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I have heard it said... that If the New Age movement is the greatest threat to evangelical Christianity from without, the word-faith/positive confession movement is its greatest threat from within. This is not entirely true. The Word of Faith movement IS the New Age movement... with a few Christian terms and concepts sprinkled in to keep it believable. Nor is the extent of the controversy an honest doctrinal difference among orthodox believers, but a confrontation between the gospel preached by the Lord Jesus Christ and another gospel. Additionally, and what is most alarming, is the fact that Christian Science, New Thought, Unity School of Christianity and the Word-Faith movement stem from a single source. [Below]
The Word Of Faith Movement... An Overview
While many, even within the Faith churches, are unaware of some of the doctrinal heresies of the movement, none can plead ignorant of the strange and bizarre practices and emphasis of its leaders. These things are standard occurrences in virtually every one of their television broadcasts, evangelistic campaigns and church services.
The Word Of Faith Movement: History And Leaders
What exactly makes one a “Word of Faith” teacher? What are the core doctrines in the Faith movement? Where did these doctrines originate? Our goal will be first, to define what truly constitutes the Word of Faith movement. Secondly, we shall trace its philosophical roots to the modern “founders.” Finally, we will identify some of its major leaders and to evaluate some of their more distinctive teachings.
Word Of Faith
The assault of Christianity From within the Church as cultic theology is being increasingly accepted as true Christianity. This article highlights 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.
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Ten Reasons To Reject Word Of Faith Teaching
A delusion which will ensnare thousands of well-meaning believers in the satanic trap of the New Age, and cause them, unthinkingly, to set up a worldwide kingdom for the Antichrist?
Positive Confession And The Believer
It is understandable that some people would like to accept the positive confession teaching. It promises a life free from problems, and its advocates seem to support it with passages of Scripture. Problems develop, however, when Bible statements are isolated from their context and from what the rest of Scripture has to say concerning the subject. Extremes result which distort truth and eventually hurt believers as individuals and the cause of Christ in general.
Forcing God To Change Course
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego DID NOT say, 'If we have enough faith, the Lord will deliver us, but otherwise we will die' They already had the faith they needed, but fully understood that they remained subject to God's sovereignty and decision. A few examples of the prayers of God's people to see whether we find positive confession employed.
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The Common Origins
of Christian Science, New Thought, Unity School of Christianity and the Word-Faith movement
Christian Science was founded by a woman named Mary Baker Eddy. In 1862, while suffering from an illness, she visited Phineas Quimby (an unschooled Maine clockmaker and inventor who believed that he had rediscovered the lost healing methods of Jesus.) Quimby exerted a significant influence on her thinking regarding spiritual matters.
Unity School of Christianity The Fillmores (Founders of The Unity School of Christianity) were students of Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. Myrtle Fillmore was also a follower of Mary Baker Eddy. Unity’s roots go back to directly to Mary Baker Eddy and both directly and indirectly to Phineas Quimby.
New Thought also originated with Phineas Parkhurst Quimby. The loosely organized movement that began with him eventually became known as New Thought. (sociologyesoscience.com)
Word/Faith Additionally Phineas Quimby’s metaphysical teachings influenced E.W. Kenyon, and it was E.W. Kenyon's teachings that in turn influenced Kenneth Hagin, known as the father of the Word/Faith movement. In fact Kenneth Hagin copied, word-for-word, up to 75 percent of Kenyon's book and published it under his own name! See examples here.
Also See
Visualization
"Imaging" and "Visualization" are increasingly appearing as Christian meditation, "mind-stretchers," or a consciousness-awakening experience in Christian workshops, and you'd better believe that visualization as a cultivated exercise comes with all sorts of metaphysical and spiritual baggage in tow. Frankly, some of these bags desperately need to be opened up before being admitted into Christian territory.
The Secret
In the final analysis, The Secret is nothing more than so-called Name It-Claim It, Positive-Confession, Prosperity Theology (minus God and the Bible), built on a foundation of New Age self-deification. In other words, the book is just a secular version of what some TV preachers have taught for decades: Namely, if you will sustain the right thoughts, words and feelings, you will receive whatever you want. But The Secret adds this important twist: your thoughts can bring anything into your life because you are god”.
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Index To Section 10B 
