WoF?

[KatyaMartinka]

I had a question for you all about the WoF (Word of Faith) movement in the Protestant churches.

Have any of you heard of it?
What are your opinions on it?
What does the Church have to say about it?
Do you think there is ANY shred of truth in it whatsoever?

I have come from a family that was (I think still is) deeply involved in this movement. I started questioning it myself a few years ago, but never said anything to my parents. I just started moving away from it on my own. I had been involved in the forums on Crosswalk.com, and there were a few threads there that spoke out against the WoF pastors, and the more I read through those, and saw that what they said was true, the more disillusioned I became.

I was just curious what you all have to say/think about this.

[Saint Melania]

I always think of Pat Robertson when hearing word of faith. I believe it to be tremendous ego to think God can be used like pushing a button on a machine, and it will do as you command. Never is there mentioned anything about repentance, or asking for God's mercy.

I could go on, but I think that's the drift of my take on it.

[OrthodoxyUSA]

It's a heretical movement. The teachings are blasphemous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Word_of_Faith&action=edit&section=7)] Jesus died spiritually

Often referred to simply as “JDS”, this is the teaching that in order to atone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement) for sins, Jesus had to die both physically and spiritually. As a consequence of his ‘dying spiritually’, the Faith movement argues that Jesus thus needed to be born again just as any other sinner. While making it clear that Jesus Himself was never a sinner, they argue that Jesus was ‘forsaken by God’ just as if Jesus had committed every sin in human history.
E.W. Kenyon was the first to explicitly articulate the doctrine in a number of his works, including “What Happened From The Cross To the Throne” and “Identification: A Romance In Redemption”. It was later taken up by Hagin, Copeland and many of their followers.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-16) The doctrine asserts that Jesus’ bodily sacrifice was but the beginning of the Atonement, which continued with Jesus’ suffering in Hell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell). It is often said that Jesus took on humanity’s “satanic” nature, and was “born again” in Hell.[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-17) . Hagin’s teaching was featured in his book, The Name of Jesus, 1978 edition. Yet, in a 1991 letter to the Christian Research Institute, Hagins son, Kenneth Hagin Jr, argued that Hagin Sr had never taught the born again Jesus or the adoption of Satan's nature[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)].
The critic D.R. McConnell has labeled the teaching heresy, believing it compromises the teaching that Jesus' blood atoned for sin.[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-18). Critics have also expressed concern that the notion that Jesus became one in substance with Satan, and had to be "recreated" and born again is an unscriptural one that strips Christ of the defining qualities of deity[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)].

Forgive me....

[Orthosdoxa]

Have any of you heard of it? yep
What are your opinions on it? thumbs down, to put it mildly
What does the Church have to say about it? no official statements that I know of, but I'm quite sure it would echo my own sentiment.
Do you think there is ANY shred of truth in it whatsoever? no

I know a lady whose baby died, and her WoF MIL was furious at her, because the only thing to be concluded that it was because of her lack of faith - if she had just believed God correctly, the baby would have lived!! So the baby's death was the mother's fault! Can you believe that!! Talk about adding insult to injury.

[Latreia]

Oh, no, no, no.


:cry:

[flod logic]

It's a heretical movement. The teachings are blasphemous. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith

[edit (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Word_of_Faith&action=edit&section=7)] Jesus died spiritually

Often referred to simply as “JDS”, this is the teaching that in order to atone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atonement) for sins, Jesus had to die both physically and spiritually. As a consequence of his ‘dying spiritually’, the Faith movement argues that Jesus thus needed to be born again just as any other sinner. While making it clear that Jesus Himself was never a sinner, they argue that Jesus was ‘forsaken by God’ just as if Jesus had committed every sin in human history.
E.W. Kenyon was the first to explicitly articulate the doctrine in a number of his works, including “What Happened From The Cross To the Throne” and “Identification: A Romance In Redemption”. It was later taken up by Hagin, Copeland and many of their followers.[17] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-16) The doctrine asserts that Jesus’ bodily sacrifice was but the beginning of the Atonement, which continued with Jesus’ suffering in Hell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hell). It is often said that Jesus took on humanity’s “satanic” nature, and was “born again” in Hell.[18] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-17) . Hagin’s teaching was featured in his book, The Name of Jesus, 1978 edition. Yet, in a 1991 letter to the Christian Research Institute, Hagins son, Kenneth Hagin Jr, argued that Hagin Sr had never taught the born again Jesus or the adoption of Satan's nature[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)].
The critic D.R. McConnell has labeled the teaching heresy, believing it compromises the teaching that Jesus' blood atoned for sin.[19] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_Faith#_note-18). Critics have also expressed concern that the notion that Jesus became one in substance with Satan, and had to be "recreated" and born again is an unscriptural one that strips Christ of the defining qualities of deity[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)].

Forgive me....
Wow...

[Tonks]

bad news all around.

[Kristos]

Never heard of it.

[Akathist]

Because this is a topic that could draw in people who are not EO, to prevent problems, this is being moved to the Debate area.

This way, nonEO members of CF can post opposing points of view without breaking any rules.

[SeraphimSarov]

I know a lady whose baby died, and her WoF MIL was furious at her, because the only thing to be concluded that it was because of her lack of faith - if she had just believed God correctly, the baby would have lived!! So the baby's death was the mother's fault! Can you believe that!! Talk about adding insult to injury.

I didn't think I could have a lower opinion of the movement, but I now stand corrected...:mad:

[Lotar]

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/frseraphim_charismatics.aspx

[OnTheWay]

I had a teacher in high school who, with her husband, was very into WoF and properity gospel. It really brought havoc on their lives. Every time they had even the most minor setback in life it would be a round of great depression for her because she would assume it was due to some sin she or her husband was committing. I really can't imagine going through life believing if my car doesn't start it's because God is angry with me.

[Saint Melania]

There were some pentecostals who called my brother-in-law a demoniac just because he has a brain tumor. Although he acts crazy - there is a physical problem there.

[SeraphimSarov]

There were some pentecostals who called my brother-in-law a demoniac just because he has a brain tumor. Although he acts crazy - there is a physical problem there.

:doh::doh::doh:

:mad:

[Lukaris]

There were some pentecostals who called my brother-in-law a demoniac just because he has a brain tumor. Although he acts crazy - there is a physical problem there.
praying that the demons of their delusions depart from them.

[MoNiCa4316]

I really disagree with the WOF movement...the only truth I see in it is that it's important to pray with faith. But of course that doesn't mean that God would give us anything we like. He's not a vending machine, lol. However I do know some WOF people who are really good Christians and are doing a lot for the Kingdom. I just disagree with some of their theology.

[Ishida]

Prosperity doctrine is not part of the good news, it is best to be avoided.

[-Kyriaki-]

WoF Christians tend to think I'm possessed too, Saint Melania -
because maybe post traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, and a few physical conditions mean that I'm a 'great sinner' or something?

These people scared me off a long, long time ago. Bad news, STAY AWAY.