The "positive confessions" and New Thought teachings of E.W. Kenyon are often cited as the inspiration for the Word of Faith movement. Yet, since the late 20th century, Kenneth Hagin has been credited as the "father" of the Word-Faith Movement for popularizing Kenyon's theology and teachings.
Preachers including Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, Mike Todd, Steven Furtick, Benny Hinn, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Hagin, and many more have spread a wave of popular but heretical ideas known as the Word of Faith Movement.
The term "Word of Faith"Â is used to describe this group because of the distortions in their theology that led to incorrect doctrines. Kenneth Copeland is only one of several Word-faith preachers on record who say that faith is a "power" that can be utilized to attain or accomplish whatever you set your mind to. So it's no wonder that the Word of Faith Movement and some of its heretical ideas have gained a global following, given that it is led by some of the most well-known preachers and televangelists.
‌Word of Faith Beliefs
Word of Faith theology is a dangerous combination of the Bible and New Age ideas, Law of Attraction strategies, and a distorted version of the gospel of prosperity. The central message of word-faith preachers is that if their followers follow flawed religious formulas and theologies, God will grant them their every earthly desire.‌
Trust in the "power of faith" is central to the Word of Faith movement. It is claimed that words may be utilized to manage the power of faith and, therefore, generate what the Bible promises, like health and wealth. It is also said that the rules allegedly controlling the forces of faith function independently of God's sovereign will and that God is subject to these laws. Putting our beliefs in a position of godlike status is nothing short of idolatry.‌
The theology deviates further from Scripture, claiming that God made humans in His actual, physical image so that they may act as mini-gods. Humans could bring anything they wished into existence via the force of faith (by spoken word) before the fall. As a result of the fall, humanity adopted Satan's traits and lost the capacity to create things at will. To rectify the issue, Jesus Christ renounced His divinity, became a man, died spiritually, assumed Satan's character, went to hell, was reborn, and arose from the grave with God's nature. Jesus then sent the Holy Spirit to complete the incarnation in believers, making them mini-gods in line with God's original design.‌
As a logical extension of these false teachings, we may once again manage the force of faith and achieve prosperity in all areas by acting as small gods. Sickness, sin, and failure are the consequence of a lack of faith, and they may be healed by confession or by accepting God's promises for oneself. Defined, the Word of Faith movement elevates man to the level of a deity while reducing God to the status of a man. Furthermore, unconsciously, those who believe or follow these teachings essentially believe that God is a genie in a bottle and that Christ died so that they could prosper.
The Word of Faith movement is an inaccurate depiction of what Christianity is all about. The Word of Faith doctrine does not consider Scripture. Such absurd views are developed mainly based on personal revelation rather than what Scripture says, which indicates their heretical origin.