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WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE FAITH MOVEMENT (Part One):
E. W. Kenyon and the Twelve Apostles of Another Gospel </TD></TR>

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by&nbsp;Hank Hanegraaff </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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<TD width="100%">What's wrong with the "Faith" movement? Its leaders include many of the most popular television evangelists. Its adherents compose a large percentage of charismatic evangelical Christians. Its emphases on faith, the authority of the believer, and the absolute veracity of Scripture could appear to be just what today's church needs. And yet, I am convinced that this movement poses one of the greatest contemporary threats to orthodox Christianity from within. Through it, cultic theology is being increasingly accepted as true Christianity.

This article will highlight several serious problems with the Faith movement by providing an overview of its major sources and leaders. Part Two will focus on the movement's doctrinal deviations as represented by one of its leading proponents.<SUP>1</SUP>




<B>ITS DEBT TO NEW THOUGHT</B>

It is important to note at the outset that the bulk of Faith theology can be traced directly to the cultic teachings of New Thought metaphysics. Thus, much of the theology of the Faith movement can also be found in such clearly pseudo-Christian cults as Religious Science, Christian Science, and the Unity School of Christianity.

Over a century before the Faith movement became a powerful force within the Christian church, Phineas Parkhurst Quimby (1802-1866), the father of New Thought, was popularizing the notion that sickness and suffering ultimately have their origin in incorrect thinking.<SUP>2</SUP> Quimby's followers held that man could create his own reality through the power of positive affirmation (confession).<SUP>3</SUP> Metaphysical practitioners have long taught adherents to visualize health and wealth, and then to affirm or confess them with their mouths so that the intangible images may be transformed into tangible realities.<SUP>4</SUP>

Although proponents of Faith theology have attempted to sanitize the metaphysical concept of the "power of mind" by substituting in its stead the "force of faith," for all practical purposes they have made a distinction without a difference. New Thought writer Warren Felt Evans, for example, wrote that "faith is the most intense form of mental action."<SUP>5</SUP> In treating a patient, Evans commented that "the effect of the suggestion [or positive affirmation that the patient is well] is the result of the faith of the subject, for it is always proportioned to the degree in which the patient <I>believes</I> what you say" (emphasis in original).<SUP>6</SUP> Likewise, H. Emilie Cady, a well-known writer for Charles and Myrtle Fillmore's Unity School of Christianity, explained that "our affirming, backed by faith, is the link that connects our conscious human need with His power and supply."<SUP>7</SUP> Cady also claimed that "there is power in our word of faith to bring all good things right into our everyday life."<SUP>8</SUP> Such statements strongly indicate that the distinction between the "mind" of metaphysics and the "faith" of Faith theology is nothing but a figment of the imagination.




<B>SUBSTANCE, STYLE, AND SCAMS</B>

There is no denying that much of Faith theology is derived directly from metaphysics. Some of the <I>substance, style,</I> and <I>scams</I> endemic to the movement, however, can be traced primarily to the teachings and practices of certain post-World War II faith healers and revivalists operating within Pentecostal circles.<SUP>9</SUP> With regard to <I>substance,</I> for example, both Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin point to T. L. Osborn and William Branham as true men of God who greatly influenced their lives and ministries. Of course, Osborn himself has consistently followed E. W. Kenyon's (<I>see</I> below) Scripture-twisting antics,<SUP>10</SUP> and Branham has (among other things) denounced the doctrine of the Trinity as coming directly from the Devil.<SUP>11</SUP>

Unfortunately, Hagin and Copeland are not alone in affirming Branham; Faith proponent Benny Hinn gives him a hearty "thumbs up" as well.<SUP>12</SUP> When it comes to <I>style,</I> however, Hinn gravitates more toward such faith healers as Aimee Semple McPherson and Kathryn Kuhlman. In addition, Hinn has given his endorsement to notorious revivalist A. A. Allen,<SUP>13</SUP> who was truly a huckster if there ever was one — which brings us to our third "s," the <I>scams.</I>

Faith teachers such as Robert Tilton and his female counterpart, Marilyn Hickey, have copied many of the scams pioneered by Pentecostal preachers such as Oral Roberts and A. A. Allen. In fact, Tilton and Hickey have managed to exceed even their predecessors' outrageous ploys. This is hard to believe when one considers what sort of schemes they had to outdo.

Roberts, the reader may recall, is the man who claimed that Jesus appeared and told him God had chosen him to find the cure for cancer. In a lengthy appeal, Roberts avowed that the Lord told him, "I would not have had you and your partners build the 20-story research tower unless I was going to give you a plan that will attack cancer." Roberts then said that Jesus instructed him to tell his partners that "this is not Oral Roberts asking for the money but their Lord."<SUP>14</SUP> (The project was completed, but has since been "shut down and sold to a group of investors for commercial development."<SUP>15</SUP> Not surprisingly, no cure for cancer was ever found.)

In like fashion, A. A. Allen "scammed" his followers by asserting that he could command God to "turn dollar bills into twenties."<SUP>16</SUP> He was also known to have urged his followers to send for his "prayer cloths anointed with the Miracle Oil,"<SUP>17</SUP> and he offered "Miracle tent shavings" as points of contact for personal miracles.<SUP>18</SUP> Allen even "launched a brief 'raise the dead' program."<SUP>19</SUP> Of course, it died.

Allen was eventually kicked out of the Assemblies of God denomination when he jumped bail after being arrested for drunk driving.<SUP>20</SUP> In 1970 he died from what "news accounts report [as] sclerosis of the liver."<SUP>21</SUP>

As we proceed to examine the primary purveyors of Faith theology, we will see living proof of the maxim that "error begets error and heresy begets heresy." If, for example, one examines the cultic progression of E. W. Kenyon's theology, one will discover that his original deviations from orthodox Christianity were minor compared to those that characterized the later stages of his ministry. And with each of Kenyon's successive disciples, the errors become even more pronounced. Hagin, who popularized and plagiarized Kenyon prolifically, not only expanded Kenyon's perversions but added to them as well.<SUP>22</SUP> The progression from bad to worse has continued with people like Kenneth Copeland and Charles Capps, and is now reaching heretical heights that are almost inconceivable through ministry leaders like Frederick Price, Benny Hinn, and Robert Tilton. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER></DIV>

[Outspoken]

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

Essek William Kenyon

Essek William Kenyon, whose life and ministry were enormously impacted by such cults as Science of Mind, the Unity School of Christianity, Christian Science, and New Thought metaphysics,23 is the true father of the modern-day Faith movement. Many of the phrases popularized by present-day prosperity preachers, such as "What I confess, I possess," were originally coined by Kenyon. Kenneth Hagin, to whom we next turn our attention, plagiarized much of Kenyon's work, including the statement, "Every man who has been 'born again' is an Incarnation, and Christianity is a miracle. The believer is as much an Incarnation as was Jesus of Nazareth."24
Kenneth E. Hagin

As I thoroughly demonstrate in my book Christianity in Crisis (Harvest House, 1993), Kenneth Hagin takes Kenyon's theology from bad to worse. Not only does he boast of alleged visits to heaven and hell, he recounts numerous out-of-body experiences (OBEs) on the earth as well.

On one occasion, Hagin claims he was in the middle of a sermon when, suddenly, he was transported back in time. He ended up in the back seat of a car and watched as a young woman from his church committed adultery with the driver. The entire experience lasted about fifteen minutes, after which Hagin abruptly found himself back in church, summoning his parishioners to prayer.25

Despite his propensity for telling tall tales and describing false visions, virtually every major Faith teacher has been impacted by Hagin — including such "luminaries" as Frederick K. C. Price and Kenneth Copeland.

