gospel is applied to individuals in the Word of Faith movement is based on personal rights in Christ. Although this is partially true, the New Testament balances our rights in Christ with our responsibility that goes along with these rights.
2. Their dispensational belief precludes the role and importance of the Old Covenant in the New Covenant age.
I heard Brother Hagin brag several times in his teaching sessions that he did not read the Old Covenant because we have a new and better covenant now in Christ. The challenge with that teaching is that he did not understand the relevance and role of the moral and civic law of God found from Exodus to Deuteronomy—especially the Ten Commandments that were repeated over and over again either exactly or in principle by the New Testament writers. Without the moral law of God, we have no standard for holiness and will lack the conviction of sin the moral law gives as our standard of holiness and ethics.
3. They have a semi-gnostic dualism regarding their view of God.
Word of Faith preachers have a simple view of God: Everything that is good is of God, and everything bad is from the devil.
4. Positive confession sometimes leads to dishonesty and superficial Christianity.
I have been around many believers who are afraid to be honest and admit they are struggling with their faith. This brings people into bondage and even a form of superficial religion. Some believers are like robots—when you ask them how they are doing, they routinely say, “I am blessed and highly favored!” However, I know some of these people, and they are merely trying to keep a positive confession even though their world is falling apart.
5. Their view on prosperity is only based on giving.
While it is true that the Bible teaches we reap what we sow and that if we give, it will be given back to us (Luke 6:38), one of the flaws of the Word of Faith movement is that it only teaches people one side of prosperity. I believe the church needs to equip the saints not only to give but also to get, as well as how to manage what they get while investing and saving for the future.
6. They have faith in their faith as a principle rather than it emanating out of the person of Christ.
I have found in many instances where this movement presented faith almost as an impersonal force, like the law of gravity. This led to teachings like “having faith in your faith.” When this is taught, it can disconnect faith from intimacy with the Lord. The more I get to know a person, the more I can trust them. Faith is not a force. It is a result of growing in simple trust based on growing in an experiential knowledge of the Lord. Faith is relational. It is not an impersonal force.
7. Some pastors have modeled their church preaching after these “specialists” in the body.
Brother Hagin, T.L. Osborn, Smith Wigglesworth and the like were not typical pastors called to oversee a flock. Thus, they were able to preach based on their primary assignment, which was faith and healing.
8. It can put guilt and bondage on believers.
I have heard of many people who walk around in guilt because they are not healed or because they are struggling financially. In some cases, I have even heard of famous faith preachers who checked into a hospital under a different name so word would not get out that they were sick and under a doctor’s care!
9. It can produce independent, narcissistic believers.
When the Word of Faith movement went from a stewardship-centered gospel to a rights-centered gospel, it also attracted many self-focused people—people who used God as an excuse for their lavish lifestyles and who frowned upon those living in simplicity. Unfortunately, this teaching often appealed to the narcissistic tendencies in all of us, and many large ministries were built more upon the American Dream of having a nice house and a nice car than upon taking up our cross and following Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 14:33 that we have to lose everything in order to be His disciple, but many in this movement only focus on what we gain. Truly, you can’t be resurrected until you first go to the cross!
10. It is not connected to the cultural mandate of Genesis 1:28.
Last but not least, the Word of Faith movement did not go far enough. Instead of limiting faith to merely believing for individual healing and health, the Word of God teaches that our faith should also transform whole cities and subdue kingdoms! (See Isaiah 61:4 and Hebrews 11:33.) The gospel is a blueprint to disciple and baptize whole people groups, not just individuals (Matt. 28:19-20). It not only deals with individual sinners but systemic evil. The Word of Faith movement, though, brings faith for individual victory but doesn’t say much about corporate victory. However, regarding the community of believers, faith is also based on the corporate culture and anointing of a congregation. (First Corinthians 11:27-32 and Hebrews 3-4 teach that whole congregations can be negatively affected by a culture of unbelief or disobedience.)
