Kenneth E. Hagin 358213 225744810 2008-07-15T05:14:59Z Egosintrick 7449178 /* Theology */ {{Refimprove|date=January 2008}} {{Infobox Person |name= Kenneth E. Hagin |image=Brother Hagin.jpg |caption=Kenneth Erwin Hagin |birth_date=[[August 20]], [[1917]] |birth_place= [[McKinney, Texas|McKinney]], [[Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]] |death_date=[[September 19]], [[2003]] (age 86) |death_place= | death_cause = [[heart disease]] | nationality = [[United States|American]] | known_for = Pioneer of the [[Word of Faith|"Word of Faith" movement]] | education = some college | occupation = [[minister of religion|preacher]] | title = | religion = [[Pentecostalism|Pentecostal Christianity]] | spouse = Oretha Rooker | children = Kenneth Wayne Hagin, Patricia Harrison | parents = Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jess Hagin }} '''Kenneth Erwin Hagin''' ([[August 20]], [[1917]] - [[September 19]], [[2003]]) was an influential [[United States of America|American]] [[Pentecostal]] [[minister of religion|preacher]]. He is often referred to as the "father" (or "granddaddy") of the [[Word of Faith|"Word of Faith" movement]]. Many of his followers often refer to him affectionately as "Dad Hagin" or "Brother Hagin". According to the iWorshipHere website, the link to which is prominently displayed on the main page of the Kenneth Hagin Ministries website, Hagin began preparing for his ministry at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Although no mention of his performance at that institute is made, it goes on to say that he 'graduated from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Faith Theological Seminary in Tampa, Florida.' == Biography == === Personal life === Kenneth E. Hagin was born in [[McKinney, Texas]], the son of Lillie Viola Drake Hagin and Jess Hagin. He was so small and lifeless that the doctor thought that he was stillborn. He was married to Oretha Rooker. They had two children, a son named Kenneth Wayne Hagin, who is presently the pastor of Rhema Bible Church and President of Kenneth Hagin Ministries, and a daughter named Patricia Harrison. She is the widow of the late Doyle "Buddy' Harrison and is the owner and publisher of Harrison House, located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} On many occasions Kenneth Hagin demonstrated his ability to memorize large portions of scripture and other materials. Testimony of friends and family indicate that he possessed an amazing memory with which he could recall specific details such as the day of the week that a specific date fell on and that day's weather.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Amidst all the controversy throughout Kenneth Hagin's life, it was often commented on by others that his love for people was very evident. Kenneth Hagin took great joy in family and friends and regardless of the tremendous amount of opposition he faced, there was no denying his loyalty to love those around him.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Prior to his death, many of his followers noticed the change in direction he took while preaching. Rather than teaching the message that made his name so well known referred to as "the Faith Message," he began teaching on the love Christians should have for one another. {{Fact|date=January 2008}} Hagin died five days after lapsing into a coma due to a heart arrhythmia in September 2003.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} === Claimed he was healed === According to Hagin's testimony, he was sickly as a child, suffering from a [[Congenital heart defect|deformed heart]] and what was believed to be an incurable [[blood disease]]. He was not expected to live and became bedfast at age 15. In April [[1933]] during a dramatic [[religious conversion|conversion]] [[religious experience|experience]], he reported dying three times in 10 minutes, each time seeing the horrors of [[hell]] and then returning to life. He also claimed that he was raised from a deathbed in [[1934]] by "the revelation of faith in God's Word"(D.R. McConnell, ''A Different Gospel''). Two years later he preached his first sermon as the pastor of a small community church in [[Roland, Texas]], 9 miles from McKinney.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} His favorite scripture was [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 11:23: "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith".{{Fact|date=January 2008}} === Beginning to preach === During the next twelve years he pastored five [[Assemblies of God]] churches in Texas: in the cities of [[Tom Bean]], [[Farmersville]] (twice), [[Talco]], [[Greggton]], and [[Van, Texas|Van]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} === Establishing a faith-based organization === In [[1949]], he began an itinerant ministry as a Bible teacher and [[Evangelism|evangelist]]. Hagin was at this time also given full admission to the [[Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International]] (FGBMFI) which had been established in 1951. He was also a part of the Voice of Healing Revival in the U.S. in the 40s and 50s together with [[Oral Roberts]], [[Gordon Lindsay]] and [[T.L.Osborn]]. In [[1963]], Kenneth E. Hagin Evangelistic Association was incorporated, and the offices of the ministry moved to [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]] in [[1966]]. That same year, he taught for the first time on [[radio]] — on [[KSKY (AM)|KSKY]] in [[Dallas, Texas|Dallas]]. In [[1967]], he began a regular radio broadcast that continues today as Faith Seminar of the Air. Teaching by his son, Rev. Kenneth Wayne Hagin, is also heard on the program.