Faith Teachers Confess - Their Faith Teachings Don't Work

We think everyone should listen carefully to the words of Robert Tilton and Kenneth Hagin. Robert Tilton emphasizes the following: "If something isn't working, it doesn't have any virtue or life-giving substance in it. Discard it, because it is not accurate thinking...[It is] low level Christianity..." Kenneth Hagin confesses, "Remember, it's not a disgrace to be wrong; it's a disgrace to stay wrong. If we are wrong, thank God we can straighten up and do right, no matter who we are."

If one reads the writings of the Faith teachers extensively, one discovers that both individually and philosophically they may contradict themselves. This means that a person who follows one Faith teacher is actually doing what another Faith teacher warns against. It also means Faith followers have to balance theological contradictions -- such as the need for submission to God in the context of attempting to exert independent divine authority through confession and demanding. Significantly, the Faith teachers also confess -- almost to a man -- that in practice, the Faith teachings do not actually work that well. They do not do this directly, for that would discredit their own ministries [as well as cost them a lot of money]. But they do it indirectly by continually requiring new conditions for Faith principles to operate under and by rationalizing the constant failures on the part of their followers. Thus, some teachers have felt it necessary to write books or give lectures on why the principles of the Faith Movement don't seem to be working. Invariably, it is because

1. the person does not have "proper" faith
2. the person does not have "enough" faith
3. the person has misunderstood something
4. the person has secret sin in his/her life
5. the person is merely confessing and not commanding

For example, Hagin teaches because the "currents of unbelief are so persistent" in the world that only an extremely small number of Christians will ever rise above them. In other words, only a very few participants in the Faith Movement can ever really expect Faith results.

Further, we are told that we can use spiritual laws that work by pure fiat for anyone, anytime, merely by our confessing them in true faith. But then we are told no, it is not just confession that is needed, but commanding and demanding. But according to Copeland, even this may fail because the laws really don't work inevitably and "the power of patience must be put into operation to undergird your act of faith..." Of course, if the proper working of the Faith principles is dependent upon an individual person's faith, commands, patience, circumstances, etc., then these "inviolate" principles have just died the death of a thousand qualifications and are worthless to begin with. [What more is there to say?]

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Consequences of the Faith Movement

Faith Movement Teachings Hinder Personal Sanctification

The Faith teachers claim their methods will lead the believer into a higher level of spirituality. But unfortunately, the Faith Movement actually works against the spiritual growth of a Christian. It does this in many ways, directly and indirectly.

1. By experientialism -- First, it teaches Christians that spiritual experiences are the primary emphasis of the Christian life and more important than biblical study. This undermines biblical authority.
2. By new revelation -- Second, the Faith Movement undermines Christian growth through an appeal to newer, allegedly better revelations. But all these new revelations have accomplished is to confuse believers with false teachings.
3. By spiritual malnourishment -- If only "faith" is preached (and a distorted faith at that), can this provide spiritual nourishment? If people are never told the content of the Bible, of what value is their "faith" when there is precious little that is biblical for such faith to act upon? Even Kenneth Hagin, Jr. confesses that "a portion of the Word of God preached without the whole counsel of the Word of God is as dangerous as a baby playing with dynamite. And that is the problem in Charismatic Christianity today..."
4. By spiritual pride -- The Faith Movement can also foster spiritual pride, and nothing is more deadly to spiritual growth. The Bible teaches that God hates pride and that pride destroys people spiritually (Proverbs 8:13; 11:2; 16:18). Unfortunately, pride in spiritual leaders tends to beget pride in their followers. People who think that God speaks to them audibly on a regular basis, who believe that they are "little gods" and have the powers of Jesus, who claim to perform miracles, who have vast multi-million dollar ministries with international satellite communication networks, who think they can literally command angels and manipulate creation, speaking into existence things which do not exist -- these are things which may generate spiritual pride.
5. By distortion of priorities -- When the Faith teachers claim that Jesus was not poor, and that we can have whatever we say and that nothing is impossible to us in the realm of making money or being successful, they are tragically reducing the glory of what it is to be a Christian. They have emaciated the Christian life to a trivial focus, that of meeting only surface needs (cf. Hebrews 11:25-26).

