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Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century

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I found the book to be well-researched, disturbing, frustrating, saddening, discouraging. I think it's a needed book, a timely book. But I also think it is a book with power. I have no doubt that Hanegraaff will infuriate some readers. He has that way about him. A no-nonsense, tell-the-truth manner about him. He isn't seeking popularity. He isn't seeking flattery. He doesn't care if you "like" him. He has a job to do: expose the truth. And the truth he reveals is both sad and infuriating. Sad in that these false teachers and preachers have been accepted and applauded within the Christian community--within Christian bookstores--within mainstream America without a question, without a second, third, or fourth thought. It's extremely sad and discouraging to go to a Christian bookstore and see such rubbish on the shelves. Much of it prominently displayed. Sad that no one else seems willing to take a stand. Infuriating that these preachers are deceiving people, people who are being misled by what sounds good, what sounds nice. Which would you rather hear? That God has promised unequivocally to bless you and prosper you. That you can demand health and wealth from God. That he's there to grant all your wishes and desires. There to play Santa and genie all in one. Or that God has told us "in this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world." Time and time again--in the gospels and the epistles--we're told that we're to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, follow Him even if it means suffering, persecution, discomfort. God never promised us heaven-on-earth. He never promised us a comfortable life. He wants to conform us, transform us. Sure the health, wealth, prosperity gospel sounds nice enough in theory. But is it true? No! If you believe the Word of God is God's Word. That God is the author of all 66 books. Then you should take care that you're not deceived by folks who proclaim another gospel, another God, another Jesus. Preachers and teachers of this movement can and do twist and contort, abuse and misabuse, warp Scripture.

Hank Hanegraaff provides ample proof. He uses their own words--both written and spoken--to present his case against them. Not just a quote or two. Both in the text and in the end notes he shows just what these preachers and teachers have said, have preached, have believed, have promoted.

Hanegraff doesn't just argue that these preachers and teachers are wrong because he says they are, because he dislikes them, because he'd like to take them down a notch or two. No, he uses Scripture again and again and again. He righly points out the meaning of Scripture. He presents their message. Then presents proofs as to how their interpretation cannot be the correct one. Hanegraaff's message is rooted in Scripture.

One of the most shocking things I learned while reading this is that there are a handful of preachers out there saying that Christians should not pray the Lord's Prayer. That it is wrong--unbiblical--spiritually damaging to pray 'if it's according to your will' or 'in God's will' etc. That was just one of the shockers in the book.

His argument is never that the people who listen to these messages are stupid and foolish. That they're to blame, at fault, guilty. He's not attacking the listeners. He's attacking the message itself. He is moved--quite passionately so--to undeceive the listeners, to try to alert folks to the situation. He wants to wake people up--both in and out of the movement--so that they find the true gospel, that they find comfort and relief in the truth. He's actually trying to do them a favor: the whole the truth will set you free.

I grew up with these teachings. As an adult, I had to heal from a lot of spiritual abuse. Both the Billy Graham organization as well as Focus on the Family recommended 'Christianity in Crisis'. So much of that book was so familiar to me. I've seen the word-faith teachings evolve since my childhood several decades ago. This book captures that evolution perfectly. Mr Hanegraaff's book is a must-read for anybody touched by these teachings. I still have family seduced by this theology. I wish they'd read this book.

This is an unpleasant book to read. This was probably a very unpleasant book to write. And yet, as much as it pains me to admit, this is book well worth reading. In some Christian circles, this book should probably be required reading! Hank Hanegraff walks through almost all the most popular "name it and claim it" faith movement figures of contemporary America and exposes their theology and practice for what it is and what it is not. While sometimes Hanegraff's criticisms seem unduly harsh, petty and reaching, once he finishes his arguments, the reader cannot help but agree that Hanegraff is completely correct in his concerns. Many of the most popular figures in today's "faith" movement are not just colorfully strange and eccentric believers to be tolerated within the church. They are spiritually dangerous and sometimes openly destructive folks whose thinking and practice must be resoundingly rejected. Hanegraff does so.

As a general rule, I dislike this kind of book. As an overly critical person already, I usually avoid this kind of reading because I don't need any help moving in this direction. But I'm sadly glad I read this book. I do have a few suggestions however...

First of all, thinking of a man in my former church who never spoke to me unless he had a word of criticism, I would like to see a more balanced approach to the people and ideas being skewered. While I agree with the conclusions, I would still like to see at some passing recognition of the good these people occasionally do. Not all snake oil salesmen are evil, nasty people - some are just selling bad products.

