Customer Reviews

E.W. Kenyon The True Story: Includes previously unpublished material from his personal diary and sermon notes

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Having read several of Kenyon's life-changing books, McIntyre's book is an extremely interesting read. The book is well-written and is extremely well researched and documented. With a wealth of quotes, anecdotes, and details of Kenyon's life heretofore unpublished, McIntyre totally disarms the critics, removes misconceptions about the message of faith, and properly restores Kenyon's reputation as one of the finest of God's end time writers.

If you are one of the many Christians whose ears have been poisoned by listening to other misguided ministers malign and criticize E.W. Kenyon's books as heretical, you owe it to yourself to read this book! From it, you get a glimpse of Kenyon's heart and motivation in writing his books, his great love for his Lord and for people, and solid proof that Kenyon's message was firmly planted in orthodox soil. (In my opinion, anyone who labels Kenyon as heretical after reading McIntyre's book is attempting to willfully misunderstand Kenyon's writings.)

I would highly recommend any honest, thirsting heart that wants to know God better and anyone who wants to be everything that God wants him to be in Christ, to read all of E.W. Kenyon's books. The revelation that Kenyon unveils in the Word of God makes "ordinary" Christianity extraordinary, and will totally change the person who grabs hold of it. No wonder the devil hates Kenyon's books!

Thank you, Joe McIntyre, for writing this book and "setting the record straight." Proverbs 18:17, John 7:51

Mr. McIntyre has done an excellent job of presenting the other side of the story concerning E.W. Kenyon. If you are not colored by bias or prejudice to the Word of Faith, yet you have read the books by D.R. McConnell and Hank Hanegraaf then please by all means purchase this book as well. Along with that please also purchase "Christianity in Power" by Michael Bruno. This books will help you to see Word of Faith doctrine and teaching from another perspective.

Although I would not endorse all teaching that comes from Word of Faith (or any other church, movement, or organization for that matter), I would at least examine both sides of the issue and give it a fair assessment. "Do not judge according to APPEARANCE, but judge with righteous judgement." are the words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Please examine all evidence before passing judgement on a brother or sister in Christ.

This is the book that has been long awaited by those of us who feel that D.R. McConnell's portrayal of E.W. Kenyon's theology was off base and biased. McConnell's thesis may have earned him his Master's Degree but it did little to explain the true story behind Kenyon and his life.

In this work, Joe McIntyre brings to light interesting and very relevant facts that McConnell et al did not have access to or refused to consider. This alone proves that McConnell had a bone to pick with the "faith" movement and Kenyon was his scape goat. If McConnell could show that Kenyon was "cultic" then he could very well assert that many in the modern Faith movement are as well since it is widely known that a majority [of faith teachers] are widely read in Kenyon. But once again truth prevails as the book tells the whole story and corrects McConnell's mistaken thesis. The Bible is proven true once again when it states that a matter seems right until the other side has had it's say.

If you have been biased by McConnell, Hanagraaff or other "pop" apologists who portray Kenyon as a cultist you would do yourself a great service to buy this book and learn the "other" side for a change. I think you will agree that Hanagraaff, McConnell and others have misrepresented Kenyon and what he taught in ways no one would think possible given the facts at hand.

Kenyon has received serious criticism and charges of heresy from some of the "brethren" of our time. Yet his heart cry for Jesus is so obvious in all his writings, it seems hard to imagine his critics felt justified in their accusations. Joe McIntyre does fine research here into sources that were (a) available and overlooked by the critics, and (b) not reported because of bias. He also does a remarkable job in outlining Kenyon's beliefs and apologetics by contrasting them with leading figures of his time. This was one of the first books I've found that explains why those in the "faith movement" believe as they do.

Pastor Joe McIntyre, has produced an invaluable resource text for those in the body of Christ, who are not only interested in knowing the True Story of E. W. Kenyon. But are spiritually hungry for the victorious Revelational Truths taught by E.W.K.
This book will not only inspire you, but put a glossy wheather
proof coating over your Faith-Walk from legalistic head-hunters, as well. Trust me!!!

"E. W. Kenyon - The True Story" is an amazing slice of late 19th C. and early 20th C. church history. The narrative is wonderfully engaging. This book is a great read! In the face of biting, acrimonious criticism of the Faith Message that Kenyon advocated, McIntyre offers a reasoned and grace-filled response. This book communicates an important message that demands a wide readership. Some of the themes are controversial but McIntyre unpacks them with the skill of a surgeon. In so doing, the author provides a clear rationale for the biblical message of Faith - a message that has been largely abandoned by a huge segment of the Church! This book will challenge you!

While it's apparent from some of the other reviews that this book may have flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well-written, well-researched. McIntyre offers fascinating glimpses of Kenyon's early years, and of the late 19th C and early 20thC church-era. The author may have a bias, but it's certainly no worse than one who has a bone to pick.

McIntyre reveals that Kenyon poses a curious but sympathetic character: his teachings didn't quite follow the pattern of the giants of the faith that preceded him. The author shows that Kenyon's teachings were developed after enjoying a long walk with the Lord. They were nuggets of truth his heart was set on releasing to the Church, and were not intended to be followed as quick-fix formulae. I find that the modern W-F teachers (and W-F critics too!) focus on the shock value of some of Kenyon's teachings, thus missing the forest for the trees.

McIntyre also describes some of Kenyon's failings but doesn't dwell on them. Imperfections do not disqualify one as a teacher of The Word. Robert Bowman's Word-Faith Controversy serves as a good counter balance to this book in evaluating Kenyon's teachings, many of which have done my heart good over the years while some others (which are probably wrong) remain controversial.