Other Tragedies Associated with the Faith Movement

People who first join the Faith Movement are initially enamoured with the prospects of abundance and prosperity and all the excitement they see around them. But sooner or later, the bubble bursts. Thousands of former Faith members have learned the hard way: by ruined finances, poor health, the inability to trust -- and even personal tragedy.

If Christians imitate the cults and their practices, should anyone be surprised they may suffer the same results as those cults? Thousands of people have been injured or actually have died from believing the teachings of Christian Science, Jehovah Witnesses, Mind Science, and Armstrongism that faith will cure terminal illness and/or that using modern medicine in part or whole is sinful and wrong. Not surprisingly then, besides the spiritual tragedies due to the Faith teachings, there are also physical tragedies. As a result of Faith teachings, hundreds of churches today believe either that it is wrong and sinful to use modern medical science or that any Christian who truly wants God's "best" will not seek its help. More than once this has led to fatalities. For example, the "Faith Assembly" Movement of Hobart Freeman has caused well over 100 unnecessary deaths (including Freeman's), and the "End Timers" cult in North Central Florida has also allowed several dozen children and adults to die prematurely.

The irony of a teaching claiming success and healing actually leading to misery and death is not lost upon those who have suffered the personal consequences of losing loved ones, as revealed in books such as Larry Parker's, We Let Our Son Die.

(From the Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Angels, the Occult and the Faith Movement

Contacting alleged angels is an increasingly popular activity in our culture as illustrated by the 1992 "American Conference on Angels." Unfortunately, the messages these "angels" give prove they are lying spirits which the Bible identifies as demons. Most Faith teachers also claim they have unique relationships to angels -- as, allegedly, anyone can who applies the principles of the Faith Movement. Faith teachers believe multitudes of angels are standing by just to do our bidding, anxiously waiting to be commanded by "Faith words" which, when spoken forth, puts them into action and brings miraculous results.

Gloria Copeland and Charles Capps suggest there may be 40,000 to 72,000 angels assigned to each believer just waiting to serve us.

But the idea that people can command angels to do their bidding is an occultic belief, not a biblical practice. The idea of having power over creation mediated through alleged spiritual laws and our own mental and verbal powers (mediated through the help of spirits) is a tenet of the occult, not Christianity.

Further, these angels are angels of a particular kind -- they are spirit beings who actively support Faith practice and teaching. This raises an interesting point. If we compare the principles of occult magic and those of the Faith Movement, we can see the similarities. The question is: Would godly angels endorse such a teaching?

If godly angels would not endorse the Faith principles, what kind of angels are those that do? We offer the following to show that the leaders in the Faith Movement at the least claim that they can manipulate angels to do their bidding (an occultic practice).

Kenneth Copeland teaches that through Positive Confession, angels "are obligated to follow your command"; Gloria Copeland says, "Your words put the angels to work on your behalf to bring to pass whatever you say."

Charles Capps asserts that God told him that he was to "give orders" to angels to accomplish our desires. He teaches, "You need the supernatural beings of God working for you here on earth." And, "Angels...will work for you! They will become involved in every area of your life -- your home, your business, everything -- but only to the extent that you allow them to operate."

Kenneth Hagin claims that Jesus appeared in front of him with an angel next to Him and told him that this was "his angel" who would guide and direct his life. Jerry Savelle says that when we apply the principles of the Faith Movement "...the angels come on the scene to see that what you say comes to pass." John Osteen [father of Joel Osteen] teaches that, "When you become a covenant-person, God assigns angels to watch you and your family..."

Robert Tilton says, "When you talk positively about your dream, you not only release its substance, but you release the angels to work for you, causing your dream to come to pass." For those who tithe faithfully to his ministry he says, "I prophesy these miracles are coming to pass even this very moment. Angels, I send you forth as ministering spirits to cause these supernatural miracle[s] to come into my friend's [life]." But for those who make vows to his ministry and later renege, he also warns, "If you say your vow was a mistake, your angels will hear it and the work of your hands and what you are believing God for will be cursed instead of blessed...It stops God from telling the angels to go out and round up the money..."

Benny Hinn also accepts the ministry of the "Faith" angels.