Kenneth Copeland

Kenneth Copeland got his start in ministry as a direct result of memorizing Hagin's messages. It wasn't long before he had learned enough from Hagin to establish his own following. To say his teachings are heretical would be an understatement — blasphemous is more like it. Copeland brashly pronounces God to be the greatest failure of all time, boldly proclaims that "Satan conquered Jesus on the Cross" (emphasis in original),26 and describes Christ in hell as an "emaciated, poured out, little, wormy spirit."27

Yet, despite such statements, Benny Hinn ominously warned that "those who attack Kenneth Copeland are attacking the very presence of God!"28

Benny Hinn

Benny Hinn is one of the fastest rising stars on the Faith circuit. According to an October 5, 1992 article in Christianity Today, sales of his books in the last year-and-a-half have exceeded those of James Dobson and Charles Swindoll combined.29 While claiming to be "under the anointing," Hinn has uttered some of the most "off-the-wall" statements imaginable — including the claim that the Holy Spirit revealed to him that women were originally designed to give birth out of their sides.30

Hinn also admits to frequenting the graves of both Kathryn Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson to get the "anointing" from their bones.31 Despite his outrageous antics, Hinn has somehow managed to gain wide acceptance and visibility within the evangelical Christian church. His platform on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), as well as his promotion by a mainstream Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson), have catapulted him into prime-time visibility.

Whether Hinn is referring to his family history or his rendezvous with the Holy Spirit, fantasy is often passed on as fact. A case in point are the thousands of "documented" healings claimed by Hinn. Recently, he sent me three examples — presumably, the cream of the crop — as proof of his miracle-working power. One of the cases involved a man who was supposedly healed of colon cancer. A medically naive person reading the pathology report may well see the notation "no evidence of malignancy" and be duped into thinking that a bona fide healing had indeed taken place. CRI's medical consultant, Dr. Preston Simpson, however, was not fooled by the report. His investigation revealed that the colon tumor in question was surgically removed rather than miraculously healed. The other two cases had comparably serious problems.32

Frederick K. C. Price

Fred Price is the most notable of a growing number of black prosperity preachers. His church in Los Angeles now claims some 16,000 members. He is seen nationally on television and has referred to himself as the "chief exponent of Name It and Claim It."33 Price has added his own unique twists to Faith theology by asserting that Jesus took on the nature of Satan prior to the crucifixion34 and by claiming that the Lord's Prayer is not for Christians today.35 Despite telling his followers that he doesn't allow sickness in his home, Price's wife has been treated for cancer in her pelvic area.36 Referring to his wealth, Price says the reason he drives a Rolls Royce is that he is following in Jesus' steps.37

John Avanzini

John Avanzini is billed by his Faith peers as a recognized authority on biblical economics. The truth, however, is that Avanzini is an authority on perverting Scripture as a means to picking the pockets of the poor. He has honed his craft into such an art form that when Faith teachers need money, they inevitably call on "Brother John." Armed with a bag full of Bible-twisting tricks, he tells the unsuspecting that "a greater than a lottery has come. His name is Jesus!"38

According to Avanzini, if Jesus was rich, we should be rich as well. Thus, he recasts Christ into a mirror image of himself — complete with designer clothes, a big house, and a wealthy, well-financed advance team.39 Thinking otherwise, Avanzini claims, will prevent Christians from reaping the prosperity God has laid out for them.40

Avanzini runs the gamut from teaching people how to get their hands on the "wealth of the wicked" to what might best be described as his "hundredfold hoax."41 When it comes to fleecing God's people, few can match the effectiveness of John Avanzini. There is an exception, however; his name is Robert Tilton.

Robert Tilton

Robert Tilton hit the big time as a fisher of funds by developing a religious infomercial called Success-N-Life. It all began when he traveled to Hawaii to hear from the Lord. Says Tilton, "If I'm going to go to the cross, I'm going to go in a pretty place. Not some dusty place like Jerusalem. That's gravel is all that place is."42 While languishing in his exotic wilderness, Tilton "realized his mission was to persuade the poor to give what they could to him — as God's surrogate — so they too could be blessed."43

Then, one day, Tilton tuned in to television and turned on to Dave Del Dotto's real estate infomercials. The rest is history. Tilton used what he saw as a prototype44 for building an empire that takes in as much as $65 million per year.45

It now appears that Tilton's ill-gotten gains may dwindle rapidly amid reports of scandal and a variety of lawsuits.46 Responding to charges from ABC's Prime Time Live that the prayer request letters he promises to pray over end up in dumpsters, Tilton claims, "I laid on top of those prayer requests so much that the chemicals actually got into my bloodstream, and . . . I had two small strokes in my brain."47

Marilyn Hickey

Marilyn Hickey, much like Tilton, employs a broad range of tactics to manipulate followers into sending her money. Among her many ploys are anointed prayer cloths, ceremonial breastplates, and ropes that can be used as points of contact. In one of her appeal letters, Hickey promises she will slip into a ceremonial breastplate, "press your prayer request to my heart," and "place your requests on my shoulders" — all for a suggested donation.48

For the most part, Hickey's tricks and teachings are recycled from other prosperity peddlers like Tilton, Hagin, and Copeland. Her message is peppered with such Faith jargon as "the God-kind of faith," "confession brings possession," and "receiving follows giving."

Paul Yonggi Cho (David Cho)

Paul Yonggi Cho — pastor of the world's largest church, located in Seoul, South Korea — claims to have received his call to preach from Jesus Christ Himself, who supposedly appeared to him dressed like a fireman.49 Cho has packaged his faith formulas under the label of "fourth dimensional power."50 He is well aware of his link to occultism, arguing that if Buddhists and Yoga practitioners can accomplish their objectives through fourth dimensional powers, then Christians should be able to accomplish much more by using the same means.51 In case one is tempted to confuse the size of Cho's following with the truth of his teachings, let me point out that the Buddhist version of "name it and claim it" (Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism) has an even larger following than does Cho.52

Cho recently made the news by changing his name from Paul to David. As Cho tells the story, God showed him that Paul Cho had to die and David Cho was to be resurrected in his place. According to Cho, God Himself came up with his new name.53

[Outspoken]

Charles Capps

Charles Capps was ordained as a minister in the International Convention of Faith Churches and Ministers by Kenneth Copeland and derived his teachings directly from Kenneth Hagin. This unfortunate combination has led Capps to make some of the most blasphemous statements in Faith lore. Capps has gone so far as to teach that Jesus was the product of God's positive confession: "This is the key to understanding the virgin birth. God's Word is full of faith and spirit power. God spoke it. God transmitted that image to Mary. She received the image inside of her....The embryo that was in Mary's womb was nothing more than the Word of God....She conceived the Word of God."54

Capps not only preaches the blasphemous, he also preaches the ridiculous. For example, he claims that if someone says, "I'm just dying to do that" or "That just tickled me to death," their statements may literally come true (i.e., they may die). According to Capps, this is precisely why the human race now lives only about seventy years instead of 900 years, as was the case with Adam.55

Jerry Savelle

Jerry Savelle has made his fortune by mimicking virtually all of the Faith teachers mentioned above. His greatest claim to fame, however, may well be his ability to mimic Kenneth Copeland. In fact, Savelle appears to be an exact duplicate of Copeland. Savelle demonstrates a total lack of biblical acumen, as he blindly regurgitates virtually every heresy in the Faith movement.

With regard to health, Savelle boasts that sickness and disease cannot enter his world.56 As for wealth, he says that words can speak your world into existence.57 Savelle now peddles his books and tapes to thirty-six countries at the astonishing rate of some 300,000 copies per year.

Morris Cerullo

Morris Cerullo claims that he gave up a driving ambition to be the governor of New Jersey in order to become a minister of the gospel.58 He purports to have first met God at the tender age of eight. Since then his life has been one mind-blowing experience after another: he says he was taught by leading rabbis;59 led out of a Jewish orphanage by two angelic beings;60 transported to heaven for a face-to-face meeting with God;61 and told he would be capable of revealing the future.62

On one occasion, Cerullo informed his audience, "You're not looking at Morris Cerullo — you're looking at God. You're looking at Jesus."63 Not only is Cerullo a master of make-believe, he is also a master of manipulation. Claiming that God was directly speaking through him, Cerullo uttered, "Would you surrender your pocketbooks unto Me, saith God, and let me be the Lord of your pocketbooks....Yea, so be thou obedient unto my voice."64

Paul Crouch

Paul Crouch and his wife, Jan, are the founders of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, which today has an estimated net worth of half a billion dollars. As Crouch himself puts it, "God has, indeed, given us the MOST POWERFUL VOICE in the history of the WORLD."65 Unfortunately, this voice is being used to promote teachings straight from the kingdom of the cults. Crouch's influence has become so vast that he can now raise as much as $50 million during a single "Praise-a-Thon." What many of the well-intentioned Christians who support TBN do not know, however, is that part of this money goes to promoting cultic groups and individuals who not only deny the Trinity but claim that this essential of Christianity is a pagan doctrine.66 It is indeed ironic that a broadcasting network called "Trinity" would promote anti-Trinitarian doctrine.

