The Word of Faith Movement

The Word of Faith movement is a modern Christian theological movement that emphasizes the power of spoken words, positive confession, and faith as a means of achieving health, wealth, and success. It is also known as the Health and Wealth Gospel or Prosperity Gospel. Word of Faith theology teaches that faith is a powerful spiritual force that can be used to speak into existence one’s desired outcomes, including material prosperity and physical healing. This teaching has been widely regarded as a heresy by historic Christian orthodoxy due to its distortion of biblical doctrines concerning faith, suffering, the nature of God, and human salvation.

History of the Word of Faith Movement

1. Roots in New Thought and Early Pentecostalism: The Word of Faith movement can trace its roots back to the New Thought movement of the 19th century, particularly through figures such as Phineas Quimby, who promoted the idea that positive thinking and mental attitudes can shape reality. This emphasis on mind power influenced later theological developments that stressed the connection between thoughts, words, and physical outcomes.

   In the early 20th century, this thinking began to merge with aspects of Pentecostalism and faith healing, particularly through early Pentecostal figures like Aimee Semple McPherson and Oral Roberts. These early Pentecostal preachers taught that believers could experience divine healing through faith and prayer. However, the Word of Faith movement did not fully emerge until later in the century, combining these ideas with more radical teachings on positive confession and financial prosperity.

2. Kenneth Hagin and the Rise of the Word of Faith: The Word of Faith movement as it is known today was popularized by Kenneth E. Hagin (1917–2003), who is often regarded as the father of the movement. Hagin claimed to have received revelations directly from God and was deeply influenced by the teachings of E.W. Kenyon, a figure who integrated New Thought ideas with Christian doctrine. Kenyon taught that believers could use faith and positive confession to obtain health and wealth, a theology that Hagin adopted and expanded.

   Hagin’s ministry grew throughout the 20th century, particularly through his Bible schools, books, and radio and television broadcasts. Hagin emphasized that words have power and that Christians should "claim" God's promises for prosperity and healing by speaking them into existence.

3. Growth and Popularity in the Late 20th Century: By the late 20th century, the Word of Faith movement gained widespread popularity through the ministries of prominent televangelists such as Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Fred Price, and Creflo Dollar. These preachers attracted large audiences by promising that faith could bring wealth, health, and victory over all life's problems. Tithing and seed-faith giving were also emphasized as a means to activate God's blessings.

   The movement has had a particularly strong influence in charismatic and Pentecostal churches around the world, especially in the United States, Africa, and Latin America.

Theology of the Word of Faith Movement

The Word of Faith movement teaches several key doctrines that diverge from historic Christian orthodoxy. Some of the main theological points include:

1. Faith as a Force: Word of Faith theology teaches that faith is a tangible spiritual force that believers can use to create their desired reality. This teaching is often summarized by the phrase “name it and claim it.” Faith, in this view, is not just trust in God but is a substance or power that, when spoken aloud in the form of positive confession, brings material and physical blessings into existence. This belief essentially makes faith a tool for believers to manipulate their circumstances.

   • This teaching is based on an interpretation of passages like Mark 11:24 ("Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours") and Proverbs 18:21 ("Death and life are in the power of the tongue").

2. Positive Confession: A central practice in Word of Faith theology is positive confession, which means speaking faith-filled words to bring about desired outcomes. The idea is that words have creative power, and by verbally confessing health, wealth, or success, believers can shape their circumstances. Conversely, negative words or confessions are thought to bring about sickness, poverty, and failure.

   • For example, someone struggling with illness is encouraged to verbally declare, "I am healed" and believe that the healing will manifest. Failure to make such positive confessions is seen as a lack of faith.

3. Prosperity and Health as Guaranteed Promises: Word of Faith preachers teach that material wealth and physical health are part of the promises of salvation and the atonement of Christ. By faith, believers are entitled to prosperity, and sickness is seen as a consequence of sin, demonic oppression, or a lack of faith. Thus, financial success and physical well-being are seen as signs of God’s favor and blessings.

   • This doctrine interprets passages like 3 John 1:2 ("I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health") and Isaiah 53:5 ("by his wounds we are healed") as applying not only to spiritual salvation but also to physical and financial prosperity.

4. The Power of Seed-Faith Giving: A common teaching in Word of Faith circles is that financial contributions, often referred to as seed offerings, will bring multiplied returns. Preachers often encourage believers to sow a seed—usually in the form of a monetary gift to the ministry—with the expectation that God will multiply their finances in return. This teaching is linked to a transactional view of faith, where giving leads to financial rewards.

   • This practice is often supported by passages like Luke 6:38 ("Give, and it will be given to you") and Malachi 3:10 ("Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse... and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven").