Of course, no one denies that the Bible teaches that angels do serve God's interest in the life of the believer, or that some believers have entertained angels unaware (Hebrews 1:14; 13:2). But this is the point: Angels serve God's purposes in the life of the believer -- and the Faith Movement/Positive Confession isn't one of them. And angels usually do operate unaware -- behind the scenes. We cannot command angels to bring us money, nor are we to pray to them, nor will they teach us and guide us into things that are against the Word of God.

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

The Faith Movement, the Cults and the Occult

The relationship between Faith teachings and cultic theology.

Most Faith teachers have publicly stated that they are not teaching "Christian Science," "Mind Science," or "New Thought." This seems to indicate that even the Faith teachers recognize their similarities to cultic systems or at least awareness of the charges that others have made.

Nevertheless, despite the disclaimers, in many places their Faith teachings are either similar or nearly identical to those found in the Mind Science religions. The concepts of :

1. positive confession
2. prosperity and success
3. divine health
4. manipulation of creation
5. sensory denial
6. rejection of medical science

All of these teachings can be traced to the cultic Mind Science theologies of the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Unity School of Christianity, New Thought, and Science of Mind. (These three groups, along with the Faith Movement, also teach that "negative confession" can produce disease, tragedy, and even death.)

In fact, some teachings and practices found in the Faith Movement are also found in other unbiblical religions and cults. For example, the concept of believers being "gods" or having divine powers is found in Mormonism and Armstrongism. The practice of "decreeing" things into existence can be seen in some occult and Eastern groups such as The Church Universal and Triumphant, and Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism.

Perhaps all this is why charismatic historian D.R. McConnell so readily documents the cultic origin of the Faith Movement through E.W. Kenyon:

[The modern Father of the Faith Movement Kenneth Hagin plagiarized in word and content the bulk of his theology from E.W. Kenyon. All of the Faith teachers, including Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland, whether they admit it or not, are the spiritual sons and grandsons of E.W. Kenyon. It was Kenyon, not Hagin, who formulated every major doctrine of the modern Faith Movement...The roots of Kenyon's theology may be traced to his personal background in the metaphysical cults, specifically New Thought and Christian Science...Kenyon attempted to forge a synthesis of metaphysical and evangelical thought...the result in Faith theology is a strange mixture of biblical fundamentalism and New Thought metaphysics.]

For example, consider how cultic influences have intertwined themselves in the doctrine of healing:

The Faith theology of healing is based, not on the ability to detect physical symptoms but to deny them. The physical symptoms are not real. They will become real, however, if the believer acknowledges their existence and fails to apply the principles of spiritual healing. Only people who do not know how to believe God for spiritual healing resort to medical science. The Faith view of medical science is cultic...and is the same view preached by the founder of 19th century metaphysics, P.P. Quimby.

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg and John Weldon).

Paul Yonggi Cho's False Teachings

Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho pastors the world's largest church (600,000 members). He claims God spoke to him and revealed these new teachings. Cho offers a "law" of faith involving "incubating our subconsciousness" through visions, visualization (mental imaging directed toward a specific goal), and dreams. According to Cho, our subconscious is our spirit and our spirit is linked to the fourth dimension, the spiritual world. Because the spiritual world is always forming and shaping the physical world, and because we are linked in our subconscious to the spiritual world, we have power to shape it, and therefore to also shape this world. Thus, physical reality may be altered in accordance with the visualized desires.

Then God spoke to my heart, "Son, as the second dimension [e.g., a plane] includes and controls the first dimension [e.g., a line], and the third dimension [e.g., a cube] includes and controls the second dimension, so the fourth dimension [the spirit world] includes and controls the third dimension, producing a creation of order and beauty. The spirit is the fourth dimension. Every human being is a spiritual being as well as a physical being. They have the fourth dimension as well as the third dimension in their hearts."

Cho goes on to explain that by exploring the sphere of fourth dimension through visualization we can, by faith, "brood over and incubate the third dimension, influencing and changing it. This is what the Holy Spirit taught me."

In other words, all people have the innate ability to magically control creation by using the powers of their mind.

Thus, "God gave power to human beings to control the material world and to have dominion over material things, responsibility they can carry out through the fourth dimension." Just as non-Christians can join their human spirit with the spirit of the "evil fourth dimension" in order to produce miracles, so Christians can "link our spirit's fourth dimension to the fourth dimension of the holy Father...[and] become fantastically creative, and ... exercise great control and power over the third dimension [i.e., the material creation]."

By picturing what we desire inwardly in our subconsconcious mind, we somehow enter and/or manipulate "the fourth dimension" (the spiritual world) in order to actually produce miracles for us in the physical realm, the third dimension. Thus, "What becomes pregnant in your heart and mind is going to come out in your circumstances...Your word actually goes out and creates [reality]. God spoke and the whole world came into being. Your word is the material which the Holy Spirit uses to create."

Cho believes this fourth dimension principle not only has been the key to revolutionizing his ministry, but that it is necessary for all Christian ministry as well. Apart from manipulating the fourth dimension, the Church cannot be effective in Christian living or evangelism.

But is visualization really the "secret" of victorious praying and the "deeper language" of the Holy Spirit? Did God ever teach these things in the Bible? Does God require of us a certain state of consciousness -- or simple trust in Him? Do we have power over creation or does God?

Cho has recently rebuked the American Faith teachers for excesses and imbalance, but in his book Salvation, Health and Prosperity he teaches that apart from knowing the truths of the threefold blessings of salvation, health, and prosperity as outlined in his book, we cannot even properly understand the Bible. "Like blind men touching an elephant to comprehend its shape, those of us who read the Bible without this foundation cannot understand or interpret fully what we read."

In essence "The believer should not be limited to the three-dimensional plane, but should go beyond that into the fourth-dimensional plane of reality. We should live in the spirit...Your success or failure depends upon your fourth-dimensional thinking: visions and dreams." And, "God is linked to those who follow His example of incubating results through visions and dreams" because God wants Christians to "grow in [their] fourth-dimensional capabilities."

Unfortunately, it is not always easy to distinguish what Cho teaches from what the mind sciences teach. In essence, Christians can use similar techniques to those in the mind sciences, but for Christian purposes. Men can do tremendous miracles merely by contacting the fourth dimension and mentally incubating its inherent capacities to influence creation. If this sounds like magic, perhaps it is. But isn't it at least possible that such a teaching will confuse Christians as to the nature of sanctification or even make them susceptible to similar techniques and methods in the world of the cults and the occult?

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement byh John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

The Grand Poo-Bah says,

"Have you ever heard such drivel in your life before? How is it possible that intelligent, thinking people can be suckered in by this garbage and believe it to be true? The only answer that I can think of is that the followers of these leaders want the teachings to be true. It's not enough that Jesus died to save us from our sins. These leaders believe that if Jesus only died for our sins, people will not be interested in Christianity so they came up with a plan to offer more than forgiveness of sins as part of the plan of salvation. They've added health and wealth and the ability to manipulate your environment as incentives to accept Jesus as your personal Saviour. What a slap in the face to Jesus our Saviour who endured such pain and suffering on the Cross to secure forgiveness for our sins and make available a home in heaven for all eternity. The Resurrection has now been turned into a 'bag of goodies' which you have been promised by these charlatans that you will receive if you come to Christ. What could they possibly say to the Sovereign of the Universe on Judgment Day for having committed such a travesty?"

Oral & Richard Roberts' False Teachings

Oral Roberts has had a profound effect on many of the Faith teachers, including Jerry Savelle and Charles Capps. He also actively supports other leaders in the Faith Movement such as Kenneth Hagin. His son, Richard Roberts, supports the Faith Movement even more so, perhaps a result of his sitting under the tutelage of Kenneth Copeland.

Oral Roberts accepts the title of "...the senior apostle to the body of Christ in our day" and claims that he can "minister God's miracle power" to anyone. His famous "seed-faith" principle is a combination of elements of humanistic psychology, "positive confession" based on divine "laws," and a "gospel" stressing prosperity. Roberts teaches that Jesus Himself revealed His "seed-faith" principle to him. He claims this is "God's way of doing things through His Son Jesus Christ ... and then through His followers, for the meeting of all our needs ..." He teaches that the first principle of "seed-faith" is that God is our Source of total supply. His second principle is giving, e.g., money. Giving is "the seed of faith itself" and this "seed" can then be directed by the giver to perform miracles. His third principle is to expect a miracle. Why? Because this is "God's way of doing things...[and it is] based on eternal laws...laws so exact and perfect they always work for you."

