Word of Faith (also known as ''Word-Faith'' or simply ''Faith'') is a family of teachings in some Christian churches as well as a label applied by some observers to a teaching movement kindred to many Pentecostal and charismatic churches and individuals worldwide. The basic doctrine preached is that of salvation through Jesus Christ and what that salvation entails. It is based on Jesus’ teachings concerning the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven and the state humans can receive through the atonement and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. These teaches state that this state of new being or creation (found in the biblical passages and ) can be received only through faith in the Word of God.

The Word of Faith movement has many distinctive features. It shares teachings with prosperity theology, but they are not the same thing. Additionally, many beliefs that the movement holds as essentials are often criticised by some Christians as diverging from Christian orthodoxy. The movement emphasizes speaking, stating, or confessing verses found in the Bible, called the Word of God. The belief is that if one believes the Word of God and confesses it then the believer shall receive what they confess. This act of believing and speaking is said to be described by Jesus in . The term ''word of faith'' itself is derived from the biblical passage which speaks of "''the word of faith that we preach''."

Origins[link]

The concept of a blood covenant is relevant to the Word of Faith movement. A blood covenant is a contract that binds two parties together as one "blood", or family, and pledges them to the mutual interest and prosperity of one another. This kind of covenant would be symbolized by a "covenant cut" and the spilling of blood, for example with circumcision in . In , a covenant is established by God with Abram and his descendants, the future Israel. God pledges himself to the well-being of Israel including protection from violence, sickness, poverty (which meant overall financial prosperity), etc. In return Israel was expected to "fully obey" and pledge itself to the interests and service of God; for example, in blessing the nations in . The movement considers that Christians are heirs to that covenant by identification with Abraham's descendants through Jesus Christ in .

Teachings[link]

Healing[link]

The Word of Faith teaches that complete healing (of spirit, soul, and body) is included in Christ's atonement and therefore is available here and now to all who believe. Frequently cited is , "by his stripes we are healed", and , which says that Jesus healed the sick so that "it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the Prophet, 'Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses'."

Because Isaiah speaks in the present tense ("we ''are'' healed"), Word of Faith teaches that believers should accept the reality of a healing that is already theirs. Accepting this healing is done by confessing the verse or verses found in the Bible declaring they are healed (i.e. Word of Faith) and then believing them fully without doubt. It is not an act of denying the pain, sickness, or disease, but an act of denying it's right to supersede the receiving the gift mentioned in Isaiah 53:5. According to adherents, sickness is an attempt by Satan to rob believers of their divine right to total health.

Prosperity[link]

Word of Faith teaching holds that God wants his people to be financially prosperous, as well as have good health, good marriages and relationships, and to live generally prosperous lives. Word of Faith teaches that God empowers his people (blesses them) to achieve the promises that are contained in the Bible. Because of this, suffering does not come from God, but rather, from Satan. As Kenneth Copeland's ministry has stated, the idea that God uses suffering for our benefit is considered to be "a deception of Satan" and "absolutely against the Word of God." Additionally, if someone is not experiencing prosperity, it is because they have given Satan authority over their lives. God will not do anything at all unless the person invites him to.

It is argued that Jesus and the apostles were financially wealthy, owning homes, having monetary resources and businesses. The following arguments have been offered for this claim: # Jesus' ability to travel without apparently working to earn a living for three years # References by Jesus and the apostles to owning homes # Jesus had a treasurer (Judas Iscariot) # Jesus consorting with the upper echelons of society # The businesses that each of the apostles apparently owned/worked in

This is contrary to the traditional view of Jesus, who is often viewed as being a poor, wandering teacher. Based on the concept that Jesus and his apostles were arguably wealthy, as well as the historical examples of his people having great wealth, and the promises for financial prosperity throughout the Old and New Testaments, Word of Faith proponents teach that modern believers also have access to the "blessing" and may also become financially wealthy. Teachers like Kenneth Copeland assert the Prosperity Gospel is validated by the teachings of the Apostle John: "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (). Copeland posits that “as the seeds of prosperity are planted in your mind, in your will and in your emotions...they eventually produce a great financial harvest."

