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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Word of Faith	Frederick	Saturday, March 21, 2015
Question: Hi, Brother Ignatius - I refer to Maria's question concerning Word of Faith preachers (she mentions Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer specifically). Before converting to the Catholic Faith, I was heavily involved in Word of Faith theology and practice - and yes, I totally agree with you, Brother Ignatius - Word of Faith teaching and practice is not only false. It is heretical, and founded on New Age spirituality (e.g. 'New Thought'). Word of Faith theology is simply the 'Law of Attraction' heresy dressed in a Christian veneer! It is highly dangerous, and is paramount to witchcraft (particularly in view of its beliefs in whatever you visualise and confess - you possess!). This is what witches (and others in the occult) do. The principle is the same, whether it be 'Law of Attraction' or Word of Faith'. I have totally renounced Word of Faith - it is contrary to the Scriptures, and the faith of the Catholic Church. I know for a fact, though, that happily, Joyce Meyer has now totally renounced Word of Faith. Hallelujah! Although she is definitely not Catholic, her teaching is no longer dangerous. In fact it is very wholesome indeed, and in my opinion can be listened to by Catholics and Protestants alike (with the proviso that Catholics listening to her are sufficiently strong and grounded in what the Church teaches). Joyce Meyer's teaching is thoroughly orthodox now (whereas it wasn't before). By orthodox, I mean in the broader sense, as admittedly she is not Catholic. Her teaching is in total harmony with the principal tenets of the Christian Faith (at least from a Protestant perspective). God bless you - Frederick
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD Dear Fredrick: It would be a great thing if Joyce Myers renounced Word of Faith, but I am not sure. In the FAQ section of her website I find the following cryptic information: Is Joyce Meyer Ministries a "word of faith" ministry? Joyce Meyer Ministries believes in the Word of God. Joyce teaches that God has made promises to us in His Word and as believers, we should trust His promises (see 2 Peter 1:3,4 ). However, it can be damaging when people place their faith in faith alone instead of placing their faith in God. Misappropriation of God’s promises solely for personal gain is not scripturally supported. Does Joyce Meyer Ministries teach a "prosperity gospel"? Joyce Meyer Ministries believes that God desires to bless His people. Joyce teaches that God’s blessings and prosperity apply to the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial areas of life. These blessings and prosperity are then to be used to bless others (see Genesis 12:2). A “prosperity gospel” that solely equates blessing with financial gain is out of balance and could damage a person’s walk with God. I do not see a renouncement here. The answers to these questions are cryptic, which is a rather common technique when people have not changed but want people to believe they have changed. Thus, I am not convinced. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Word of Faith

Frederick

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Question:

Hi, Brother Ignatius - I refer to Maria's question concerning Word of Faith preachers (she mentions Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer specifically). Before converting to the Catholic Faith, I was heavily involved in Word of Faith theology and practice - and yes, I totally agree with you, Brother Ignatius - Word of Faith teaching and practice is not only false. It is heretical, and founded on New Age spirituality (e.g. 'New Thought'). Word of Faith theology is simply the 'Law of Attraction' heresy dressed in a Christian veneer! It is highly dangerous, and is paramount to witchcraft (particularly in view of its beliefs in whatever you visualise and confess - you possess!). This is what witches (and others in the occult) do. The principle is the same, whether it be 'Law of Attraction' or Word of Faith'. I have totally renounced Word of Faith - it is contrary to the Scriptures, and the faith of the Catholic Church.

I know for a fact, though, that happily, Joyce Meyer has now totally renounced Word of Faith. Hallelujah! Although she is definitely not Catholic, her teaching is no longer dangerous. In fact it is very wholesome indeed, and in my opinion can be listened to by Catholics and Protestants alike (with the proviso that Catholics listening to her are sufficiently strong and grounded in what the Church teaches). Joyce Meyer's teaching is thoroughly orthodox now (whereas it wasn't before). By orthodox, I mean in the broader sense, as admittedly she is not Catholic. Her teaching is in total harmony with the principal tenets of the Christian Faith (at least from a Protestant perspective).

God bless you -
Frederick

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), LTh, DD

Dear Fredrick:

It would be a great thing if Joyce Myers renounced Word of Faith, but I am not sure. In the FAQ section of her website I find the following cryptic information:

Is Joyce Meyer Ministries a "word of faith" ministry?

Joyce Meyer Ministries believes in the Word of God. Joyce teaches that God has made promises to us in His Word and as believers, we should trust His promises (see 2 Peter 1:3,4 ). However, it can be damaging when people place their faith in faith alone instead of placing their faith in God. Misappropriation of God’s promises solely for personal gain is not scripturally supported.

Does Joyce Meyer Ministries teach a "prosperity gospel"?

Joyce Meyer Ministries believes that God desires to bless His people. Joyce teaches that God’s blessings and prosperity apply to the spiritual, emotional, physical and financial areas of life. These blessings and prosperity are then to be used to bless others (see Genesis 12:2). A “prosperity gospel” that solely equates blessing with financial gain is out of balance and could damage a person’s walk with God.

I do not see a renouncement here. The answers to these questions are cryptic, which is a rather common technique when people have not changed but want people to believe they have changed.

Thus, I am not convinced.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum