{"id":21041,"date":"2011-04-30T19:00:13","date_gmt":"2011-04-30T19:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/theological-roots-of-the-word-of-faith-movement-new-thought-metaphysics-or-classic-faith-movements\/"},"modified":"2011-04-30T19:00:13","modified_gmt":"2011-04-30T19:00:13","slug":"theological-roots-of-the-word-of-faith-movement-new-thought-metaphysics-or-classic-faith-movements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/theological-roots-of-the-word-of-faith-movement-new-thought-metaphysics-or-classic-faith-movements\/","title":{"rendered":"Theological Roots of the Word of Faith Movement: New Thought Metaphysics or Classic Faith Movements?"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p><em>Historian Paul King introduces us to the origins of the controversial Word of Faith movement.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure style=\"width: 286px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/SPS2014-PKing_415x359.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"286\" height=\"247\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paul King speaking at the 2014 Society for Pentecostal Studies convention.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A spate of articles and books have appeared over the past two decades debating the controversial teachings of the \u201cWord of Faith\u201d movement. Several blistering critiques such as those of D.R. McConnell<em> (A Different Gospel) <\/em>and Hank Hanegraaff (<em>Christianity in Crisis<\/em>) have claimed the movement as heretical or cultic, originating in New Thought metaphysics.<sup>1<\/sup> Others such as <a href=\"\/author\/williamldearteaga\/\">William DeArteaga<\/a>, Joe McIntyre, <a href=\"\/author\/derekvreeland\/\">Derek Vreeland<\/a> have mounted defenses or reconstructions of modern faith theology, while still others such as Geir Lie, Dale Simmons, and Robert Bowman have presented more moderate critiques and scholarly studies.<sup>2<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>E. W. Kenyon (1867-1948) is generally recognized as the chief originator of the modern faith movement.<sup>3<\/sup> The core of the controversy is found in the purported origins of Kenyon\u2019s teachings. McConnell\u2019s pivotal and influential book entitled <em>A Different Gospel <\/em>made a case for extensive influence from New Thought metaphysics upon the thinking of Kenyon, detailing noticeable parallels between Kenyon\u2019s writings and New Thought writers. He thus concluded that Kenyon\u2019s thought, and therefore modern faith teaching, is derived from non-Christian cultic sources and thus suspect. Hanegraaff built on McConnell\u2019s research and conclusions to avow further that the modern faith teaching is heretical and cultic. Both books have made a significant impact on the evangelical Christian community in labeling the word of faith movement as heterodox and even sacrilegious.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"pullquote\"><strong><em>Are some of the modern faith movement teachings similar to orthodox Christianity and the teaching of classic evangelical writers of faith?<\/em><\/strong><\/div>However, neither McConnell nor Hanegraaff considered that some of those very teachings are surprisingly similar to orthodox Christianity and the teaching of classic evangelical writers of faith. The more recent and more thorough scholarship of Dale Simmons, Joe McIntyre, Robert Bowman, and others, has disproven many of their claims, demonstrating that the primary influence upon Kenyon was <em>not<\/em> New Thought Metaphysics, but rather leaders of the evangelical Wesleyan, Higher Life and Keswick holiness movements, such as A. J. Gordon, A.B. Simpson, A.T. Pierson, Oswald Chambers, and others. McConnell\u2019s error was in not recognizing the parallels and similarities between New Thought (which was unorthodox and more secular in theology) and Keswick\/Higher Life teaching (which maintained evangelical orthodoxy). In a personal conversation with McConnell he admitted to me he was not aware of Kenyon\u2019s Keswick\/Higher Life connections.<\/p>\n<p>Church historian Eddie Hyatt comments, \u201cThese critics \u2026 display a lack of knowledge concerning the historical development of the twentieth century Pentecostal movement from its nineteenth century antecedents and its influence of the modern movement. It is in the religious mileau [sic] out of the Holiness and Healing movements of the nineteenth century that the modern \u201cFaith Movement\u201d finds its primary emphasis.\u201d<sup>4<\/sup> Similarly, Simmons\u2019 doctoral dissertation concludes:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>As for Kenyon himself, it would appear that he is best placed within the Keswickean\/Higher Christian Life tradition. \u2026 This is not to say that there are not aspects of Kenyon\u2019s teaching\u2014specifically those centering on one\u2019s confession\u2014that he stresses to a point that is only comparable to that of New Thought. \u2026 It would be going too far to conclude that New Thought was <em>the <\/em>major contributing factor in the initial development of Kenyon\u2019s thought.<sup>5<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Taking a more scientific approach than McConnell and Hanegraaff, Bowman compared 23 standard New Thought concepts with Christian Science and Kenyon. From this statistical analysis, he concluded that while there is much in common between Christian Science and New Thought, there is \u201clittle resemblance\u201d between Kenyon and New Thought. Further, he concluded that Kenyon is \u201cfar closer to orthodoxy than is Christian Science.\u201d Kenyon may share some similarity with metaphysical thought, but his views are \u201cfundamentally different.\u201d<sup>6<\/sup> He demonstrates that McConnell\u2019s methodology is faulty, and thus his conclusions regarding Kenyon\u2019s connections with metaphysical New Thought are deeply flawed. While there may have been <em>some<\/em> metaphysical influence, Kenyon\u2019s views are more unlike such concepts than like.<\/p>\n<p>Most of Kenyon\u2019s thought, then, remained in the sphere of orthodox evangelical teaching represented by the Keswick\/Higher Life movement, although he acquired some ideas that would be considered unusual, stretching the limits of orthodoxy.<sup>7<\/sup> Kenneth Hagin, who is considered the most widespread popularizer of modern faith teaching, draws the majority of his teaching from Kenyon, but also acknowledges the influence of evangelical and Higher Life leaders M\u00fcller, Spurgeon, Simpson, T.J. McCrossan, J.A. MacMillan and Pentecostal leaders John G. Lake and Smith Wigglesworth.