Kenneth Hagin Sr. (1917–2003) and his son, Kenneth Hagin Jr., are prominent figures in the Word of Faith movement, often regarded as pioneers of the modern prosperity gospel. Kenneth Hagin Sr. is frequently referred to as the "father" of the Word of Faith movement due to his influential teachings on faith, healing, prosperity, and positive confession. His son, Kenneth Hagin Jr., has continued to lead Rhema Bible Church and Rhema Bible Training College, further promoting these doctrines. Their teachings diverge significantly from confessional Christianity, especially in areas related to faith, the atonement, prosperity, and the nature of God’s blessings.
Key Beliefs and How They Differ from Confessional Christianity
1. The Word of Faith and Positive Confession:
- Kenneth Hagin Sr./Jr.'s View: The Hagins teach that faith is a tangible force that believers can use to bring their desires into reality. According to the Word of Faith doctrine, words have creative power, and by speaking positive confessions based on Scripture, believers can "name and claim" health, wealth, and success. Kenneth Hagin Sr. often taught that believers are "little gods" with the power to shape their circumstances through faith and words, emphasizing that what one speaks will come to pass if spoken with enough faith.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology teaches that faith is not a force but a trust in the promises and character of God (Hebrews 11:1). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that believers are called to trust in God’s sovereignty and His will rather than attempting to control circumstances through positive confession. The Bible warns against using words to manipulate God or circumstances, teaching instead that prayer and faith are acts of submission to God’s will (James 4:13-15).
2. Prosperity Gospel and Health and Wealth Doctrine:
- Kenneth Hagin Sr./Jr.'s View: The Hagins teach that God’s will for all believers is to be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. They claim that poverty, sickness, and suffering are not part of God’s plan for Christians and that believers can access physical health and financial prosperity through faith. Kenneth Hagin Sr. often claimed that Jesus’ atonement on the cross included not only salvation from sin but also the guarantee of physical healing and financial success for those who believe.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity rejects the prosperity gospel as a distortion of biblical teaching. Scripture teaches that suffering, trials, and illness are part of the Christian experience and that God uses these to sanctify His people (James 1:2-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that God’s blessings are not always material and that believers are called to be content with God’s provision, regardless of their circumstances (Philippians 4:11-13).
3. Teachings on Healing and the Atonement:
- Kenneth Hagin Sr./Jr.'s View: The Hagins teach that physical healing is guaranteed in the atonement of Christ, meaning that believers can claim healing as their right through faith. Kenneth Hagin Sr. often taught that sickness is the result of unbelief or lack of faith and that believers who exercise faith should never experience illness. This teaching implies that God’s desire is always for believers to be physically healed, and failure to experience healing indicates a lack of faith or knowledge of God’s promises.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity teaches that while Christ’s atonement provides the ultimate hope of resurrection and healing in the future (Isaiah 53:4-5; Revelation 21:4), it does not guarantee physical healing in this present life. Reformed theology emphasizes that God is sovereign over sickness and health, and believers are called to trust Him even in suffering (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The Westminster Confession teaches that God’s purposes in suffering can include refining faith, demonstrating His power, and drawing believers closer to Himself.
4. View of Scripture and Interpretation:
- Kenneth Hagin Sr./Jr.'s View: The Hagins often take Scripture out of context to support their teachings on prosperity, faith, and healing, treating the Bible as a manual for achieving personal success and blessings. They frequently emphasize isolated verses that speak of God’s promises of blessing, health, and prosperity without considering the broader biblical narrative, context, or the full counsel of God’s Word.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology teaches that Scripture is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that the Bible must be interpreted in its historical and grammatical context, and that its teachings should be understood as a unified whole. Confessional Christianity focuses on the redemptive message of Scripture, which centers on Christ’s work of salvation rather than on using the Bible as a means to achieve material wealth or physical health.
5. Beliefs about the Nature of God and Man:
- Kenneth Hagin Sr./Jr.'s View: The Hagins have taught that believers are "little gods" who possess the same nature and power as God. This belief implies that Christians have the ability to operate with the same authority as God, particularly in matters of faith, healing, and prosperity. Kenneth Hagin Sr. claimed that God’s nature is one of abundance and that believers are entitled to share in this abundance by exercising faith.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity maintains a clear distinction between Creator and creature. The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches that God is sovereign, infinite, and unchangeable, while humans are finite and dependent on God (Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 46:9-10). Reformed theology rejects any teaching that elevates humans to a divine status or suggests that believers possess God’s creative power. Instead, it emphasizes that believers are to glorify God and submit to His will.
Summary of Differences
The teachings of Kenneth Hagin Sr. and Jr. reflect the core tenets of the Word of Faith movement, which emphasizes positive confession, the power of faith, prosperity, and guaranteed healing. Their approach encourages believers to view faith as a tool to obtain health, wealth, and success, often treating God’s blessings as rights that can be claimed through positive thinking and declarations.
In contrast, confessional Christianity upholds the sovereignty of God, the authority and inerrancy of Scripture, and the call to live a life of humble submission, repentance, and obedience. It teaches that faith is a gift from God, that suffering and trials are part of the Christian journey, and that the ultimate goal of the Christian life is to glorify God, not to seek personal gain. The heretical Hagin teachings appeal to those desiring success and empowerment, but not the Biblical Christ.and the gospel that are central to Reformed theology and historic Christian orthodoxy.