From: Dave <suprdave@lightspeed.net>

Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 22:28:02

To: WalterMartin@mail.serve.com

Subject: WM: Word Faith teaching

Castillo, Jaime W. wrote:

> First, I am not questioning Hagin or any WOF person's "compassion" towards the needy--I am questioning their DOCTRINE on why there are people who remain poor, ill, or have trials that they are NOT delivered from. Am I mistaken that WOF people blame it on "lack of faith"? Please correct me on this, but do not throw a red herring by claiming they have "compassion".

Dave:

Yes, you are mistaken. You see, WOF people have come a long way. They have seen their own leaders die of diseases and tragedies. It's a learning experience. They have not arrived nor do they claim to know it all. But I know for sure that Hagin, Price, nor Copeland have this extreme view on "lack of faith." Everyone has faith. But they do recognized that if a person does die of a sickness, they are ultimately healed in Heaven. So that is what is important.

Jaime:

Dave:

The examples were given just to show you that WOF believers don't know it all and that they leave the secret things to the Lord. God knows what He is doing...

Jaime:

> If you do, I would be glad--because then WOF people are just like Christians in our view of trials and tribulations. Trials are not just based ON FAITH ALONE, but also based on God's sovereign plan. Please elaborate (if you have patience and time) when you explain their teachings on these, and thanks in advance.

Dave:

"Trials" and "Tribulations" come, not to strengthen people, although we are strengthened through it all, but those things are meant to destroy us and cause us to become discouraged. That's why we have the Word so that we can stand on God's Promises.

Jaime:

> P.S. Can you also share what the "balance" is in the prosperity gospel? All I know is the "extreme" some "prosperity" preachers preach, that all of us are supposed to be rich, because it is in the will of God for ALL OF US to be materially wealthy. And that is obviously against the truth in Scripture--of which Jesus as a mere carpenter is a glaring example. I also mentioned the word "some" who may be like Simon the Sorcerer--and you say I am "incorrect" in assuming that? So you say that all who believe in the prosperity gospel are ALL true believers, and are not like Simon the Sorcerer. I ask you back: what makes you so sure, do you know their hearts? I repeat, I said "I fear for some", not "all"; this means that I know there are true believers who are just deceived by the prosperity gospel, though I fear there MAY BE false believers. Is that "incorrect" to assume?

Dave:

Well, does not this apply to all who are of the Christian faith and not Word Of Faith believers only? Why do you or anyone else have to worry about who are false brethren and who aren't? You stated in a previous post that "all WOF people are Pharisees..." Well, so that I understand that you stand corrected, not all people who claim to be "Born Again Christians" are saved either. But God is the one who determines who is in the faith...remember the parable of the tares and wheat? I did an intense study on this. "Tares" resemble wheat...but are poisonous. Anyway, don't just say there are false brethren in the WOF. There are also false brethren in Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, A/G, etc circles too. But frankly, I don't sit around wondering who is true and who is false.

Jaime:

> One last thing. You have been constantly saying I err in using Scripture, and judging people in many of your posts. I respect that. But please address the issues I have raised about tongues, instead of merely commenting on my errors and poor judgement. If you ask which issues, I can give them to you again. Thanks!

Dave:

I did address the issue...but I don't know if it ever was posted. I elaborated on 1 Cor. 14 and explained that tongues edify the speaker, not the hearer. At least that's what Paul said.