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"pullquote\"><strong><em>\u201cNever allow the abuse of a doctrine to cancel out its use.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><strong>\u2014 A. W. Tozer<\/strong><\/div>My Doctor of Theology thesis for the University of South Africa, <em>A Practical-Theological Investigation of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century \u201cFaith Theologies<\/em>,<em>\u201d <\/em>sought to strike a balance between hyper-faith and anti-faith movement polarities, in which some of the modern faith teachings and practices are recognized as biblically legitimate, while some of the anti-faith camp\u2019s concerns are also recognized as valid.<sup>8<\/sup> I endeavored to recover the earliest evangelical teachings and practices on faith distinguishing, on one hand, contemporary variations and modifications which have resulted in excesses and extremes, and, on the other hand, avoiding the skeptical criticism that has pigeonholed all modern faith teaching as unorthodox and heretical. My approach was to explore what I call \u201cclassic\u201d faith teachings and practice, that is, primarily 19th and early 20th century Wesleyan, Keswick, Higher Life, and faith healing movements (as well as earlier samplings from church fathers, Pietists, Puritans, Reformers and mystics), researching and comparing and contrasting what they taught and practiced regarding contemporary issues of faith theology and practice, with what is taught today.<\/p>\n<p>The teachings of these evangelical leaders of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century holiness and healing movements, what I am calling the \u201cclassic faith\u201d movement, emphasize many principles of faith similar to modern faith movement, though there are important differences as well.<sup>9<\/sup> Scholars have recognized the healing and holiness movements of the nineteenth century as forerunners to the Pentecostal and modern faith movements.<sup>10<\/sup> For example, Chappell affirms, \u201cThe Holiness movement provided the theological environment for faith healing in America.\u201d<sup>11<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Examination of church history reveals that seeds of faith were planted, then germinated and grew into greater movements of faith.<sup>12<\/sup> What began with a few individuals continued to expand in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in a revival of faith.<sup>13<\/sup> The nineteenth-century \u201cHigher Life\u201d holiness movement was sometimes called \u201cthe life of faith.\u201d<sup>14<\/sup> This classic faith movement was interdenominational in scope and included people of a wide variety of theological persuasions\u2014Presbyterian (Simpson, Boardman, Pierson), Lutheran (Francke, Blumhardt, Stockmayer), Baptist (A. J. Gordon, Spurgeon, Meyer, Chambers), Methodist (Palmer, Bounds), Quaker (Hannah Whitall Smith), Congregational (Upham, Finney, Torrey, Bushnell), Plymouth Brethren (M\u00fcller, Nee), Dutch Reformed (Murray), Episcopalian (Cullis, Montgomery). The classic faith movement was also international, beginning in mainland Europe (emerging out of Pietism\u2014Blumhardt, Trudel, Stockmayer) and spreading to England (M\u00fcller, Spurgeon, Taylor, Meyer, Penn-Lewis, Chambers), South Africa (Murray), Asia (Taylor, Carmichael, Nee) and America (Moody, Gordon, Simpson, Torrey).<\/p>\n<p>In this brief study we will look at five of the modern faith concepts considered illegitimate by their critics, and demonstrate their roots in classic faith teaching: 1) blessings of Deuteronomy 28 applied to the believer, 2) faith as a law, 3) faith as a force, 4) the faith of God, 5) revelation and sense knowledge.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Blessings of Deuteronomy 28 for the Believer<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Modern faith leaders take the blessings and curses of the covenant in Deuteronomy 28 in a literal, physical sense as applied to believers today, citing Galatians 3:13 as the New Testament support for this belief.<sup>15<\/sup> Hanegraaff contends that this is \u201canother example of text abuse.\u201d<sup>16<\/sup> However, he does not realize that classic evangelical leaders also make this connection, teaching from Deuteronomy 28:13 that believers are \u201cthe head and not the tail, above and not beneath.\u201d This interpretation finds its roots in Puritanism, as seventeenth-century Puritan leader Thomas Brooks claimed this Scripture, asserting, \u201cThere will come a time, even in this life, in this world, when the reproach and contempt that is now cast on the ways of God, by reason of poverty and paucity of those that walk in those ways, shall be quite taken away, <em>by his making them the head that have days without number been the tail<\/em>, and by his raising them up to much outward riches, prosperity, and glory, who have been as the outcast because of their poverty and paucity.\u201d<sup>17<\/sup> If we did not know that this statement came from Puritanism, we might assume that it came from the pen of one of the modern faith leaders.<\/p>\n<p>Carrying it over into nineteenth-century evangelical teaching, Spurgeon, known as \u201cthe last of the Puritans,\u201d also claimed this Scripture: \u201cThough this be a promise of the law, yet it stands good to the people of God; for Jesus has removed the curse, but He has established the blessing. It is for saints to lead the way among men by holy influence; they are not to be the tail, to be dragged hither and thither by others. \u2026 Are we not in Christ made kings to reign upon the earth?\u201d<sup>18<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Other classic faith leaders cite Galatians 3:13 in relation to the blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy 28. Jessie Penn-Lewis quoted Andrew Murray in connecting redemption from the curse in Galatians 3:13 with the curses of Deuteronomy: \u201cThe cross and the curse are inseparable.\u201d<sup>19<\/sup> Although some, like Spurgeon, take the blessings and curses of the covenant in Deuteronomy 28 in a literal, physical sense as applied to believers, A.B. Simpson stressed that they primarily apply to the church as spiritual Israel spiritually, not materially.<sup>20<\/sup> Further, they belong to the Mosaic covenant, and are only types of the New Covenant. Some modern faith teaching confuses what belongs to the Mosaic covenant and what belongs to the Abrahamic covenant, thus, mistakenly identifying the material blessings in this Scripture with the Abrahamic covenant.