The Word-Faith Movement, also known as the Prosperity Gospel or the Word of Faith movement, is a Christian theological and spiritual movement that emphasizes the power of faith-filled words to bring about health, wealth, and success. The movement is known for its teachings on positive confession, the “name it and claim it” doctrine, and the belief that faith is a force that can shape reality. While it has attracted a large following, particularly in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles, the Word-Faith Movement has also been widely criticized for its doctrinal errors and its focus on material prosperity.

Historical Background

Origins in the 20th Century

The Word-Faith Movement traces its origins to the early to mid-20th century, drawing on the teachings of various Christian leaders who emphasized healing, faith, and positive confession. The movement was heavily influenced by New Thought metaphysics, which taught that the mind could shape reality, and by early Pentecostal teachings on divine healing.

1. E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948): E.W. Kenyon is often considered the intellectual father of the Word-Faith Movement. Kenyon was influenced by both Christian Science and New Thought, and he integrated these ideas with his Christian beliefs, teaching that faith-filled words could bring about physical healing and material prosperity. Kenyon’s emphasis on “positive confession” laid the groundwork for the movement’s later development.
   

   Historical Reference: Kenyon’s teachings on the power of words and faith as a force were foundational for the Word-Faith Movement. His writings, including The Wonderful Name of Jesus and New Creation Realities, became key texts for later Word-Faith teachers.

2. Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003): Kenneth E. Hagin, often called the “father” of the Word-Faith Movement, was deeply influenced by Kenyon’s teachings. Hagin popularized the movement through his books, sermons, and the establishment of Rhema Bible Training College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Hagin’s teachings on faith, healing, and prosperity became central to the movement and were spread through his extensive media ministry.
   

   Historical Reference: Hagin’s book The Believer’s Authority is one of the most influential works in the Word-Faith Movement, teaching that Christians have authority over sickness, poverty, and even death through the power of their words and faith.

Growth and Expansion

The Word-Faith Movement gained significant momentum in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly through the rise of televangelism and the use of mass media to spread its message.

1. Televangelism: The movement’s growth was greatly aided by televangelists such as Kenneth Copeland, Oral Roberts, and Benny Hinn, who reached millions of viewers through television broadcasts. These figures became synonymous with the movement’s teachings on prosperity, healing, and the power of faith.
   

   Historical Reference: Kenneth Copeland, a protégé of Kenneth Hagin, became one of the most prominent figures in the movement, founding Kenneth Copeland Ministries and hosting the “Believer’s Voice of Victory” television program. Copeland’s teachings on prosperity and positive confession are central to the Word-Faith message.

2. Megachurches and Conferences: The Word-Faith Movement also spread through the establishment of megachurches and the hosting of large conferences and crusades. These gatherings often featured dynamic preaching, testimonies of miraculous healings, and calls to “sow a seed” (give financially) as an act of faith.
   

   Historical Reference: Creflo Dollar, another prominent Word-Faith teacher, founded World Changers Church International, a megachurch in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its teachings on prosperity and financial stewardship as expressions of faith.

Contemporary Influence

The Word-Faith Movement continues to have a significant influence on contemporary Christianity, particularly within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. Its teachings have been adopted by a wide range of preachers, authors, and Christian leaders, making it one of the most visible and controversial movements in modern Christianity.

1. Joel Osteen and the Prosperity Gospel: Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, is one of the most well-known contemporary proponents of the Prosperity Gospel, a subset of the Word-Faith Movement. Osteen’s teachings emphasize positive thinking, the power of words, and the belief that God wants believers to live prosperous, successful lives.
   

   Historical Reference: Osteen’s book Your Best Life Now became a bestseller, spreading the Prosperity Gospel message to a broad audience. His teachings are often criticized for their focus on material success and for downplaying traditional Christian doctrines such as sin, repentance, and the cross.

2. Global Influence: The Word-Faith Movement has spread globally, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where its message of prosperity and healing resonates with populations facing economic and health challenges. Prominent international figures such as David Oyedepo in Nigeria and Joseph Prince in Singapore have adopted and adapted Word-Faith teachings for their contexts.
   

   Historical Reference: David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide (also known as Winners’ Chapel), is a leading proponent of the Prosperity Gospel in Africa. His teachings on faith, success, and divine favor have made him one of the most influential religious leaders on the continent.