To those who would speak out against the false teachings proliferated on his network, Crouch has this to say: "I think they're ****** and on their way to hell; and I don't think there's any redemption for them."67 Shortly after I met with Crouch to prove that the Faith movement compromises essential Christian doctrine, Crouch looked into the lens of the television camera and angrily declared, "If you want to criticize Ken Copeland for his preaching on faith, or Dad Hagin, get out of my life! I don't even want to talk to you or hear you. I don't want to see your ugly face. Get out of my face, in Jesus' name."68

Sadly, Crouch refers to the Faith message as a "revival of truth . . . restored by a few precious men."69




GENETIC DEFECT?

The Faith movement was spawned by the unholy marriage of 19th-century New Thought metaphysics with the flamboyance and abuses of post-World War II revivalism. It should therefore come as no surprise that its doctrine and practices are palpably unbiblical. Yet, some charge that critics of the movement are guilty of committing a logical error known as the genetic fallacy — "that is, rejecting an assumption because of where it comes from rather than disproving the argument."70

While the charge appears formidable, it is in fact defective. For it assumes that the criticisms against the Faith movement are made primarily if not solely on the basis of its historical roots. In truth, the bulk of critical evaluations are leveled directly against the unbiblical teachings of the movement's leading proponents today.71 Historical discussions have, for the most part, served to place the phenomenon in its proper context.72

Now that we've dug up the roots and sampled the topsoil of the Faith movement, we are ready to take a penetrating look at its ripened fruit. Part Two of this article will do just that, by systematizing and critiquing the theology of the movement's premier preacher of another gospel.

[Outspoken]

NOTES

1 This article is adapted from chapter two of my forthcoming book, Christianity in Crisis (Harvest House). Part Two in this series will be an article specially written for the CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL.
2 See, for example, Phineas P. Quimby, quoted in The Quimby Manuscripts, ed. Horatio W. Dresser (New Hyde Park, NY: University Books, 1969 [orig. 1921]), 32-35, 61, 165, 186, 279, 295. Quimby's writings in this book were taken from his manuscripts dating between 1846 and 1865. Note the striking parallel in Kenneth Hagin's remark: "It makes a great deal of difference what one thinks....The reason they [sick people] are not getting healed is that they are thinking wrong." (Kenneth E. Hagin, Right and Wrong Thinking [Tulsa, OK: Kenneth Hagin Ministries, 1978], 19.)
3 New Thought writer Warren Felt Evans (1817-1889) is one such example. See Charles S. Braden, Spirits in Rebellion (Dallas: Southern Methodist University Press, 1970), 121-23.
4 See, for example, Claude Bristol, The Magic of Believing (New York: Prentice-Hall, 1948), 122; H. Emilie Cady, Lessons in Truth (Unity Village, MO: Unity Books, n.d.), 41:9, 43:17, 45:25, 46:31, 48:40-42, 51:6, 52:9, 53:11, 55:22, 57:32; Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (Boston: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1971 [orig. 1875]), 376:21-27; Charles Fillmore, Prosperity (Lee's Summit, MO: Unity Books, 1967), 103-4; and Ernest Holmes, How to Use the Science of Mind (New York: Dodd, Mead and Co., 1950), 39-45.
5 Warren Felt Evans, Mental Medicine: A Treatise on Medical Psychology, 15th ed. (Boston: H. H. Carter & Co., 1873 [orig. 1885]), 152; quoted in Braden, 121.
6 Warren Felt Evans, Esoteric Christianity and Mental Therapeutics (Boston: H. H. Carter & Karrick, 1886), 152; quoted in Braden, 122-23.
7 Cady, 56:30; cf. Holmes, 72, 78.
8 Cady, 52:8.
9 For a fine historical treatment of the healing revivalists, see David Edwin Harrell, Jr., All Things Are Possible: The Healing and Charismatic Revivals in Modern America (Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1975). A number of the healing revivalists' unsound teachings and practices can be found in the ministries of their predecessors — most notably John Alexander Dowie, Maria B. Woodworth-Etter, Smith Wigglesworth, F. F. Bosworth, and Thomas Wyatt.
10 Osborn's indebtedness to both Kenyon and faith healer F. F. Bosworth (another "Kenyonite") is mentioned in T. L. Osborn, Healing the Sick, 23d ed. (Tulsa, OK: Osborn Foundation, 1959), 6, 203, 205. Cf. Richard M. Riss, "Kenyon, Essek William," Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, ed. Stanley Burges, Gary B. McGee, and Patrick H. Alexander (Grand Rapids: Regency/Zondervan, 1988), 517; and Don Gossett and E. W. Kenyon, The Power of the Positive Confession of God's Word (Blaine, WA: Don & Joyce Gossett, 1979), 3.
11 William Marrion Branham, "Revelation Chapter Four #3 (Throne Of Mercy and Judgment)" (Jeffersonville, IN: Voice of God Recordings, 1961), audio tape #61-0108, side 2; cf. William Marrion Branham, Footprints on the Sands of Time: The Autobiography of William Marrion Branham, Part Two (Jeffersonville, IN: Spoken Word Publications, 1975), 606-7.
12 Benny Hinn, Praise the Lord (television program), Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), 12 April 1991.
13 Benny Hinn, Praise the Lord, TBN, 16 April 1992.
14 Quoted in Russell Chandler, "Talked with Jesus, Evangelist Says," Los Angeles Times, 3 February 1983, 3,16.
15 Clark Morphew, "What's to Become of Oral Roberts' City of Faith?" St. Paul Pioneer Press, 27 June 1992; reprinted in The Christian News, 20 July 1992, 2.
16 A. A. Allen, The Secret to Scriptural Financial Success (Miracle Valley, AZ: A. A. Allen Publications, 1953); quoted in Harrell, 75.
17 A. A. Allen, "Miracle Oil Flows at Camp Meeting," Miracle Magazine, June 1967, 6-7; quoted in Harrell,200.
18 Reported in "New Revival Tent Dedicated in Philadelphia," Miracle Magazine, September 1967, 15; quoted in Harrell, 200.
19 See Harrell, 199.
20 Ibid., 70-71.
21 Ibid., 202. One writer describes Allen's cause of death as "cirrhosis" of the liver (see Gary L. Ward, "Allen, Asa Alonzo," in J. Gordon Melton, Religious Leaders of America [Detroit: Gale Research, 1991], 9).
22 See D. R. McConnell, A Different Gospel (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988), 3-14.
23 See McConnell, 24-56.
24 E. W. Kenyon, The Father and His Family, 17th ed. (Lynnwood, WA: Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society, 1964), 100; cf. Kenneth E. Hagin, "The Incarnation," The Word of Faith, December 1980, 14.
25 Kenneth E. Hagin, The Glory of God (Tulsa, OK: Kenneth Hagin Ministries, 1987), 13-15.
26 Kenneth Copeland, Holy Bible: Kenneth Copeland Reference Edition (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Ministries, 1991), 129.
27 Kenneth Copeland, Believer's Voice of Victory (television program), TBN, 21 April 1991.
28 Benny Hinn, Benny Hinn (television program), TBN, 8 June 1992.
29 Randy Frame, "Same Old Benny Hinn, Critics Say," Christianity Today, 5 October 1992, 52.
30 Benny Hinn, "Our Position In Christ #5 — An Heir of God" (Orlando, FL: Orlando Christian Center, 1990), audio tape #A031190-5, side 2.
31 Benny Hinn, "Double Portion Anointing, Part #3" (Orlando Christian Center, n.d.), audio tape #A031791-3, sides 1 and 2. This sermon was also aired on TBN (7 April 1991).
32 See the concluding section of my book, Christianity in Crisis.
33 Frederick K. C. Price, "Name It and Claim It! What Saith the WORD? . . ," Ever Increasing Faith Messenger, Summer 1989, 2.
34 Frederick K. C. Price, "Identification #3" (Inglewood, CA: Ever Increasing Faith Ministries, 1980), audio tape #FP545, side 1.
35 Frederick K. C. Price, personal correspondence, 14 October 1992.
36 Pat Hays, "Betty Price Speaks at 1991 'Wisdom from Above' Luncheon," Ever Increasing Faith Messenger, Winter 1992,12-13.
37 Frederick K. C. Price, Ever Increasing Faith (television program), TBN, 9 December 1990, available from Crenshaw Christian Center, Inglewood, CA (audio tape #CR-A2).
38 John Avanzini, Praise-a-Thon (television program), TBN, April 1991.
39 John Avanzini, "Was Jesus Poor?" Believer's Voice of Victory, July/August 1991, 6-7; cf. Believer's Voice of Victory (television program), TBN, 20 January 1991, and Praise the Lord, TBN, 1 August 1989.
40 Avanzini, "Was Jesus Poor?" 6.
41 See, for example, John Avanzini, Praise-a-Thon, TBN, 5 November 1990. According to the so-called hundredfold principle, those who financially support the Faith teachers will get back 100 times the amount (a hundredfold) of their original donation.
42 Scott Baradell, "Robert Tilton's Heart of Darkness," Dallas Observer, 6 February 1992, 19-20.
43 Ibid., 18.
44 Ibid., 13.
45 Nancy St. Pierre, "Tilton's Wife Tells of Finances," Dallas Morning News, 5 March 1992, 1A, 7A; and Terry Box, "Tax Appraiser Is Scrutinizing Tilton's Church," Dallas Morning News, 22 March 1992, 1A. Cf. Trinity Foundation (Dallas) release, "Does Word of Faith = Wheel of Fortune?" 9 December 1991; and Terry Box, "Backers Think Tilton Will Endure," Dallas Morning News, 16 February 1992, 1A, 12A-13A.
46 At least two of these suits involve widows who have each filed a $40-million claim against Tilton's healing ministry for sending letters seeking donations and promising to heal their already-dead husbands (see Risa Robert, "Tilton Sent Dead Man 'Personal' Mail," Tulsa Tribune, 27 February 1992, 7A; and Nancy St. Pierre, "2nd Widow Sues Tilton over Letters," Dallas Morning News, 18 March 1992, 28A).
47 Robert Tilton, Success-N-Life, 22 November 1991. Tilton has also alleged that the dumpster full of prayer requests found by ABC was actually planted by enemies to discredit him (see Christopher Lee, "Tilton's Wife Defends Ministry, Blasts TV Expose of Husband," Dallas Morning News, 25 November 1991, 1A, 12A).
48 Marilyn Hickey Ministries, direct-mail piece, on file.
49 Dwight J. Wilson, "Cho, Paul Yonggi," Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, 161.
50 According to Cho, the material world makes up the first three dimensions, which is under the control of the fourth dimension — the spirit.
51 Paul Yonggi Cho, The Fourth Dimension, vol. 1 (South Plainfield, NJ: Bridge Publishing, 1979), 37, 41.
52 See John Weldon, "Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism: Mystical Materialism for the Masses," Christian Research Journal, Fall 1992, 8-13.
53 Paul Yonggi Cho interviewed by C. Peter Wagner, "Yonggi Cho Changes His Name," Charisma & Christian Life, November 1992, 80.
54 Charles Capps, Dynamics of Faith and Confession (Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, 1987), 86-87; cf. Charles Capps, Authority in Three Worlds (Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, 1982), 76-85.
55 Charles Capps, The Tongue — A Creative Force (Tulsa, OK: Harrison House, 1976), 91.
56 Jerry Savelle, "Framing Your World with the Word of God, Part 1" (Fort Worth, TX: Jerry Savelle Evangelistic Association, n.d.), tape #SS-36, side 1.
57 Ibid., side 2.
58 Morris Cerullo, The Miracle Book (San Diego: Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, 1984), x.
59 "God's Faithful, Anointed Servant, Morris Cerullo" (promotional literature, on file).
60 Cerullo, The Miracle Book, ix; and 7 Point Outreach — World Evangelism and You (pamphlet), 4.
61 Cerullo, The Miracle Book, xi.
62 "God's Faithful, Anointed Servant, Morris Cerullo."
63 Morris Cerullo, "The Endtime Manifestation of the Sons of God" (San Diego: Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, n.d.), tape 1, sides 1 and 2.
64 Morris Cerullo, "A Word from God at the Deeper Life World Conference," Deeper Life, March 1982, 15.
65 Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord (newsletter), July 1992, 1.
66 Crouch, for example, pays for and promotes people like Roy Blizzard and Joseph Good, both of whom openly deny the Trinity. Crouch also gave his staunch support to the United Pentecostal Church (UPC), a cult which claims that the Trinity is a pagan doctrine (see Praise the Lord, TBN, 5 September 1991).
67 Paul Crouch, Praise-a-Thon, TBN, 2 April 1991.
68 Ibid.
69 Paul Crouch, Praise the Lord, TBN, 18 February 1986, rebroadcast on 6 August 1991.
70 William DeArteaga, Quenching the Spirit (Lake Mary, FL: Creation House, 1992), 230; cf. William DeArteaga, "Confusing the Roots with the Fruits," Ministries Today, July/August 1991, 56-62.
71 See, for example, Gordon D. Fee, The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels (Beverly, MA: Frontline Publishing, 1985); Elliot Miller, Healing: Does God Always Heal? (San Juan Capistrano: Christian Research Institute, 1979); Brian Onken, "The Atonement of Christ and the 'Faith' Message," Forward, 7:1 (1984), 1, 10-15; and Ken L. Sarles, "A Theological Evaluation of the Prosperity Gospel," Bibliotheca Sacra, October-December 1986, 329-52.
72 See, for example, the Fall 1988 issue of the Trinity Journal, which was devoted entirely to the "Health and Wealth Gospel." This, of course, is not intended to minimize the importance of historical continuity when evaluating theological systems.

