Customer Reviews

The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel

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This is the best critical analysis of the Word of Faith (or Word-Faith) movement to date. Bowman, a non-charismatic, shows an acute awareness of the pertinent issues and seems familiar with not only the primary literature and tapes of the Word-Faith proponents but also it's critics and counter-critics (e.g., Bruno, DeArteaga, & Spencer). Contrary to the primary critics of the movement such as Hanegraaff, McConnell and Hunt, Bowman feels that the movement has its roots in the evangelical faith-cure movement of the late nineteenth century, not the metaphysical cults (New Thought, Christian Science, etc.). Nonetheless, he does qualify this by stating that "the possibility exists that the evangelical faith-cure movement and early Pentecostalism were also influenced in some respects by meta-physical thought" (pg. 82), although he leaves this possibility relatively unexplored in the book. Interestingly, contemporary New Thought authors Anderson & Whitehouse, in their book "New Thought: A Practical American Spirituality" (1995), also note the similar interest in healing between their movement and the evangelical faith-cure movement and, like Bowman (but unlike some critics), recognize the differences in world views (pantheism vs. Christian theism). It is also worth noting that they state that most of the leaders of the major New Thought groups existing today came from Traditional Christian backgrounds which didn't meet their needs, especially for healing. Apparently both movements expanded their interests to include not only physical health but also overall well-being and success (including wealth). From the evangelical faith-cure movement came the 20th century's Pentecostal & Charismatic movements, which included a revival of supernatural charismatic gifts, including speaking in other tongues (unknown languages) by the Holy Spirit.

Bowman considers E. W. Kenyon to be the grandfather, not father, of the Word-Faith (W-F) movement because he considers it to be essentially a Pentecostal movement since the W-F movement's primary "father", Kenneth Hagin, was Pentecostal, unlike Kenyon (but he also considers William Branham and Oral Roberts to be contributing "fathers" to the W-F movement in various ways). He also thinks that Hagin contributed certain doctrines to the movement that Kenyon didn't teach. Bowman thinks the W-F movement is an extreme Pentecostalism, or a Pentecostalism "at it's worst". One must keep in mind, however, that there are various definitions of what constitutes "Pentecostal" and "Charismatic". Technically, the former is applied strictly to those who believe that speaking in other tongues is the sole "initial evidence" of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. In other words, if one doesn't speak in tongues, then one HASN'T been baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is the position of classical Pentecostal denominations such as the Assemblies of God (A/G), the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. Those who reject this position but still believe that speaking in tongues is for today, along with the other charismatic gifts of the Spirit, are generally categorized as "Charismatic". Kenneth Hagin was once affiliated with the A/G, but left the denomination to become independent or non-denominational. Although Hagin is a classical Pentecostal, I personally don't think that the "initial evidence" position of Hagin is integral to the W-F movement & its theology. There are many in the W-F movement that are Charismatic, not Pentecostal. Bowman occasionally uses a broader definition of "Pentecostal" than the more technical definition related to the "initial evidence" position which he considers a "hard-line view" (pg. 62), rejected by such men as F. F. Bosworth, author of "Christ the Healer".

Bowman considers the W-F views on healing and prosperity to be the least problematic aspects of their theology (pg. 11), but I tend to think that their distinctive theology was formulated to reinforce the movement's views on healing and prosperity. The doctrines of healing and prosperity as available in this life through "faith" are the "positive" motivating force of the movement regardless of the distinctive aberrant theology just as they are the thrust of the New Thought movement with its "positive" message regardless of its pantheism and/or panentheism. It is not surprising that the New Thought authors noted above consider Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller as promoters of some of New Thought's ideas on positive/possibility thinking although neither Peale nor Schuller is a pantheist or even a Pentecostal or Charismatic.

Robert Bowman indicates that this book is the "culmination of about fifteen years of research, study, and dialogue." It shows. 'The Word-Faith Controversy' is a well-researched book that provides the reader with a balanced approach to the Word-Faith debate.

I consider this to be the most significant critique of the Word-Faith movement published to-date.

As in his other books, Robert Bowman Jr demonstrates his ability to present all sides of a complex issue with great clarity - as well as with gentleness and respect. In the process, he carefully documents why he considers the Word-Faith movement to be "neither soundly orthodox nor thoroughly heretical."

Bowman also evaluates books that denounce the Word-Faith movement - books that have become standard works of reference on which many Christians have based their own views regarding the controversy. They include, for example, D.R. McConnell's "A Different Gospel," and Hank Hanegraaff's "Christianity in Crisis." If you have read these books on the Word-Faith movement, I highly recommend you read Bowman's book as well. (As the Bible says, "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him." - Proverbs 18:17 NIV)

Because of Bowman's gentle, reasoned, and well-documented approach, I feel as comfortable sharing this book with friends in the Word-Faith movement as I do recommending it to the movement's critics.

Highy recommended!

Dr. Robert Bowman is one of the best Christian apologetic researchers around. His books always contain numerous sources of information on whatever topic he addresses whether it is Mormonism or in this case the health and wealth gospel or more properly, the Word-Faith Movement.

In this book, Dr. Bowman tackles the issues of the Word-Faith movement from their false teachings to many of their claims such as positive confession or hyper-prosperity. He does so in grace. I found Dr. Bowman's book not to be a negative attack on Word-Faith teachers but a biblical examination of the facts. I think we all should agree that no man is above the watchful eye of the inerrant Word of God (Hebrews 4:12-13). We should all submit fully our lives and doctrines to the test of Scripture (John 8:31-32; Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 2:1; 2 Peter 1:16-21).