<sup>21<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>By so casually rejecting the interpretative connection between Deuteronomy 28 and Galatians 3:13 understood by other older evangelical commentators, Hanegraaff finds himself in the questionable position of accusing people like Spurgeon of text abuse. Hanegraaff fails to understand that the problem with modern faith teaching is not in textual abuse of the verses, but in misapplication, by over-emphasizing the \u201calready\u201d to the neglect of the \u201cnot yet.\u201d The interpretative connection between the verses is validated by many classic faith leaders.<sup>22<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Faith as a Law<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><div class=\"pullquote\"><strong><em>\u201cThe best remedy for the abuse of anything is its wise and proper use.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><strong>\u2014 A.B. Simpson<\/strong><\/div>Modern faith leaders teach that faith is a law, like the law of gravity. Hanegraaff and McConnell claim that the idea of a law of faith is of secular metaphysical origin.<sup>23<\/sup> McConnell declares, \u201cthe prosperity of both the metaphysical cults and the Faith theology is based on personal knowledge of how to manipulate spiritual laws rather than personal trust in the provision of a sovereign God.\u201d<sup>24<\/sup> The valid practical concern expressed by McConnell and Hanegraaff involves the proverbial \u201ctail wagging the dog\u201d\u2014the tendency to manipulate for one\u2019s own purposes and the danger of deflating God\u2019s sovereign will and inflating man\u2019s sovereignty.<sup>25<\/sup> McConnell presupposes that because of the similarity between metaphysical New Thought and modern faith teaching regarding spiritual laws such teaching is <em>ipso facto<\/em> metaphysical. On the contrary, many evangelical holiness leaders from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries also taught a law of faith. The idea of spiritual laws corresponding to natural laws was a common theme in nineteenth-century theological writing.<sup>26<\/sup> As a result of Sir Isaac Newton\u2019s studies of natural law and his discovery of the law of gravitation, it became common in religious circles to speak of the existence of spiritual laws as well.<\/p>\n<p>As early as the seventeenth century, French mystic Grou wrote of love as a law.<sup>27<\/sup> Prefiguring modern faith teaching by more than a century, Palmer, in the Methodist tradition, indicated there are \u201claws which govern God\u2019s \u2018moral universe\u2019 just as there are laws governing the physical universe.\u201d<sup>28<\/sup> Spurgeon, in fact, suggested, \u201cPerhaps there are other forces and laws that He has arranged to bring into action just at the times when prayer also acts\u2014laws just as fixed and forces just as natural as those that our learned theorizers have been able to discover. The wisest men do not know all the laws that govern the universe.\u201d<sup>29<\/sup> Congregational philosopher Thomas Upham and Quaker Hannah Whitall Smith compared the law of faith to magnetism or the law of gravity.<sup>30<\/sup> These evangelical leaders (and others such as Simpson, Murray, and Pierson) did not accept metaphysical teaching, yet they used the terminology of faith as a law.<sup>31<\/sup> Hunt correctly criticizes modern faith leaders for teaching that unbelievers can tap into this law of faith and do great miracles.<sup>32<\/sup> Most classic faith leaders, on the contrary, do not teach this.<sup>33<\/sup> Rather than tapping into the law of faith, many of the classic faith leaders would concur with Penn-Lewis, who believed that unbelievers (and sometimes believers) exercise what she called \u201csoul force,\u201d and with Watchman Nee who called it \u201cthe latent power of the soul.\u201d<sup>34<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>None of these classic faith writers were in any way associated with metaphysical cults. These writers speak of spiritual laws, not metaphysically or deistically, but of spiritual principles of life by which God operates or consistent spiritual patterns of working that are designated as laws. On the other hand, God is not controlled by these laws as metaphysical as some modern faith teachers seem to imply, but God controls these laws. Modern faith teachers need to be careful of the language they use and the practical implications they draw when they speak of faith as a law. Anti-faith critics need to understand that the concept of faith as a law can be validly taught without implying a deistic or metaphysical connection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Faith as a Force<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As an extension of faith as a law, modern faith teachers also teach that faith is a force that must be exercised. McConnell considers the concept heretical:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>In describing faith as a \u2018force\u2019 with which the believer can \u2018move things,\u2019 the Faith theology depersonalizes God. It renders him an impersonal force that must do man\u2019s bidding because it is capable of doing nothing else. The \u2018Force of Faith\u2019 is, in reality, \u2018Faith in the Force.\u2019 Just as Luke Skywalker in the <em>Star Wars<\/em> trilogy learns how to manipulate \u2018the good side of the Force\u2019 with his mind control, so also the Faith theology teaches how to manipulate the Faith god with positive confession\u201d<sup>35<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Hanegraaff, drawing upon McConnell, also condemns this concept as metaphysical and cultic, claiming that it is \u201cdeadly error,\u201d derived from New Thought metaphysics.<sup>36<\/sup> To them, the idea of forces that correspond to laws, like \u201cthe law of attraction,\u201d is anti-biblical metaphysics. They view the idea of faith as a force as an impersonal force that manipulates and binds God, making man sovereign by his words of faith.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"pullquote\"><strong><em>Many of the modern faith controversies could have been avoided if their leaders had been more careful communicators of their own roots.<\/em><\/strong><\/div>However, the nineteenth-century evangelical idea of forces in the spiritual realm is derived additionally from an understanding of spiritual laws. Where there are spiritual laws, they believed, there are spiritual forces corresponding to those laws. Spurgeon and his interim successor Pierson wrote of spiritual forces likened to an electrical current.