Key Beliefs and Teachings

Positive Confession and the Power of Words

One of the central teachings of the Word-Faith Movement is the doctrine of positive confession, which holds that words have creative power and that what one speaks in faith will come to pass.

1. “Name It and Claim It”: This phrase encapsulates the belief that believers can “claim” God’s promises for health, wealth, and success by speaking them into existence. Faith is viewed as a force that, when activated through words, can bring about desired outcomes.
   

   Biblical Reference: Proponents of positive confession often cite Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (NIV) to support the idea that words have the power to shape reality.

2. Creative Faith: The Word-Faith Movement teaches that faith is a tangible force that God used to create the universe, and that believers, as God’s children, can use this same force through their words. This idea is often linked to the concept of being “little gods,” a controversial teaching within the movement.
   

   Biblical Reference: Some Word-Faith teachers reference Romans 4:17, which speaks of God “calling into being things that were not,” to argue that believers have a similar ability to create reality through faith-filled words. However, this interpretation is widely disputed by mainstream Christian theologians.

Health, Wealth, and Prosperity

The Word-Faith Movement is often associated with the Prosperity Gospel, which teaches that God desires for believers to be healthy, wealthy, and successful, and that these blessings are available to those who exercise sufficient faith.

1. Divine Health: Word-Faith teachings emphasize that sickness and suffering are not God’s will for believers and that physical healing is guaranteed in the atonement of Christ. Believers are encouraged to claim their healing by faith and to reject any confession of illness.
   

   Biblical Reference: Isaiah 53:5, “By his wounds we are healed,” (NIV) is frequently cited by Word-Faith teachers to support the belief that physical healing is part of the redemption provided by Christ’s suffering and death.

2. Material Prosperity: The Prosperity Gospel teaches that financial prosperity is a sign of God’s favor and that poverty is the result of a lack of faith or negative confession. Believers are encouraged to “sow seeds” (give money) to ministries or churches as an act of faith, with the expectation that God will multiply their financial blessings in return.
   

   Biblical Reference: Malachi 3:10, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it,” (NIV) is often used to encourage tithing and financial giving as a means to receive God’s blessings.

3. Success and Favor: The Word-Faith Movement teaches that God desires for believers to experience success in every area of life, including business, relationships, and personal goals. This success is often tied to the believer’s positive confession, faith, and giving.
   

   Biblical Reference: Joshua 1:8, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful,” (NIV) is frequently cited as a biblical basis for the belief that obedience to God’s Word leads to success and prosperity.

The Authority of Believers

The Word-Faith Movement teaches that believers have been given authority over their circumstances, including sickness, poverty, and even spiritual forces, through their faith and the power of their words.

1. Believer’s Authority: This doctrine teaches that Christians have the authority to command circumstances to change in accordance with God’s will. This authority is often exercised through declarations and commands spoken in faith.
   

   Biblical Reference: Luke 10:19, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you,” (NIV) is cited to support the idea that believers have authority over spiritual forces and adverse circumstances.

2. Spiritual Warfare: Word-Faith teachings often include a strong emphasis on spiritual warfare, where believers are encouraged to use their authority in Christ to bind and rebuke demonic forces that are believed to be the source of sickness, poverty, and other problems.
   

   Biblical Reference: Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” (NIV) is frequently referenced in teachings on spiritual warfare and the believer’s authority over demonic forces.

Critiques of the Word-Faith Movement

Theological Criticisms

The Word-Faith Movement has been widely criticized by theologians and leaders from various Christian traditions for its teachings, which are often seen as a distortion of biblical doctrine.

1. Misinterpretation of Scripture: Critics argue that Word-Faith teachers often take Scripture out of context and apply it in ways that are not supported by traditional Christian exegesis. For example, the emphasis on “positive confession” is seen as a misapplication of verses like Proverbs 18:21, which, in context, addresses the general power of words rather than a formula for material success.
   

   Critique: The Word-Faith Movement’s use of Scripture is often selective and tends to ignore the broader biblical teachings on suffering, self-denial, and the sovereignty of God. Critics argue that the movement’s teachings can lead to a shallow and self-centered faith that is more focused on personal gain than on following Christ.

2. The “Little Gods” Doctrine: Some Word-Faith teachers have taught that believers are “little gods” because they are made in the image of God and have the same creative power through their words. This teaching has been widely condemned as heretical, as it blurs the distinction between Creator and creation and elevates humanity to a position that is not supported by Scripture.
   

