In this chronicle of mutations within the Pentecostal movement, we learn to distinguish among the Prosperity Gospel, Word of Faith, and New Apostolic Movements — and we learn why it matters.
One of the worse ‘mutations’ of Pentecostalism is the Prosperity Gospel -
Prosperity gospel
The prosperity gospel has had several names throughout its history, including the “health and wealth gospel” and the “word of faith”. The movement’s Pentecostal antecedents arise out of the healing movements of the 19th century. Early Pentecostals, believing in healing through their use of the foundational scriptures and the imminent return of Christ, laid on hands and prayed for healing.
These original teachings on healing were appropriated by many Pentecostal churches and evangelists, but for some the teachings of E. W. Kenyon on the word of faith, and an emphasis on “faith”, became more important emphases in ministries and churches. This emphasis on the power of faith asserted that Christ’s atonement for sins on the cross included healing — if faith was applied appropriately, whatever a believer prayed for that was in God’s will would occur.
In the late 1940s Kenneth Hagin, sometimes called the father of the Word of Faith Movement, focused in on principles of ”faith”, and the right of believers to be healed. Hagin, alongside evangelists like Oral Roberts, A.A, Allen and others, began to teach either about healing, or health and wealth, and how to appropriate these through the proper application of “The Word of Faith”.
Emphasis was placed on an almost fanatical belief in speaking and living the word of faith in line with scripture. These teachings became the foundational for many in the movement, including Hagin’s protégés Kenneth Copeland, Frederick K. C. Price, and John Osteen. Many mainline Pentecostals embraced these teachings and attended Copeland and Hagin meetings, which also attracted Charismatics in mainline denominations. These movements, now named prosperity gospel, garnered more participants and visibility in the 1990s, with the advent of larger non-denominational churches linked to these ministries, and the explosion of full gospel churches led by leaders like Paul Morton, who linked with other leaders with Pentecostal backgrounds like T.D. Jakes. (Read the rest here.)
The article goes on to discuss Sarah Palin’s New Apostolic Reformation (not that she started it). So, what do you think – what is a pentecostal?
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
Would Joyce Meyer by Word of Faith? She talks about the importance of words, but she doesn’t act as if the Christian life is always a bed of roses.
Would Joyce Meyer by Word of Faith? She talks about the importance of words, but she doesn’t act as if the Christian life is always a bed of roses.
I have not read much on her – but I do know that she complied with the Senate investigation. I would not categorize her, on what I know, along the lines of a prosperity preacher though.
By “Pentecostal”, do you mean:
1. Legalism run-a-muck with hair so mangy, Crystal Gayle would say, “Dang girl, you need a haircut.”
2. Or stereotype central of megalomaniac preachers using the Bible instead as a scalpel to dissect the sin in one’s life, it’s a broadsword just hacking the mess out of people and the way they give?
Just checking.
By “Pentecostal”, do you mean:
1. Legalism run-a-muck with hair so mangy, Crystal Gayle would say, “Dang girl, you need a haircut.”
2. Or stereotype central of megalomaniac preachers using the Bible instead as a scalpel to dissect the sin in one’s life, it’s a broadsword just hacking the mess out of people and the way they give?
Just checking.
You are alive!
Umm…. how do you define charismatics?
Joel, since we don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, we’d have to examine each Pentecostal group. I believe Fee reminds us of that.
But I would always associate Pentecostals with those folks who were into Baptism of the Spirit, miracles, music, and dispensationalism.
But that’s not true of them all. I’ve since learned that.
Joel, since we don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, we’d have to examine each Pentecostal group. I believe Fee reminds us of that.
But I would always associate Pentecostals with those folks who were into Baptism of the Spirit, miracles, music, and dispensationalism.