Faith and confession[link]

Within Word of Faith teaching, a central element of receiving from God involves "confession". This doctrine is often referred to as "positive confession" or "faith confession" by practitioners. While similar, the teaching should not be confused with Norman Vincent Peale's positive thinking theology. Peale's teaching was marked by its focus on the individual, as evidenced by his oft-spoken statement, "Faith in God and believe in oneself". Noted Word of Faith teachers, such as Kenneth E. Hagin and Charles Capps, have argued that God created the universe simply by speaking it into existence (), and that humans have been endowed with the ability (power) to speak things into existence. Thus, making a "positive confession" (by reciting a promise of scripture, for example), and believing that which God says, generates power which enables those things to come into fruition. This teaching is interpreted from . Word of Faith preachers have likened faith to a "force".

Likewise, according to Word of Faith teaching, "negative confession" can yield negative results, and hence believers should be conscious of their words. This is argued on the interpretation of , "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and they that love them will eat the fruit thereof", also , "...saith the Lord, as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do", among other scriptures.

Critics and controversy[link]

Word of Faith's orthodoxy has been questioned and criticized by various ministers, authors, and bloggers. Despite criticism by several prominent theologians, authors, and online critics, the movement continues to air television programs and publish articles and books. Some derisively call the theology "name it, claim it" or "blab it and grab it." Furthermore, within the Christian sphere, the Word of Faith movement is the fastest growing branch of Pentecostal Christianity.

Critics[link]

One popular critic and opponent of The Word of Faith, D.R. McConnell of Oral Roberts University, has charged in a thesis entitled ''Kenyon Connection,'' that Kenyon adopted the teachings of New Thought and relabeled them. Thus, the Word of Faith movement, in McConnell’s view, constitutes a "Trojan Horse". This argument was the primary conclusion reached by McConnell’s master’s thesis published as a book, ''A Different Gospel''.

Similar criticisms were made by William DeArteaga and Robert Bowman. Formerly of the Christian Research Institute, DeArteaga concedes some new thought influence in Kenyon's teaching, but he argues that Kenyon's views helped the church rediscover some biblical truths. The primary work in defense of this theory is DeArteaga's ''Quenching The Spirit''. Arguing similarly but in an opposite direction is Bowman, whose ''Word-Faith Controversy'' is more sympathetic to Kenyon's historical background yet more critical of his doctrine than DeArteaga.

Baptist evangelist Justin Peters, an outspoken critic of the Word of Faith movement who wrote his Master of Divinity thesis on Benny Hinn and has appeared frequently as an expert on Word of Faith pastors in documentaries and TV news stories, traces the movement's origins to the late 19th and early 20th centuries ( Phineus Quimby's New Thought Movement, Mary Baker Eddy's Christian Science) in his seminar "A Call for Discernment". In contrast, Pastor Joe McIntyre, now head of Kenyon’s Gospel Publishing Society in Washington State, argues that the primary influences of Kenyon were A.B. Simpson and A.J. Gordon of the ''Faith Cure branch of the Evangelical Movement.'' McIntyre’s version is told in the authorized biography, ''E.W. Kenyon: The True Story''.

One of the earliest critics of the teaching was Oral Roberts University professor Charles Farah, who published ''From the Pinnacle of the Temple'' in 1979. In the book, Farah expressed his disillusionment with the teachings, which he argued were more about ''presumption'' than faith.

That same year, Pentecostal scholar Gordon Fee wrote a series of articles denouncing both the health and the wealth gospels. In 1982, one of Farah's students, Daniel Ray McConnell, submitted a thesis to the faculty at Oral Roberts University arguing that Kenyon was the father of the teaching, that Hagin had plagiarized his doctrines from Kenyon, and that the unique doctrines of the Word of Faith were heretical. McConnell's thesis was published as the book ''A Different Gospel'' in 1988.

One of McConnell's classmates, Dale H. Simmons, published his own research in earning a doctorate at Drew University. Simmons argued that Kenyon was influenced by heterodox metaphysical movements and the Faith Cure movement of the nineteenth century. In 1990, ''The Agony of Deceit'' was published as a conglomeration of critiques of Word of Faith doctrines. One of the authors, Christian Research Institute founder Walter Martin, issued his personal judgment that Kenneth Copeland was a false prophet and that the movement as a whole was heretical.

In 1993, Hank Hanegraaff's ''Christianity in Crisis'' charged the Word of Faith movement with heresy and accused many of its churches of being "cults." He accused the Word of Faith teachers of "demoting" God and Jesus, and "deifying" man and Satan. Hanegraaff is derided within the Word of Faith community as a present-day "Christian Witch Hunter." Hanegraaff has focused a significant portion of his anti-heresy teaching since the 1990s on addressing and refuting Word of Faith teachings.

Other critics, such as Norman Geisler, Dave Hunt and Roger Oakland, have denounced Word of Faith theology as aberrant and contrary to the teachings of the Bible. Critics have also condemned the teachings on wealth, arguing that the Bible condemns the pursuit of riches.

The "health and wealth" teachings had been heavily criticized, with opponents arguing that Word of Faith teachers tend not to stress some scriptures warning against emphasis on material prosperity and telling of the importance of helping the poor.

John Piper points out that Christ warned the apostles that they would suffer great persecution for the sake of his name (except John, all eleven, after Judas Iscariot, suffered martyrs' deaths). In a January 2006 sermon entitled "How our Suffering Advances the Gospel," Piper stated bluntly that "the prosperity gospel will not make anybody praise Jesus; it will make people praise prosperity."

'Little gods' controversy[link]

Many Word of Faith teachers have sought to emphasize the full meaning of the believer's status as a child of God (through Christ) by using phrases such as "little gods" to describe them, a practice that has garnered some criticism from some other segments of the Christian community. Kenneth Hagin wrote that God "made us in the same class of being that he is himself," and that the believer is "called Christ" because "that's who we are, we're Christ!" According to Hagin, by being "born again", the believer becomes "as much an incarnation as Jesus of Nazareth". Hagin like Kenyon reasons that that humans are made in God’s image. Since God is spirit, then humans must essentially be spirit as well and ‘in God’s class’, and thereby ‘gods’. Kenneth Copeland says Adam was "not a little like God ... not almost like God ...", and has told believers that "You don't have a God in you. You are one." Based primarily on the , which says "I have said, Ye are gods and all of you, children of the Most High"; this was also corroborated by Jesus making reference to this scripture in . A common theme in Word of Faith preaching is that God created man as "an exact duplication of God's kind." (, , etc.) In all of this, there is no argument of man's ability to exist and operate independently of God, but rather, the emphasis is on what the believer can become in God.

''Suffer the Children'', a documentary highlighting some of the teachings of the Word of Faith movement, has a video clip of Creflo Dollar teaching the "little gods" doctrine to his congregation based on the notion that "everything reproduces after its own kind":

Dollar: "If horses get together, they produce what?" Congregation: "Horses!" Dollar: "If dogs get together, they produce what?" Congregation: "Dogs!" Dollar: "If cats get together, they produce what?" Congregation: "Cats!" Dollar: "So if the Godhead says 'Let us make man in our image', and everything produces after its own kind, then they produce what?" Congregation: "Gods!" Dollar: "Gods. Little "g" gods. You're not human. Only human part of you is this flesh you're wearing."

The promulgation of this teaching is one of the most contentious doctrines to its critics, who consider it heresy. Mormon scholar Stephen E. Robinson, whose religion teaches that man can become gods after eons of exaltation, has declared the "little gods" teaching heretical as well. Conversely, Christianity regards this Mormon teaching as heretical also, and entirely unsupported by the Bible. Many Evangelical critics have asserted that the teaching is, in fact, cultic; Hank Hanegraaff, for example, contends the 'little gods' doctrine is on a par with the teaching of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Jim Jones. Justin Peters, whose first encounter with Word of Faith doctrine came at the age of 16 when a faith healer "slayed [him] in the spirit" in an attempt to cure his cerebral palsy, states in ''A Call for Discernment'' that the reason the Word of Faith movement holds so tenaciously to "health and wealth" tenets is because of the "little gods" teaching: "A god should never be sick, and a god should never be poor." In response, Word of Faith defenders have claimed the teaching is simply underscoring the biblical view of the believer's "true identity in Christ".

