By Dr. Ron Rhodes: “Name” and “Claim” Your Own Miracle: The Word-Faith Movement
“Name it and claim it” has become a household phrase in millions of homes across America. Why so? Because Word-Faith teachers perpetually teach this doctrine on national television. Just about every night, one can tune in and learn how to gain health or wealth by following the prosperity formulas of Word-Faith teachers. These formulas, however, have more in common with cultic metaphysics than with Christianity.
Word-Faith teachers are indebted to Phineas P. Quimby’s metaphysical school of thought, which came to be known as “New Thought.” Quimby taught his followers that they could create their own reality through the power of positive affirmation. (David Gershon and Gail Straub, discussed previously in the chapter, were fans of Quimby too.) By using creative visualization, one can allegedly transform intangible images into tangible existence.
In reality, the Word-Faith teachers set forth a gospel of greed and avarice. The primary “miracle” in this gospel is the miracle of a fat wallet. This is not the Gospel of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Their gospel is commonly known as the “prosperity gospel”—setting forth the idea that it is God’s will that all Christians be wealthy. Following are some of the key elements of this deviant theology
Word-Faith teachers are indebted to Phineas P. Quimby’s metaphysical school of thought, which came to be known as “New Thought.” Quimby taught his followers that they could create their own reality through the power of positive affirmation. (David Gershon and Gail Straub, discussed previously in the chapter, were fans of Quimby too.) By using creative visualization, one can allegedly transform intangible images into tangible existence.
In reality, the Word-Faith teachers set forth a gospel of greed and avarice. The primary “miracle” in this gospel is the miracle of a fat wallet. This is not the Gospel of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Their gospel is commonly known as the “prosperity gospel”—setting forth the idea that it is God’s will that all Christians be wealthy. Following are some of the key elements of this deviant theology
Connect With John Ankerberg