But that’s not true of them all. I’ve since learned that.
to the origional question? NO way, they are Money hungry, I made the mistake of sending some money to TBN,once, and was flooded by mail asking for money from just about everyone of those prosperity Pimps….. never again….,Sow some seed and send me your money and God will make you rich, I told them to sow the seed for me since they had so much money, more than anyone… they should be helping the poor, I guess Jan has to have lots to keep her makeup and pink hair up to date…
to the origional question? NO way, they are Money hungry, I made the mistake of sending some money to TBN,once, and was flooded by mail asking for money from just about everyone of those prosperity Pimps….. never again….,Sow some seed and send me your money and God will make you rich, I told them to sow the seed for me since they had so much money, more than anyone… they should be helping the poor, I guess Jan has to have lots to keep her makeup and pink hair up to date…
Joyce Meyer, has a 2.million $ home, and likes diamonds…… mmmmmm, does she qualify ?
Are Paula White and Creflo Dollar still Pentecostals? | The Church …: In this chronicle of mutations within th.. http://bit.ly/2SQaTJ
T.C., I think that the point of the article is that their are too many groups which claim ‘Pentecostal’ but have become a separate group. While Pentecostalism is, I believe, as you describe it – with or without dispensationalism – these other groups often use those core values, if you will, as a launching platform. Miracles? Money is the new miracle. Music? Have you see what the Third Wave and others, such as John Crowder do? (Rhetorical).
Are Paula White and Creflo Dollar still Pentecostals? | The Church …: In this chronicle o.. http://bit.ly/15mEIV http://bit.ly/105Fmv
Joel, you’re right. A redefinition is needed. This seems to be true of every denomination. That’s the problem when denominations are not fluid enough.
But if there are two or three things that make you a part of a particular denomination, then the idiosyncrasies of each local church shouldn’t really matter, if the two or three things are present.
Well, the tags on the “Wall” don’t just show up themselves, my fine fellow of the fishies.
Actually, that’s a good question – the difference between Pentecostals and Charismatics. The easy answer is Charismatics are simply Pentecostals with a fashion budget. (Ba-dum-bum-ching).
However, the answer is in 1960. That’s when the charismatic renewal became doxology and was put in a home with the formation of A/G and other like-minded churches. Before that, “Charisma” was just that, “a gift.” The Pentecostal reformation was at the turn of the century, but that’s anything not Catholic to them.
Then, the argument revolved around glossolalia. To “Charismatics,” it’s a gift and can be exercised despite denomination. To “Pentecostals,” it’s the proof of salvation. One on hand, it’s a sign of a believer, and the other it’s THE sign.
Ah, gotta love denominations. Sigh.
I have not read much on her – but I do know that she complied with the Senate investigation. I would not categorize her, on what I know, along the lines of a prosperity preacher though.
Joyce Meyer, has a 2.million $ home, and likes diamonds…… mmmmmm, does she qualify ?
You are alive!
Umm…. how do you define charismatics?
T.C., I think that the point of the article is that their are too many groups which claim ‘Pentecostal’ but have become a separate group. While Pentecostalism is, I believe, as you describe it – with or without dispensationalism – these other groups often use those core values, if you will, as a launching platform. Miracles? Money is the new miracle. Music? Have you see what the Third Wave and others, such as John Crowder do? (Rhetorical).
Joel, you’re right. A redefinition is needed. This seems to be true of every denomination. That’s the problem when denominations are not fluid enough.
But if there are two or three things that make you a part of a particular denomination, then the idiosyncrasies of each local church shouldn’t really matter, if the two or three things are present.
Well, the tags on the “Wall” don’t just show up themselves, my fine fellow of the fishies.
Actually, that’s a good question – the difference between Pentecostals and Charismatics. The easy answer is Charismatics are simply Pentecostals with a fashion budget. (Ba-dum-bum-ching).
However, the answer is in 1960. That’s when the charismatic renewal became doxology and was put in a home with the formation of A/G and other like-minded churches. Before that, “Charisma” was just that, “a gift.” The Pentecostal reformation was at the turn of the century, but that’s anything not Catholic to them.
Then, the argument revolved around glossolalia. To “Charismatics,” it’s a gift and can be exercised despite denomination. To “Pentecostals,” it’s the proof of salvation. One on hand, it’s a sign of a believer, and the other it’s THE sign.
Ah, gotta love denominations. Sigh.