Whether you are a pastor in the Word-Faith Movement, a Christian seeking to understand the Word-Faith Movement, or simply someone curious about this movement within Christianity, I would urge you to get this great book.

Bowman is a breath of fresh air. William DeArteaga speaks warmly of Bowman in his book "Quenching The Spirit" which is a defence of the charismatic controversy. Bowman in turn seems to regard DeArteaga's book well in spite of pointing out some of DeArteaga's arguments as not "cogent." This is how Christians should try understand each other: State your case and make sure you properly represent the other side. Bowman is careful to mention right from the get-go that he does not consider WoF heretical, but would rather see WoF be more careful in persuing biblically sound and mature Pentacostalism.

Most "defenders of orthodoxy" have been quite harsh with their words and very sloppy with their exegesis. Most "defenders of orthodoxy" claim to meekly speak the truth in love and then go on the attack like a prosecuting attorney. Some well-known WoF critics don't even speak the truth, as Bowman isn't shy to point out. However, the fundamentalist fighting spirit is a perversion of the biblical spirit, as much as liberalism is a perversion of biblical theology. With this book, Robert Bowman may have brought in some healing to the body of Christ. The author isn't out to condemn anyone, yet he carefully points out certain problems in the WoF belief system. He gives a good and useful little history of the WoF movement and its roots, which will serve a beginner well. It did me.

While I haven't read many books on the Word of Faith movement yet, I believe Robert Bowman's has to be one of the best ones out there. He takes a very balanced and systematic approach to dissecting the historical and theological traditions of the movement. He also does a great job--perhaps one of the best that I've ever seen in any critical work--of not interjecting his personal beliefs in with his analysis. While I'm sure his beliefs affect his analysis (as all of ours do), he does not offer social or personal commentary on his research. This is welcome and helps the reader come to his or her own conclusion.

Of course the question at hand is whether or not the Word of Faith movement is based on some heresy. Bowman argues that the best of Word-Faith theology is grounded in the evangelical healing tradition, but that some of its specific (and signature) doctrines indeed cross the line of being unorthodox if not heretical. He argues that Word-Faith is not a cult, nor do its teachers intend it to be, but that its doctrines as formulated especially by Kenneth Copeland are leading massive numbers of Christians astray. He argues this point well through a number of chapters where he analyzes each doctrinal component as compared with Scripture, as does he weave in how his assessments differ from other commentators' (such as Hannegraff and DeArteaga).

I think his more debatable and less well-argued points come in where he questions some of the faith statements of the larger Pentecostal-Charismatic community. While he is right to leave "no stone unturned" or allow any "sacred cows" to sneak in the back door, I found his biblical assessment of themes such as Christ's nature in the believer, the question of dominion over sickness, and other aspects of the Holy Spirit's indwelling to be more suspect. In no way is he hostile or polemical to charismatic theology per se, but his powerful exegesis prevalent in his other analyses (i.e. the Trinity) is wanting. I was less convinced to be worried about these aspects of the Word-Faith or larger charismatic community.

Anyway, a great read on the subject. Very comprehensive and thoughtful. Takes some time to work through.

This book is awesome! Very well-balanced in its presentation of the facts and history behind the Word-Faith Movement. I've read Christianity in Crisis and Counterfeit Revival, but I thought this book was tons better.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing research on the Word-Faith Movement.

Robert Bowman did an excellent job in this book! He really does his homework and does a lot of research on how the word faith movement came to be, with its roots in e.w. kenyon, to its spread thru word faith teachers like hagin, copeland, price, dollar, hinn, etc. Also, I think the tone that he writes with is great, because he doesnt attack or condemn anyone, but instead carefully tries to show thru scripture why the word faith teachings are erroneous. An excellent book i recommend to all christians, especially anyone who is currently caught up in the word faith movement. a definite eye opener!

When I had first gotten saved, I was involved in a church where the pastor was very fond of some of the individuals that are part of this movement, a few that are not mentioned in this book, but particularly Kenneth Copeland. While I believe some of these people truly love the Lord, their theology and their definition of the character of God do not match what is revealed throughout scripture. I have heard people refer to these teachers as heretics and even have heard it said that this movement was cultic. As I have grown in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and have experienced His gracious love and sovereignty, I have realized that this teaching is very self-centered and in some cases, very dangerous to the unity of the body of Christ. Rob Bowman makes several good points referring to this movement as suborthodox or aberrant. It is clear that some of the teaching however, when it confuses the trinity or the nature of God and the nature of man, can be said to be unorthodox. I believe Rob Bowman does a great job and has studied this movement thoroughly. It is too bad that this book is currently out of print. Perhaps it will come back into print someday, but if there are any used copies available I highly recommend that it should be purchased. Blessings.

I found the book to be a little uneven in its evaluation at times, but I do believe that it could be the most balanced in-depth analysis of Word Faith teachings in one book.

This book was a great addition to the word of faith controversy. After reading "A different Gospel" and "Christianity in Crisis", this book give a different view. It labels the movement in the extreme wing of Pentecostalism rather than a cult. Robert Bowman also looks at the works on this subject (those mention above) and trys to show where they are wrong by taking certian people in the movement out of context. I left the book having a strange conclusion about the word of faith movement, which is that they are a cult. While I got that from Christianity in Crisis, and Bowman tries to give a balance view, he gave me more evidence to label them cultic than extreme Pentecostal.

God Bless
Mr. Bowman.