The African American "Word of Faith" Movement Churches Understanding of the Bible

The Bible is God's revelation to man. What is meant by God's divine revelation is what God has already given to man without any further revelation of the spirit (2 Pet. 1:19-21). Many who attend neighboring Word of Faith churches throughout the United States and around the world will contend that the Bible is God's success Book (Joshua 1:8). Whenever the term "special" revelation comes to the mind of many Faith leadership especially within the context of many African American Word of Faith movement churches that God gives Revelation Knowledge that is beyond such "sensory" or self-ruled knowledge. It is reveal within a person's [human] spirit without the aid of human reasoning prompted by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is our divine Teacher whereby He leads believers into all truth (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit illumines our understanding of God's Word; not through the agency of a person's [human] spirit. Early Gnosticism hatred of the Mind over the spirit is quite evident within the teachings of many Word of Faith churches today. The "mind" represent reasoning; the "spirit" represent a person's inborn human spirit by which they receive "spiritual" revelation that is beyond the "wording" of the mere text of scripture.  If in fact "revelation" is given within a person's human spirit than what is the basis by which we judge spiritual truth?  Does "reason" alone provide complete understanding of God's Word without the Spirit illuminating the "mind" of the believer? Is Reason an enemy of Faith? or Is Reason and Faith are in relations with each other? Even though "reason" alone is not sufficient in understanding the truth of God's Word without the aid of the Holy Spirit, but it will be hazardous to believe that "revelation" in a person's inborn [human] spirit will lead a person in understanding the truth of scripture. It serves as a hindrance; not a help. People today are driven by feelings; not what is factual so as to verify the information they are receiving: that is within a person's [human] spirit.  That is the brief analysis of Gnosticism within the professing church today (1 Tim. 4:1).

   When is comes to the Faith movement's understanding of the Bible as God's Success Book makes reference to prosperity and thinking "right" thoughts (Joshua 1:8).  Joshua mentioned the word "meditate" as it refers to contemplating upon that which is written within God's divine revelation. Everything that believers need to know is based upon God's Word. As we "meditate" upon God's Word is the Holy Spirit bringing to our remembrance what has already been revealed in scripture; not through some "esoteric" knowledge or mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19).  Many followers of the Word of Faith movement are taught to "meditate" upon God's Word to seek some "spiritual" revelation; not through studying God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15).  Meditation is not study nor study meditation.  The New Age movement has in fact influenced many within the Faith movement especially within the context of many African American "Word of Faith" movement churches today (1 Tim. 4:1).  By Word of Faith is those churches whose values, beliefs, and practices are similar. It is so important to understand that not every word of faith teachers subscribe to every doctrine taught within the Faith movement but that its basic core beliefs and practices put them in the category within the Faith movement itself (Rom. 16:17-18).

    The premises by which many within the Faith movement "observe to do according to what is written" in the law is the attitude of prosperity and positive confession. Tithing and blessing is what guarantees prosperity for what is monetary; not what is ethical (right) living. We must without reservation "obey" everything that is written within God's written Word: that of relieving the poor and needy. It is not in the best interest of many prosperity teachers to relieve the poor and needy. Why? Because to be poor is sin. Neither does being "poor" fit within their worldview. If anything they shun the poor and needy to make them feel they are at fault for not applying the "formulas" of faith by receiving their blessings. God's blessing are not always conditional, but at times unconditional. God rains upon the just as well as the unjust. God's gracious giving is also not based upon "how" well we perform by giving, but is "freely" given (Eph. 2:8-9).

    The stipulation by which many within the Faith movement are to "prosper" and to have good success is to follow the "formulas of faith" and prosperity. The "formulas of faith" according to Mark 11:23, 24.  Prosperity follows obedience in a person tithing or a "vow" of faith. Visualization, faith-filled words, force of faith manifest living a prosperous lifestyle based upon 3 John 2. The idea of "prosper" and to have good success is what is ethical (right) living; not material prosperity.  Their are prosperity teachers who utilize scripture twisting tactics to rob people of their assets and monies through psychological means: that of convincing their followers of a "pie-in-the-sky" theology that has no basis of reality (2 Cor. 4:1-4). It is not the people who will benefit from the prosperity message, but those who teach it (2 Pet. 2:3).

    The whole of the Word of Faith movement basics of belief is not "rooted and grounded" in scripture as to the absolute authority of the Bible regardless to the contrary, but what is revelatory (2 Pet. 1:20). Scripture is complete without any further revelation. Whenever their is an explicit denial of the authority and inspiration of scripture that is affects all areas of doctrine and theology.

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & CEO of Darryl Miller International Ministries and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the author of his bestselling book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? As a apologist, senior researcher, pastor, evangelist, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of Atlanta, Georgia with their puppy "Little Baby."