Secondly, I would have appreciated a simpler focus and more concise book. Cut the book in half and simply spend one chapter on each figure being considered. It would have been much easier to wade through. Many of the people who most need to read this book will probably not be willing to wade through 400 pages. But they might be willing to scan through and read the chapters on at least a few of their personal heroes.

Third and finally, I thoroughly hate the title! While Christendom and religion might constantly be under attack and dealing with crisis, the true Christian faith will never be in crisis. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world! If we dial back the crisis language, work in a little more grace and thin the conversation down to the real essentials, the objectives of this book might be better accomplished.

I wish this book weren't necessary. But sadly, that isn't the case. It truly saddens me to see what passes for wisdom in American religious life. May this book be an encouragement to all its readers to get back into the Bible for themselves so these kinds of foolish ideas will have no ignorant soil in which to take root. Thanks for all your work, Hank. I do appreciate it.

I received the book Christianity In Crisis: The 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff recently, not knowing exactly where he would be going with his material. Turns out that he takes on the whole "Faith Movement" belief system, sometimes referred to as the prosperity doctrine. By researching and documenting the teachings of people like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, and others, he reveals a brand of Christianity that is far different than what's been practiced for the last 2000 years. And while it's easy to just flip over the channels where these people teach their brand of faith, it's far more dangerous not to know the background and dangers involved...

Contents:
Part 1 - Turning Truth Into Mythology: Cult or Cultic?; Charismatic or Cultic?; Cast of Characters; Charting the Course
Part 2 - Faith in Faith: Force of Faith; Formula of Faith; Faith of God; Faith Hall of Fame
Part 3 - Little Gods: Deification of Man; Demotion of God; Deification of Christ; Demotion of Christ
Part 4 - Atonement Atrocities: Re-creation on the Cross; Redemption in Hell; Rebirth in Hell; Reincarnation
Part 5 - Wealth and Want: Cultural Conformity; Cons and Cover-Ups; Covenant-Contract; Context, Context, Context
Part 6 - Sickness and Suffering: Symptoms and Sickness; Satan and Sickness; Sin and Sickness; Sovereignty and Sickness
Part 7 - Back to Basics: A = Amen; B = Bible; C = Church; D = Defense; E = Essentials
Epilogue; Appendix A - Are "God's Anointed" Beyond Criticism?; Appendix B - Apologetics - The Defense of the Faith; Appendix C - The Three Universal Creeds; Scripture Index; Subject Index; Bibliography; Notes

Hanegraaff takes on the prosperity preachers and the "Faith Movement" in all areas here. Using documented sources such as interviews, books, television appearances and more, he strips the veneer off of preachers like Benny Hinn, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and many others. He goes beyond the praise Jesus and send us money stereotypes to dig into the doctrine and belief systems that these people espouse. And that theology is dangerous. Beyond the "we deserve to be rich and prosperous" message lies more deadly teachings such as God can't do anything until we ask, we're no different than Jesus, and all illness is a sign that you are harboring sin in your life. Single verses are taken out of context to support their activities, while whole other passages are ignored that would correct their errors if only they were considered. And if they don't like the implications of a particular verse, they just rewrite to say something completely different.

In some areas, the book seems to require some heavy slogging, as there is so much detail involved. Also, after a while it's hard to keep the different players straight as they all seem to share much of the same erroneous theology and distasteful practices. But this type of a book needs to be out there, and it needs to pull no punches when it comes to combatting heresy. This should be required reading for anyone involved in the "name it and claim it" movements, or for those wondering if they're out of God's will because of certain hardships they're undergoing. While it might be nice to believe that God's going to give us every material want we have, it's deadly to base your entire view of God on that premise.

Having read the original Christianity in Crisis only a few years ago, I was already wondering when an update or 2nd edition would come out, dealing with the newest crop of televangelists. At the time I had read the first book, most of the older generation of televangelists were unknown to me, and the new stars on scene, like Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Paula White, etc, were not covered in the book. Christianity in Crisis 21st Century answers that need amply.

For anyone who is not familiar with the work, it is a very readable exposé of the "Word of Faith" movement, which is largely represented by big name televangelists like Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth & Gloria Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch, Benny Hinn, Morris Cerullo, Creflo Dollar, T.D. Jakes, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and others. The Word of Faith movement claims to represent genuine, faith-filled Christianity, and true spirituality--but do the teachings, "miracles", words and actions of these "faith megastars" really bear that out? The meticulously documented and thorough examination of the evidence provides a devastating challenge to such claims, and should leave any reader, Christian or not, astonished at what these televangelists teach. And this is a matter of real concern, as these teachers have a huge influence over many millions of Christians today, and the newer, sometimes more subtle stars like Osteen, Meyer, and Jakes, have elevated these dangerous teachings to a whole new level of mainstream popularity.