<sup>37<\/sup> The metaphors used to describe spiritual forces abound among these classic evangelical writers. They also conceived of the laws of spiritual forces as an energy force, force of gravity, magnetic force, an initiating force like a spring or as a creative force, life forces, a water current, a wind an overcoming or controlling force, spirit force, centripetal force.<sup>38<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>With a kaleidoscopic understanding of spiritual forces among classic faith leaders (including love, the Word of God, prayer, and even God Himself as forces), it becomes a natural progression to view faith as a force. If God Himself is a living force, then as Simpson described it, faith emanates as a force from the character of God, from His omnipotence, as \u201cone of the attributes of God Himself.\u201d<sup>39<\/sup> In particular, faith is viewed as the force of an electric current (Spurgeon, Simpson), a creative force (Spurgeon, Smith, Simpson), the force of a water current (Murray), an energy force (Smith), and the force of a spring (Spurgeon, Charles Price).<sup>40<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>It is obvious that modern teaching on faith as a force is derived from classic evangelical faith teaching. Thus McConnell\u2019s and Hanegraaff\u2019s claim that the concept of faith as a force is derived from heretical and cultic New Thought metaphysics is clearly in error. This does not mean, however, that everything taught by modern faith teachers about faith as a force is valid.<sup>41<\/sup> It should be noted that there are dissimilarities as well as similarities between classic and modern faith teaching.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The Faith of God<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>On the basis of absence of the preposition \u201cin\u201d in the Greek construction of Mark 11:22, modern faith leaders interpret the clause \u201cHave faith in God\u201d as \u201chave the faith of God\u201d or the \u201cGod kind of faith.\u201d McConnell and Hanegraaff declare the \u201cfaith of God\u201d or the \u201cGod kind of faith\u201d concept as false teaching and a \u201cperversion,\u201d avowing that interpreting the phrase in Mark 11:22 as a subjective genitive is not accepted by any scholars.<sup>42<\/sup> However, McConnell ignores the fact that his own mentor and critic of the modern faith movement, Oral Roberts University professor Charles Farah, validates this interpretation,<sup>43<\/sup> also citing Pentecostal evangelist Charles Price, who also was knowledgeable of Greek grammar.<sup>44<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Though \u201cfaith in God\u201d as an objective genitive generally may be the favored interpretation today, the concept of \u201cfaith of God\u201d as a secondary or alternative translation is by no means uncommon among evangelical leaders and scholars, and is found in some form among several eighteenth and nineteenth century commentaries.<sup>45<\/sup> Even as early as 1380 Wyclif translated it \u201chaue ye the feith of God.\u201d<sup>46<\/sup> The \u201cfaith of God\u201d translation of Mark 11:22 was interpreted in at least six ways among classic faith leaders, sometimes combined together: (1) God as the source or author of faith, (2) the faithfulness of God, (3) the faith exercised by Jesus Christ (Gal. 2:20), (4) God\u2019s own faith\u2014the faith that God possesses and exercises as a part of His nature, (5) special mountain-moving faith, not everyday faith, or (6) as a <em>double entendre<\/em>, allowing for both interpretations, faith in God <em>and<\/em> the faith of God.<sup>47<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The rightness of grammatical interpretations may be argued, but for Hanegraaff to say that the \u201cfaith of God\u201d interpretation held by a host of evangelical leaders and scholars is a \u201cperversion\u201d obviously goes too far.<sup>48<\/sup> There is thus great debate among scholars regarding the appropriate translation. One Greek scholar friend remarked that such passages are \u201cdivinely ambiguous\u201d so as to allow both interpretations, perhaps intended to be a <em>double entendre<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Revelation and Sense Knowledge<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kenyon and modern faith teaching commonly distinguish between \u201crevelation knowledge\u201d (which comes from faith and revelation from God) and \u201csense knowledge\u201d (which comes from the five senses and reason). McConnell claims Kenyon\u2019s concept is a rebirth of the ancient heresy of gnosticism:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The major epistemological error of the metaphysical cults incorporated into Kenyon\u2019s doctrine of Revelation Knowledge is that of <em>gnosticism<\/em>. \u2026 We are not implying that there is a direct historical connection between the Faith theology and ancient gnosticism. The gnostic concept of knowledge does, however, have strong parallels in thought with the metaphysical cults. Through Kenyon, these parallels found their way into the Faith theology.<sup>49<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Hanegraaff also castigates the revelation knowledge concept as a cover-up for misinterpreting Scripture by claiming revelation from God, citing examples of heretical teaching passed off as revelation knowledge.<sup>50<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>However, the second century theologian Clement of Alexandria, when refuting gnosticism, distinguished between knowledge by reasoning or the senses and knowledge by revelation in an excerpt entitled \u201cFirst Principles of Faith\u201d:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>This type of <em>reasoning knowledge<\/em> is <em>dependent upon our senses<\/em>\u2014that is, our abilities to see, feel, hear, touch, and taste. Through sensing we are led to reasoning and understanding. From understanding, to knowledge. And then we form our opinions. But far above this way of knowing are the first principles of our knowledge\u2014the <em>knowledge of God, given to us by revelation<\/em>. For the principles of our faith were revealed to us by God, from above, by the Spirit. \u2026 For whatever your human senses insist that you believe must be brought under the spirit (italics mine).<sup>51<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The \u201cfirst principles\u201d are the essences or self-evident truths discussed by Aristotle.