Subject: cult by what definition? |
Bible Note: CERTAIN DETAILS OF WORD OF FAITH DOCTRINE VARY FROM TEACHER TO TEACHER. While certain details of the following outlined doctrine vary from teacher to teacher, the general outline remains the same. Kenneth Hagin is neither the designated nor the sole spokesman for the entire Word Faith movement. There is much more to Word of Faith teaching on healing than that which appears in Hagin's tenets of faith. The organization and leadership of the Assemblies of God do not teach or believe even ONE of the following points of Word of Faith doctrine -- NOT ONE. To claim otherwise one would have to be a fool, a liar or both. ------------- "The major tenets of the Word of Faith movement betray the fact that it is in opposition to mainstream, evangelical Christianity. It asserts that God created human beings in “God’s class” as “little gods.” Before the fall, humans had the potential to exercise a “God kind of faith” and could call things into existence. Humans took on Satan’s nature by rebelling against God in the Garden of Eden, thus losing the ability to call things into existence. In order to correct this situation, Jesus Christ became a man, died spiritually (taking Satan’s nature upon Himself), went to hell, was “born again,” and rose from the dead with God's nature. After this, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to duplicate the Incarnation in believers so they might fulfill their calling to be little gods. It follows, then, that those who have had the Incarnation duplicated in them by the Holy Spirit (thus giving them the ability to exercise the “God kind of faith”) should be successful in every area of their lives. Furthermore, hardships like indebtedness, illness, and even being left by one’s spouse show lack of faith because these problems should be eliminated by “claiming” God’s promises. While certain details of the above outlined doctrine vary from teacher to teacher, the general outline remains the same. CRI considers this teaching in its complete form to be at best aberrational and at worst heretical" (www.equip.org) ------------- The Assemblies of God teachings on healing are NOT identical to the teachings of the Word Faith Movement. Following are quotes regarding the A of G position on healing.: 'As the privilege of believers, the promise of healing does not rule out suffering for Christ's sake and the gospel's. We are expected to be prepared to follow His example ( Hebrews 5:8; 1 Peter 2:19,21; 4:12-14,19 [KJV/NIV]).' 'No one in the New Testament demanded healing. People came to Jesus beseeching Him. They did not look on healing as their right, but as a gracious privilege extended to them.' 'Jesus did not turn away from those who had little faith or weak faith. Those who are sick often find it is not easy to express faith, and Jesus did a variety of things to help them.' 'In humility we recognize that we do not understand all that pertains to divine healing. We still see through a glass darkly. We do not understand why some are healed and others are not any more than we understand why God permitted James to be martyred, while Peter was delivered. Scripture makes it clear, however, that our part is to preach the Word and expect the signs to follow.' (http://www.ag.org/top/beliefs/position_papers/4184_healing.cfm) |