Ever since reading the first book, I have been astonished at how widespread the books of these televangelists are in Christian bookstores and catalogues. T.D. Jakes, who openly denies the essential Christian teaching of the Trinity, has gained such acclaim that the New York Times compared him favorably to Billy Graham. Meyer and Osteen reflect the same errors and distortions about the atonement (how Christ paid for our sin) and the doctrine of God and man that are characteristic of the "old-school Word of Faith movement." Yet they represent a "softer" and sometimes less-offensive sell of the same ideas. It should be a matter of grave concern for Christians that this movement deviates widely from orthodox Christianity, and yet is continuing to gain a huge audience. More than before, many people, Christian or not, identify these teachers as part of the public face of Christianity, despite their aberrant teachings.

As the reader will see and hear from the televangelist's own mouths, their teachings do not represent innocuous little mistakes or differences of opinion on minute theological questions, but rather serious errors and distortions on the heart and foundation of basic Christian teachings. The reader should find ample evidence to show that these teachers do not represent authentic or orthodox Christianity and should be clearly disavowed. At stake are the teaching of the Trinity: that there is one true God in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Also the essential difference between God and man in their powers and limitations. The Word of Faith movement persistently and brazenly teaches in a way that demotes God to a helpless and weak being--light years away from how He is portrayed in the Bible (some call God the "greatest failure" in the Bible!!). They simultaneously elevate man to having equal or greater power than God, so that God is bound by our demands, if we know how to properly command Him with the "Word of Faith." (Many of the "Word of Faith" teachers call themselves and Christians who follow their teachings as little gods or even messiahs).

Also at stake is the person of Christ and His work of salvation. As they do with God, they also demote Christ and elevate Satan's power, and make radical changes to what the Bible teaches about how salvation was accomplished. You have to read it for yourself to believe it. Additionally they twist Scriptures mercilessly to make Jesus into a fabulously dressed rich man, and urge that true disciples of Jesus should experience the same material prosperity. Their teachings on physical healing have devastating consequences on believers who have faith in God despite handicaps or other illnesses. This is seen in many heart-breaking personal accounts from those who've left the movement or been burned by its theology. Rather than bringing people the comfort of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they burden them with false blame for their own sickness. Indeed, to say these televangelists accurately represent authentic Christianity is to defend the turning of the Scriptures completely upside down.

I have a few minor criticisms of the book. One is that there is a certain degree of repetitiveness in the book, which is apparently intentional from a teaching and reinforcing standpoint. However, sometimes the same quote would be found 3 or 4 times throughout the book. Also, the use of acronyms to summarize main points didn't strike me as particularly helpful, but it seemed to be reduced from the previous book, so it wasn't such a dominant feature. Additional teaching acronyms were found in the appendix for those who like that. Finally, in providing a fair analysis of the teachers, which I believe Hanegraaf did very well by ample quotation, I think it would have been good to note (perhaps in an appendix) which of the teachers have avoided certain of the errors, if any. For example, I've heard that some of the "new breed" don't make such direct appeals for money, though they still hold to the prosperity teaching. Perhaps this would require too exhaustive of a knowledge of their writings and sermons, however.

Even secular TV reporters have "sounded the alarm" on several of the televangelists. Not merely from a theological angle, but exposing the extravagant lifestyles, private jets and exotic vacations paid for out of "ministry" dollars; lack of financial transparency; the impossibility of verifying any of the supposed healings that take place at rallies; as well as some of the brazen backlash that the televangelists have made against any investigation of them. Hopefully this book will continue to serve as a wake-up call to misled Christians, and the false teachings of this dangerous movement can once and for all be discarded and disregarded. The crisis is real.

I usually inhale a good book like fresh air after a thunderstorm. Rarely can I make one stretch more than a week, unless it's very, very dry or very, very long.

I began reading Hank Hanegraaff's Christianity in Crisis over a year ago. I'm tempted to end this review here with a flippant, "Enough said," but that wouldn't be fair to Mr. Hanegraaff, or his readers.

The truth is, Christianity in Crisis has some notable strengths (aside from the fact that I received it free from Thomas Nelson, as part of their book review blogger program). Before I read this book I was largely unaware of the Faith Movement, a dangerous place to be in this age. There can be no denying that many of the major players in this movement are spouting blatant heresy, yet many of their books are sold at our local Christian bookstore alongside authors like Beth Moore and Max Lucado.

