Thoughts on the teachings of Kenneth Hagin

[TurthofTheCross]

Kenneth Hagin of the faith movement says the cross is defeat
…"The trouble with us is that we've preached a 'cross' religion, and we need to preach a 'throne' religion. By that I mean that people have thought they were supposed to remain at the cross. Some have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, have backed up to the cross, and have stayed there ever since...The cross is actually a place of defeat, whereas the Resurrection is a place of triumph. When you preach the cross, you're preaching death, and you leave people in death." (Ken Hagin, "The Believer's Authority," page 16. Second Edition 1986)…

The cross is a place where we die with Christ then we can live the resurrected life daily. But without dying daily or as Jesus said deny our self daily we cannot live the resurrected life. Denying our self daily is our cross and then Jesus can live in us an we have the resurrected life. Denying the cross as Kenneth Hagin did allowed a resurected life for Kenneth Hagin but was it a Godly resurected life? The cross is a Christian focus. Jesus and Paul and many scriptures talk about the cross as being the power of God, being only what Paul will hear of, being the only salvation, life, love ...Etc a Christian will know of.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
1Co 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Mt 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
True the cross is a symbol but when Paul talks about the cross and being crucified with Jesus he is not talking about the two trees that make the physical cross. He is talking about the selflessness suffering Jesus done for all the life virtues mentioned above. The true purpose of the cross.
Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The resurrection is a result of the power of the cross.
I worship the selflessness Love Jesus has for us by suffering and Paul does the same.
Php 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
There is life in the cross. I Do not know any scripture that says there is life in the resurrection.
2Co 13:4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you
Ga 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Paul golried only in the cross
Ga 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Thanks for your time and reviewing my thoughts. We must all be aware of the truth. I will say I wonder if Kenneth was teaching another gospel because of his focus.
To speak further on the concern. Apostle Peter may have had the same concern as Kenneth. The Apostle turned from an error. The error of rejecting the cross. Jesus showed the Apostle that satan was involved and talked to satan. This deceptive spirit can even influence one of the greatest man of God.
The way satan removes Christians from God's will is by deceptive forces and this is the major deceptive force Paul talks about. The force of rejecting the cross. The power of the cross is the singular means where all Christian life can be guided by the Holy spirit and of course the resurrection must also be preached. But without the cross there will be no resurrection of Christ and Christians cannot also live the resurrected life.
This is satans way of placing Christians on the sideline by removing teaching of the cross. And of course the cross is a result of the true cross of Christ. Jesus cross was Him giving of Himself unto death. And He ask us to give of our self. This is our cross the same in spirit as Jesus cross. Once we give of our self then the Holy spirit can live in us.
But placing the cross as not a finished work removes the only God power mentioned in scripture. The power of preaching the cross. Once the cross is rejected then there is a substitute power to deceive Christians and this is satans power.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
The power of His resurrection and the power our living a resurrected life comes from the power of God and the power of God can only come from preaching of the cross. There is no other scripture that says where the power of God comes from.
The power of the Holy Spirit is also a result of preaching of the cross not the resurrection as scripture shows. We must keep focus exactly what scripture says and not place the resurrection where it does not belong as according to scripture. The resurrection is only proof of the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

 

[NorrinRadd]

Ehh....

Man, I hate it when I find myself in the position of actually sort of defending teachings from WoF preachers. But...

Hagin does not "deny" the Cross. In fact, I think if you looked at the whole of his teachings, you'd find that he says things similar to *some* of what you said -- We must "die daily," "crucify the flesh," "put to death the deeds of the flesh," etc. I think he would say that our "cross" is borne voluntarily, not imposed upon us, and in terms of "suffering," mainly involves unpleasant dealings with other people, not sickness or poverty.

And frankly, while I think it was carelessly phrased, I think Hagin makes a useful point. In some traditions, there is a tendency for Christianity to become dour and defeatist, and to almost totally neglect the Scriptural truths that we are raised with Christ and even seated with Him in heavenly places.

The Resurrection is no less central than the Cross; in fact, at one point, Paul sums up his Gospel as "Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David." (2 Ti. 2:8).

 

[BenAdam]

Ehh....

Man, I hate it when I find myself in the position of actually sort of defending teachings from WoF preachers. But...

Hagin does not "deny" the Cross. In fact, I think if you looked at the whole of his teachings, you'd find that he says things similar to *some* of what you said -- We must "die daily," "crucify the flesh," "put to death the deeds of the flesh," etc. I think he would say that our "cross" is borne voluntarily, not imposed upon us, and in terms of "suffering," mainly involves unpleasant dealings with other people, not sickness or poverty.

And frankly, while I think it was carelessly phrased, I think Hagin makes a useful point. In some traditions, there is a tendency for Christianity to become dour and defeatist, and to almost totally neglect the Scriptural truths that we are raised with Christ and even seated with Him in heavenly places.

The Resurrection is no less central than the Cross; in fact, at one point, Paul sums up his Gospel as "Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David." (2 Ti. 2:8).

In contrast to your excellent points, so many do forget the Cross. That there is daily dying, and sacrifice, and blood that was shed. With Jesus, the Cross and the Resurrection are a package deal. You must have both.