T.G.I.M.

"...to live is Christ..." ( Philippians 1:21 ) 

When I began researching the Word of Faith Movement to share its history, I already had a basic knowledge of the theology as well as a bit of the foundation from being in a word-faith church in Texas back in the 80's, and if this tells you anything, our pastor's best friend was Robert Tilton. So, at the risk of sounding like a know-it-all, I know some things. And I've certainly seen some things. 

We were continuously encouraged to read the E.W. Kenyon's ( 1867 -1948 ) material in our church's bookstore. If you know anything about WOF, you probably associate Kenneth Hagin ( 1917-2003 ) as the founder of the movement, but Hagin actually plagiarized large chunks of Kenyon's work which everyone acknowledges on both sides of the debate. Plus this information is easily verifiable. The leaders at our church didn't seem to think that the plagiarism was a big deal. Since WOF is a false doctrine, I guess this made it acceptable and not a surprise. 

The history can be confusing however because Hagin also claims that he was given the "faith formula" during visits and visions from Jesus, but over the years Hagin claimed so many visits and visions from Jesus, it's hard to keep up with them all. Anyway, visits and visions aside, all scholars agree that although Hagin popularized the WOF theology and added to it, Kenyon was "the man behind the message." ( Robert Bowman ) 

As I began a deep dive into Kenyon's life to see exactly where he got his ideas, I fell into more rabbit holes that Alice in Wonderland. Once inside, I discovered the tunnels were all connected to each other. That's why it's taking me so long to do this research project. 

In short, the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century was an interesting, I'd use the word "disturbing," time for Christianity here in America. 

As I wrote in my last blog series, we had the mainline churches slowly letting go of the inerrancy and authority of the Scriptures along with the core doctrines of the Christian faith, so now add these warm currents to the swirling sea waters: Disillusioned parishioners beginning to leave the seven mainline denominations in search of something with substance. Folk-healer Phineas Quimby's meta-physical, New Thought. Mary Baker Eddy's Christian Science. ( Which is neither Christian nor Science ). The holiness and Keswick, higher life movements, the pre-Pentecostal/ charismatic movement and the faith-cure movement. 

Lots of movement, and lots in the wrong direction, but that's the air Kenyon breathed that helped him develop his word-faith theology, all groups influencing, impacting, and overlapping the other. Kenyon traveled in these different spiritual circles preaching at their rivals and conferences even though as far as I can tell remained a Baptist preacher until his death. I've been researching all of the movements, reading old newspaper articles, and the spiritual magazines put out by these groups, court proceedings and eye-witness testimonies, first-hand, tedious stuff. It's been insightful. I can tell you that much. 

I'm still going to post the "roots" of the movement, but my biggest take-away perhaps in all of this study, in between farm work, grandchildren, and my Farmer, has been that I can now see how we arrived at our current "American Gospel" with all of its unorthodox and crazy, false narratives. Even though this is a bit reductionistic, I can see how we got here. History is helpful like that. 

And yet, in the midst of all of this mess, Christ has not missed a single beat. He is building away at his Church. She has remained steadfast through his hand alone; all down through the last 2,000 years of history, just like he promised. 

I think that's what I want to say this morning. 

Last night the Farmer put on an interview ( more like a sermon ) with Paul Washer called, "Living in Light of Eternity" ( You can find it on YouTube ), and it immediately put all of the research and history I've been wrestling with into perspective. The Bible is helpful like that. 

America Christianity, by and large, has too low of a view of God and Christ even for those who claim the inerrancy of Scripture. I see it. We've more or less created a "god" of our own making and a Jesus we designed to fit our lives who we invite in to help us accomplish our goals, fulfill our dreams, and answer our prayers. A Jesus who will follow us. We have quite a lofty view of ourselves. Many have married God for his money and power. 

And then we tend to think the government is our real problem. True, satan has been infiltrating governments since the beginning of time because if he can get a government under his thumb, he can control more people. But I also think that many have followed his shiny trinkets and promises of authority and status that appeal to our sin nature into a deceptive snare of distraction, rendering them unable to see that his most dangerous work has been performed, not in the world, but right in the middle of the church, sowing weeds among the wheat. (  ) "Many" false teachers with "many" followers. This is scary stuff the Bible warns us of. 

Living in light of eternity is to live now for Christ. To follow Christ. To gaze at his beauty as we attempt to fully realize God died for us. This truth fuels the following. If we decide we want to live "our best life now," I'm afraid that's exactly what it will end up being. 

Some of us need to wake up before it's too late, and some of us need to be encouraged today and remember that Jesus was and is and always will be the greatest show on earth! 

Not us. 

And that's very comforting news. 

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." ( Philippians 1:21 ) 

💜

One year we managed a harvest of tomatoes.