From: Richardleeevange@aol.com

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 23:28:39

To: WalterMartin@mail.serve.com

Subject: Re: WM: Word Faith teaching

<<I am sorry to ramble, but I think that this is a very important and critical subject and should not be taken lightly. I am definitely not anti-charismatic or anti-Pentecostal, I believe that you can’t be dogmatic on the cessation of spiritual gifts and these reasons should not be used as a global condemnation of churches, groups or movements. It is interesting that the Assemblies of God (charismatic/pentecostal group) wrote a position paper called "The Believer and Positive Confession" that basically denounces this teaching as taught by the WOF movement (charismatic). Let's follow the example of the Berean's in Acts 17:10-11, "They searched the Scriptures day by day to check up on Paul and Silas' statements to see if they were really so." (Living)

>>

Amen, brother! The WOF teaching actually has its origins in Christian Science and the teachings of others like E.W. Kenyon. It DID NOT originate with Pentecostalism, but it appeals to Pentecostals because many Pentecostals grew up disenfranchised, and poverty stricken. The message thus appeals to them for obvious reasons, but not biblical ones. Many in the A/G including myself have difficulty when opposing the WOF teaching within our ranks. Many of our church members keep TBN in business. Thanks for the Fred Price quote in context, since I was using my memory when I paraphrased it.

Richard Lee