<sup>52<\/sup> This citation from Clement is significant because it clearly demonstrates, contrary to McConnell, that the seemingly dualistic concepts of revelation and sense knowledge are not inherently gnostic, since Clement uses the terms in refutation of gnosticism.<\/p>\n<p>Jan Hus also differentiated between the senses and \u201cthe faith which comes from divine knowledge.\u201d<sup>53<\/sup> The anonymous fourteenth century writing <em>The Cloud of Unknowing<\/em> similarly distinguished \u201csense knowledge\u201d and \u201cspiritual knowledge.\u201d<sup>54<\/sup> Others who made a similar distinction include Jacob B\u00f6hme, William Law and A.T. Pierson.<sup>55<\/sup> Oswald Chambers, in language strikingly similar to (yet predating) Kenyon, used the terms \u201crevelation sense\u201d or \u201crevelation facts.\u201d<sup>56<\/sup> Kenyon\u2019s phraseology is so similar that one may wonder if he may have borrowed it from one of these earlier sources. More recently, Corrie Ten Boom (who was familiar with Kenyon\u2019s teachings and circulated his writings) and A.W. Tozer use similar concepts and\/or terminology.<sup>57<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Just because some have used the concepts of revelation and sense knowledge in seemingly gnostic ways does not invalidate the concept of revelation and sense knowledge altogether. This investigation has shown that the distinction between the two kinds of knowledge has existed throughout church history in some form.<sup>58<\/sup> Practically speaking, sense knowledge through reason, the senses, common sense, etc., has a valid place in the believer\u2019s life, contrary to what some modern faith teaching implies. Yet the modern faith elevation of revelation knowledge above and beyond sense knowledge has solid support from classic faith leaders, so long as sense knowledge is not denied altogether.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"pullquote\"><strong><em>Certainly, not all modern faith teaching is derived from classic faith teaching.<\/em><\/strong><\/div>Some people tend to exalt revelation knowledge as equal to or above Scripture. This is not what Kenyon intended, for he understood revelation knowledge to be the Spirit\u2019s illumination of Scripture. However, there have been abuses of the revelation knowledge concept. There is thus a real danger of regarding revelation knowledge in an elitist, therefore gnostic, way of knowing, and hence the need for discernment of impressions and revelations from the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Additional Comparisons and Contrasts<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Because of the limitations of this paper, I have been able to give only a sampling of parallels. Additional modern faith concepts I cover in my dissertation that find their roots in classic faith teaching, include: the authority of the believer, acting and claiming in faith, <em>logos<\/em> and <em>rhema<\/em>, healing in the atonement, positive mental attitude, positive confession, prosperity, point of contact, living a long healthy life, the problem of praying \u201cif it be Thy will.\u201d These concepts are found especially, but not exclusively, in the Wesleyan, Keswick, and Higher Life movements.<\/p>\n<p>This is not to say that all modern faith teaching is derived from classic faith teaching. My research has revealed that classic faith leaders sometimes have been, along with anti-faith critics, in disagreement with modern faith leaders. Some of the areas in which some modern faith leaders have deviated from classic faith teaching include: having faith in one\u2019s self or one\u2019s own faith, faith as the source of healing, faith as an impersonal force that can be manipulated even by unbelievers, words as a container of faith or creator of reality, demanding from or controlling God, always praying only once, \u201cname it and claim it\u201d theology, and many others.<sup>59<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Critics have had some valid concerns about modern faith theology and praxis, but their basic thesis that such teaching is metaphysical in origin is false. Although certain elements of modern faith teaching may appear cultic and heretical to critics of the movement, those same critics, in effect, also attack teachings on faith that have been taught by other respected evangelical leaders of the early healing and holiness movements. Some have thus not only rejected modern faith teaching, but also valid principles of faith that sound similar to the excesses of modern faith teaching, and may sometimes, in fact, be precursory of modern faith teaching.<\/p>\n<p>Not all principles taught by contemporary faith teachers are suspect. The Latin phrase I learned from my faith critic mentor Charles Farah applies here: <em>abusus non tollit usus<\/em>, i.e., the abuse should not obscure or invalidate legitimate use. One of the prominent classic faith teachers, A.B. Simpson, put it this way, \u201cThe best remedy for the abuse of anything is its wise and proper use.\u201d<sup>60<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Truth is by nature elliptical, tending to revolve around distinct polarities (e.g., God\u2019s sovereignty vs. man\u2019s free will). Neither pole possesses the totality of truth. Rather, a divinely-designed dynamic tension exists between the two focal points,<sup>61<\/sup> explained by Tozer as the two wings of truth.<sup>62<\/sup> Both wings are needed to make truth fly properly. Modern faith teaching and its critics, therefore, represent contra-polarities. Each holds elements of truth, but also elements of error, and thus has broken the dynamic tension between the focal points of truth.<sup>63<\/sup> Conversely, classic faith teachings, to a great degree, have preserved a balance between the poles.<\/p>\n<p>On one hand, many of the modern faith controversies could have been avoided if their leaders had been more careful communicators of their own evangelical\/classic faith roots. On the other hand, their critics have been ignorant of the evangelical heritage of faith teaching and practice (especially from the last two centuries) out of which modern faith theory and praxis has sprung. This study entails a more discerning understanding of the evangelical faith heritage common to both polarities. This findings of this research show that classic evangelical leaders, especially from the Keswick, Higher Life, and Wesleyan movements, by and large taught an orthodox, balanced walk of faith that can be trusted and emulated by believers today.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>PR<\/strong> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/PKing-OnlyBelieve.