Andrew Wommack is a well-known American televangelist, author, and founder of Andrew Wommack Ministries and Charis Bible College, located in Woodland Park, Colorado. He is associated with the Word of Faith movement and is recognized for his teachings on healing, prosperity, and the believer's authority. Wommack’s ministry reaches a wide audience through his television program "The Gospel Truth," radio broadcasts, books, and online content, making him one of the most influential voices in charismatic and prosperity circles.
Why Andrew Wommack Should Be Regarded as a False Teacher and Avoided
1. Promoting the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith Theology
Andrew Wommack is a strong proponent of the Prosperity Gospel and Word of Faith theology, which teach that God’s will is for every believer to experience perfect health, wealth, and success. He often emphasizes that through faith, positive confession, and understanding one’s authority in Christ, believers can "speak" blessings, healing, and prosperity into existence. Wommack claims that sickness, poverty, and suffering are contrary to God’s will and that believers have the power to overcome these challenges by exercising their faith.
However, this message is not consistent with the teachings of Scripture. While God certainly provides for and blesses His people, the Bible does not guarantee material wealth, physical health, or success in this life. In fact, Jesus warned His followers that they would face trials and suffering: "In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The apostle Paul, a faithful servant of God, experienced suffering, illness, and hardship (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The Prosperity Gospel distorts the biblical message by turning faith into a means of gaining material blessings rather than focusing on the eternal riches found in Christ.
2. Teaching a Man-Centered Gospel Rather Than a Christ-Centered Gospel
Andrew Wommack’s teachings often center on the believer's authority, potential, and ability to control their circumstances through faith. He emphasizes that Christians have the power to change their reality by declaring and claiming God’s promises, essentially placing the responsibility on the individual to exercise their authority and "activate" God’s blessings. This man-centered approach elevates human effort and ability over the sovereignty and grace of God.
The Bible teaches that the Christian life is about denying oneself and living for Christ. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). True faith is not about exerting authority or claiming blessings but about trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross and living in submission to His lordship. Paul emphasized that salvation is by grace through faith, "and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). By focusing on human ability and authority, Wommack leads people away from a Christ-centered faith and toward a gospel that exalts self-effort.
3. Misusing and Twisting Scripture to Support His Teachings
Wommack frequently takes Scripture out of context to support his teachings on healing, prosperity, and the believer's authority. For example, he often cites verses such as Isaiah 53:5 ("by his wounds we are healed") to claim that physical healing is guaranteed for all believers as part of Christ’s atonement. However, this verse, in its context, primarily refers to spiritual healing and the forgiveness of sins, not a promise of physical healing in this life.
The Bible warns against twisting Scripture for personal gain or to promote false teachings. Peter wrote that some people "twist the Scriptures to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16). Paul instructed Timothy to "rightly handle the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15), emphasizing the importance of faithfully interpreting God’s Word. By misapplying Scripture to fit his theology, Wommack leads people into error and encourages them to adopt beliefs that are not grounded in the full counsel of God’s Word.
4. Denying the Sovereignty of God in Suffering and Trials
Wommack’s teachings frequently downplay or deny the role of God’s sovereignty in suffering, trials, and hardship. He often suggests that if a believer is experiencing sickness, financial struggle, or any form of suffering, it is due to a lack of faith or a failure to exercise their authority in Christ. This view is not only unbiblical but also deeply harmful, as it places the burden of blame on the individual and ignores the biblical teaching that God sometimes allows suffering for His purposes.
The Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including suffering, and that He uses trials to refine, strengthen, and mature His people (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28). The apostle Paul, despite his great faith, experienced a "thorn in the flesh" that God chose not to remove, teaching him to rely on God’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). By denying the sovereignty of God in suffering, Wommack promotes a distorted view of God’s character and purpose, leading people to a superficial understanding of the Christian life.
5. Encouraging a False View of Faith and Prayer
Wommack often teaches that faith is a force that believers can use to manipulate their circumstances, and he encourages followers to "name and claim" what they desire by speaking it into existence. This approach treats faith as a formula or technique to get what one wants from God, rather than as a humble trust in God’s will and purposes.
The Bible teaches that faith is not about manipulating God but about trusting Him regardless of our circumstances. True faith submits to God’s will, as demonstrated by Jesus Himself, who prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Genuine prayer is about aligning our hearts with God’s will, not about demanding that He fulfill our desires. By promoting a false view of faith, Wommack encourages a self-centered approach to prayer that is inconsistent with the biblical model.
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible consistently warns believers to be on guard against false teachers who distort the truth and lead others astray. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:8, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Andrew Wommack’s emphasis on prosperity, self-centered faith, and the denial of God’s sovereignty in suffering align with teachings that deviate from the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus warned that "false prophets… come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). True teachers of God’s Word will always point people to Christ, call them to repentance, and uphold the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. In contrast, Wommack’s teachings often direct people toward themselves, their desires, and their ability to control their destiny, leading them away from the true Gospel.
For these reasons, based on the authority of Scripture, Andrew Wommack should be regarded as a false teacher, and his teachings should be avoided. Christians are called to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and to remain grounded in the truth of God’s Word, which is "living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
The true Gospel is about repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, and the transforming power of God’s grace. It calls us to live lives of holiness, obedience, and submission to the Lordship of Christ, not to pursue material gain, personal success, or control over our circumstances. Therefore, believers should reject Wommack’s teachings and remain faithful to the unchanging truth of God’s Word, which offers the way to eternal life and true spiritual growth in Christ.