What is the Word of Faith Movement?

Definition and Overview

The Word of Faith Movement (often called the Faith Movement) emphasizes the power of spoken words, positive confession, and unwavering belief in God’s promises. Adherents typically focus on Bible passages referring to faith and miraculous provision. They teach that believers can access blessings—such as health, prosperity, and victory over life’s challenges—by declaring God’s Word in faith.

Though the phrase “Word of Faith” is not found in Scripture, proponents often highlight verses such as Mark 11:24: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” They also emphasize Romans 10:17: “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” These passages form foundational concepts for their emphasis on confessing and believing promises found in Scripture.

Historical Background

The movement in its modern form arose prominently in the 20th century. Influential teachers drew upon earlier predecessors, including figures like E. W. Kenyon, whose writings about confession and the “power of words” inspire many Word of Faith doctrines. Later, preachers such as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Frederick K. C. Price, and others popularized these teachings through television broadcasts, conferences, and books.

While the bulk of the movement has developed in North America, it has spread globally. Its message of hope, biblical promises, and personal empowerment resonates in regions facing poverty and hardship, where reliance upon God for provision can strongly appeal.

Key Teachings

1. Positive Confession

Proponents maintain that spoken words carry the force to shape reality. Declaring Scripture, they argue, aligns believers with God’s will, thus releasing divine power into one’s life. This teaching finds support in passages like Proverbs 18:21: “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

2. Health and Prosperity

Often labeled as the “health and wealth gospel,” the Word of Faith Movement stresses that divine healing and material blessing are part of God’s intention for believers. Teachers cite verses such as 3 John 1:2: “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers,” to argue that both spiritual and physical well-being are God’s promise.

3. Faith as a Principle or Force

Many Word of Faith leaders describe faith as an almost tangible force that one can exercise through confession, prayer, and thought. This perspective interprets biblical examples of miraculous answers to prayer—such as in Mark 5:34, where Jesus tells a woman healed from a bleeding condition: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction”—to demonstrate that faith itself activates God’s power.

4. Identification with Christ

Believers in this movement often emphasize what they call “identification with Christ,” teaching that through Christ’s atonement, believers partake in His victory over sin, sickness, and poverty. They draw upon passages like Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” to stress the believer’s authority in the spiritual realm.

Points of Agreement with Mainstream Christianity

• The centrality of Scripture as the Word of God.

• The importance of faith for salvation and prayer.

• The affirmation of God’s miraculous intervention, aligning with biblical accounts of healings, deliverance, and divine provision.

• The deity of Christ and His work in redemption.

Common Critiques and Concerns

1. Potential Misuse of Scripture

Critics caution that a selective reading of verses addressing faith and blessing can overlook the broader biblical teaching on suffering, hardship, and submission to God’s sovereign will. Passages like 1 Peter 4:13: “But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory,” remind believers that trials can also serve a godly purpose.

2. Emphasis on Human Effort

Some see the movement as attributing excessive power to the believer’s words or mindset, rather than God’s will and sovereignty. This may lead to a perception that insufficient faith or incorrect confession alone causes a lack of healing or blessing, which can burden individuals with guilt or confusion about God’s plan.

3. Materialism vs. Scriptural Contentment

The focus on material prosperity can appear at odds with the Bible’s admonitions on contentment and warnings about wealth. In Philippians 4:12, the apostle Paul writes, “I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation…”—indicating that faithfulness in both lack and abundance is crucial.

4. Continuity with Historic Christian Doctrine

Concern arises among traditional theologians about whether certain Word of Faith teachings on healing and prosperity align with historic Christian orthodoxy. The strong linking of outward blessing to faith is sometimes seen as lacking the nuance found in broader scriptural teachings on spiritual growth, sanctification, and reliance on God's unsearchable wisdom (Romans 11:33).

Scriptural Considerations

The broader scriptural witness presents faith as belief in God’s goodness, a trust in His promises, and a surrender to His purposes. Promises of provision are present (Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”), yet balanced by the knowledge that believers may share in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10).

Historical manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus—among other significant early Greek manuscripts—illustrate the consistency of the biblical text over centuries. This manuscript integrity underscores that references to miraculous healing and faith’s power are indeed part of the original biblical witness. Archaeological corroboration (e.g., findings near the Pool of Bethesda in John 5) affirms that biblical accounts are rooted in historical contexts, adding external support to their authenticity.

Faith’s Role in Spiritual Life

Across the Old and New Testaments, faith is described as foundational to one’s relationship with God. Biblical heroes like Abraham model trusting God’s Word even against outward circumstances (Romans 4:20–21). Jesus’ own ministry showcases that often, healing and transformation occur in those who act upon sincere belief in His power (Mark 10:52). Yet Scripture also presents God as sovereign, working out His plan beyond our immediate understanding (Isaiah 55:8–9).

Conclusion

In summary, the Word of Faith Movement accentuates the believer’s authority through confession, claiming God’s promises, and expecting tangible blessings. Supporters highlight biblical teachings on faith, healing, and God’s provision. Critics caution against extremes that disregard God’s sovereignty, the reality of human suffering, or the richness of Scripture’s broader counsel.

Whatever one’s assessment, examining all relevant biblical passages in context remains vital. The movement, like many theological streams, invites believers to consider carefully the balance between confident faith, earnest prayer, and the mystery of God’s sovereign will. Faith, as presented throughout Scripture, goes beyond material concerns, centering on trusting the eternal Creator and resting in the redeeming work of Christ.