---------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute. ---------------------------------------------------------------- COPYRIGHT/REPRODUCTION LIMITATIONS: This data file is the sole property of the Christian Research Institute. It may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute"). This data file may not be used without the permission of the Christian Research Institute for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content with the exception of a few brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words. If you desire to reproduce less than 500 words of this data file for resale or the enhancement of any other product for resale, please give the following source credit: Copyright 1994 by the Christian Research Institute, P.O. Box 500-TC, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693. ----------------------------------------------------------------- "Book Reviews" (a column from the Christian Research Journal, Winter/Spring 1989, page 27.) The Editor-in-Chief of the Christian Research Journal is Elliot Miller. ----------------------------------------------------------------- *A Different Gospel* by D. R. McConnell (Hendrickson Publishers, 1988). Reviewed by Brian Onken. Previously (Fall 1987), the Journal re-viewed Bruce Barron's _The Health and Wealth Gospels_ and concluded that it "missed its opportunity to be the definitive work" on the "word-faith" or "positive confession" movement. When Hendrickson released D. R. McConnell's _A Different Gospel,_ it seemed as though this "definitive work" had arrived. However, though it is a decided improvement over Barron's work -- providing a better grasp of both the history and theology of this pentecostal movement -- McConnell too has failed to provide the final word on the "word" teachers. For the most part, McConnell has done well. His treatment of the roots of the "faith" teaching clearly demonstrates that it does not really have the multiple sources within Pentecostalism that Barron asserts; what makes the movement distinctive comes directly from E. W. Kenyon. Certainly, Barron himself noted in his book that Kenneth Hagin, Sr., -- the often recognized "father of the faith movement" -- is very dependent (to the point of plagiarism) on Kenyon. But McConnell takes it further and demonstrates that Kenyon fits neither the Pentecostal nor Wesleyan-Holiness movements of his day. By showing Kenyon's connection with the "metaphysical" cults of his time (Christian Science, New Thought, etc.), McConnell attempts to make a historical link between the current "faith" message and cultic theology. Having laid this historical foundation, McConnell proceeds to evaluate the theology of the "faith" movement, accurately describing its major doctrinal distinctives. Unlike Barron, he does not fail to address the movement's most controversial doctrines -- Jesus' "spiritual death" and "born again" experience and the "deification" of man. In his analysis of these concerns, however, McConnell falls short. He does so by trying to prove that the "faith" movement is, in some sense, metaphysical thought masquerading in evangelical garb. Because of certain similarities between metaphysical teachings and the "faith" message, McConnell argues that they share the same doctrines. In so doing he ignores critical differences between the two, and fails to address much of what is distinctively "faith" teaching. This is seen, for example, in his comments on the "faith" teaching regarding _faith._ He states that the "laws and formulas [regarding faith in the "faith" gospel] can only be understood in the light of the doctrine of God in the metaphysical cults." But the premises of these two schools of thought are different. For the metaphysical cults God is an impersonal principle. For the "faith" teachers God is a personal being who operates by faith. Even if we grant that the effects of such ideas are similar, the root cause is quite different. All poison kills. But different poisons -- even those with similar effects and identical results -- require different antidotes. McConnell fails to develop the _unique_ antidote required for the "faith" teaching. In spite of such weaknesses, _A Different Gospel_ provides solid background on the "faith" movement, a catalogue of doctrinal problems, and an incipient response to the errors. Anything written on this subject from here on will have to build on McConnell's treatment -- and it is a more than adequate foundation. ------------- End of document, CRJ0052A.TXT (original CRI file name), "Book Reviews" release A, March 25, 1994 R. Poll, CRI (A special note of thanks to Bob and Pat Hunter for their help in the preparation of this ASCII file for BBS circulation.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Christian Research Journal is published quarterly by the Christian Research Institute (CRI) -- founded in 1960 by the late Dr. Walter R. Martin. 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