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Since its inception in 1963, his organization grew to include numerous [[Mass media|media]] outreaches and ministries. These are: * Faith Library Publications &ndash; with 65 million book copies in print * "RHEMA Praise" &ndash; a weekly television program on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] * "Faith Seminar of the Air" &ndash; a radio program heard on many stations nationwide and on the Internet * "The Word of Faith" &ndash; a free monthly magazine with roughly 250,000 subscribers * crusades conducted throughout the nation * RHEMA Correspondence Bible School * the RHEMA Prayer and Healing Center, located on the Rhema campus in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma{{Fact|date=January 2008}} In [[1974]], Hagin founded [[RHEMA Bible Training Center]] USA, which now has training centers in fourteen countries and has 23,000 [[alumni]]. In [[1979]], he founded the Prayer and Healing Center there to provide a place for the sick to come to "have the opportunity to build their faith",. Its Healing School continues to be held free of charge twice daily on the RHEMA campus. There are many other outreaches and RBTC graduates throughout the world.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} == Plagiarism Controversy == In 1983, two students at Oral Roberts University alleged that the bulk of Hagin's theological teachings were lifted verbatim from the writings of other authors. [[D.R. McConnell]], who wrote his Master's thesis about the Word of Faith movement, alleged that Hagin had plagiarized the writings of evangelist [[E.W. Kenyon]], teaching not only the ideas of Kenyon but also lifting text word-for-word from many of Kenyon's eighteen published works.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} [[Dale Simmons]], one of McConnell's colleagues doing research for his paper, discovered what he has described as plagiarism by Hagin of an author named [[John A. MacMillan]]. In this case it is alleged that Hagin not only plagiarized the text word-for-word, but also the title, ''"The Authority of the Believer"''.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Upon discovering Hagin's use of MacMillan's material, Simmons contacted the publishing house that published MacMillan's original work. The president of the publishing company confronted Hagin with evidence of the plagiarism. Hagin's response was to claim that he had not plagiarized anyone but that his acknowledgment of MacMillan had been an oversight. Hagin then implicitly claimed that the plagiarism was actually proof that his teaching and MacMillan's teaching were from God. In a portion of a letter printed on page 68 of ''"A Different Gospel"'' by D.R. McConnell, Hagin argued that persons speaking on the same subject use 'virtually the same words' because 'it is the same Spirit that is leading and directing.' Simmons did not accept this argument, noting that it begged the question why Hagin felt it necessary to read any books at all if God was going to inspire him to have the same thoughts and words as another author.<ref>Simmons repeats these charges in his 1997 book, ''E.W. Kenyon: The Postbellum Pursuit of Peace, Prosperity, And Plenty''.</ref> Hagin did, however, give credit to MacMillan when a new copy with a new title (''"The Believer's Authority"'') was released in 1984. William DeArteaga, a defender of the Faith movement, acknowledged that Hagin was guilty of plagiarism in his 1992 book, ''Quenching The Spirit.'' <ref>William DeArteaga, "Quenching the Spirit," p. 243-245 of the 1996 edition.</ref> Geir Lie, a scholar who is favorable to E.W. Kenyon went so far as to say that Hagin's plagiarism was conscious and systematic (according to DeArteaga).{{Fact|date=July 2008}} Derek Vreeland, another charismatic scholar, presented his findings at the Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies.<ref>[http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/reconstruction.html "Reconstructing Word of Faith Theology: A Defense, Analysis and Refinement of the Theology of the Word of Faith Movement"]</ref> Vreeland, too, believes Hagin unintentionally used the thoughts and ideas of Kenyon without properly attributing them to Kenyon. Dale Simmons, who discovered Hagin's plagiarism of John A. MacMillan, concurs that Hagin plagiarized, but he theorizes that it was an instance of informal borrowing in Hagin's early preaching ministry.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} The 'informal borrowing' that is common among preachers may account for some of the instances of plagiarism. Hagin lived near Dallas in his formative years, and E.W. Kenyon's works were very popular in the Dallas area at that time (the 1930s). Although this fails to explain the massive amount of plagiarism Hagin apparently committed, it is worth noting that in many instances he has cited by name sources that he used including Dr. Lillian B. Yeomans, Smith Wigglesworth, Corrie ten Boom, Ethan O. Allen, and some other (mostly Pentecostal-type) preachers. He has also favorably remarked about the ministry of [[Charles G. Finney]].