Since I think you are one of the coolest Word-Faith questioners...out there
<Theophilus turns pink>
(that sounds better than critic - hehehehehehe)
I shouldn't like to be thought of as a critic, exactly -
reformer is better. I should like to see Word of Faith theology reformed, not destroyed.
I admit, I have gone through some black periods when I have felt
very critical, but that's largely because the folks around me (who are pro-WoF) don't give me enough breathing room. But that's my problem.
and we can start a new thread on Bowman if you want.
I'd like to do that very much. My only concern is for the upset it may cause. Is there any way of making a private thread where just a few of the more mature Charismatics can get involved. My motives for asking this are twofold:
1) I'm concerned for younger WoF adherents who may read things that wouldn't be helpful to them 2) I'm also concerned that the thread could become bogged down with not very well thought out responses from irate WordFaithers (forgive me for using this terminology - I hate dividing the body of Christ into pieces).
I like and dislike Bowman's book. I like it because he is no where nearly as harsh as Hanegraaf, McConnell, and many of their copycats.
I never read their works, and probably never shall...
However, I believe that his nonPentecostal stance prejudices him towards some things. I also find some of his own research a little faulty.
I found a few flaws, which I shall briefly mention:
1. Bowman's argument that the WoF teachers started the name-calling is quite absurd. It's one thing to attack consensus orthodoxy. It's another thing to attack personalities.
2. Bowman's case against trichotomy is not water-tight. I agree that the WoF definition of man as a "spirit" is mistaken (though not without historical precedent). It damages the WoF proclamation on the holistic nature of salvation. Nevertheless, I see no reason to abandon an ontological distinction between spirit and soul.
3. I am not convinced that Copeland & Capps are denying the personal existence of Christ before the incarnation. In fact, I am fairly sure I have heard affirmations to the contrary on the BVOV.
4. In his critique of the 'little gods' doctrine, Bowman fails to deal with at least one critical text. Was Satan lying when he said he had all the kingdoms of this world in his hand and could give them to Christ?
5. In his remark on prosperity, Bowman neglected important texts. Likewise in his discussion of healing.
However, it seemed to me, on the whole, a fairly devastating critique of Word of Faith theology.
If I had to recommend a book that critiques the Word-Faith, it would be Bruce Barron's The Health and Wealth Gospels. He is much more sympathetic to the movement while criticizing it.
I
must get hold of that book, somehow.
However, there are some things I found in his book that really made me laugh. For example, read the one about Bowman reading a teaching of the triunity of man to a CRI employee the reaction of that employee to the reading, and then the employee's shock after Bowman tells him who the author is. That was HILARIOUS and was otherwise worth the exhorbitant price I have paid for the book.
That was amusing - though I think you must actually be referring to his quzzing a CRI employee on the teaching that Christ did not exercise His divine power during his earthly ministry (?)... And it turned out to be Walter Martin who said it!
I am not sure how much you would like Ted Rouse's book. I have to sadly admit that many of the Word-Faith books defending the movement have not been the best that could be done. McIntyre's is definitely the best I have read and it vindicates Kenyon from a historical standpoint (and I am not saying all of this just because he is my friend - HA!).
I have McIntyre's book, though I have only read bits of it.
Rouse is not bad. He brings out some good points. However, most of the stuff he writes could be found in the average Word-Faith book. Also his book is written in the more popular style rather than a theological or scholarly style. His book is very often ignored by Word-Faith critics. Most of them probably do not know that it exists. Also, I am not sure if it is even in print.
I don't think I will bother with it, then.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Till next time.
Theophilus7