Critics, such as Christian apologist and CARM founder Matt Slick and Bible critique author W. Gary Phillips, believe referencing scriptures and , where it is said that men are gods, is using these Scriptures out of context. The biblical application of these verses is addressed to the Judges of Israel where they were called gods, not because they were divine, but because they represented the true and only God when they judged the people. The Hebrew and Greek words used in both Scriptures for "gods" can also be applied to magistrates and used to describe someone as "mighty".

Jesus died spiritually[link]

Often referred to as JDS, there is a teaching that to atone for sins, Jesus had to die both physically and spiritually. As an outcome of his ‘dying spiritually’, the Word of Faith movement argues Jesus thus needed to be born again, as any other sinner, and that although Jesus himself was never a sinner, Jesus was forsaken by God just as if he had committed every sin in human history.

E.W. Kenyon, a founder of the doctrine that later became known as Word of Faith, was the first to explicitly articulate the doctrine in a number of his works, including ''What Happened From The Cross To the Throne'' and ''Identification: A Romance In Redemption''. This doctrine was later supposedly taken up by Hagin, Copeland and many of their followers. The doctrine asserts that Jesus’ bodily sacrifice was but the beginning of atonement, which continued with Jesus’ suffering in Hell. Copeland claimed that Jesus took on humanity’s "satanic nature" and was "born again" in Hell. Hagin's teaching was featured in his book ''The Name of Jesus'' (1978 edition), yet in a 1991 letter to the Christian Research Institute, Hagins son Kenneth Hagin Jr denied this interpretation and claimed Hagin Sr had never taught the notion of a born again Jesus or the adoption of Satan's nature. D.R. McConnell has labeled the teaching heresy, believing it compromises the teaching that Jesus' blood atoned for sin.

See also[link]

Full Gospel

Kenneth Hagin

Kenneth Copeland

Oral Roberts

Health and Wealth Gospel

Benny Hinn

Joyce Meyer

Trinity Broadcasting Network

E.W. Kenyon

Prosperity theology

The Prayer of Jabez

Chris Oyakhilome

New Thought

Abundant life

Margaret Court

Sam P. Chelladurai

Further reading[link]

Support[link]

James-Dave.com, The Word of Faith: A Biblical Overview by James H. Boyd

''Faith and the Pharisees: Sincere Critics Have Been Sincerely Wrong'' by Ted Rouse (ISBN 1-890900-03-6)

KCM.org, ''The Laws of Prosperity'' by Kenneth Copeland (ISBN 0-88114-952-7) (now online as a PDF)

''Quenching the Spirit: Discovering the Real Spirit Behind the Charismatic Controversy'' by William DeArteaga (ISBN 0-88419-432-9)

''The Tongue: A Creative Force'' by Charles Capps (ISBN 0-89274-061-2)

''What You Say Is What You Get'' by Don Gossett (ISBN 0-88368-066-1)

ChristianBiblicalProsperity.com, ''Living a Life Filled with God's Prosperity''

TBM.org, Tom Brown gives a defense of the Word of Faith

Victoryword.100megspop2com, Defending the Modern Faith Movement

Hopefaithprayer.com, Explaining Faith Issues Blog

Biblical-prosperity.blogspot.com , Articles supporting Word of Faith

Articles on Word of Faith, Articles supporting Word of Faith. Shining light on JDS "Jesus Died Spiritually", Little gods, Healing, Prosperity

, Expert on the Word of Faith

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=7366] MP3 of a show discussing Word of Faith with Justin Peters an Expert on The Word of Faith.