[Andrew]

Lawsuit agst Hank Hanegraaff

Christian Research Institute's Hank Hanegraaff had been accused of financial fraud and other criminal activities. A lawsuit was filed ("wrongful termination suit") on March 7, 1994, in Orange County Superior Court, California. The suit alleged that Hendrik (Hank) Hanegraaff, president of CRI, was guilty of numerous ethical lapses, financial theft, tax fraud, and a shocking list of other criminal activities and deceptive practices. The plaintiffs also charged CRI and its president and officers with violation of the federal racketeering act, defined as a criminal conspiracy or a "combination." Some of the details of this suit follow:

1. Brad Sparks, formerly a top researcher on the staff of CRI (from 1992-1994) and assistant to Hanegraaff, stated in the suit that Hanegraaff and his wife, Kathy, had pocketed over $750,000 in bloated "salaries and benefits." This while CRI's rank and file employees "typically earn[ed] poverty-level income of approximately $13,000 per year!"

2. Sparks, who left CRI in "good standing" in 3/94, according to a CRI exit counseling form (included as documentation in papers filed), noted that CRI enjoys non-profit organization status by the IRS, but had fraudulently used its tax exemption privileges to provide tax exempt "cover" for the Hanegraaffs' own personal, profit-making business, Memory Dynamics, Inc., a Georgia corporation, which was conducted out of the couple's home. Sparks' suit charged that the Hanegraaffs had repeatedly bled the ministry's bank accounts to feather their own nests. For example, "defendant Hanegraaffs have sought to conceal their total six figure income by the device of separating out major categories of personal expense such as the estimated $50,000 per year 'pastor's housing allowance.'" [Hanegraaff reportedly lived in a $730,000 house in an exclusive gated community in Orange County, California; CRI's board allegedly loaned Hanegraaff the $100,000 down payment.] The financial details provided by Sparks to support his lawsuit were convincingly documented. Some 14 pages of fine print were contained in the lawsuit.

3. According to Sparks, CRI even leased two automobiles for the Hanegraaffs, almost entirely for their personal use, unrelated to ministry business. One of the most unsavory charges of corruption detailed by Sparks was that CRI deceptively claimed to be a "church" merely to deceive the IRS and state taxing authorities, as well as mislead those who donated money for its activities. (Hanegraaff told Charisma magazine in early 1994 that he considers himself a charismatic and holds ministerial credentials with Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel denomination.)