{{Fact|date=January 2008}} ==Theology== As mentioned above, Hagin's theological beliefs and teachings are similar to those of E.W. Kenyon. The Charismatic theology differs from the theology of traditional Christianity in several areas. Some of Hagin's teachings include: '''Physical Healing:''' It is always God's will that every believer be physically healed of any sickness or infirmity. The only barrier to this healing is the amount of 'faith' the person has (''Word of Faith'' magazine, 6/90; 7/92; 8/92; 12/92). '''Material Wealth:''' It is always God's will that every believer be 'blessed' with as much material wealth as they can 'claim' through 'faith' (Kenneth Hagin, ''How God Taught Me About Prosperity''). '''Faith and Authority:''' While most Christian theologians would agree that Faith, according to the Bible, is a Grace given as a free gift by God to aid in the salvation of human beings, Hagin and his Charismatic offspring believe that faith is rather a tool by which the believer can summon the very power of God to use for their own ends. Faith, to Hagin, is not a matter of belief in God, but rather a vocal expression of God's Will. According to Hagin, God is forced to do anything a believer demands in faith (Kenneth Hagin, ''I Believe in Visions''). '''Salvation:''' Hagin claimed in several of his books that he physically died three times as a child. Each time he descended to hell but was brought back to life when a voice spoke. On the third trip to hell, Hagin claims to have asked Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. Crying, 'God! I belong to the church! I've been baptized in water' twice, to no avail, he cried out a third time. It is at that point, he claims, that he was saved and brought back to life a final time. Hagin goes on to say that he was praying so loud when he arrived back in his body that ' traffic was lined up for two blocks on either side of our house!' (ibid., ''Word of Faith'' magazine, 10/01). '''Substitutionary Act:''' At the root of almost every Christian denomination is the strong belief that Jesus Christ died so that mankind could gain salvation and eternal life in heaven through 'belie[f] on his name'(Holy Bible, KJV, John 1:12). Hagin, however, taught that it was not Jesus' death that brought salvation, but rather his descent to hell, where he fought Satan and was tortured by demons, becoming 'Spirit-filled' and the first 'Born Again' man (Kenneth Hagin,''The Name of Jesus''). '''Sacred Scriptures:''' Charismatic churches follow in the reformed tradition in that the Holy Bible is viewed to be the literally true, inerrant word of God as written by men under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Hagin taught many extra-, if not contra-biblical things about physical health, material wealth, the Sovereignty of God, and the extent of God's will and the ability of man to direct that will at their personal endeavors (see above). ==RHEMA Bible Training Center== Hagin founded RHEMA Bible Training Center (RBTC) in [[1974]]. RBTC is an [[educational accreditation|unaccredited]] [[Bible college|Bible institute]] located on 110 acres in the [[Broken Arrow, Oklahoma|Broken Arrow]] suburb of [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]], [[Oklahoma]] ([[United States|USA]]). The curriculum is taught from a [[Charismatic movement|Charismatic]]/[[Pentecostal]] heritage. There are six ministry concentrations specializing in [[Religious ministry (Christian)#Age-specific Ministry|Children's Ministry]], [[Youth ministry (Evangelical)|Youth Ministry]], [[Evangelism]], [[Pastoral care|Pastoral Care]], [[Mission (Christian)|Missions]], and Supportive [[Religious ministry (Christian)|Ministry]].<ref>[http://www.rhema.org/education/rbtc_curriculum.cfm RBTC Curriculum]</ref> RBTC has also established training centers in [[Austria]], [[Brazil]], [[Colombia]], [[Germany]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]], [[Italy]], [[Mexico]], [[Peru]], [[Romania]], [[Singapore]], [[South Africa]], the [[Oceania|South Pacific]], and [[Thailand]].<ref>[http://www.rhema.org/education/rbtc_international.cfm RBTC International]</ref> After Hagin's death in 2003, his son [[Kenneth W. Hagin]] continued to run the institution. RBTC claims to have trained more than 28,000 graduates who reside and minister in more than 100 countries.<ref>[http://www.rhema.org/education/rbtc_intro.cfm Introduction to RBTC]</ref> == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.rhema.org/ Official Website of Kenneth Hagin Ministries] *[http://www.rhemabiblechurch.org/ Rhema Bible Church] *[http://www.rbtc.org/ Rhema Bible Training Center] *[http://www.intotruth.org/wof/kenyon.html Documentation of Hagin's plagiarism] *[http://www.victoryword.100megspop2.com/reconstruction.html Charismatic Acknowledging Hagin's Plagiarism] *[http://www.thechristianexpositor.org/page7.html Citation of Hagin Misusing Greek] *[http://www.apts.edu/ajps/00-1/00-1-KWarrington.pdf Citation of Hagin Changing Greek in Mark 6:5] *[http://discernment.org/wordfaith/kenhagin.htm A Former Hagin Disciple Discusses His Mentor] *[http://www.kenyons.org/faq.shtml E.W. Kenyon society response stating Kenneth Hagin did not plagiarize Kenyon] *[http://www.rhemaconnection.com/ RHEMA Connection: Uniting alumni, churches, ministries, and friends] *[http://www.freewebs.com/truthofthecross/kensreviewofjesusvict.htm Ken's review with Kenneth Hagin as the subject; Jesus' Victory: The Cross or the Resurrection?] *[http://www.freewebs.com/truthofthecross/index.htm The truth of the cross and Kenneth Hagin of the Word of Faith movement] *[http://www.iworshiphere.com iWoshipHere website] {{DEFAULTSORT:Hagin, Kenneth E.}} [[Category:1917 births]] [[Category:2003 deaths]] [[Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity]] [[Category:American Pentecostals]] [[Category:Deaths from cardiovascular disease]] [[Category:People from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area]] [[Category:Education in Tulsa, Oklahoma]] [[de:Kenneth E. Hagin]] [[el:Κέννεθ Χάγκιν]] [[nl:Kenneth Hagin]] [[no:Kenneth E. Hagin]] [[pl:Kenneth E. Hagin]] [[sv:Kenneth E. Hagin]]