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"151\" height=\"226\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>For more in-depth study, Paul King recommends his book <em>Only Believe: Examining the Origin and Development of Classic and Contemporary Word of Faith Theologies <\/em>(Word &amp; Spirit Press, 2008). Available through his ministry website, <a href=\"http:\/\/PaulKingMinistries.com\/\">http:\/\/PaulKingMinistries.com\/<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><sup>1<\/sup> Hank Hanegraaff, <em>Christianity in Crisis<\/em> (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1993); Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon, <em>Seduction of Christianity<\/em> (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1985); Dave Hunt, <em>Beyond Seduction<\/em> (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1987); D.R. McConnell, <em>A Different Gospel<\/em> (1988), John F. MacArthur, <em>Charismatic Chaos<\/em> (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992); Bruce Barron, <em>The Health and Wealth Gospel<\/em> (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1987); Gordon Fee, <em>The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospel<\/em> (Cosa Mesa, CA: Word for Today, 1979).<\/p>\n<p><sup>2<\/sup> Dale H. Simmons, <em>E.W. Kenyon and the Postbellum Pursuit of Peace, Power, and Plenty<\/em> (Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, 1997); Joe McIntyre, <em>E.W. Kenyon and His Message of Faith: The True Story<\/em> (Lake Mary, FL: Creation House, 1997), Robert M. Bowman, <em>The Word-Faith Controversy<\/em> (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2001), William DeArteaga, <em>Quenching the Spirit<\/em> (Lake Mary, FL: Creation House, 1996); Geir Lie, \u201cE.W. Kenyon: Cult Founder or Evangelical Minister? An Historical Analysis of Kenyon\u2019s Theology with Particular Emphasis on Roots and Influences.\u201d Masters thesis, Norwegian Lutheran School of Theology, 1994; Derek E. Vreeland, \u201cReconstructing Word of Faith Theology: A Defense, Analysis and Refinement of the Theology of the Word of Faith Movement.\u201d Paper presented at the 30<sup>th<\/sup> Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 2001. See also Eddie Hyatt, \u201cThe Nineteenth Century Roots of the Modern Faith Movement,\u201d unpublished paper. Tulsa, OK: Oral Roberts University, April 25, 1991.<\/p>\n<p><sup>3<\/sup> Simmons, in his doctoral thesis on Kenyon, avows, \u201cKenyon is the <em>primary<\/em> source of the health and wealth gospel of the independent Charismatic movement.\u201d Simmons, x.<\/p>\n<p><sup>4<\/sup> Hyatt, 1, 2.<\/p>\n<p><sup>5<\/sup> Simmons, 304.<\/p>\n<p><sup>6<\/sup> Bowman, 46-48.<\/p>\n<p><sup>7<\/sup> In his later ministry, Kenyon became more of an individualist in his teachings. Simmons (p. xii) comments, \u201cIn thrashing out his own teachings, Kenyon displayed an independent streak and an overwhelming need to come up with teachings that no one else had ever discovered.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><sup>8<\/sup> Paul L. King, <em>A Practical-Theological Investigation of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century \u201cFaith Theologies<\/em>, Th.D. Dissertation, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa, 2001.<\/p>\n<p><sup>9<\/sup> I recognize that \u201cclassic\u201d is commonly used of older writings and that it could be argued that in a broad sense the modern faith movement began in the nineteenth century, but for the purposes of this study I am making the distinction.<\/p>\n<p><sup>10<\/sup> Cf. Donald W. Dayton, <em>Theological Roots of Pentecostalism<\/em> (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987), 15-33, 87-141; P. G. Chappell, \u201cHealing Movements,\u201d <em>Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements<\/em>, Stanley M. Burgess and Gary B. McGee, ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1988), 353-374; H. Vinson Synan, <em>The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century<\/em>. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, [1971] 1997), 14-83, 143-145; Henry I. Lederle, <em>Treasures Old and New: Interpretations of \u201cSpirit-Baptism\u201d in the Charismatic Renewal Movement<\/em>, 1-36. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1988), 1-36.<\/p>\n<p><sup>11<\/sup> Chappell, 357.<\/p>\n<p><sup>12<\/sup> King, 14-29.<\/p>\n<p><sup>13<\/sup> King, 29-56.<\/p>\n<p><sup>14<\/sup> Hannah Whitall Smith, <em>The Christian\u2019s Secret of a Happy Life<\/em> (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1942), 20, 25, 32, 47, 96, 101, 104, 121, 132, 134, 140.<\/p>\n<p><sup>15<\/sup> Kenneth Copeland, <em>Our Covenant with God<\/em> (Fort Worth, TX: Kenneth Copeland Publications, 1976).<\/p>\n<p><sup>16<\/sup> Hanegraaff, 251.<\/p>\n<p><sup>17<\/sup> Thomas Brooks, <em>Precious Remedies Against Satan\u2019s Devices<\/em> (London: The Banner of Truth Trust, [1652, 1866] 1968), 131 (italics mine).<\/p>\n<p><sup>18<\/sup> Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>Faith\u2019s Checkbook<\/em> (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, n d), 4.<\/p>\n<p><sup>19<\/sup> Jessie Penn-Lewis,<em> The Conquest of Canaan<\/em> (Ft. Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, [1989] 1995), 105, see also pp. 109, 114-115; Russell Kelso Carter, <em>Faith Healing Reviewed After Twenty Years<\/em> (Boston, Chicago: The Christian Witness Co., 1897), 62-63; Carrie Judd Montgomery, <em>The Secrets of Victory<\/em> (Oakland, CA: Triumphs of Faith, 1921), 11.<\/p>\n<p><sup>20<\/sup> A.B. Simpson, <em>Christ in the Bible<\/em> (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1992), 1:358.<\/p>\n<p><sup>21<\/sup> Cf. Copeland, 20-21.<\/p>\n<p><sup>22<\/sup> According to A.W. Tozer, \u201cTruth has two wings.\u201d A.W. Tozer, <em>That Incredible Christian<\/em> (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1964), 59. The problem is found in the lack of balance in modern faith interpretation, trying to fly with one wing, once again breaking the dynamic tension of truth. Some modern faith leaders fail to see that redemption from the curse, though initiated and partially experienced through Christ today, is not yet fully consummated.<\/p>\n<p><sup>23<\/sup> Hanegraaff, 73-85, and McConnell, 172-173.<\/p>\n<p><sup>24<\/sup> McConnell, 172-173.<\/p>\n<p><sup>25<\/sup> Hanegraaff, 105-127.