The Power and Success of the Faith Movement

Every week over one half billion viewers world-wide watch television preachers. Many of these men preach a “Faith” gospel. Thus, no one can deny the power that is currently wielded by the leaders of the Faith Movement; they have tremendous influence on Christianity.

The satellite communication systems of the Kenneth Copeland ministries broadcast Copeland’s message throughout the world.

Kenneth Hagin has a daily radio program, “Faith Seminar of the Air,” which is broadcast over some 200 stations in 40 states. Almost 15,000 students have graduated from his Rhema Bible Training Centre and almost 40 million copies of his books have been sold.

According to a 1980 Gallup Poll, Oral Robert’s name was recognized by an incredible 84 percent of the American public; historian Vinson Synan “observed that Roberts was considered the most prominent Pentecostal in the world.” His books have sold tens of millions of copies and his television programming has reached more that 100 million people.

Robert Tilton is pastor of the 10,000 – member Word of Faith Outreach Centre in Dallas, Texas. His close-circuit satellite network brings monthly seminars to more than 2,000 churches while his televised Bible school has enrolled some 4,000 students in 600 locations. His daily television “Success – N – Life” broadcasts are seen by potentially millions of people. In Seoul, Korea, former Budhist, Paul Yonggi Cho, is pastor of the world’s largest congregation and has a ministry that extends throughout the world. Charles Capps has a national radio broadcast titled, “Concepts of Faith”; his books have also reached millions. The Trinity Broadcasting Network, which televises several of the Faith Movement teachers, has a satellite outreach to millions of people across America and in many other countries. John Osteen (and now Joel Osteen) is pastor of the Lakewood Church with a membership of more than 60,000 and together they have authored more than thirty books. Through national and international ministries carried on various local and satellite networks, the Osteens’ influence extends to more 100 nations. Frederick K.C. Price is pastor of the Crenshaw Christian Center with a membership of 15,000; his national television ministry, “Ever Increasing Faith” is featured on more than 100 stations in the U.S. and around the world.

All this raises an immediate question. If the Faith Movement is unbiblical as its critics maintain, why has it been so successful? The reasons are varied, including well-liked, charismatic leaders, an outward appearance of great success, and blessing by God – and faithful followers. But the Faith message of health, success, and wealth is also what many people wish to believe. As Michael Horton, editor of The Agony of Deceit, a critique of the Faith Movement, observes, “It is appropriate that a prosperity gospel be born in the hedonistic, self-centered, get-rich-quick, milieu of modern American society. We are, by nature, pagan. Either our religion will transform us or we will transform our religion to suit our sympathies.” Nevertheless, the great influence of the Faith Movement is why Christian leaders everywhere are concerned.


(from The Facts On The Faith Movement by John Ankerberg and John Weldon)