Hanegraaff's "Cast of Characters" provides a thorough overview of the faces of the Faith Movement, including a couple of names I didn't expect to find there. As a whole, this is an excellent resource to be used when conversing or reading about the movement. However, in a few instances in the "Cast of Characters" (and throughout the rest of the book) I did find myself wondering if some of the quotes Hanegraaff uses to prove his point might have been taken a bit out of context. Most often these reservations struck me when he was discussing Joyce Meyer. It should be noted: I am not a Joyce Meyer fan, to put it very mildly. I have absolutely no desire to defend her teachings, but I also hesitate to condemn her based on this text alone.

Another strength of Christianity in Crisis includes the apologetics resources at the end of the book, in the "Back to Basics" chapter and Appendix A. I found this to be some of the most interesting and empowering reading of the entire work.

The final strength I'll discuss is also, ironically, one of the book's greatest weaknesses, and that is Thoroughness. There can be no argument that Hanegraaff has a wealth of knowledge about his topic, and he leaves no stone unturned in explaining and refuting every aspect of the Faith Movement. Unfortunately, he does so multiple times in slightly different ways. At one point, with this review in mind, I began keeping track of quotations that were repeated within 1-2 pages, but the list grew long enough that I lost interest.

Add to the redundancy the overuse of acronyms, and you've got the recipe for either a nap or a headache. Acronyms are great tools for memorization, unless they're thrown at you page after page: FACE, MEAL, MAPS, FEAT, DOCTRINE, AGE, etc. I can't tell you what a single one of them stands for, because I gave up trying to remember every time I turned the page to find a new one waiting for me. Some of them even included acronyms within acronyms!

My very rare negative reaction to this book left me asking, "Who is the audience?" I'm the type who usually enjoys an intellectual read. I like to be challenged, to think deeply about doctrine, etc. However, this one crossed that pain/pleasure threshold for me. It was so high-minded and repetitive, I just never felt hooked.

So, if I'm not the audience, who is? I'm guessing that most people who are already involved in the Faith Movement would never get past the first chapter, considering the communication styles they're obviously drawn to in the Faith preachers. Perhaps this is intended as a textbook for clergymen.

In spite of my frustrations, I'm glad I read Christianity in Crisis. It has given me a broader perspective of a very powerful and dangerous cult that has infiltrated the Church, and it has given me a great respect for the knowledge of Hank Hanegraaff. I might have struggled with the literary style of this particular work, but I believe the author's heart, passion, and extensive intellectual gifts are being fully devoted to God's work in the battle for truth.

"Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth..." The Apostle Paul (Acts 20:30)

I knew some of the theology of the "Word of Faith" movement but I never knew just how messed up and how full of error it actually is. After reading this book it is amazing and sad how many people are hooked by the personalities and the "Name it Claim it" and the "Jesus was rich and he wants you to be too.

If you want a very well documented treaty on what some of the major players in the movement are and what they say or believe and how it stands up to an Historical and Evangelical view of the Bible. Or, if you are or have love ones who are in or listen to any of them -- This book is for you.

It is amazing how far the "Word of Faith" movement moves from what the Bible clearly teaches. With this book you will learn about some the history of the "Word of Faith" movement. The Fathers of the movement and some of the current stars of it. You will also walk through some the major tentants of the movement.... and how it contrasts with the Bible and Historic Christianity....


1. The reason of Faith and how it works in the spiritual economy.

2. Who is God? Are God's hands tied and does he need our permission to do anything on earth? What is Man? A Little God or not? Is Satan a God? And What about Christ? Did he take on the essence of Satan and go to hell?

3. What about Christ's atonement save us and what do they say about it?

4. The issue of wealth and the name it claim it "God wants you to be rich!"

5. The issue of sickness and suffering

and then after that Hank takes us back to the basics...

What is neccesary for a healthy Christian walk and how to spot a haresy from 100 yards away... and a basic primer on apologetics (The Study of the Defense of the Faith)

My only issue with this book is that the same quotes seem to be used over and over and over again. After awhile it does start to wear on you.

On the positive Hank and his crew set out to make a highly readable, understandable, highly documented (Over 50 pages of notes), and usable book about the differences between the "Word of Faith" movement and Historic - Evangelical Christianity (Including pentecostals).

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Let me start this book review by saying: This book took me by surprise. I didn't expect what I got hit with. In fact, the seriousness of the situation that this book presents was truly unknown to me.

Hank Hanegraaff in this deep look into the "Faith Movement" opens up a can of worms most Christians ignore, or are unaware of. I think most level headed Evangelicals ignore people like Joel Osteen and his silly "Health and Wealth" gospel, but never know truly how heretical he and his groupies have gotten.

Hank opened my eyes in Christianity in Crisis to the teachings of people I just blew off. He exposes them as wolves among the flock and rightfully so. He gives quotes, not sound bites mind you, but long, written and spoken quotes of these "Faith Teachers" that truly show the heretical, mind boggling theology they preach.

