What Is Wrong With The Word Faith Movement?
The Errors Of Dominion Theology
The Word Faith movement is particularly popular in The United States and South America. Its most famous adherents are probably the likes of Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar, who have earned huge amounts of money convincing their followers that the more they give to their ministries, the more they will receive back from God.
Common terms such as "name it and claim it" and "positive confession" are typical phrases associated with the teaching.
Whilst large portions of their theology is certainly commendable and in agreement with what Scripture advocates, Word Faith teachers and television evangelists have received criticism for being unorthodox and unbiblical.
Dominion or "kingdom now" theology emphasizes Christians building God’s kingdom in the here and now and preparing it before the second coming of Christ. Essentially dominion theology places the emphasis on human endeavour in building God’s kingdom as opposed to God’s sovereignly judging the earth which has largely forsaken His ways and commandments.
Health And Wealth in the Word Faith Movement
When it comes to the Word Faith movement, the underlying idea is that if one has enough faith in God, they should be healthy and wealthy in all aspects of their lives. However if a person is not successful or they are not able to overcome their sickness then this is often attributed to a lack of faith. The assumption is that God wants everyone to be affluent and completely free from sickness all of the time.
If one looks for Biblical evidence to support these ideas, verses can be found that will support their theology, though they are often taken out of context or read in isolation and do not examine the view presented by Scripture as a whole.
Interestingly, nowhere in the Bible does it imply that the poor are lacking in material items as a result of a lack of their faith. On the contrary, Jesus said in Matthew 8:20, "Foxes have holes, birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Another example is found in Matt 6:19-20, which says, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth and rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Furthermore, Timothy was encouraged to take a little wine for his stomach’s sake and Paul had a thorn in his flesh which He asked God to remove, though He did not. Moreover, in Philippians 3 Epaphroditus was praised despite the fact that he had been sick.
Positive Confession
In the Word Faith movement, individuals are encouraged to name and claim what they want. Instead of making a humble request in prayer to God, people thank God for having already answered their prayers.
Nonetheless they are making the assumption that their prayers are always in agreement with what God wants for them. Interestingly, James 4:2 confirms the view that, "You ask and you do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."
While it is certainly beneficial to be positive, and the gospel is good news, positive confession is similar to the concept of mind over matter, sometimes at the expense of ignoring reality. When positive confession does not materialise as hoped for or when people remain sick or even die when their healing has been claimed, not surprisingly followers sometimes question their faith in God or abandon their faith altogether.
Is Prosperity Preaching Biblical?
Much of the content of what the Word Faith movement espouses is in line with what is taught in Scripture.
However to mention just a few of the many questionable concepts including, perfect health and wealth for all believers, positive confession and name it and claim it, those doctrines in particular are certainly not supported by the majority of what Scripture teaches.
Is The Health And Wealth Gospel Biblical?
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