I’ve written extensively regarding the false gospel of Kris Vallotton. I’m grateful to friends like Bart McCurdy who regularly provide me with information regarding the Bethel Redding cult and its leaders. Bart made me aware of the image to the left, which Vallotton posted on his Facebook page. The text reads:
“The way God creates history is by anointing people to see the future from His perspective and call it into existence.”
The heretical and idolatrous notion that people can, by the force of their words spoken in faith, can literally create and call things into existence is standard jargon from a demonic movement known as “Word of Faith.”
An article posted on the GotQuestions.org website explains:
“Word of Faith teaching is decidedly unbiblical. It is not a denomination and does not have a formal organization or hierarchy. Instead, it is a movement that is heavily influenced by a number of high-profile pastors and teachers such as Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paul and Jan Crouch, and Fred Price.
“The Word of Faith movement grew out of the Pentecostal movement in the late 20th century. Its founder was E. W. Kenyon, who studied the metaphysical New Thought teachings of Phineas Quimby. Mind science (where “name it and claim it” originated) was combined with Pentecostalism, resulting in a peculiar mix of orthodox Christianity and mysticism. Kenneth Hagin, in turn, studied under E. W. Kenyon and made the Word of Faith movement what it is today. Although individual teachings range from completely heretical to completely ridiculous, what follows is the basic theology most Word of Faith teachers align themselves with.
“At the heart of the Word of Faith movement is the belief in the ‘force of faith.’ It is believed words can be used to manipulate the faith-force, and thus actually create what they believe Scripture promises (health and wealth). Laws supposedly governing the faith-force are said to operate independently of God’s sovereign will and that God Himself is subject to these laws. This is nothing short of idolatry, turning our faith—and by extension ourselves—into god.”
I encourage you to read the entire article.
Kris Vallotton, like Bill and Beni Johnson, work from a theological mixing bowl containing the dry ingredients of Word of Faith, Prosperity, and New Age Mysticism heresies, which are bound together with the wet ingredients of carny and parlor tricks and psychological manipulation. They mix the ingredients well, presenting a poisonous and deadly spiritual cake that the undiscerning and unsaved enjoy.
Kris Vallotton has said on more than one occasion:
“Knowing the Bible is so important as a Believer but it must not be mistaken for knowing God. You can know the principles of the Word so well that it reduces your need for a relationship with the Prince (I not saying it will, I am saying it can). The Trinity isn’t the Father. Son, and Holy Bible.”
Sounds super spiritual, doesn’t it? But it’s only spiritually deceptive. In order get people to buy the theological garbage they’re selling, Vallotton and Bethel Redding first have to convince people not to be Bereans, not to be discerning, and not to have (as they like to say) a “religious” or “pharasaical” spirit.
If those who follow the teaching of Kris Vallotton and Bethel Redding would simply open their Bibles and believe what it says, they will quickly see that what they’re being fed is not healthy meat, but cotton candy laced with cyanide.
I will close with one more excerpt from the GotQuestions.org article:
“Countering Word of Faith teaching is a simple matter of reading the Bible. God alone is the Sovereign Creator of the Universe (Genesis 1:3; 1 Timothy 6:15) and does not need faith—He is the object of faith (Mark 11:22; Hebrews 11:3). God is spirit and does not have a physical body (John 4:24). Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26, 27; 9:6), but this does not make him a little god or divine. Only God has a divine nature (Galatians 4:8; Isaiah 1:6-11, 43:10, 44:6; Ezekiel 28:2; Psalm 8:6-8). Christ is Eternal, the Only Begotten Son, and the only incarnation of God (John 1:1, 2, 14, 15, 18; 3:16; 1 John 4:1). In Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). By becoming a man, Jesus gave up the glory of heaven but not His divinity (Philippians 2:6-7), though He did choose to withhold His power while walking the earth as man.
“The Word of Faith movement is deceiving countless people, causing them to grasp after a way of life and faith that is not biblical. At its core is the same lie Satan has been telling since the Garden: ‘You shall be as God’ (Genesis 3:5). Sadly, those who buy into the Word of Faith movement are still listening to him. Our hope is in the Lord, not in our own words, not even in our own faith (Psalm 33:20-22). Our faith comes from God in the first place (Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2) and is not something we create for ourselves. So, be wary of the Word of Faith movement and any church that aligns itself with Word of Faith teachings.”
Diane Walsh says
I just found your article in regards to Kris Vallotton. Our Sunday school class just ordered these books, and I unknowingly thought it would be okay. Little did I know I was about to enter into a world that my current church has no knowledge of. A few years ago I started to do research on the whole Charismatic Movement and upon gaining new knowledge of all these teachers I got really concerned for the people associated with all these movements. Now I see how God and His goodness has trained me for a time such as this. Please and thank you for your insight and keep me in your prayers as I tackled the task of ministry to the Christian who really believes they are saved, on their way to heaven and are sold out to these teachings, teachers and the books they write. I believe in the King James Bible as my only source of the real truth. I pray they will understand what I will be sharing with these lovely, but lost in their own thinking. May God have mercy. Thank you so much and keep sharing your knowledge. I appreciate it so much.
Yelibenwork Ayele says
If I had not read a book by Kris Vallotton and if I had not studied the Bible, I would have swallowed all your lies in this article.
Robert Morris says
After many years in the word and under several true bible teachers even Messianic bible scholars, and also listening to and reading books out of Bethel from Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton, I find that this site uses portions of scripture to try and sway people from believing the full word of God. I have found that most of what is posted here deems portions of the New Testament and the Acts of the Apostles irrelevant on the grounds that God has taken the gifts away. I have experienced all the gifts the greatest, the Love of my Father. You tend to teach against what you don’t know or have not experienced which I find very alarming, Teaching against an aspect of God that you have yet to experience first hand is a dangerous place to be. Assuming that because someone teaches about a part of the word you don’t have first hand knowledge of is a false teacher is almost pharisaical and could place you in a precarious position with God. I fear for you and those that you lead, my prayers are with you and them, that you experience the Love of the Father and Christ Jesus because it’s only through that love that we are lead to repentance not fear. We believe in Christ and Him crucified therefore you are my brothers and sisters and I love you, regardless of what you know or don’t know. Because of Christ in me the Hope of glory, I can’t comprehend the hate.
Tony Miano says
Friends:
Robert’s comments embody what a lack of discernment looks like. Don’t fall prey to false teachers the way Robert has.
Adam Thewes says
It’s so sad what is happening to the church. Kris adds to the gospel saying if it doesn’t include miracles, healing, prosperity, etc. then it is “poor gospel”. Bill denies the diety of Jesus while here on earth. They tell people that smoke, glitter and feathers coming from the ducting is the glory of God. Only God can create things with his words and both of these teachers at Bethel claim we can do it. Read the Bible people, it will be plain as day the spirit behind these guys.