Criticism[link]

''Charismatic Chaos'' by John MacArthur (ISBN 0-310-57572-9)

''Christianity in Crisis'' by Hank Hanegraaff (ISBN 0-89081-976-9)

''A Different Gospel'' by Dan R. McConnell (ISBN 1-56563-132-3)

''New Wine or Old Deception'' by Roger Oakland (ISBN 0-936728-62-0)

''Seduction of Christianity'' by Dave Hunt (ISBN 0-89081-441-4)

''Righteous Riches. The Word of Faith Movement in contemporary African American Religion'' by Milmon F. Harrison (ISBN 0-19-515388-X)

''The Word-Faith Controversy'' by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (ISBN 0-8010-6344-2)

''The Disease of the Health and Wealth Gospels'' by Gordon Fee (ISBN 0-935789-00-6)

''Unfeigned Faith'' by Judson Cornwall (ISBN 0-8007-5057-8)

''The Love of Power or the Power of Love'' by Tom Smail, Andrew Walker, and Nigel Wright. (ISBN 1-55661-454-3)

The Atonement of Christ and the "Faith" Message, by Brian Onken

The Atonement and Word Faith Theology, ''The Watchman Expositor'' Vol. 10, No. 3, 1993, Watchman Fellowship ministry

Freedom From the Faith Movement, The Personal Testimony of Jeff Beard

Modern Day Heroes of Faith, an analysis of Word of Faith as it is presented on Trinity Broadcasting Network.

http://www.cerm.info/bible_studies/Apologetics/WordofFaith.htm The Word of Faith movement by John Wolf

Bible passages[link]

Notes and references[link]

External links[link]

Kenyon's Gospel Publishing Society

Kenneth Hagin Ministries

Category:Christian theology Category:Christian terms Category:Charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity

cs:Hnutí Víry da:Trosbevægelsen de:Wort-des-Glaubens-Bewegung ia:Health And Wealth Gospel hu:Hit szava nl:Woord van Geloof no:Trosbevegelsen pl:Ruch Wiary pt:Movimento Palavra de Fé ru:Движение веры sv:Trosrörelsen i Sverige vi:Lời của Đức tin

position	Goaltender
team	Carolina Hurricanes
league	NHL
prospect team	Charlotte Checkers
prospect league	AHL
shoots	Right
birth date	August 30, 1986
birth place	Blyth, ON, CAN
height ft	6
height in	1
weight lb	213
draft	38th overall
draft year	2004
draft team	Carolina Hurricanes
career start	2006 }}

Justin Peters (born August 30, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career[link]

After playing Junior A hockey with the Vaughan Vipers of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League (OPJHL), Peters began a four-season Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and Plymouth Whalers. He was drafted in the second round, 38th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, then began his professional career in 2006–07 with the Hurricanes' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Albany River Rats. He was demoted to the ECHL for parts of the 2007–08 season, but returned to the River Rats in 2008–09.

On February 5, 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes recalled Justin Peters from the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League after Cam Ward suffered an upper body injury. He made his NHL debut for the Carolina Hurricanes on February 6, 2010, starting against the New York Islanders. He had 34 saves in a 3-1 victory.

He has a brother Alex playing for the Huron Perth Lakers AAA (1996 DOB) and a brother Anthony playing for the Listowel Cyclones Junior B.

Career statistics[link]

