“Name it – Claim it;” Is it Biblical?
Over these past years I have had the pleasure of visiting many on word press blog sites and; more recently, Christian groups on Face Book. Very few sites and/or groups advocate the “name it claim it” cultic view. I do, however, notice a growing number of members/visitors commenting approval and belief in the movement. It reflects the growing apostasy within Christianity.
The “name it and claim it” or “prosperity gospel” is not biblical and is in many ways antithetical to the true gospel message and the clear teaching of Scripture. While there are many different versions of the name it and claim it philosophy preached today, they all have similar characteristics. At its best, this teaching comes from the misinterpretation and misunderstanding of some Scriptures, and, at its worst, it is a completely heretical teaching that has the characteristics of cultic doctrine.
The roots of the Word of Faith movement and the name it and claim it message have more in common with new age metaphysics than with biblical Christianity. However, instead of us creating our reality with our thoughts, as new age proponents advise, name it and claim it teachers tell us that we can use the “power of faith” to create our own reality or get what we want. In essence, faith is redefined from “a trust in a holy and sovereign God despite our circumstances” to “a way of controlling God to give us what we want.” Faith becomes a force whereby we can get what we want rather than an abiding trust in God even during times of trials and suffering.
There are many areas where name it and claim it departs from biblical Christianity. The teaching really exalts man and his “faith” above God. In fact, many of the more extreme Word of Faith teachers teach that man was created on terms of equality with God and that man is the same class of being that He is Himself. This dangerous and heretical teaching denies the very basic tenets of biblical Christianity, which is why the extreme proponents of the name it and claim it teaching must be considered to be cultic and not truly Christian.
Both the metaphysical cults and the name it and claim it teaching distort the truth and embrace the false teaching that our thoughts control reality. Whether it is the power of positive thinking or the prosperity gospel, the premise is the same—what you think or believe will happen is ultimately what controls what will happen. If you think negative thoughts or are lacking in faith, you will suffer or not get what you want. But on the other hand if you think positive thoughts or just have “enough faith,” then you can have health, wealth, and happiness now. This false teaching appeals to one of man’s most basic instincts, which is one reason why it is hugely popular.
While the prosperity gospel and the idea of controlling one’s future with his thoughts or faith is appealing to sinful man, it is insulting to a sovereign God who has revealed Himself in Scripture. Instead of recognizing the absolute sovereign power of God as revealed in the Bible, the name it and claim it adherents embrace a false god who cannot operate apart from their faith. They present a false view of God by teaching that He wants to bless you with health, wealth, and happiness but cannot do so unless YOU have enough faith. Thereby God is no longer in control but man is. Of course, this is completely antithetical to what Scripture teaches. God does not depend upon man’s “faith” to act. Throughout Scripture we see God blessing whom He chooses to bless and healing whom He chooses to heal.
Another problem with the name it and claim it teaching is that it fails to recognize that Jesus Himself is the ultimate treasure worth sacrificing everything for (Matthew 13:44) and instead sees Jesus as little more than a way of getting what we want right now. Jesus’ message is that a Christian is called to “deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24–26). Contrast that to the message of the prosperity gospel. Rather than being a message of self-denial, the prosperity gospel is one of self-satisfaction. Its goal is not becoming more Christlike through sacrifice but having what we want here and now, clearly contradicting the words of our Savior.
The Bible teaches that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12), but the name and claim it message is that any suffering we undergo is simply the result of a lack of faith. The prosperity gospel is completely focused on us getting the things the world has to offer, but 1 John 2:15 tells us we should not “love the world or the things in the world” and, in fact, those with a fondness for the things of the world become enemies of God (James 4:4). The message of the prosperity gospel simply cannot be any more opposite of what the Bible really teaches.
In his book Your Best Life Now, prosperity teacher Joel Osteen says that the key to a more rewarding life, a better home, a stronger marriage, and a better job is found in a “simple yet profound process to change the way you think about your life and help you accomplish what is truly important.” How different that is from the biblical truth that this life now is nothing compared to the life to come. The message of the prosperity gospel is focused around the “treasures” or good things we want and can have now, while Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).
Jesus did not come to give us health, wealth and happiness now. He came to save us from our sins so that we can have an eternity of bliss with Him. Following Christ is not a ticket to all the material things men desire in this life but a ticket to eternal life. Our desire should not be to have our best life now but to have the attitude of the apostle Paul, who had learned to be content “in whatever state I am” (Philippians 4:11).
” Jesus Himself is the ultimate treasure worth sacrificing everything for.” This is what it’s all about. If everyone who claims to be a Christian would seriously and honestly meditate on this, we would find that we all in some ways seek treasure in worldly things rather than in Christ. He is all we really need and realizing that is the most liberating thing of all.
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I have to agree with you, Joe. Tomorrows post will add some light to what you and Citizen Tom have mentioned here in your comments. People, because of all of the apostasy within the church, and outside, have been duped and greatly deceived. It is a travesty.
I wish to thank you, Joe, for your comments. They are greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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This is another one of your well done articles. Keep up the good work.
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Thank you for your kind comment. It is greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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If I were not a sheep myself, it would amazes that some people are so easily taken in. Nevertheless, how do people relate their savior dying on a cross to a Gospel of Prosperity in this life? Don’t they know why He died for us?
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Good morning Tom;
III John 2 — Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. It is a very short step from 3rd John 2 to: John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. It is not hard for a good charlatan to combine these two passages and dupe the multitudes. after all Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (posting on that topic tomorrow).
In todays world there is so much apostasy that unless one reads and studies the Word of God him or herself they will find it troubling and nearly impossible to know the truth. For man has become deceived. No wonder, “for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
Tom I hope this has shed some light on your questions. I also hope you will visit again tomorrow for that post as it will also shed some light on your questions and comments. And, as you know, your questions and comments are always greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Thank you and bless you. That was a much greater insight than I expected.
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Thank you, Tom.
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Once again, Vincent, I thank you for the link. It is, as always, greatly appreciated.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless and keep you and yours.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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Good morning, Clyde;
As always I am greatly appreciative of your linking my posts. We are all called to share the gospel and you help make that possible. Once again thank you for all that you do.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you and yours always.
Yours in Christ;
Michael
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