THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT

33:3

Such are their influence over the Evangelical world, and the Evangelicals themselves so ignorant of the scriptures that without knowing, listen to their sermons and their music.

Have you heard of Hillsong United?

Bethel Music?

Listened to Beth Moore?

Bill Johnson?

Joyce Myers?

Just to name a few.

Nearly all of us, including me, listened to or worshipped with their songs, or listened to the said preachers. We've failed to see the errors of what the songs or sermons taught by the same, and in so doing spread them like a virus.

We've had a false idea of faith, burned strange fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2), and spread their corruption without knowing what we've just done.

This is the fault of Pastors and teacehrs who've failed to inform, equip and encouraged their flock because they cared more about the numbers and unity rather than telling the truth (Matthew 28:19-20 & Titus 1:9).

This is the fault of our parents who've not taught and conditioned us to read the scriptures (Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & ) but instead passed their responsibility to the congregational youth pastors.

And this is the fault of ours because we did not prioritize God and read our scriptures (2 Timothy 2:2-6, 15).

We all need to do better, including me, in order to combat this prevailing poison infecting more and more people. Not only that, to be ready to deal with present and future theological threats, and it starts with the word of God.

The Bible is your first apologetic and theological book.

And your Bible reading should never end.

THE WORD OF FAITH MOVEMENT, ...
The following is an answer given to a memer.

HI [...].

You're absolutely right: palatable.

The Devil has been using our carnal desires as a means to entice us to the lies from the very beginning. Genesis 3:1-4 Satan first cast doubt on the word of God, then used Eve's desire for knowledge, but not just. Knowledge to God's moral level... and when she saw that it was also palatable to eat, she did, and gave it to Adam.

Then Adam foolishly consumed without question.

SIMILARITIES

With regard to similarities... yes there are thing in the Bible that seemed similar to what those teachers have demonstrated. You see Jesus commanding things to come to pass and so did the Apostles. However, they were the only ones doing it in scripture, not anyone else. The promises of Jesus in John 14:12 "Greater works you shall do in my name" was told to the Apostles only. Mark 16:17-18 was specifically to the Apostles as they alone for example can drink poison and not harm them [those listed in that passage is specific only to the Apostles (ex. Acts 28:1-8. The other is seeing and being chosen by Jesus Himself - 1 Corinthians 9:1-2)].

In the case of Joel Olsteen, and those like him, they've used the our worldly needs to entice us. We all need health, desire wealth, lust for beauty, and dream of fame or popularity and these teachers caters to our desires (1 John 2:22-23). The problem is that not only it doesn't work, but they've taught that your healing, wealth, and fame is dependant on your faith and giving ($$$).

If you're not healed, you didn't have enough faith; and if your illness returns then you must have sinned some time ago. Imagine the guilt that would come as a result of. Worse, some refused medical attention because of that teaching; many died because of it. That's not what the Bible taught. When you're healed, you're healed; but if you've sinned unrepentantly a worse thing will come (John 5:14).

And with regard to giving; that's how pastors like Jimmy Swaggart, Benny Hinn, and Creflo A Dollar, in the Word of Faith movement got, filthy, rich. John MacArthur, Pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles calls it a Ponzi Scheme, and it is (Pastor MacArthur preaches against the Word of Faith movement along with Justin Peters, Costi Hinn, and John Piper).

Costi Hinn, Benny Hinn's Nephew tells of them staying in 50 thousand dollar hotels in Dubai, owning multiple mansions, and flying in private jets.

What they've taught is called the Prosperity Gospel, or the Gospel of Health and Wealth.

The same teachers, more or less, also taught that we're "Little Gods", because we're given the creative divine power as God, and thus can become His equal. Their teaching of can only be justifed by the teaching of the Law of Attraction.

Their other teachings included the belief that Jesus went literally to Hell after His death and paid for our sins there, when in scripture, Jesus never did. He paid for our sins at the cross which why in John 19:30 it says "It is finished".

Still others adopted occultic practices such as Grave Sucking, which is practiced by Bethel church; or run Spiritual Gift schools. Their purpose is to teach students how to gain spiritual gifts (the notion introduced by New Apostolic Reformation.. They're a lesser known groups and yet their oractices have been enbraced by most Charismatics and the Word of Faith moveement.(Please see the sites below)

Sources

Strange Fire Conference https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpTMSL-FR-duvHk-xYVLOGCQRLnYBNxU

Doreen Virtue "False Teachings Exposed: Holly Pivec and the NAR Heresy" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdVVhnqNUC4

Ibid "Bethel and the New Age" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIbAa3mcAto&t=246s