See our playlist called, "Dealing with Phony TV Preachers (TBN) & King James Onlyites" at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2CDA855486B09128. Larry Wessels, director of Christian Answers of Austin, Texas/ Christian Debater (YouTube channel: CANSWERSTV at www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_EDvOtDAAWfCvGUhd6y3A, websites: www.BIBLEQUERY.ORG, www.HISTORYCART.COM & www.MUSLIMHOPE.COM) is joined in studio by Dr. Michael Horton as they discuss heretical TV preachers such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Kenneth Hagin, Robert Tilton, Peter Popoff, Jimmy Swaggart, John Avanzini, and a host of others. Michael Horton is the editor of the book, the "Agony of Deceit" which is co-authored by Dr. Walter Martin, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Joel Nederhood, C. Everett Coop, Art Lindsley, and others. Dr. Walter Martin has been a frequent guest on the John Ankerberg show and is the founder of the Christian Research Institute. Part 1 As an organized movement, the prosperity gospel (also known as "Word-Faith," "Word of Faith," "Health & Wealth," "blab it & grab it," etc.) has only existed for about 100 years, from the early nineteenth century up through the present time. While there have been dozens of prosperity gospel advocates during this time period, two stand out as preeminent: E.W. Kenyon & Kenneth E. Hagin. In its modern form, the prosperity gospel can be traced to the beliefs of E.W. Kenyon (1867-1948), an evangelist, pastor, & founder of Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts. Kenyon, born one year after the death of Phineas Quimby, the father of New Thought (the belief that sickness follows a disturbance of the mind; therefore, disease is really mental & the cure is to correct false mental reasoning or mental errors in the mind) synthesized New Thought belief systems with then contemporary theological trends. Kenyon' ideas greatly influenced this new prosperity gospel movement. Kenyon taught that speaking the right words bring about a new reality & he is credited with coining the phrase, "What I confess, I possess." Kenyon believed that positive confession is the key to prosperous living which also relates to healing of the body. Kenyon also believed that Jesus' death on the cross did not purchase salvation but rather the real work of atonement was spiritual & not physical because he did not regard the humanity of Jesus as important. Like those in the New Though movement, Kenyon places people at the center of his system. Thus Kenyon (& Kenneth Hagin who plagiarized large portions of Kenyon's works into his own books & sermons - see the book by D.R. McConnell entitled, "A Different Gospel" for extensive documentation) believes that Christianity's purpose is not to honor God or to redeem humanity but to serve people & help them get what they desire & deserve. Kenneth Hagin then popularized Kenyon's religion to a Biblically illiterate public who loved the idea of being rich & healthy, all in the name of Jesus. Part #1 of a 5 part series. To see this entire 5 hour series type "LARRY WESSELS TV PREACHERS" in the YOUTUBE search box. For those wishing to read Michael Horton's article entitled, "The Agony of Deceit" can go to our website BIBLEQUERY.ORG & once on the homepage, click the "EXPERIENCE" button & scroll down to the newsletter section & look for it. John 14:6

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