The Word of Faith Cornucopia of False Doctrine
Kenneth Hagin ("DAD" Hagin)
The Word of Faith movement is the predecessor to the New Apostolic Reformation and the two movements share a lot of overlapping beliefs. The Word of Faith (WOF) movement developed in the 1940's & 50's under the teachings of E.W. Kenyon, Kenneth Hagin (who plagiarized Kenyon), Oral Roberts, A.A. Allen, T.L. Osborn, William Branham and others. Like the NAR, the WOF never had an official leader or official statement of beliefs, so it is difficult to determine exactly when it started or exactly what it taught. And like today's New Apostolic Reformation it has been a "moving target" that could morph and rearrange itself in order to avoid critical analysis. The WOF emphasis on guaranteed physical healing & prosperity and the "power of our words/positive confession" teachings are largely being continued by many NAR teachers. Perhaps the most prominent WOF teacher still active today is Kenneth Copeland, who learned directly from Oral Roberts and studied at (the then newly formed) Oral Roberts University in the 1960's. It could also be argued that Joel Osteen is the most prominent WOF teacher active today, since the core of most of his teaching is WOF doctrine. Joyce Meyer is another extremely popular WOF teacher (See article: Is Joyce Meyer Word of Faith?), as well as Benny Hinn.
In a nutshell, there is little practical difference between the older heretical teachings of Kenneth Hagin and Oral Roberts and the newer "Super Pastors" like Bill Johnson and Brian Houston; it's more a difference in style, approach & emphasis. In fact, Benny Hinn recently made a special appearance at Bill Johnson's church:
Benny Hinn with Bill and benni Johnson in 2017
Here's a brief video showing Bill Johnson, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland and Todd White all teaching the WOF idea that Jesus needed to be "born again:"
False teachers are always dressing up their bad doctrine with new catch-phrases and new "direct revelations from God," but the resulting beliefs end up directing our attention away from the finished work of Christ and focusing on ourselves and the teachings of men.
Here's a really great summary of the Word of Faith movement in seven minutes:
If you want to understand all the false doctrine in today's "Pop Evangelical" churches (especially the New Apostolic Reformation), you really need to research the Word of Faith movement that brought us to where we are today. Here are a number of articles that will shed light on this important topic:
What's Wrong with the Word of Faith Movement (Part One)
What's Wrong with the Word of Faith Movement (Part Two)
Word of Faith Movement (with many links) from Berean Research
Three Errors of the "Word of Faith" Preaching by Josh Buice
Prosperity Gospel Born in the USA
Word-Faith Movement Profile by Watchman Fellowship
WOF Sacred Cow #1: Jesus Was Very Wealthy by Discernment Ministries International
WOF Sacred Cow #2: Jesus Ministered Only As a Man by Discernment Ministries International
WOF Sacred Cow #3: Jesus Died Spiritually by Discernment Ministries International
WOF Sacred Cow #4: The Laws of Faith & Confession by Discernment Ministries International
WOF Sacred Cow #5: It Is God's Will To Always Heal by Discernment Ministries International
Physical Healing and the Atonement-Is it Always God's Will to Heal Now?
That Time God Destroyed Oral Roberts' Healing Tent, And He Made a Point by Pulpit and Pen
4 Ways the Prosperity Gospel Twists Christianity by Jeff Sanders
10 Ways the Word of Faith Movement Went Wrong (Written by a Charismatic/NAR pastor who still somehow loves the WOF teachers he studied)
Compilation of Word Faith articles from Deception in the Church
The Demotion of Christ & Exaltation of Man by Discernment Ministries International
Justin Peters has some of the best lectures on the history & teachings of the Word of Faith movement; here is one of his many YouTube videos:
The Messed Up Church YouTube Channel Playlist: Word of Faith Playlist
Stop being so gullible!
Be sure to check out all of the other Cornucopias on The Messed Up Church.
Steven Kozar started The Messed Up Church; he is an artist (StevenKozar.com is his art website), musician, blogger, and stuff. He makes videos, too, on The Messed Up Church YouTube channel.