<\/p>\n<p><sup>26<\/sup> Such as Henry Drummond\u2019s <em>Natural Law in the Spiritual World<\/em> and Horace Bushnell\u2019s <em>Nature and the Supernatural<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><sup>27<\/sup> Jean-Nicolas Grou, cited in <em>The Alliance Weekly<\/em>, 2 July 1952, 424; Jean-Nicolas Grou, \u201cOn Being Truly Spiritual,\u201d <em>The Alliance Weekly<\/em>, 10 September 1952, 592.<\/p>\n<p><sup>28<\/sup> Harold E. Raser, <em>Phoebe Palmer: Her Life and Thought<\/em> (Lewiston, NY: E. Mellon Press, 1987), 185; see also Simmons, 290; Hannah Whitall Smith,<em> The Unselfishness of God<\/em>. (Princeton, NJ: Littlebrook Publishing Co., 1987:190; Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>Spiritual Warfare in a Believer\u2019s Life<\/em>. Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 1993), 168.<\/p>\n<p><sup>29<\/sup> Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>The Power of Prayer in a Believer\u2019s Life<\/em> (Robert Hall, comp. and ed. Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 1993), 114.<\/p>\n<p><sup>30<\/sup> Thomas Upham, <em>The Life of Faith<\/em> (Boston, MA: Waite, Pierce; New York, NY: Garland, [1845]1984), 238; Hannah Whitall Smith, <em>The Unselfishness of God and How I Discovered It<\/em> (New York, NY: Garland Publishers, {1903]), 1985), 252.<\/p>\n<p><sup>31<\/sup> Simmons\u2019 research demonstrated that holiness leaders also often spoke of laws in the sense of principles, rather than fixed mechanical laws. Simmons, 155-156. See also A.B. Simpson, <em>The Gospel of Healing<\/em> (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1915), 68; A.B. Simpson, <em>A Larger Christian Life<\/em> (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1988), 10-11, 137), Andrew Murray, <em>Divine Healing<\/em> (Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1982), 30, Spurgeon, <em>The Power of Prayer<\/em>, 110, A.T. Pierson, <em>The Acts of the Holy Spirit<\/em> (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1980), 100.<\/p>\n<p><sup>32<\/sup> Dave Hunt, <em>The Berean Call<\/em>, September 1995, 2.<\/p>\n<p><sup>33<\/sup> See Simpson, <em>A Larger Christian Life<\/em>, 10, Upham ([1845] 1984:238)].<\/p>\n<p><sup>34<\/sup> Jessie Penn-Lewis, <em>Life in the Spirit <\/em>(Dorset, England: Overcomer Literature Trust, 1910), 62; Jessie Penn-Lewis, <em>Soul and Spirit<\/em> (Dorset, England: Overcomer Literature Trust; Ft. Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, n.d.), 62, 68-70, 77-79), Watchman Nee, <em>Latent Power of the Soul<\/em> (New York, NY: Christian Fellowship Publishers, Inc., 1972).<\/p>\n<p><sup>35<\/sup> McConnell, 143; see also pp. 141-145.<\/p>\n<p><sup>36<\/sup> Hanegraaff, 65-71.<\/p>\n<p><sup>37<\/sup> Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>1000 Devotional Thoughts<\/em> (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1976), 443; Arthur T. Pierson, <em>Lessons in the School of Prayer<\/em> (Dixon, MO: Rare Christian Books, n.d.), 61.<\/p>\n<p><sup>38<\/sup> See King, 134-148.<\/p>\n<p><sup>39<\/sup> Simpson, <em>A Larger Christian Life<\/em>, 13. See also William E. Boardman, <em>The Higher Christian Life<\/em> (Boston: H. Hoyt; Chicago: William Tomlinson; New York: Garland, [1858] 1984), 256; Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>The Triumph of Faith in a Believer\u2019s Life<\/em> (Lynnwood, WA: Emerald Books, 1994), 36, 43, 89; Charles H. Spurgeon, <em>Morning by Morning<\/em> (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell, 1984), 253; Hannah Whitall Smith, <em>Living Confidently in God\u2019s Love<\/em> (Springdale, PA: Whitaker, 1984), 261; <em>The Christian\u2019s Secret of a Happy Life<\/em>, 55; Andrew Murray, <em>With Christ in the School of Prayer<\/em> (Springdale, PA: Whitaker House, 1981), 119; Simpson, <em>A Larger Christian Life<\/em>, 13; Simpson, <em>The Life of Prayer<\/em> (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1989), 60-62; Simpson, <em>Christ in the Bible<\/em>, 4:199; Mrs. Charles Cowman, <em>Streams in the Desert<\/em> (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, [1925] 1972), Vol. 1, July 7; John A. MacMillan,<em> The Authority of the Believer<\/em> (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1980), 67-68; Charles S. Price,<em> Two Worlds<\/em> (Pasadena, CA: Charles S. Price Publishing Co., 1946), 13.<\/p>\n<p><sup>40<\/sup> See King, 142-143.<\/p>\n<p><sup>41<\/sup> It should be noted that in contrast to modern faith teachers, classic faith writers do not believe that words are the containers of the force of faith, nor that those words can create reality Boardman, 254; Smith Wigglesworth, <em>The Ever\u2011Increasing Faith<\/em>. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1924), 41; Oswald Chambers, <em>My Utmost for His Highest<\/em> (New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, and Co., [1935] 1963), 150; A.W. Tozer, <em>Of God and Men<\/em> (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1960), 85-88. These classic leaders make it clear that it is faith imparted by God that creates, not man\u2019s faith or his words of faith. It is important to note that the classic faith writers did not believe God is an impersonal force, but a \u201cliving force,\u201d a force <em>who<\/em> is a living personality. Although modern faith leaders would probably claim they do not believe God is an impersonal force, their language makes the force of faith appear mechanistic. So if faith originates in God, and faith is a force from a law to which God is bound, then faith and God appear to become impersonal forces.<\/p>\n<p><sup>42<\/sup> McConnell, 145, Hanegraaff, 87-95, 390.<\/p>\n<p><sup>43<\/sup> Charles Farah, Jr., <em>From the Pinnacle of the Temple: Faith or Presumption<\/em> (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, n.d.), 100-103.<\/p>\n<p><sup>44<\/sup> Cf. Charles S. Price, <em>The Real Faith<\/em> (Pasadena, CA: Charles S. Price Publishing Co., [1940] 1968), 52-60.<\/p>\n<p><sup>45<\/sup> See <em>Barnes Notes on the New Testament<\/em> ([1884] 1985:372-373); H. D. M. and Joseph S. Exell, eds. <em>The Pulpit Commentary<\/em> (Chicago, IL: Wilcox &amp; Follett Co., n.d.), Vol. 36, 123; <em>Westminster Commentaries<\/em> (Rawlinson 1925:38:158); <em>The Bible Commentary<\/em> (Cook [1871] 1981:7:270); <em>Ellicott\u2019s Commentary on the Whole Bible <\/em>(1959:6:220); Henry and Scott\u2019s <em>Commentary on the Whole Bible<\/em> ([1710, 1792] 1979:3:192); <em>Clarke\u2019s Commentary on the New Testament<\/em> ([1830]:1:327); <em>Gill\u2019s Commentary<\/em> ([1852] 1980:5:377). Montgomery pointed out that Bibles printed in 1921 give \u201cfaith of God\u201d as an alternative translation, indicating that it was an acceptable interpretation by biblical scholars. Montgomery,<em> The Secrets of Victory<\/em>, 28.