   Critique: The “little gods” doctrine is seen as a significant departure from orthodox Christian theology, which maintains a clear distinction between God and human beings. This teaching is viewed as a form of idolatry and a misunderstanding of the biblical concept of being made in the image of God.

3. Prosperity Gospel: The Prosperity Gospel, a central aspect of the Word-Faith Movement, has been criticized for promoting a materialistic and self-centered view of Christianity. Critics argue that the focus on health and wealth as signs of God’s favor is contrary to the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized self-denial, service, and the pursuit of spiritual rather than material wealth.
   

   Biblical Reference: Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” (NIV) is often cited as a counter to the Prosperity Gospel’s emphasis on material wealth.

Ethical and Pastoral Concerns

In addition to theological critiques, the Word-Faith Movement has faced significant ethical and pastoral criticism for its practices and the impact of its teachings on followers.

1. False Promises of Health and Wealth: Critics argue that the Word-Faith Movement offers false hope by promising guaranteed health and wealth to those who have enough faith. When these promises are not fulfilled, it can lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and even financial ruin for followers who have given large sums of money to ministries expecting a “return” on their investment.
   

   Critique: The ethical implications of promising health and wealth in exchange for faith or financial contributions are significant. Critics argue that this practice exploits vulnerable individuals and can lead to a cycle of guilt and blame when the promised blessings do not materialize.

2. Blaming the Victim: The Word-Faith Movement’s emphasis on personal faith as the key to health and prosperity can lead to a “blame the victim” mentality, where those who are sick or poor are seen as lacking faith. This can result in a lack of compassion and support for those who are struggling, as well as an unhealthy focus on personal performance rather than trust in God’s sovereignty.
   

   Critique: The idea that sickness or poverty is a result of insufficient faith is contrary to the biblical teaching that suffering is a complex reality that can serve various purposes in God’s plan, including testing, discipline, and the opportunity to display God’s glory (John 9:1-3).

3. Financial Exploitation: The practice of encouraging followers to “sow seeds” of financial contributions with the promise of a multiplied return has been widely criticized as manipulative and exploitative. Some Word-Faith preachers have become extremely wealthy through these practices, leading to accusations of greed and corruption.
   

   Critique: The financial practices of some Word-Faith leaders have raised serious ethical concerns, with critics arguing that these practices are a form of spiritual exploitation that takes advantage of vulnerable individuals seeking God’s blessings.

Impact on the Global Church

The spread of the Word-Faith Movement, particularly in developing countries, has had a significant impact on the global church, both positive and negative.

1. Positive Impact: The Word-Faith Movement has been credited with encouraging faith, optimism, and a focus on God’s promises. In some contexts, the movement’s emphasis on faith and divine intervention has resonated with populations facing difficult economic and health challenges.
   

   Critique: While the movement’s emphasis on faith and God’s goodness has had positive effects in some contexts, critics argue that it often leads to a distorted view of the Christian life, where material success is seen as the primary evidence of God’s favor.

2. Negative Impact: The export of the Prosperity Gospel to developing countries has been criticized for creating unrealistic expectations and fostering a culture of materialism within the church. In some cases, local pastors have adopted Word-Faith teachings to build large followings and personal wealth, leading to corruption and division within the church.
   

   Critique: The Prosperity Gospel’s emphasis on wealth and success is often seen as a distraction from the core message of the Gospel, which calls for repentance, discipleship, and a focus on eternal rather than temporal rewards. Critics argue that this message can undermine the church’s witness and lead to disillusionment among followers when promises of prosperity go unfulfilled.

Broader Biblical Themes

Suffering and God’s Sovereignty

One of the key critiques of the Word-Faith Movement is its failure to adequately address the biblical teaching on suffering and the sovereignty of God. The movement’s emphasis on health, wealth, and positive confession often downplays the reality of suffering in the Christian life.

1. Suffering in the Christian Life: The Bible teaches that suffering is a part of the Christian experience and that it can be used by God for His purposes. The New Testament is filled with examples of believers who suffered for their faith and who were called to endure hardship as part of their spiritual journey.
   

   Biblical Reference: James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything,” (NIV) teaches that suffering can lead to spiritual maturity and should be viewed as a means of growth, not merely as something to be avoided.

2. God’s Sovereignty: The Bible also teaches that God is sovereign over all circumstances, including suffering, and that His plans and purposes are often beyond human understanding. The Word-Faith Movement’s focus on the believer’s authority and the power of words can sometimes overshadow the biblical truth that God’s will is ultimately supreme.
   

