The Word of Faith Movement: Origins, Key Figures, and Its Departure from Biblical Christianity

The Word of Faith movement, often associated with the "prosperity gospel" or "name it and claim it" theology, has gained significant traction in modern charismatic Christianity. It emphasizes the power of spoken words, positive confessions, and faith as a means to achieve health, wealth, and success. Proponents claim that believers can harness divine power through their declarations, effectively forcing God's hand to deliver blessings. However, critics argue that this movement represents a counterfeit version of true biblical Christianity, blending scriptural elements with metaphysical ideas that distort core doctrines like God's sovereignty, the nature of faith, and the gospel itself. This article explores the movement's roots, focusing on key figures E.W. Kenyon and Kenneth Hagin, the influence of New Thought philosophy on Kenyon, and why many see Word of Faith as a deviation from orthodox Christian teaching.

Who Was E.W. Kenyon?

Essek William Kenyon (1867–1948) is widely regarded as the foundational thinker behind the Word of Faith movement, though he did not explicitly label his teachings as such. Born in New England to a poor family, Kenyon had limited formal education and was converted to Christianity at age 18 in a Primitive Methodist chapel. He went on to become an evangelist, pastor, radio preacher, songwriter, poet, and author of numerous books on faith, healing, and the believer's authority in Christ. Kenyon founded Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts, where he served as president, and published a periodical called Herald of Life.

Kenyon's theology centered on the "finished work" of Christ, emphasizing that believers could access divine rights—such as healing and prosperity—through revelation knowledge and positive confession. He taught that faith is a tangible force, akin to a law, that could manifest spiritual realities into the physical world. One controversial aspect was his view of Jesus' atonement: Kenyon claimed Jesus died spiritually, took on Satan's nature, and suffered in hell before being reborn, allowing believers to claim similar divine status. While Kenyon drew from evangelical roots, his ideas laid the groundwork for later prosperity teachings, influencing figures who would popularize them globally.

The Influence of New Thought on E.W. Kenyon

To understand Kenyon's theology, it's essential to examine New Thought, a 19th-century metaphysical movement that profoundly shaped his views. New Thought, originating in the United States, posits that Infinite Intelligence or God permeates everything, and human thoughts can shape reality. Founded on the ideas of Phineas Quimby, it emphasizes mind-over-matter healing, the divine spark within humans, and the power of positive thinking to manifest desires. Proponents like Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science) and others taught that illness and poverty stem from wrong thinking, and correct mental attitudes align with universal laws to produce abundance. New Thought blends religious and philosophical elements, viewing spirit as the ultimate reality and humans as co-creators with the divine.

Kenyon encountered New Thought during his time at Emerson College of Oratory in Boston, a hub for metaphysical ideas in the late 19th century. Although he later criticized some aspects of New Thought, he incorporated its principles into his Christian framework. For instance, Kenyon's concept of "positive confession"—speaking faith-filled words to create reality—mirrors New Thought's affirmation techniques. He reframed metaphysical notions as biblical truths, teaching that believers are "little gods" with authority to command circumstances, echoing New Thought's emphasis on human divinity and mental causation. Critics argue this syncretism introduced pagan and occult elements into Christianity, prioritizing human will over God's sovereignty. Kenyon's exposure at Emerson, combined with his evangelical background, created a hybrid theology that would fuel the Word of Faith movement.

Kenneth Hagin and the Popularization of Word of Faith

Kenneth Erwin Hagin (1917–2003), often called the "father of the modern faith movement," built directly on Kenyon's foundation, propelling Word of Faith into mainstream charismatic circles. Born in Texas, Hagin was miraculously healed from a deformed heart and blood disease at age 17, an experience that shaped his ministry. He began as a Baptist preacher but transitioned to Pentecostalism, founding Rhema Bible Training College and authoring books on faith, healing, and prosperity. Hagin's teachings stressed that Christians could "write their own ticket with God" through unwavering faith and confessions, claiming biblical promises for material blessings.

Hagin openly drew from Kenyon's works, sometimes plagiarizing passages, and popularized ideas like the spiritual death of Jesus and the believer's right to wealth. His ministry, spanning nearly 70 years, influenced successors like Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn, turning Word of Faith into a global phenomenon. However, Hagin's emphasis on prosperity as a divine entitlement has drawn sharp criticism for promoting a self-centered gospel.

Word of Faith as a Counterfeit to True Biblical Christianity

While Word of Faith claims biblical roots, many theologians view it as a counterfeit, distorting Scripture through New Thought influences and revivalist excesses. At its core, the movement treats faith as a mechanistic force rather than relational trust in God, reducing prayer to formulas for personal gain. Critics highlight several unbiblical elements:

• Distortion of God's Sovereignty: Word of Faith teaches that God is bound by "faith laws," making human confessions the key to blessings. This inverts biblical teaching, where God sovereignly acts according to His will (James 4:15), not human demands.

• Prosperity Gospel: The idea that poverty and illness are always from Satan, and faith guarantees wealth, contradicts Jesus' warnings about riches (Matthew 19:23-24) and the apostles' sufferings (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).

• Atonement Heresies: Teachings that Jesus became sinful or was tormented in hell by demons are seen as denying His divine nature and sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10).

• Human Deification: Phrases like "little gods" elevate humans, echoing New Thought's divine spark but clashing with Christianity's Creator-creature distinction (Isaiah 43:10).

Orthodox Christianity, in contrast, centers on repentance, the cross, and God's glory, not personal empowerment. Word of Faith's metaphysical roots make it more akin to a cultic blend than pure gospel, leading many to label it heretical.

In conclusion, the Word of Faith movement, through Kenyon's New Thought-infused theology and Hagin's amplification, offers an appealing but flawed path. It promises control over life's uncertainties but at the cost of biblical fidelity. True Christianity calls believers to submit to God's will, finding contentment in Christ amid trials, rather than demanding prosperity as a right.