<\/p>\n<p>For more examples including the 1599 Geneva Bible, Young\u2019s Translation, Douay-Rheims Bible, Clarke, Godbey, and Wilbur M. Smith, see Troy J. Edwards, \u201cThe God-Kind of Faith\u2014A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Defense\u201d (n.d.), available on the Internet at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.100megspop2.com\/victoryword\">www.100megspop2.com\/victoryword<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><sup>46<\/sup> John Wyclif, <em>The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal Books<\/em> (Oxford: University Press, 1850).<\/p>\n<p><sup>47<\/sup> Sometimes they combined these meanings, so that the faith imparted by God is God\u2019s own faith or faithfulness or that the supernatural faith was the very faith of God Himself. Kenyon, Robertson, Spurgeon, and Murray give alternative or dual translations, it would appear that they viewed these Scriptures as a <em>double entendre<\/em>. See King, 160-168, for a fuller discussion.<\/p>\n<p><sup>48<\/sup> McIntyre exposes the fact that Hanegraaff actually interprets Greek scholar A. T. Robertson\u2019s comments on Mark 11:22 incorrectly: \u201cNow here is the irony. Robertson was quoted correctly, but incompletely. The whole quote was not given because it would prove embarrassing to the argument.\u201d McIntyre, 257.<\/p>\n<p><sup>49<\/sup> McConnell, 109. He elaborates, citing these parallel errors as dualism, sensory denial, perfect knowledge of God, transcending human limitations, anti-rationalism, and classification of levels of spirituality. For a critique of the revelation knowledge concept by British charismatic scholars, see Thomas Smail, Andrew Walker, and Nigel Wright, \u201cRevelation Knowledge and Knowledge of Revelation: The Faith Movement and the Question of Heresy,\u201d <em>Journal of Pentecostal Theology<\/em> 5 (1994), 57-77.<\/p>\n<p><sup>50<\/sup> Hanegraaff, 172, 123, 124, 133, 159, 172, 173, 283.<\/p>\n<p><sup>51<\/sup> Clement of Alexandria, \u201cFirst Principles of Faith,\u201d cited in <em>You Give Me New Life<\/em>, ed. David Hazard (Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1995), 36-38.<\/p>\n<p><sup>52<\/sup> See Peter Kreeft and Ronald K Tacelli, <em>Handbook of Christian Apologetics<\/em> (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1994), 369.<\/p>\n<p><sup>53<\/sup> Jan Hus, \u201cFaith Formed in Love,\u201d <em>Christian History<\/em>, Issue 68 (Vol. 19:4) (n.d.), 33.<\/p>\n<p><sup>54<\/sup> <em>The Cloud of Unknowing<\/em>, <em>The Book of Privy Counseling<\/em>, ed. William Johnson (Garden City, NY: Image Books, 1973), 138-139.<\/p>\n<p><sup>55<\/sup> Jacob B\u00f6hme and William Law, <em>The Way of Divine Knowledge<\/em> (Albany, OR: AGES Software, 1997), Pierson, <em>Lessons in the School of Prayer<\/em>, 23.<\/p>\n<p><sup>56<\/sup> Oswald Chambers, <em>The Psychology of Redemption <\/em>(London: Marshall, Morgan and Scott, [1930] 1963), 20.<\/p>\n<p><sup>57<\/sup> Corrie Ten Boom, <em>Defeated Enemies<\/em> (Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, [1963] 1970), 23; A.W. Tozer, <em>Man: The Dwelling Place of God<\/em>. Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1966), 49-52; A.W. Tozer, <em>The Size of the Soul<\/em> (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1992), 120-122; A.W. Tozer, <em>Faith Beyond Reason<\/em> (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, 1989), 39-40.<\/p>\n<p><sup>58<\/sup> See King, 187-198.<\/p>\n<p><sup>59<\/sup> See my dissertation for sections discussing all of these areas.<\/p>\n<p><sup>60<\/sup> A.B. Simpson, Editorial, <em>The Christian Alliance and Missionary Weekly<\/em>, March 27, 1891, 195. Similarly, a more recent advocate of the classic faith movement, A. W. Tozer, rephrased it as: \u201cNever allow the abuse of a doctrine to cancel out its use.\u201d A. W. Tozer, cited in \u201cMinutes of General Council 1995 and Annual Report 1994,\u201d The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 142.<\/p>\n<p><sup>61<\/sup> See Abraham Joshua Heschel, <em>God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism<\/em> (New York, NY: The Noonday Press\/Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1955), 12-15, 336-347, for a discussion of elliptical thinking and polarities in biblical theology and philosophy, especially in Judaism.<\/p>\n<p><sup>62<\/sup> Tozer, <em>That Incredible Christian<\/em>, 59.<\/p>\n<p><sup>63<\/sup> Henry H. Knight III, \u201cGod\u2019s Faithfulness and God\u2019s Freedom: A Comparison of Contemporary Theologies of Healing,\u201d <em>Journal of Pentecostal Theology<\/em>, Vol. 2, (1993) 65-89, discusses the polarities of God\u2019s freedom and God\u2019s faithfulness in relationship to faith theologies of healing.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>This article was first presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies which was held March 11-13, 2004 at Marquette University, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Historian Paul King introduces us to the origins of the controversial Word of Faith movement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2909,"featured_media":21042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,3942],"tags":[3344,3045,2748,4399,2920,2783,3346,5787,4401,3608,2853,3962,3025,4404],"ppma_author":[4690],"class_list":["post-21041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-history-2","category-spring-2011","tag-classic","tag-faith","tag-featured","tag-kenneth-hagin","tag-metaphysics","tag-movement","tag-movements","tag-paul-king","tag-prosperity-gospel","tag-roots","tag-theological","tag-thought","tag-word","tag-word-of-faith","author-paullking"],"authors":[{"term_id":4690,"user_id":2909,"is_guest":0,"slug":"paullking","display_name":"Paul King","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/PaulKing-20130802.jpg","url2x":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/PaulKing-20130802.jpg"},"0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21041","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2909"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21041"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21041\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21041"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21041"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21041"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/km7.a6a.mytemp.website\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=21041"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}