4. The suit claimed that Hanegraaff was personally paid by Harvest House approximately $500,000 in royalties for the book Christianity in Crisis even though "the book was researched, edited, and partly written by two full-time CRI staff members (including plaintiff Brad Sparks) and several part-time members." Additional allegations stated that Mr. Hanegraaff's own, for profit company, Memory Dynamics, Inc., then turned around and sold huge quantities of that same book to CRI for a handsome gain for Hanegraaff.

5. The court suit further alleged that the Hanegraaffs "have used full-time CRI employees to support and conduct the Memory Dynamics business, including mailings and manning of sales booths." The Hanegraaffs were also said to have used CRI vehicles to transport Memory Dynamics' personnel and materials. When CRI's shipping department supervisor, Mary Cook, protested, she was fired on 7/6/93. Sparks also alleged Hanegraaff used CRI's confidential donor mailing list for his own private business, and that CRI lied to donors by continuing to promise that their names and other personal information remained confidential.

6. Craig Nelson, CRI's Director of Broadcast Media, "was fired in retaliation" for making complaints against Mr. Hanegraaff, specifically relating to Hanegraaff's use of free radio advertising for his personal gain on CRI's Bible Answerman program. The suit also named many of the employees and staffers said to have been "wrongfully terminated" because they challenged Hanegraaff's unethical conduct. They included former research director Dan Schlesinger (who reportedly accused Mr. Hanegraaff of "mixing private business with CRI ministry"), Jerry Kissler, Mark Hoover, Craig Hawkins, Michael Buesing, Perry Robinson, Dennis Green (former marketing director), and Anthony Horpel (former seminar director). The court pleading also said that Rob Bowman, a former CRI senior researcher, was terminated after "he refused to let Mr. Hanegraaff plagiarize Bowman's work to publish two books under Hanegraaff's name."

7. The lies and deceit alleged in the suit were of monumental proportions, considering the fact that CRI is a section 501C(3), tax-exempt, non-profit "church" and ministry, which was at the time of the alleged infractions a member of the National Religious Broadcasters' Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). ECFA members are required to maintain a high ethical standard of conduct.

8. To avoid the strict financial ethical standards of the ECFA (specifically the conflict of interest clause -- see #4 above), CRI resigned from the organization. The suit contended that CRI then lied to its donors and radio listeners by claiming that it was still a member of the industry group. CRI was also said to have continued its use of the ECFA's seal of approval on its catalogs, order forms, and other materials to solicit contributions.

9. Other serious charges leveled in the lawsuit included assertions of "racketeering." One violation claimed was that the organization "solicited and misappropriated charitable contributions across state lines and international boundaries." Mail fraud and wire fraud were said to be involved, including the illegal interception and seizure of fax telephone communications intended for others.

10. It was also alleged that Mr. Hanegraaff misled CRI donors into contributing money which may have ended up in the coffers of Hanegraaff's profit-making company. Also, the court suit claimed that Mr. Hanegraaff's own wife, Kathy Hanegraaff, was paid a generous salary by the ministry as a full-time "CRI Director of Marketing" when, in fact, her job primarily was "a cover for conduct of personal business ..."

Could the long list of crimes and dishonest conduct alleged by Brad Sparks be corroborated by others? A 6/6/94 letter from John Wanvig (a Christian attorney) to Hanegraaff was signed by 24 former staff members. The letter also asked Hanegraaff to meet with them. Hanegraaff refused to meet and, instead, counter-sued Sparks for libel. In addition, the Group for CRI Accountability was organized in 1994 and included some 35 former CRI staff members who publicly demanded Hanegraaff's resignation. They said that Hanegraaff did not have the theological training, the communication skills, nor the ethical standards to lead CRI. The suit against Hanegraaff was scheduled for trial in July 1995, but was "settled" (see 9/95 Update below).

[Most of the information in this report was derived from articles in The Christian News and Flashpoint.]

http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/cri/law.htm

[Outspoken]

Andrew, these are the LEADERS of that 'movement'. Its quite applicalble, just like if you heard about the pope saying, yes Satan is right..blah blah..I'd be the first to jump and question the catholics about it because its their leader. No axe, just some info I thought was interesting since it is the LEADERS of that moment.

[Outspoken]

Hmm..interesting Andrew, lets see what the courts say..though this has nothing at all to do with his research, which I find to be right on most of the time.

Oh you forgot to mention some things andrew..

"Christianity Today reported that the CRI lawsuit was concluded following Christian mediation in July, 1995. The parties signed a statement, which said, in part, "The parties acknowledged that the allegations were based on misunderstandings as well as incomplete information. ... It was determined that there is no liability on the part of CRI, Mr. Hanegraaff, or Mr. Sparks for any wrongdoing." Both parties dropped their legal actions against each other, and CRI agreed to pay about $20,000 of Sparks legal expenses."

Ie, the case was dropped and it was stated it was a "misunderstanding".

Sorry, try again ;) Also you need to read these two statements...

"Speaking of "unnamed sources," the Passantinos themselves repeatedly refer to and rely on numerous UNNAMED SOURCES in their own statement, perhaps 12 or more unidentified sources altogether:"

and

"The Passantinos say that in "authentic journalism, anonymous attributions are rarely used." What does that say about their own statement?"

Sufficed to say the lawsuit was dropped and Hank seemed to be cleared. Good failed attempted at character assasination though Andrew ;)

[Andrew]

For books that counter books written agst WOF.

http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/book_review.html

How heresy hunters do their hunting

http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/seven_tactics.html

[Outspoken]

Oh, one thing about that site you might like to read andrew...


http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/char/

I haven't read it yet, so I can't comment, but I'm sure you'll want to read it.

[Outspoken]

I'll check that list out andrew, but I found this as a review on one of the books?

"Spencer recognizes that some get out of balance in teaching certain Word of Faith doctrines and some even distort the truth..."

[Andrew]

Fifty Five Fatal Flaws of

An Analysis of Christianity In Crisis

This provides a critical analysis of the book Christianity In Crisis (CinC) (purchase from Amazon.Com), which was written by Hank Hanegraaff.

This will refute a number of the errors in the book as well as exposing the many logical fallacies that have been committed in its writing. The book has wide appeal due to several factors including the national radio "pulpit" of its author, Hank Hanegraaff, and the ministry to which he has been attached (Christian Research Institute).

The book itself has the "appearance" of being well researched with over 700 footnotes.

Very little accurate information is available from the Word of Faith (WoF) in this controversy. This paper will attempt to fill part of that void.

Topics to be covered include:

* Logical fallacies committed
* Misc Problems
* Mis-statements of fact
* Mis-quotes of sources
* Plagiarism in Christianity In Crisis of other material on the subject
* Contradictory information from CRI publications on same subject
* Doctrinal Views of Author
* Reviews by Others of CinC
* CRI In CRIsis FAQ - Covers CRI activities

The most difficult part of the task is to choose which of the many items to include. This paper will attempt to limit the total to about fifty five fatal flaws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logical fallacies committed

The logical fallacies covered are:

* Strawmen
* Sickness vs Suffering Categorical Fallacy
* Appeal to authority
* Ad Homenim attacks
* Poisoning the well
* Motivational fallacies
* False Disjunction
* Failure to recognize distinctions
* Appeal to selective evidence


If you are interested to find out more, read all abt it here:

http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/55fatlflaws.html

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Fifty Five Fatal Flaws of

An Analysis of Christianity In Crisis

This provides a critical analysis of the book Christianity In Crisis (CinC) (purchase from Amazon.Com), which was written by Hank Hanegraaff.

This will refute a number of the errors in the book as well as exposing the many logical fallacies that have been committed in its writing. The book has wide appeal due to several factors including the national radio "pulpit" of its author, Hank Hanegraaff, and the ministry to which he has been attached (Christian Research Institute).

The book itself has the "appearance" of being well researched with over 700 footnotes.

Very little accurate information is available from the Word of Faith (WoF) in this controversy. This paper will attempt to fill part of that void.