Here is an illustration. In January of 1985 Oral Roberts sent out a letter informing his supporters that they could send for his "33 Predictions for You in 1985." These predictions were allegedly based on Roberts' exercising his "gift of prophesy" for them. The recipients of his letter were instructed to expect "creative miracles" and money. The reader was urged to send a "seed-faith gift" which would help him get a "hundredfold return." But there was a catch. Roberts said, "If you neglect to pay attention to what He [God] is especially saying to you, then Satan will take advantage and hit you with bad things and you will wish that 1985 had never come." Now, what could you have concluded from these statements if you didn't want to send any seed-faith money?

Even Roberts' former daughter-in-law, Patti Roberts, questions her involvement in Roberts' ministry. Besides guilt over the excessive wealth the Roberts enjoyed, she noted, "The seed-faith" theology "bothered me a great deal because I saw that, when taken to extremes, it reduced God to a sugar daddy. If you wanted His blessings and His love, you paid Him off. Over and over again we heard Oral say, 'Give out of your need.' I began to question the motivation that kind of giving implied. Were we giving to God out of our love and gratitude to Him or were we bartering with Him? ...I believed we were appealing to their sense of greed or desperation...[thus] I have a very difficult time distinguishing between the selling of indulgences and the concept of seed-faith..." Patti Roberts felt her father-in-law had become a manipulative fund-raiser. She also had a problem with his priorities -- the principles of seed-faith were given in every TV show, yet the gospel itself was rarely offered.

Our problem with the Roberts' seed-faith principles is that the conversations that Oral Roberts had with Jesus are suspect. If Jesus actually intended these vital principles for all believers, then why didn't He put them in the New Testament instead of waiting 2000 years?

Jesus supposedly told Roberts the following four things. First, "I have come to remind men of this eternal law of sowing and reaping, or of giving and receiving." Second, Roberts claimed "Jesus" told him that his principle of seed-faith was the deeper meaning of Matthew 17:20 ("If you have faith as a mustard seed..."). Third, Jesus included Galations 6:7 ("Whatever a man sows, this he will also reap") as part of these principles. Fourth, He explained that "Saint Paul stated the New Testament or New Covenant is based on seed faith."

But think about this. Could Jesus have said such things? And is this really what Paul meant? Paul didn't even mention seed-faith, let alone say that the New Testament is based on it. According to the writer of Hebrews, the New Covenant is based on the Person and work of Christ (Hebrews 9:15), not on a principle of seed-faith giving to produce miracles for those who give.

Also, the Jesus that spoke to Roberts was even mistaken about the "deeper meanings" in Scripture. The true meaning of Matthew 17:20 and Galations 6:7 is not Oral Roberts' "seed-faith" interpretation, as any good commentary will show. The same can be said about the false interpretation of Galations 6:9 stated by Roberts' "Jesus." "Let us not lose heart in doing good" is simply not a reference to seed-faith.

"Jesus" made other errors. He supposedly told Roberts that when the Bible records His statement, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (found in Acts 20:35), that His actual words do not convey His true meaning. Jesus revealed to Roberts that, "I meant it is more PRODUCTIVE to give than to receive." But does Oral Roberts expect us to believe that Jesus Himself has completely changed the emphasis of His original meaning from the joy of giving to the utility of giving? The biblical Jesus said, "Freely you received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8, emphasis added). Would the Jesus Christ of the Scripture, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and who "never changes" (Hebrews 1:12; 13:8; Malachi 3:6), ever alter the meaning of His own words? If so, how many other verses would require Jesus to give us new interpretations to make them accurate? What does this do to the inspiration of the Bible? Finally, would Jesus ever teach a lie to Oral Roberts? The fact is that the Greek word blessed (macarion) means "blessed," "fortunate," or "happy" -- it does not mean "productive."

To lead men to expect an automatic financial return of a hundredfold simply because they gave their money is to corrupt the very purpose and nature of giving; it leads to selfishness, not godliness. Yet, Roberts not only believes in the hundredfold return but that a person cannot give their finances to God cheerfully in tithing unless they also know they will get a greater return back. Unfortunately, however, God is impotent to release "His miracle supply" until you permit Him to do so by following Roberts' guidance.

