A Word in Season: The Rise of the Word of Faith Movement

Abstract

While some scholars claim cultic origins to the Word of Faith movement, newer scholarship points to Wesleyan, Quacker, and other Christian thought as significant influences. Many of the critical teachings of the Word of Faith movement trace back to Pentecostal and pre-Pentecostal times. Supplied with a rich history of “spiritual pioneers,” an optimistic mood after World War II, and an audience ready for a different tone in the message, the Word of Faith movement exploded in growth and influence in the 1970s and 1980s. Initially, the movement had no interest in forming a new denomination but believed it was their mandate to educate all Christians about their divine benefits.