Topics to be covered include:

* Logical fallacies committed
* Misc Problems
* Mis-statements of fact
* Mis-quotes of sources
* Plagiarism in Christianity In Crisis of other material on the subject
* Contradictory information from CRI publications on same subject
* Doctrinal Views of Author
* Reviews by Others of CinC
* CRI In CRIsis FAQ - Covers CRI activities

The most difficult part of the task is to choose which of the many items to include. This paper will attempt to limit the total to about fifty five fatal flaws.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Logical fallacies committed

The logical fallacies covered are:

* Strawmen
* Sickness vs Suffering Categorical Fallacy
* Appeal to authority
* Ad Homenim attacks
* Poisoning the well
* Motivational fallacies
* False Disjunction
* Failure to recognize distinctions
* Appeal to selective evidence


If you are interested to find out more, read all abt it here:

http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/55fatlflaws.html

Andrew,

Thanks for the info.&nbsp; I personally read one portion of this book in ref to a Pastor I knew.&nbsp; I happend to have the book that HH took so-called proof from.&nbsp; Instead of taking HH word for it, I went through and looked up every ref for myself and compared it with what HH said was said and what was really said.

I found&nbsp;a great amount of error on HH quoting skills.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

[SUNSTONE]

Well I guess I should just stop praying for people to get healed then. Since Hanky said so.
For it is written, "Thou shalt not pray for the sick, no, but indeed you shall remain sick and cry, and whine in pain. No more prayers for work so that you can make enough money to pay your bills, have savings, and to be a blessing to others. After all Jesus walked the earth, so now you must walk the earth.Yes you shall walk the earth and go town to town, while your sick and poor. Try not to look to pathetic, because now you have to convince people that your God is the God, and how living life, by being sick and dirt poor is the life! Halalluah, glory to God (monotone voice).
If you could be any happier, you might just be able to put a smile on your face, but only for a second because of the pain that God wants you to be in.
Ok here comes the plate, just like WOF, we send a plate around to take your money, because we are so poor. And this is the work we do, we study the bible so much, so we can bring you this poor... uh I mean good news for you to have. Now give generously, and don't ask for anything, because that is selfishness, and thats sin."

Yup it is written, in what I have no idea? :P

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Quaffer
Andrew,

Thanks for the info.&nbsp; I personally read one portion of this book in ref to a Pastor I knew.&nbsp; I happend to have the book that HH took so-called proof from.&nbsp; Instead of taking HH word for it, I went through and looked up every ref for myself and compared it with what HH said was said and what was really said.

I found&nbsp;a great amount of error on HH quoting skills.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Then maybe you should get Christianity In Crisis in the audio form and hear these false teachers in their own words.

[Apologist]

Tomorrow and Friday Hank Hanegraaff's guest on the Bible Answer Man broadcast will be Paul Scozzafava and they will be discussing the Word of Faith movement. I don't know what times it is on in your area but you can check out the archives at www.equip.org

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Lawsuit agst Hank Hanegraaff

Christian Research Institute's Hank Hanegraaff had been accused of financial fraud and other criminal activities.

You have the tenacity to complain to the moderators about us speaking out against the WOF movement and then you post this obvious ad hominem attack against Hank Hanegraaff?

Typical tactics of the WOF flock!

[Andrew]

You have the tenacity to complain to the moderators about us speaking out against the WOF movement and then you post this obvious ad hominem attack against Hank Hanegraaff?
Typical tactics of the WOF flock!

"A taste of your own medicine?" btw the lawsuit is a publicised thing. do a Net search and links will pop up. If you can attack preachers of WOF, why can't i counter attack or defend them?

Then maybe you should get Christianity In Crisis in the audio form and hear these false teachers in their own words.

Funny thing is that HH has also been called a heretic/false teacher for preaching OSAS. Looks like anyone who doesnt agree with anyone can call anyone a false teacher. *LOL

[Andrew]

Christianity Today, September 1, 1997

Critique to Hank Hanegraaff's Counterfeit Revival

Hank Hanegraaff's long-awaited book against what he perceives as a counterfeit revival (rooted in Satan the "master counterfeiter" who "masquerades as an angel of enlightenment") represents a significant moment in Christian publishing. Its significance lies in three things. First, the spectacular selling run of Hanegraaff's work alone makes it a must-read for those who want to track trends in the Christian community.

Second, Counterfeit Revival exposes some real excesses and imbalances in the current charismatic renewal movements. Hanegraaff rightly criticizes the undue emphasis on strange manifestations in the world of modern revivalism. This misplaced focus is especially disturbing given the regular diet of anti-intellectual rhetoric, slim biblical exposition, and revelatory claims on which many who participate in these movements are nurtured. Hanegraaff also documents some very intemperate judgments made against him by South African evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne at a renewal meeting in Anaheim and warns against sectarian judgments and spiritual death threats from prophets and leaders connected with the Toronto renewal, ones that should be publicly and finally repudiated by Toronto Blessing leader John Arnott.

But Hanegraaff's work is also important for a third and tragic reason. In the end, it is a misleading, simplistic, and harmful book, marred by faulty logic, outdated and limited research, and nasty misrepresentation of key charismatic leaders. Unlike many, I do not question Hanegraaff's motives, but his zeal has blinded him from taking the path of principled Christian discourse.

Counterfeit Revival is an indictment composed of hundreds of specific assertions about individuals and groups. These claims cannot be accepted or rejected in toto; each must be weighed on its merits. In the scope of this review, it is possible only to give representative examples of Hanegraaff's failure to take account of evidence that contradicts his sweeping claims.

Consider, for example, Hanegraaff's assertion that Howard-Browne denies the deity of Christ in order to elevate himself: a damning charge indeed, if true. But in a 1995 published interview with me, the South African evangelist explained his one controversial statement on the topic and clearly affirmed orthodox doctrine.

Similarly, Todd Hunter, the national coordinator of the Vineyard, is targeted for a four-sentence statement he made in a 1994 sermon about three controversial Pentecostal healers. This becomes the centerpiece for an entire chapter in which Hanegraaff trashes Hunter by linking him with the worst excesses of these healers. Hunter phoned and wrote Hanegraaff just as the book was going to press to say that he deplored the very sins and falsehoods catalogued in Counterfeit Revival and explicitly denied Hanegraaff's interpretation of his statement. Despite that clarification, Hanegraaff did not modify his attack on Hunter in subsequent printings.

In chapter 14, John Wimber is targeted for prophetic views that he has not held since 1991, ones that he has publicly acknowledged as the biggest mistake of his ministry, while his crucial decision to disaffiliate the Toronto Airport Vineyard from the Association of Vineyard Churches is relegated to an endnote. Hanegraaff has 46 references to Wimber's tapes and writings, but there is only one reference from the last six years! Fully half of all the references concern Hanegraaff's critique of a 1981 tape series expressing views that Wimber no longer holds.

Counterfeit Revival also attacks Wimber for his association with Lonnie Frisbee, a former Jesus People evangelist. Hanegraaff refers to a 1979 service where Wimber "turned his church into a laboratory and his church members into guinea pigs. Tragically, the 'lab technician' who experimented on them that night was a hypnotist struggling with homosexuality. In 1995 he died of AIDS."

The evening service in question was on Mother's Day in 1980, not in 1979. Frisbee died in 1993, not 1995. Frisbee dabbled in hypnotism when he was a hippie but totally repudiated it after his conversion. What Hanegraaff neglects to mention is that Frisbee, in spite of homosexual tendencies, was a formative influence on Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie, and other Calvary Chapel pastors besides Wimber. At Frisbee's funeral, held at the Crystal Cathedral, Chuck Smith referred to him as one like Samson. That image is a lot more gracious and redemptive than the one used to malign John Wimber.

Hanegraaff demonizes Wimber and Hunter by using their words to paint them as Quaker-like subjectivists who value the inner light over Scripture, a stance that Jonathan Edwards calls the view of Satan himself. Hanegraaff shows bad faith in reading their comments in the worst light, failing to cite their clear and repeated declarations of biblical authority and inerrancy, and refusing to alter his text in response to Hunter's letter of clarification.