Even though Jesus taught that we were not to worry about our life, the problems of tomorrow, or the needs we now have (Matthew 6:25), Roberts teaches, "The most urgent problem facing you is HOW TO GET YOUR NEED MET WHILE YOU LIVE ON THIS EARTH..." because "needs exist to be met."

He proceeds to promise people that they can literally have a supernatural miracle every day of their lives. For example, "Is there a Bible formula for success and prosperity?...[To] get yourself in position to EXPECT A MIRACLE?...Yes..." This is why Oral and Richard Roberts write:

...You can expect a miracle...each and every day you live on this earth!...I witness to you today that God has already written your name on miracles...and there's one marked "today" and "tomorrow" and "every day" for the rest of your life...I heard God speak..."You tell your friends and Partners to expect a new miracle every day."

But, of course, if all this were true, why did Roberts' medical center go bankrupt? And why did he repeatedly have to make appeals to his ministry partners for funding even to the extent of threatening God's judgment and death upon him if he didn't raise the money? Why do his appeal letters continue to have to ask for money? Consider his September 1992 letter advertising his new book on getting God to say "Yes" after He has already said "No."

Indeed, this book, How Your Faith Works When God Says No, claims the following: "The truths in this new book come by fresh revelation straight from the throne room of God.."

Because Roberts believed, "I'm anointed to help you MORE THAN EVER" he enclosed special "spiritual" stamps (individually labelled with believers' needs) in his support letter to assist his partners in sending him more money "very soon." Otherwise, without this money he just can't do anything he is supposed to be doing for God.

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Kenneth Hagin's False Teachings

Kenneth Hagin, Jr. believes that his Faith teachings are "the secret of success with God." Kenneth Hagin, Sr. argues that "Christians should have super-prosperity and super-success"! Thus, on one occasion God allegedly told him that He expects His people to meet in the very best places in town.

Interestingly, the Hagins, along with Tilton and Copeland, concede that the Faith message isn't working too well. Nevertheless, progressing upward from positive confession, they now emphasize the "commanding power" of the believer that was purchased for them at Calvary:

...The greatest fact from God's Word: commanding power...that every...child of God is capable of operating...Commanding is different from confession...Our problem is that we have been doing a lot of praying and a lot of confessing, but we haven't been doing any commanding.

God told Hagin, Sr. verbally,

"In the first place...don't pray about money anymore...Claim whatever you need." ... The Lord continued, "You say, 'Satan take your hands off my money!' ...Say, 'I claim..., 'naming whatever it is you want or need.' ...I said to the Lord, "Now Lord, I can't believe that you want us to meet our needs -- but our wants?" He replied..."in the 23rd Psalm...it says, 'The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not WANT.'" ... [Thus, God continues] "Claim whatever you need or want. Say 'Satan, take your hands off my finances.' Then say, 'Go, ministering spirits, and cause the money to come.'"

(Perhaps this explains why Hagin wrote the booklet, How to Write Your Own Ticket with God.)

Thus Hagin proceeds with: "Can you see what he was saying? Turn your order in! Send the ministering spirits out to get it by saying, 'Go, ministering spirits, and cause the money to come.'" In another place Hagin explains, "The devil is the one who stops money from coming to you...The Lord told me several years ago as I was complaining about needing money, ' Well, I can't do anything about it. It's up to you. You command it to come in Jesus' name...You even can speak to the angels, 'he told me, 'and they will go to work for you...'"

Hagin further teaches that "sickness and disease are of Satan...It is not the will of God for Christians to be ill." He believes that prayers made in hope are made in vain and that trusting God from the heart without positive confession is not enough: "Nowhere does the Bible teach that if you just believe in your heart you will get an answer." Hagin also teaches that faith is a tangible force/power and that fear is an evil spirit: "I always have treated fear as if it were a spirit..."

Finally, Hagin still believes that Christians know God through their spirits, not their minds. Because the inner spirit is the "real" man and the Holy Spirit communicates with the inner spirit, He does not communicate with our minds. This is why our spirits must dominate our minds. (cf. Romans 12:2; Luke 24:25; Hebrews 8:10; 1 Corinthians 14:32).