First of all I would like to attempt to bring clarity concerning 2 previous reviews by a certain reviwer. I would have liked to dialogue with this reviewer over email or something first but his information is not available as far as I could tell.

I won't attempt to critique the whole of his reviews but I will attempt to reveal a number of seemingly inaccurate claims which I noticed right away (I had just finished the book and wanted to see what others had said about it).

In his most recent reveiw he states, "McIntyre also did this with the issue of the sovereignty of God, and skimmed past the fact that Kenyon died of disease (a malignant tumor) and took medicine."

In his first reveiw he also stated:
"One of the sources cited by McIntyre contains information that contradicts what he says regarding Kenyon's death in 1948. He knows the information that contradicts him exists, but instead of acknowledging this fact, he simply doesn't mention it and then tells what he says is the "true" story of Kenyon. This fact alone disqualifies this book from being anything more than a reference so that Faith followers can say that questions are answered that HAVEN'T been answered."

It's esepcially statements like this (i.e. "This fact alone disqualifies this book from being anything more than a reference so that Faith followers can say that questions are answered that HAVEN'T been answered") that clearly seem to be overstatment.

McIntyre actually devotes roughly 8 pages to this single topic of Kenyon's controversial death (see pgs. 167-174). How could this be understood as "skimming past the fact?" McIntyre makes a strong case that Kenyon didn't die of cancer. The great weight of the evidence (at least as presented in this book) seems to indicate that he simply died of old age- his body just wore out. On page 170 McIntyre also states that Kenyon was once reported as having used half of an aspirin after a fall that badly injured his back (which he reportedly miraculously recovered from).

McIntyre not only mentions seemingly contradictory information (like the death certificate) but specifically addresses it and discusses it openly in this same section (pp. 167-174).

As far as the sovereignty issue, this is also specifically addressed and covered by McIntyre in that same section. On page 172 McIntyre references an article that Kenyon published in 1942 in which he wrote, "I had been praying, struggling, and crying to God for healing. That old chronic difficulty had me in bondage for more than three years."

McIntyre then comments:
"The fact that he would share that struggle openly in his publication suggests that he didn't find an extended battle with sickness contrary to his understanding of our redemption and the fight of faith for healing. Kenyon clearly believed that divine health was God's perfect will, yet he didn't feel that it was a contradiction to face some serious battles with disease."

This reviewer also made the claim, "In 'dealing' with the issues, McIntyre ignored ALL of them and set up a straw man defense of Kenyon's teachings." It seems clear in light of the information provided above that this claim is, in the very least, a dramatic overstatement. This is especially evidenced by the use of the word "all."

One of the other reviewers, though he gave the book a very good rating of 4 stars, expressed disappointment that he "really didn't find hardly any direct teachings from Kenyon or additional sermons that he never published." However, after reading this work I felt just the opposite. In doing a quick search I noted some 30 references in the notes to unpublished material. I suppose it depends on one's expectations.

The fact is that this appears to be an all-around excellent work. It not only provides a great introduction to Kenyon (which it served as for me), but also provides a fascinating history of the times he lived in and of the developments in theology that were taking place. He clearly shows who Kenyon was influenced by (such as A.B. Simpson, A.J. Gordon, G. Campbell Morgan, A.T. Pierson, Andrew Murray, R.A. Torrey, Phoebe Palmer, Moody's Warriors, and a host of other saints) and brings light to the rumors about Kenyon- clearly documented light.

This edition includes 39 pages of notes, 2 appendices, a glossary of terms, and a detailed index. I was a History major in college and as far as I can tell this work is a model of good scholarship and research. Combine that with a flowing and readable text and what more could you ask for? As far as I'm concerned (at this point in my research) this work is a masterpiece of Christian history.

*Note: This review has been revised in response to another reviwer's reaction. After reading his response, I felt that this revision was necessary. I do apologize for the personal attacks, I do believe I was in the wrong, and I hope this revised edition of the review is suitable.

Brothers and Sisters...I don't really believe that Brother Kenyon's biography should mean very much in direct reflection to God's Word or Brother Kenyon's teachings. After all...it's a biography. If you "know the Word" and you've read Brother Kenyon's teachings then you know what's right and what's wrong. Please don't take my opinion or any other reviewers opinion of Kenyon or his teachings to the bank based on this book, but read his works. The revelatory knowledge given to Brother Kenyon by the Holy Ghost in his teachings is truly awe inspiring; not to mention his poetic style of writing and how he so tenderly refers with awe and reverence to the Father and the Lord Jesus.

Please keep in mind that people that have no vision will always talk smack about those who do. People who lack will always be jealous of those who do not, and those people who are small minded and lack mountain moving faith will live a life without healing, prosperity or any type of miracles. They will live a life that is not the abundant life that the Lord Jesus came to give us; that Zoë God kind of life.

Read the book. It's not as good as George Muller's or Pat Robertson's autobiography, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And one last thing; if you don't know if you should read a particular book or not...get on your knees and pray and ask the Father if it is a good book and if it will be a blessing to your life (Psalm 84:11). Don't let others influence you when you can make your own decisions based on Gods Word, the Holy Spirit and your prayers. I believe you'll enjoy this book about this great man of faith. God Bless.

Pastor Joe McIntyre, has produced an invaluable resource text for those in the body of Christ, who are not only interested in knowing the True Story of E. W. Kenyon. But are spiritually hungry for the victorious Revelational Truths taught by E.W.K.
This book will not only inspire you, but put a glossy wheather
proof coating over your Faith-Walk from legalistic head-hunters, as well. Trust me!!!