Of course, Hanegraaff's whole argument topples if Counterfeit Revival readers find out that Wimber, Hunter, Arnott, Clark, Howard-Browne, and company all believe, despite their errors and excesses, in the authority of Scripture and in the essentials of the gospel. That Hanegraaff has chosen to ignore every bit of evidence that these men have been used by God to bring sinners to Calvary and weary believers to refreshment is very distressing.

Reviewed by James A. Beverley, professor of theology and ethics at Ontario Theological Seminary in Toronto, Canada, and author of HOLY LAUGHTER & THE TORONTO BLESSING (Zondervan) and Revival Wars: A Critique of Counterfeit Revival (Toronto: Evangelical Research Ministries). more at:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/7ta/7ta059.html

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Andrew
[B]"A taste of your own medicine?" btw the lawsuit is a publicised thing. do a Net search and links will pop up. If you can attack preachers of WOF, why can't i counter attack or defend them?



Once again you misrepresent people. I did NOT attack the "preachers" of the WOF, I attacked their teachings. You obviously don't know the difference.

What I'd like to know is why this forum allows WOF proponents to participate? This is a forum for Christians only and the word of faith movement does not fall under the definition of historic Christianity.

It teaches a metaphysical construct repackaged for Christian consumption.

[Andrew]

Once again you misrepresent people. I did NOT attack the "preachers" of the WOF, I attacked their teachings. You obviously don't know the difference.

Naming names and calling them fasle teachers/prophets and calling their teachings false (just becos you dont agree) is an "attack" on them.

What I'd like to know is why this forum allows WOF proponents to participate? This is a forum for Christians only and the word of faith movement does not fall under the definition of historic Christianity.

that's where you are wrong. why dont you check with Erwin the site owner on the forum's stand.

and if your arg is right, that wld mean catholics are not welcome here either.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Andrew
that's where you are wrong. why dont you check with Erwin the site owner on the forum's stand.

and if your arg is right, that wld mean catholics are not welcome here either. [/B]

Why would Catholics be on a forum entitled, "Non-Denominational/ Reformed/ Protestant Discussions?"

They do not fit the category. They are not "non-denominational, or Reformed and the word Protestant is counter to their beliefs.

[Andrew]

Excuse me but you said:

What I'd like to know is why this forum allows WOF proponents to participate?

suggesting that WOF people shldnt be allowed here. If tht's true, then neither shld Catholics. but all are welcome to participate.

Revelation for you: WOF is part of non-denom. My church is non-denom, we follow much of WOF teachings though not everything. so do the Pentecostals and charismatics (eg healing, prosperity, tongues etc)

[Outspoken]

"This will refute a number of the errors in the book as well as exposing the many logical fallacies that have been committed in its writing."

LOL, who ever wrote that "paper" did so without reading the book, I've read some of the books those people have put out and then read that book CIC. Its VERY correct and right on, and like apologist said, it includes an audio tape with the people saying the EXACT things Hank clams. Very well written and researched book.

"Of course, Hanegraaff's whole argument topples if Counterfeit Revival readers find out that Wimber, Hunter, Arnott, Clark, Howard-Browne, and company all believe, despite their errors and excesses, in the authority of Scripture and in the essentials of the gospel. "

LOL, no it does, God habitually uses things not of him to bring people to him. Christ's death was not OF HIM, but he sure used it to bring us to him all right. Counterfeit revival is another I've read and again, its right on.

[Outspoken]

Apologist is right, the title WOF is not any of those, but I would also state they are christian, but the WOF is a MOVEMENT, not a denomination, but that's just my opinion :)

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Apologist
Then maybe you should get Christianity In Crisis in the audio form and hear these false teachers in their own words.

Why? So I can hear good splicing techniques?&nbsp;

If it was done in written form why would I not expect it to be done in audio?&nbsp; Even if the accused had their sermons given in entirety, would that excuse the book form that has them quoted innacurately?

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Apologist
Tomorrow and Friday Hank Hanegraaff's guest on the Bible Answer Man broadcast will be Paul Scozzafava and they will be discussing the Word of Faith movement. I don't know what times it is on in your area but you can check out the archives at www.equip.org

The first and last time I listened to HH, I was actually looking forward to it, since I had listened to Walter Martin when he did the Bible Answer Man.&nbsp;

People from the opposite opinion barely got questions out of their mouth and he was yelling at them and calling them names.&nbsp;

No thank you.&nbsp; The Bible tells us to stay away from contentious people, much less listen to them.

I did enjoy his book "The Prayer of Jesus".&nbsp; But I will not listen to someone who answers before he's heard the whole matter.&nbsp; The Bible says, "a man who answers before he's heard the whole matter is a fool".

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Apologist
You have the tenacity to complain to the moderators about us speaking out against the WOF movement and then you post this obvious ad hominem attack against Hank Hanegraaff?

Typical tactics of the WOF flock!

Typical tactics?&nbsp; Until now, we've withheld.&nbsp;&nbsp;We are not attacking HH, we're attacking his book and his tapes and any other form of attack on&nbsp;the brethren he uses.&nbsp;

Very few, if any of the WOF teachers even bother to answer the accusations made against them. . .why?. . .because their being screamed at before they can even finish their defense.&nbsp; They just leave it in the Lord's hands.&nbsp; He says "vengence is Mine".

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Andrew
Christianity Today, September 1, 1997

Critique to Hank Hanegraaff's Counterfeit Revival

Hank Hanegraaff's long-awaited book against what he perceives as a counterfeit revival (rooted in Satan the "master counterfeiter" who "masquerades as an angel of enlightenment") represents a significant moment in Christian publishing. Its significance lies in three things. First, the spectacular selling run of Hanegraaff's work alone makes it a must-read for those who want to track trends in the Christian community.

Second, Counterfeit Revival exposes some real excesses and imbalances in the current charismatic renewal movements. Hanegraaff rightly criticizes the undue emphasis on strange manifestations in the world of modern revivalism. This misplaced focus is especially disturbing given the regular diet of anti-intellectual rhetoric, slim biblical exposition, and revelatory claims on which many who participate in these movements are nurtured. Hanegraaff also documents some very intemperate judgments made against him by South African evangelist Rodney Howard-Browne at a renewal meeting in Anaheim and warns against sectarian judgments and spiritual death threats from prophets and leaders connected with the Toronto renewal, ones that should be publicly and finally repudiated by Toronto Blessing leader John Arnott.

But Hanegraaff's work is also important for a third and tragic reason. In the end, it is a misleading, simplistic, and harmful book, marred by faulty logic, outdated and limited research, and nasty misrepresentation of key charismatic leaders. Unlike many, I do not question Hanegraaff's motives, but his zeal has blinded him from taking the path of principled Christian discourse.

Counterfeit Revival is an indictment composed of hundreds of specific assertions about individuals and groups. These claims cannot be accepted or rejected in toto; each must be weighed on its merits. In the scope of this review, it is possible only to give representative examples of Hanegraaff's failure to take account of evidence that contradicts his sweeping claims.

Consider, for example, Hanegraaff's assertion that Howard-Browne denies the deity of Christ in order to elevate himself: a damning charge indeed, if true. But in a 1995 published interview with me, the South African evangelist explained his one controversial statement on the topic and clearly affirmed orthodox doctrine.

Similarly, Todd Hunter, the national coordinator of the Vineyard, is targeted for a four-sentence statement he made in a 1994 sermon about three controversial Pentecostal healers. This becomes the centerpiece for an entire chapter in which Hanegraaff trashes Hunter by linking him with the worst excesses of these healers. Hunter phoned and wrote Hanegraaff just as the book was going to press to say that he deplored the very sins and falsehoods catalogued in Counterfeit Revival and explicitly denied Hanegraaff's interpretation of his statement. Despite that clarification, Hanegraaff did not modify his attack on Hunter in subsequent printings.

In chapter 14, John Wimber is targeted for prophetic views that he has not held since 1991, ones that he has publicly acknowledged as the biggest mistake of his ministry, while his crucial decision to disaffiliate the Toronto Airport Vineyard from the Association of Vineyard Churches is relegated to an endnote. Hanegraaff has 46 references to Wimber's tapes and writings, but there is only one reference from the last six years! Fully half of all the references concern Hanegraaff's critique of a 1981 tape series expressing views that Wimber no longer holds.

