EW Kenyon and New Thought Metaphysics

As I wrote about in my article on The Biblical Word of Faith, D.R. McConnell in his book, A Different Gospel, documented compelling and perhaps irrefutable evidence that Kenneth Hagin plagiarized E.W. Kenyon.

First I would like to show you what E.W. Kenyon taught, and then after that (at the end of the post), I would like to show some comments from an online discussion forum about Hagin's apparent plagiarism.

AI Overview of Kenyon

Here is what AI results state about EW Kenyon:

E.W. Kenyon was influenced by and incorporated New Thought metaphysics into his teachings, creating a "metaphysical mixture" that blended New Thought's emphasis on the mind with evangelical Christianity. He drew from New Thought principles, like the power of positive thinking and confession, and adapted them into his own theological system, which influenced the later Word of Faith and prosperity gospel movements. While he explicitly fought against what he called "metaphysical cults," his work became a bridge for metaphysical concepts to enter mainstream Christianity. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 

• Metaphysical influences: Kenyon studied New Thought and was influenced by teachers like Phineas Quimby. He also had a personal metaphysical library that included New Thought materials. [1, 2, 7] 
• Adaptation of concepts: He didn't adopt New Thought's philosophy wholesale, but instead, he "baptized" or adapted its principles. He integrated the power of thought and words into a Christian framework, teaching that believers could shape their circumstances through the "positive confession" of God's Word. [3, 4] 
• Creation of a new system: Kenyon's work is seen by many as a fusion of evangelical Christianity with New Thought ideas, resulting in a system of theology that emphasized the authority of believers to speak things into existence through faith. [3, 4] 
• Legacy: His teachings laid the groundwork for the modern Word of Faith movement, which was later popularized by figures like Kenneth Hagin. The "health and wealth" gospel is a direct descendant of this blend. [2, 4, 8] 
• Debate on his stance: Kenyon himself publicly opposed what he considered to be metaphysical "cults". However, critics argue that despite his opposition, his teachings adopted and re-packaged the very ideas he was fighting against. [2, 3, 5, 6] 

Forum Discussion About Hagin's Plagiarism

Here are some comments on a discussion forum online regarding Kenneth Hagin Sr.'s apparent plagiarism of E.W. Kenyon, which ring true to me from what I remember reading over 30 years ago in the book, A Different Gospel:

Aug 3, 2005

M. Paul

Plagiarism, Kenyon and the Word Of Faith Movement

Kenneth Hagin apparently had no conscience about copying word for word his "revelations" of the Word of Faith from Kenyon's books, published some time earlier...

The original works are the rights of KENYON'S GOSPEL PUBLISHING SOCIETY.

E.W. Kenyon wrote:

"The twenty-second psalm gives a graphic picture of the crucifixion of Jesus. It is more vivid than that of John, Matthew or Mark who witnessed it. But he says the strangest words, 'But thou art holy.' What does that mean? He is becoming sin...."  (quote taken from What Happened From the Cross to the Throne [Seattle: Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society, 1969, 44-51])

Kenneth E. Hagin Sr. wrote: 

"The 22nd psalm gives a graphic picture of the crucifixion of Jesus- more vivid than that of John, Matthew or Mark witnessed it. He utters the strangest words 'But thou are holy.' What does that mean? He is becoming sin..." (quote taken from "Christ our Substitute", The Word of Faith [March 1975]), pp.1,4,5,7)

As well, read what Kenyon's daughter has to say about this.

The eight books by Hagin stretch from 1973-81. Rhema Bible Training Center was founded in 1974.

August 3. 2005

ProAmericanVeteran 

You would be surprised, though, of how many people are unaware of what has been documented concerning Hagin's apparent plagiarism.

Hagin did respond, though, and did not clear the problem when he had the chance. Looks like he swept the whole thing, as they say, 'under the rug'.

Kenneth Hagin wrote: "Kenyon's influence on my ministry has been minute. Only his teachings on the name of Jesus have much to do with my theology. I absolutely deny any metaphysical influences from Kenyon...." -- Vinson Synan, "The Faith of Kenneth Hagin", Charisma & Christian Faith, 15:11 (June 1990), 68)

Aug 5, 2005

M. Paul

Hagin's plagiarism is thoroughly documented. An above post [by ProAmericanVeteran] indicates Hagin did finally make some type of response to the charge, but why did he never respond to what has been documented?? Evidence is evidence--that must be answered point by point, not dismissed by some generalized statement.

A Different Gospel quotes earlier works of Kenyon in one column and works of Hagin in another, and they are identical and there are a lot of them. Only by addressing this evidence is there an effective answer to the charge.

However, I'm not saying we should condemn Hagin if there is no answer. I do say it changes the perspective of his teaching.

Regards,

Paul

[END OF DISCUSSION FORUM COMMENTS]

Closing Words

As I have just shown, clearly there is documented evidence of plagiarism on the part of Kenneth Hagin. And it was not just a little, but a lot, in eight of Hagin's books over a period of eight years. Moreover, it was not just any plagiarism, but the very things Hagin claimed to have received by direct revelation from Jesus Christ, were actually copied from Kenyon. And Hagin never admitted it or repented, but claimed that Kenyon had very little influence upon his teachings.

As for Kenyon, I am willing to assume the best of him, that he was not teaching heresy, but was teaching truths that he had discovered from New Thought Metaphysics, which aligned with Scripture. I do not condone metaphysics, and nor did Kenyon. I am not a follower of Hagin or Kenyon, nor am I a part of any Word of Faith church or movement. But if any cult, false religion, or false teacher happens to believe or teach anything that is true, that does not mean we should reject that teaching just because they hold to it. If it is biblical truth, then we must embrace it as such, regardless of who else believes it or teaches it.

Back to The Biblical Word of Faith article.

Footnotes for AI Overview: 

[1] https://www.graceful-truth.com/word-of-faith-origins

[2] https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/context/masters/article/1051/viewcontent/Smith_Kevin_OP.pdf

[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Reformed/comments/ix0rhs/new_thought_the_pagan_religion_that_gave_us_the/

[4] https://www.facebook.com/DoreenVirtueForJesus/posts/new-thought-and-word-of-faith-similarities-differences-and-the-deeper-historymos/1289967682490217/

[5] https://www.equip.org/articles/whats-wrong-with-the-word-faith-movement-part-one/

[6] https://www.kenyons.org/metaphysical-cults.html

[7] https://thecultishshow.com/podcast/word-of-faith-amp-new-thought-a-modern-assessment

[8] https://www.gotquestions.org/Word-Faith.html

Attribution notice: Except where otherwise noted, most Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission.  

Author's note:  I also recommend reading The Biblical Word of Faith. You may access more of my articles on the Main Directory of this blog, as well as my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master. 

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“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.