Word of Faith
The Word of Faith Movement (English Word of Faith ) is a special direction of Christianity, which has been found in some Pentecostal and charismatic churches spread. It comes from the Anglo-Saxon world and has become known in Germany by the books by the American Kenneth Hagin. She is also known as the Faith Movement.
- 3.1 accentuations and dissemination
- 3.2 parish life
Origins
The origins of the movement date back to the 19th century, one of the first representatives of the movement to EW Kenyon ( 1867-1948 ) are considered. Kenneth Hagin (1917-2003), who is often referred to as the " father of modern Word-of -Faith Movement" could have been heavily influenced by Kenyon's writings. He worked similar to the " theology of confession " is a four-unit formula, which was part of his teaching: " Say it; Do it; Receive it; . Say it further " ( Original: ." Say it, do it, receive it, tell it " ) Many preachers have been influenced by Hagin, including some better-known (especially in America) names such as Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyer, Jerry Savelle, Bill Winston, Joel Osteen, Charles Nieman, and Hobart Freeman.
Set D. R. McConnell of Oral Roberts University, the thesis of the " Kenyon Connection" (English: Kenyon Connection) on. This says Kenyon Adopt only the teachings of the New Thought movement and spread it under a different name. According to McConnell, the Word-of -Faith movement nothing more than a Trojan horse.
The Baptist evangelist Justin Peters, who is himself an avowed critic of the movement, and is frequently encountered in the American television as Word-of -Faith - expert, sees the roots of the movement in the metaphysical cults of the 19th and 20th centuries (eg. : Aimee Semple McPherson 's Foursquare Church, Phineus Quimby's New Thought Movement, Mary Baker Eddy's Christian Science).
Theology
Faith
Core of the theology of the Word of Faith movement is chapter 11 EU of Hebrews in the New Testament. This belief is defined as something that exceeds the empirical range. Adherence to biblical promises despite contrary experience is central to the Word of Faith teaching. So you remain in a state of expectation and tension on the things that God has a promise. Important for this is the teaching that the believer in Christ, inasmuch as he clings to the redemptive act of Jesus, is already perfect. It is therefore this theology fundamentally a division of reality into reality invisible and visible, not yet realized reality based. God, according to religious movement set, always in accordance with the biblical promises and principles to act ( a popular word in the movement). Faith now has to do with applying these principles to his life.
So the concept of faith has less the dimension of the relationship with God and more the character of use of certain promises. Why is a common phrase in these circles that you " for something " feels so " faith has " certain things to gain.
Revelation
The Word of Faith Movement distinguishes between two types of teaching: Logos and Rhema: Logos is the rational speech, the written word of the Bible, theological reflection and teaching. Rhema, however, is the word of God, which " happens " to. It denotes a certain ecstatic state in which one is aware of the word of God. We learn biblical truths existential, feel like they have meaning for their own lives. This is the state that precedes actually believing (as defined above). Right suddenly you get a deeper insight into biblical or even corrected correlations, and it increases the courage in one, this to refer to his life.
The object of faith
There are some recurring themes in the Faith Movement. The most important is certainly the new identity in Christ. Because of Romans teaches Man ( Chapter 10, verse 4 EU) that the believer now has a new, godlike nature. Because God wants his children are doing well, we have to face of adversity trust in him and do not doubt that arrives the promised blessing. This includes - and here there are differences in the accentuation - even material wealth and health. It is also spoken by a claim of the faithful. God has not, or act decisively beyond his promises, which must be received with faith hardly.
Confession
Faith alone is not enough. Based on Romans 10:10 ( "He who believes in his heart and confess with your mouth, which will be saved. " ) It is important that acquired through revelation knowledge insights about the blessing that is due to the faithful, even to pronounce. The word is effectively by speaking - according to Mark 11:23: "If anyone says to this mountain, you and throw you into the sea! and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says is happening, so it will be granted whatever he says. "
Practice
Accentuations and dissemination
Different communities and preachers who belong to the religious movement, lift out quite different from those dogmas doctrine. Firstly, the new identity is particularly strongly emphasized in Christ by some. This teaching comes as a counter- model of a convulsive Heiligungsbestreben before up in evangelical circles not charismatic. A point of attachment to classical Pentecostal ideas is the emphasis of ( healing ) wonders. Another direction is the theology of prosperity. Typically here as one of the " principles by which God works " viewed from the " sowing and reaping ". There is also an emphasis to give especially his community. In contrast to Calvinist ideas but this wealth is less the confirmation of the election of the believer (word - of - faith - communities are usually not a Calvinist ), but more missionary character, how good it is followers of the Christian God.
Community life
In many ways, the community life resembles that of a typical charismatic Free Church. One follows a attraktionistisches model of mission in which non-believers but come among others from the success and welfare of the faithful of his own experience of benefits and blessings to faith. Consequently, the central missionary events are also healing services.
Among the most famous preachers of the movement today are Kenneth Copeland, Jim Kaseman and John Brandström used and in Germany John Angelina, Peter Wenz and Wolfhard Margie.