Counterfeit Revival also attacks Wimber for his association with Lonnie Frisbee, a former Jesus People evangelist. Hanegraaff refers to a 1979 service where Wimber "turned his church into a laboratory and his church members into guinea pigs. Tragically, the 'lab technician' who experimented on them that night was a hypnotist struggling with homosexuality. In 1995 he died of AIDS."

The evening service in question was on Mother's Day in 1980, not in 1979. Frisbee died in 1993, not 1995. Frisbee dabbled in hypnotism when he was a hippie but totally repudiated it after his conversion. What Hanegraaff neglects to mention is that Frisbee, in spite of homosexual tendencies, was a formative influence on Chuck Smith, Greg Laurie, and other Calvary Chapel pastors besides Wimber. At Frisbee's funeral, held at the Crystal Cathedral, Chuck Smith referred to him as one like Samson. That image is a lot more gracious and redemptive than the one used to malign John Wimber.

Hanegraaff demonizes Wimber and Hunter by using their words to paint them as Quaker-like subjectivists who value the inner light over Scripture, a stance that Jonathan Edwards calls the view of Satan himself. Hanegraaff shows bad faith in reading their comments in the worst light, failing to cite their clear and repeated declarations of biblical authority and inerrancy, and refusing to alter his text in response to Hunter's letter of clarification.

Of course, Hanegraaff's whole argument topples if Counterfeit Revival readers find out that Wimber, Hunter, Arnott, Clark, Howard-Browne, and company all believe, despite their errors and excesses, in the authority of Scripture and in the essentials of the gospel. That Hanegraaff has chosen to ignore every bit of evidence that these men have been used by God to bring sinners to Calvary and weary believers to refreshment is very distressing.

Reviewed by James A. Beverley, professor of theology and ethics at Ontario Theological Seminary in Toronto, Canada, and author of HOLY LAUGHTER &amp; THE TORONTO BLESSING (Zondervan) and Revival Wars: A Critique of Counterfeit Revival (Toronto: Evangelical Research Ministries). more at:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/7ta/7ta059.html

I've also read bits and pieces of this book Andrew.&nbsp; I found the same problem as in the other one.&nbsp; Selective quoting and misleading from what "was really said".

[SpiritPsalmist]

Originally posted by Apologist
Once again you misrepresent people. I did NOT attack the "preachers" of the WOF, I attacked their teachings. You obviously don't know the difference.

What I'd like to know is why this forum allows WOF proponents to participate? This is a forum for Christians only and the word of faith movement does not fall under the definition of historic Christianity.

It teaches a metaphysical construct repackaged for Christian consumption.

See, you are saying we are not saved!&nbsp; As Andrew suggested, I'd suggest you contact Erwin too.

And, whose history are you reading?&nbsp; All the Apostles believed the Word.&nbsp;

[MizDoulos]

Reminder:&nbsp&nbspLet's not revert to attacking each other's faith or judging each other. Be objective and keep on topic. You may post your objections regarding the writings of other people, but do not put down their denomination or belief system. This goes for those on both sides of the issue.

If the disharmony continues, the thread will be closed and/or warnings issued.

Thank you.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Quaffer
As Andrew suggested, I'd suggest you contact Erwin too.



I already did.

And, whose history are you reading?&nbsp; All the Apostles believed the Word.&nbsp;

You are correct, the Apostles believed the Word.
They did NOT believe that faith is a force and by your words you can create your own reality. That is metaphysical, not biblical.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Quaffer
Why? So I can hear good splicing techniques?&nbsp;



That's quite an accusation. Can you back that up with facts or are you bearing false witness against another believer?

Even if the accused had their sermons given in entirety, would that excuse the book form that has them quoted innacurately?

That is a smokescreen to the real question....Is there teaching biblical?

If it isn't then I would hope the people who listen to this teaching admit it is wrong.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Quaffer

People from the opposite opinion barely got questions out of their mouth and he was yelling at them and calling them names.&nbsp;



I'd sure like to know what show that was. I have been listening to him for about 7 years every day and I have yet to hear him be nothing but courteous and one of the most patient people I have heard. Sure, at times he gets a bit upset at other people's arguments but don't we all?

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Quaffer
Typical tactics?&nbsp; Until now, we've withheld.&nbsp;&nbsp;We are not attacking HH, we're attacking his book and his tapes and any other form of attack on&nbsp;the brethren he uses.&nbsp;



A post was made about a lawsuit against Hank. Is that not getting personal instead of addressing the real questions?

That is an ad hominem attack to deter from the real issues.

Very few, if any of the WOF teachers even bother to answer the accusations made against them. . .why?. . .because their being screamed at before they can even finish their defense.&nbsp; They just leave it in the Lord's hands.&nbsp; He says "vengence is Mine".

Actually the WoF teachers have been asked to discuss these issues with Christian organizations and they refuse. All they do is say, "Don't touch God's annointed" as if it were some mantra. I find it odd that the Apostle Paul commended the Bereans for checking his teachings out, but some of the WoF teachers are not.

[Andrew]

Actually the WoF teachers have been asked to discuss these issues with Christian organizations and they refuse. All they do is say, "Don't touch God's annointed" as if it were some mantra. I find it odd that the Apostle Paul commended the Bereans for checking his teachings out, but some of the WoF teachers are not.

that's becos they are out to tear down and ridicule (not check out and discuss) WOF, so why waste time. and they answer to God, not man. And God is able to make them stand.

Go to any WOF critic's site and first thing they do is start calling it heresy, heretical, false teachers, false prophets etc etc naming names, ridiculing them etc. they've already judged these people and their doctrines and demonic and from hell, so what's there to discuss??

Me attack, HH? Personally, I got nothing agst that man, i just wanted to show that he aint some angel from heaven with the truth and nothing but the truth, and everyone else is wrong. I also wanted to show that he does quote WOF people out of context and leave out their right of reply just so he can prove his 'point'.

He's been called a heretic for preaching OSAS. But that's one area I agree with him :)

[Andrew]

WOF a movt and not a denom?

WHO CARES!? truth is, Pentecostals, charismatics, non-denom churches do follow many of WOF teachings whether directly or directly. my church is not WOF but we teach many of WOF principles becos we see it in the Bible.

so if you want to hit out at WOF and its teachings, you will be hitting out at a lot of charismatics, pentecostals, non-denoms Christians.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Andrew

He's been called a heretic for preaching OSAS. But that's one area I agree with him :)

Teaching OSAS is not something that falls under the catagory of heretical.

It is a secondary issue and not an essential doctrine as is the Trinity, Deity of Christ, Virgin birth, etc.

[Outspoken]

"WOF a movt and not a denom? "

Well it pretty much deflates the problem here.

"so why waste time."

Jesus never refused to talk to people he knew what wrong. The rich young man for instance.

[Andrew]

btw: there are churches called Word of Faith, like

Word of Faith Christian Church in South Africa
http://www.keepintouch.org.za/Word%20Of%20Faith/Where_are_we.htm

so denom or movt, who cares

Teaching OSAS is not something that falls under the catagory of heretical.

oh yes it is much more so! than positive confession or faith for healing issues cos it deals with salvation, grace and the Gospel. things Paul was faithfully defending agst the heretics.

[Apologist]

Originally posted by Andrew


oh yes it is much more so! than positive confession or faith for healing issues cos it deals with salvation, grace and the Gospel. things Paul was faithfully defending agst the heretics.

Can a person go to heaven if they believe in OSAS?

Can a person go to heaven if they do not believe in OSAS?

The answer to both is yes. It is not an acid test for orthodoxy and is not an essential doctrine.
That was my point.

[Andrew]

will a Christian still go to heaven if he believes God wants his children healthy and not in lack?

will he still go to heaven if he believes God wants to protect him from the evil one?

we he take a detour to hell if he confesses five times a day that by "His stripes I am healed" becos he believes a loving Father wants him out of sickness?

of cse he will still go to heaven, whether he believes it or not.

as long as you put your trust in Jesus as saviour by faith and confess Jesus as Lord you are going to heaven.

[MizDoulos]

I'm closing this thread as it was intended to give information rather than to be a discussion. Enough has been said on both sides, and I see no reason to keep the thread open any longer.