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72 of 79 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
mcconnell tells the truth about the pentecostal imposters, December 4, 2002
This review is from: A Different Gospel: Biblical and Historical Insights into the Word of Faith Movement (Paperback)
This is a book that tells the truth. I have always believed that truth is truth, even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is falsehood, even if everybody believes it. The word-faith movement is big, what with the TBN television network and other big names promoting it, but that doesn't make it truthful. It is almost embarassing to say that I was raised a Pentecostal, because most of Christendom today (and non-Christians, for that matter) identify me with this movement. It is indeed an heretical movement, based on the teachings of Kenyon, who was steeped in the Eastern idea of there being a god within each of us, and the idea that Jesus was someone who needed a regeneration of his own heart after the death on the cross (discounting the orthodox Christian idea of a sinless man having broken the chains of death, hell, and the grave). This movement is based on Eastern concepts, but because it has taken on the terminology and outward appearances of Pentecostalism (speaking in tongues, on-the-spot translation, faith healing), many believe it to represent Pentecostalism. Nothing could be further from the truth. One only needs to ask an older member of a mainstream Pentecostal church (Church of God, Assembly of God) to find out this isn't so. Classic Pentecostalism has always maintained that there is no such thing as a "free lunch" in this fallen, sinful world, even for saints. We will all grow old and die (the death rate is still one per person, as Hank Hanegraaf says), and there is no guarantee of wealth in this life. Just because someone is a "child of God" is no guarantee of continued health and wealth. Both the godly and ungodly include the poor and sick. In fact, Jesus himself claims that his disciples "shall be hated of all men for my name's sake". The important things of life are not bound up in trying to surpass Bill Gates' bank account, nor in visiting the plastic surgeon past the age of 90. As we have all heard of "get rich quick" schemes, if it "sounds too good to be true, it probably is". In this case, some of these word-faith teachers are becoming wealthy off people's desire to have God's promises in this life (health and wealth forever), and are using the ploy of religious fervor to do it. McConnell has done a fantastic service by writing this book, even though sincere, dedicated Christians are unknowingly involved in this movement. He details the history of the movement to the present day, something that Hanegraaf's book didn't do. Very interesting and convincing. Would that there were more brave souls as McConnell to step forward.
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42 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
If You Can't Stand The Heat - Get Out of The Kitchen!, February 26, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: A Different Gospel: Biblical and Historical Insights into the Word of Faith Movement (Paperback)
Why 4 stars instead of 5? I have read the book twice and found the information 100% correct and on target. However, there are times when the author has forgotten (in my opinion) Peter's instruction in 1 Peter 3:16 to use gentleness and respect when challenging another. Other than this, the book is supurb. It is unfortunate that there are those who are biblically unsound and do not know how to properly interpret scripture. As a result you have unfounded and distorted reviews concerning this fabulous book. McConnell's research is perfect, timely and well documented. I was a licensed minister and pastor in the Word of Faith movement for ten years. I can attest to the validity and accuracy of what has been uncovered in this book. Only a foolish and a scripturally unlearned heart could say otherwise. Please, for your sake and the eternal sake of untold thousands, get this book! If you are involved in this hereitcal movement, repent, learn to love God instead of things and learn to walk in love and humility. True Christianity alone and not an empty religion such as the Word of Faith movement will set people free! Will set you free! Again, GET THIS BOOK! Read it and read it again. Titus 1:10-16 God bless you as you endeavor to seek the truth over fantasy.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What to start an argument?, January 24, 2006
This review is from: A Different Gospel: Biblical and Historical Insights into the Word of Faith Movement (Paperback)
Write a book like this one! McConnell wrote one of those "you either love it or hate it" books. Witness the raging reviews below!
McConnell hasn't written the perfect book. There are some loose ends that could have been addressed more thoroughly. For example - if the faith preachers have it wrong, then how does faith work? What about the clear scriptures that tell us we can move mountains (Mt 21:21), rebuke storms (Lu 8:23ff), and have what we say (Mk 11:23)? Some very clear scriptures need to be addressed, IMO.
However, McConnell nails many of the loose ends in the word faith / positive confession movement. Like the fact that occult groups have long taught that the forces of nature, or God, have to do what you tell them to, if you get the words right. That's the essence of magic. And it's the essence of the faith people's teaching -- You get what you say, you live your words (good or bad)...
McConnell's careful footnoting connects the founders of the faith movement clearly to the occult, New Thought, and Christian Science movements. And he raises the very relevant point - do heresy and error create orthodoxy?
McConnell updated his book in the mid 90's and answered his critics. The claim that this book is dated or debunked is silly. The issues are still on the table.
Get this book. It's the best, most balanced, most researched book done to date on this important rift in the church.
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