5. Jesus as a Model of Wealth and Power: Word of Faith preachers often portray Jesus as a model of wealth, power, and success. They teach that Jesus was not poor, and that He used His divine power to live victoriously in this world. Believers are encouraged to imitate Christ by speaking faith-filled words and claiming their rightful inheritance of prosperity and health.

   • This teaching departs from the traditional understanding of Jesus' life of humility, poverty, and suffering, as described in passages like Philippians 2:6-8 and Matthew 8:20.

Why Word of Faith Theology is Considered Heretical

The Word of Faith movement is considered heretical by historic Christian orthodoxy for several reasons:

1. Distortion of the Biblical Concept of Faith: The Word of Faith movement turns faith into a force or tool that believers can manipulate to achieve personal gain. This differs from the biblical teaching that faith is trust in God’s promises and His sovereign will. In Scripture, faith is primarily about believing in God's character and trusting in His grace, not about using words to manipulate outcomes (Hebrews 11:1; Ephesians 2:8-9).

   • Biblical faith submits to God’s will, as seen in Jesus’ prayer: “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

2. Prosperity Gospel Undermines the Biblical Teaching on Suffering: The Word of Faith’s emphasis on health and wealth as guaranteed by faith ignores or contradicts the biblical teaching that suffering is a normal part of the Christian life. Jesus and the apostles regularly taught that believers would face trials, persecutions, and sufferings (John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12-13). In fact, the Bible teaches that God often uses suffering for the sanctification and growth of believers (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

   • The Word of Faith movement's promise of material wealth and perfect health conflicts with the teaching of Scripture, which calls Christians to follow the example of Christ in suffering and to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).

3. Misinterpretation of the Atonement: Word of Faith theology teaches that physical healing and material prosperity are guaranteed by Christ’s atonement on the cross. However, the historic Christian view is that the atonement primarily addresses the problem of sin and reconciliation between humanity and God (Isaiah 53:4-5; 1 Peter 2:24). While healing and material blessings may occur according to God’s will, they are not promised in this life to every believer. The primary benefit of the atonement is eternal salvation, not immediate material gain.

4. Excessive Focus on Self and Materialism: The Word of Faith movement's focus on prosperity and success encourages a materialistic and self-centered view of Christianity, where faith is used to fulfill personal desires for wealth and comfort. This is a stark contrast to the biblical call to self-denial, service, and humility (Luke 9:23; Philippians 2:3-4). Christians are called to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else (Matthew 6:33), not earthly wealth and comfort.

5. False View of God’s Sovereignty: Word of Faith theology often portrays God as being subject to human words and faith, reducing Him to a cosmic genie who grants wishes according to the strength of one’s confession. This teaching denies God’s sovereign freedom and power, making Him dependent on human actions rather than ruling with absolute authority (Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 9:20-21).

The Historic Christian Orthodox View

In contrast to the Word of Faith movement, the historic Christian orthodox view holds to the following key biblical teachings:

1. Faith as Trust in God’s Sovereign Will: Biblical faith is not a force to manipulate outcomes but is a humble trust in God’s promises and sovereign will. Believers are called to trust God even in suffering and hardship, knowing that He works all things for their good (Romans 8:28). Faith is about submitting to God’s will, as seen in Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42).

2. Suffering as a Normal Part of the Christian Life: The Bible teaches that suffering is a normal and expected part of the Christian journey. Jesus promised that His followers would face tribulation in this world (John 16:33), and the apostles warned that Christians should expect trials and persecution (1 Peter 4:12-16). Suffering is often used by God to produce perseverance, character, and hope in the lives of believers (Romans 5:3-5).

3. Salvation Through Christ’s Atonement: The atonement of Christ primarily deals with sin and reconciliation with God. While the full benefits of the atonement include the resurrection and glorification of the body, this ultimate healing occurs in the new creation (Revelation 21:4). Christians are called to wait patiently for God’s timing, trusting in the hope of eternal life.

4. Prosperity in Christ, Not in Material Wealth: Christians are called to seek spiritual prosperity and eternal riches in Christ, rather than focusing on earthly wealth and comfort (Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 6:19-21). True prosperity is found in a life that is rich in faith, good works, and godliness, not in material possessions.

Conclusion

The Word of Faith movement is considered a heresy by historic Christian orthodoxy due to its distortion of biblical teachings on faith, wealth, suffering, and the sovereignty of God. While it promises health, wealth, and success through positive confession and faith, it undermines the central message of the gospel, which calls for repentance, faith in Christ, and a life of self-denial. Historic Christian teaching affirms that salvation is found through faith in Christ alone, and that suffering and trials are part of the Christian life, with the ultimate hope being eternal life in the presence of God.