Hank doesn't just end there, either. He takes each piece of "FLAWED" theology, unpacks it, rebukes it and gives the Christians reading it the means to stand against such heretical teaching. I was shocked at how much there truly was! Hank's book is well over 350 pages full of knowledge, combat skills and illumination. I've read some reviews calling Hank too "harsh" and "mean" however, the Bible tells us how to handle wolves...and it doesn't say to be "nice" to them!

I can tell you that if you read this book, your eyes will be open to stuff you never saw before about such preachers as: Benny Hin, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer and TD Jakes to name a few. God will use this books to remind us that it is God (not words) that are all powerful. You can't speak your future into existence...only God can create it! We must rely on God, not our "Words of Faith" to get us through life.

This book is a strong theological push against false teaching. I think it is well worth the time and effort to read and understand!

Some things that were really good about this work was that Hanegraaff gave some specific examples and didn't seem to be "attacking" a person. He really made it a point to target the teachings and not the people themselves. Though at times, Hanegraaff is very bold in his wording, I agree that with errant teachings, Christians do not need to be tolerant and worry about the feelings of other people. I really think that the reason that many "teachers" of the kind of theology that Hanegraaff exposes in this work have massive followings because not many people have had the courage to stand up and call them to account. I also really liked the fact that he cited all of his references so that someone could come behind him and check his work. Hanegraaff is definitely not trying to hide anything. He was rather calling some false teachings to be laid plainly on the table.

There were some things that I would have liked to seen differently. I know that Hanegraaff was trying to give some credibility to what he was going to talk about, but the almost seventy pages of the "cast of characters" was a little long. I know that there are many in this "word-faith" teaching, but it was just hard to get through all of the characters when they seem to be the same thing over and over.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who might be wondering about all these tv preacher guys (and ladies). While not everyone on tv is teaching false doctrines, many are. Sadly, many who are outside of faith in Christ base their belief of Christianity by what is readily available to them. I think that this should encourage churches to get into their communities and be the true body of Christ and not leave it to someone who might be errantly representing Christ on tv to do so.

Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century is the author's response to the popularity and subsequent dangers of the Word/Faith movement that has infiltrated the American church. He does a good job of not only showing the cultic nature of this dangerous movement, but also helping the reader understand that not all Charismatic branches of Christianity espouse this dangerous doctrinal poison.

The Word/Faith movement is not a new one. Hanegraaff shows how its seeds have been sown for over a century now. He also does a good job of showing how the ever-changing cast of characters have developed from its beginning with E.W. Kenyon and Kenneth Hagin to more current proliferators like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and T.D. Jakes. The movement lacks denominational structure and its teachers have differing emphases and dangers in their teachings. Hanegraaff shows, however, that most all of them have some consistent heresies in their doctrine and teaching. The author's main points of dissention are that the movement redefines faith as a metaphysical force by which the believer can require and demand from God; a reduction of the deity of God and Jesus and a subsequent deification of man a sovereign over the earth; a redefining of the atonement of Christ in which Christ's redemption is not won on the cross but in an encounter in hell; and a dangerous teaching that believers should never be sick or in want because of the force of their faith.

Hanegraaff's book is well-written and well thought out. It exposes a very dangerous branch of the American church that very few in today's society have had the courage to confront. The movement's lack of structure and the vast bank of resources by its proponents have given it a strong foothold in the culture. Hanegraaff's writing shows a well-crafted researcher who has spent many years studying the false teachers of the Word/Faith movement. The author has employed over 1100 footnotes and quotes directly from these false teachers, exposing the reader in a large scale manner to the depth of deception and deviation from the truth that characterize the movement. However, the author does not just expose false teaching, but shows sound theology by giving the reader firm answers to the deceptive teaching.

In addition to the solid research and sound theology, the author makes use of acronyms to present the material to the reader. While seeming a little cheesy at first, the use of these acronyms provides the reader with memorable handles to recall the dangers of the Word/Faith heresy. This helps boil down the information into memorable handles that will go beyond the reading of the book.

Overall, Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century is a much-needed and timely alarm to the church today. In a time when present day books for church leaders mostly focus on missional renaissance and leadership techniques, and rightly so, Hank Hanegraaff has given those same leaders a sound call for doctrinal purity. Whether they realize it or not, all church leaders are battling every day with the subtle decay of sound doctrine and proliferation of man-centered, greed-filled teachings of the Word/Faith leaders. To overlook this decay leads to a silent endorsement of its teachings and quiet approval of its results. Pastors, read this book.