Despite Hagin, Sr.'s apparently great faith, in his own books he confesses that he regularly forgets Scriptural truth and has a problem with staying in the will of God. Indeed, at times he seems to be out of God's will as much as he is in it. This is so in spite of the fact that he gets regular visions -- and at least eight personal visits (so far) from Jesus -- to encourage him and keep him on the proper path. If Jesus was really guiding Kenneth Hagin, Sr., one can but wonder, would he have the kinds of problems he confesses? For example, why did even God have to tell him that "another trouble with you is that you don't practice what you preach"?

(From The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)

Robert Tilton's False Teachings

In the writings of "Pastor to America" Robert Tilton we can see a common theme of the Faith teachers. That theme is: In the alleged revelations God gives to these teachers, God Himself consistently promotes a "Faith" teaching and practice. Thus, as if he were a Faith teacher himself, God warns people against "walking in the natural" and promises them "supernatural abundant miracles" by using "faith as a force."

Tilton teaches that God gave him his beliefs which include the idea that "an untapped and unlimited treasury of dreams, visions, and inspired ideas is within your spirit...All you must do is speak forth this treasure. Your words release what is in your spirit, whether it is good or bad...Words have both substance and influence." For example, speaking positively about what one desires releases its substance -- as well as angels -- to bring it about.

Thus, God allegedly told Tilton to give the world this message: "I am sending out a message to wake up My people to be willing and obedient to My Word...yes, for I have come today to sup and to live within thee. To live BIG within thee. As you say YES to the good things I have for you, they will be attracted towards you...So acknowledge that health and prosperity are here. As you acknowledge [this] ...it will acknowledge you and come forth in thy life NOW."

Tilton further claims that "...there are no limits, no restraints, and no restrictions to what God will do in you, through you and for you if you simply believe and do what God has asked me to tell you."

Although Tilton, like Copeland, confesses the failures of the Faith movement, he also acts and teaches in the following manner.

Tilton claims that "the Spirit of God is upon me the same way the Spirit of God was on the Lord Jesus Christ"; thus, he thinks that the inspired thoughts and words he gives out "are the word of God."

Tilton prophesies money into existence to the readers of his books and he promises a hundredfold return to believers through their "faith" -- especially if they tithe to his ministry. For example, he promises that by giving money to his ministry, people can release God's power to that, in return, God will give them money and other nice things.

Tilton claims that faith is the spiritual substance and/or power that underlies the universe. Thus, he claims that through faith he can supernaturally manipulate his environment. For example, he believes he can declare and decree future events into existence and also "release God's Spirit and presence" into another person's life. Indeed, any man or woman can manipulate the creation if they follow Tilton's techniques: "The Creator lives inside you and wants to create through you...You have the Word of God that created everything in your mouth. Speak it out!...God created His world through faith. He gave you the means of His faith so that you could create your world." This is supposedly true because everything a person needs is already existing in the spirit realm and in order to obtain it one only need appropriate the proper spiritual laws, for example, "The name of Jesus activates the promises."

Tilton also thinks man is "a god" who determines his own destiny: "The nature of deity" is "deposited and implanted within a believer." Thus, Tilton boldly commands angels to do his will. Further, "The Lord spoke these words to me: 'I cannot loose from heaven what you don't loose on earth.'" But "Thoughts are things, and the corresponding action of faith will cause those things hoped for to come to pass and become realities in your life...You are a God-kind of creature...We succeed because...we have worked the Word...we are a new species here upon the earth. We are like super-men."

Tilton also interprets the Atonement of Christ as undergirding the "Faith" message. Thus, referring to success, happiness, peace of mind, health, and prosperity, Tilton teaches that Jesus "purchased them at Calvary." For example, he argues that "God will heal all the time, by faith...--100% guaranteed!"

Nevertheless, on his national television programs, Tilton will speak forth the thoughts of his own mind -- and yet preface them with a, "Thus sayeth the Lord." That they are his own thoughts is obvious because what Tilton proceeds to teach is frequently a blatant misinterpretation of the Bible and could not possibly be something from God's own mind. Still he confesses, "I won't change what I am preaching."

(from The Facts on the Faith Movement by John Ankerberg & John Weldon)