   Biblical Reference: Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” (NIV) emphasizes that God is at work in all circumstances, even in suffering, to bring about His good purposes.

The Call to Discipleship and Self-Denial

The Word-Faith Movement’s focus on personal success and material prosperity can sometimes conflict with the biblical call to discipleship, which includes self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and following Christ.

1. Self-Denial: Jesus taught that following Him requires a willingness to deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and follow Him, even at great personal cost. The focus on personal gain in the Word-Faith Movement can sometimes obscure this aspect of Christian discipleship.
   

   Biblical Reference: Matthew 16:24-26, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?'” (NIV) emphasizes the cost of discipleship and the danger of prioritizing material gain over spiritual growth.

2. Eternal Perspective: The Bible teaches that Christians are to have an eternal perspective, focusing on the things of God rather than on temporary, worldly success. The Prosperity Gospel’s emphasis on material wealth can sometimes lead to a focus on temporal rewards at the expense of eternal priorities.
   

   Biblical Reference: Colossians 3:1-2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” (NIV) calls believers to focus on heavenly, rather than earthly, treasures.

Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine and Church History

Influence on Contemporary Christianity

The Word-Faith Movement has had a significant impact on contemporary Christianity, particularly in the areas of worship, preaching, and Christian media. Its teachings on faith, prosperity, and positive confession have influenced a wide range of Christian ministries and churches.

1. Worship and Music: The emphasis on faith, victory, and prosperity in the Word-Faith Movement has influenced contemporary Christian worship music, with many songs focusing on themes of triumph, God’s favor, and the believer’s authority.
   

   Historical Reference: Many popular contemporary worship songs reflect the influence of Word-Faith theology, with lyrics that emphasize the believer’s victory over circumstances and the power of faith to bring about change.

2. Christian Media: The rise of Christian television networks and media ministries has been closely linked to the spread of Word-Faith teachings. Programs that emphasize healing, prosperity, and positive confession are common on Christian television, and many Word-Faith teachers have become prominent figures in Christian media.
   

   Historical Reference: Networks like Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) have played a significant role in popularizing Word-Faith teachings, broadcasting the messages of leading Prosperity Gospel preachers to a global audience.

Influence on Global Christianity

The Word-Faith Movement’s influence has extended beyond the United States, impacting the global church, particularly in developing regions where the promise of health and prosperity resonates with populations facing economic and health challenges.

1. Growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: The Prosperity Gospel has gained a significant following in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where it is often presented as a message of hope and empowerment in the face of poverty and hardship.
   

   Historical Reference: In Africa, figures like David Oyedepo and the rise of megachurches like Winners’ Chapel have been instrumental in spreading Word-Faith teachings. The movement’s emphasis on success and prosperity has resonated with many who see it as a way to overcome economic challenges.

2. Controversies and Challenges: The spread of the Word-Faith Movement in developing regions has also led to controversy and division within the global church. Critics argue that the Prosperity Gospel can lead to false expectations and a focus on materialism, which can undermine the church’s mission and witness.
   

   Critique: The ethical and theological concerns raised by the spread of the Prosperity Gospel in developing regions have led to calls for greater theological education and discernment among church leaders, to ensure that the core message of the Gospel is not overshadowed by promises of wealth and success.

Conclusion

The Word-Faith Movement, with its emphasis on the power of faith-filled words, health, wealth, and the authority of believers, has had a significant impact on modern Christianity, particularly within Pentecostal and Charismatic circles. While the movement has attracted a large following and has influenced many aspects of contemporary Christian worship and media, it has also faced significant criticism for its theological distortions, ethical concerns, and the potential for spiritual harm.

From a Christian worldview, the teachings of the Word-Faith Movement represent a significant departure from historic Christian doctrine, particularly in their focus on material prosperity and their understanding of faith and the authority of believers. Critics argue that the movement’s teachings can lead to a shallow and self-centered faith that is more focused on personal gain than on following Christ and embracing the full message of the Gospel.

As the Word-Faith Movement continues to influence the global church, it is important for Christians to approach its teachings with discernment, carefully weighing them against the broader teachings of Scripture and the historic Christian faith. While the movement’s emphasis on faith and God’s goodness can offer encouragement and hope, it is essential to maintain a balanced understanding of the Christian life, one that embraces both the blessings and the challenges of following Christ.