				Regular season										Playoffs
Season (sports)>Season	! Team	! League		! GP	! W	! L	! T/OT	! MIN	! GA	Shutout#Ice hockey>SO	Goals against average>GAA	save percentage>SV%		! GP	! W	! L	! MIN	! GA	! SO	! GAA	! SV%
2001–02	Huron-Perth Lakers			17	11	2	4	810	32	1	1.89			13	9	4	285	30	1	2.31
	Toronto St. Michael's Majors			23	6	11	1	1057	55	0	3.12	.905		7	1	0	126	4	0	1.90	9.49
	Toronto St. Michael's Majors	OHL		53	30	16	6	3149	139	4	2.65	.910		18	10	8	1109	37	4	2.00	.922
	Toronto St. Michael's Majors	OHL		58	23	20	8	3149	146	3	2.78	.911		10	4	4	524	25	0	2.86	.934
	Toronto St. Michael's Majors	OHL		20	10	6	3	1174	75	0	3.83	.893		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Plymouth Whalers	OHL		35	19	15	1	2073	95	1	2.75	.921		13	6	7	789	42	0	3.20	.901
	Albany River Rats			34	10	18	0	1765	96	1	3.26	.886		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Florida Everblades	ECHL		1	0	0	1	65	6	0	5.54	.786		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Albany River Rats	AHL		11	7	3	0	645	29	0	2.70	.904		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Florida Everblades	ECHL		31	18	10	2	1846	79	1	2.57	.922		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Albany River Rats	AHL		56	19	30	4	3178	153	4	2.89	.908		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Albany River Rats	AHL		45	26	18	2	2763	117	1	2.54	.917		8	4	4	509	29	0	3.42	.896
	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		9	6	3	0	488	23	0	2.83	.905		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		12	3	5	1	648	43	0	3.98	.875		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				! 21	! 9	! 8	! 1	! 1136	! 66	! 0	! 3.48	! .887		! —	! —	! —	! —	! —	! —	! —	! —

References [link]

External links[link]

Category:1986 births Category:Albany River Rats players Category:Canadian ice hockey goaltenders Category:Carolina Hurricanes draft picks Category:Carolina Hurricanes players Category:Florida Everblades players Category:Ice hockey people from Ontario Category:Plymouth Whalers alumni Category:Toronto St. Michael's Majors alumni Category:Living people

de:Justin Peters fi:Justin Peters

Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon, Aroquita, Trinidad, British Trinidad and Tobago, 22 February 190811 July 1999) was a calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), "Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty," which are still performed today.

Early life[link]

Rafael de Leon was born in Aroquita, in the Caura Hills of northern Trinidad, to a mother named Basalicion de Leon and a father named Arias Cairi Llama. An illegitimate child, Lion spent some of his earliest years in two orphanages, before being taken in, following his mother's illness, by an elderly woman named Miss Charles who lived on Coffee Street in the southwestern city of San Fernando. Finally, he was presented by Charles to a Muslim Indian family in San Fernando who wanted him; he was adopted by Najeeran Khan, who became his adoptive mother. He championed orphanages throughout his career, with songs like 1940s "Orphan home" for one example. Although there has long been confusion about his full name, he himself gave it as Rafael Arias Cairi Llama de Leon. He later met his biological father, who told him that his name, Cairi, was another name for Trinidad, and that "Llama" is a sort of goat or deer from South America. In a 1990 interview, Roaring Lion stated that "from fear that I might be styled a thief, I only use Rafael Deleon."

Career as a calypsonian[link]

From a young age, Roaring Lion (de Leon's adopted stage name) became known for his skill in creating calypsos (particularly in his ability to extemporize lyrics on any subject). Contrary to his humble origins, he cultivated a refined stage persona and always appeared sharply dressed. His career officially began in 1924; he cut his first sides in his late teens. He recorded extensively between the 1930s and 1950s, and was one of the calypsonians who deserves the most credit for the increasing international popularity of the genre during this period. In March 1934 the Trinidadian phonograph merchant Eduardo Sa Gomes sent Roaring Lion and Attila The Hun to New York to record; they became the first calypsonians to record abroad. He was also the only calypsonian vocalist of his generation who could read and write musical notation. (Bear Family records, West Indian rhythm 10 CD boxset/ book) Roaring Lion achieved fame for his linguistic prowess as much as for his catchy tunes. His lyrics, delivered in rapid-fire style, show an impeccable command of the English language (as well as Trinidadian slang), and are replete with witty turns of phrase, humorous metaphors, and clever alliterations and internal rhymes. Of all the early calypsonians, he was by far the most scandalous, with the most banned songs by a large margin. His "Netty Netty," the song of a prostitute who left town to have an abortion operation, shocked not only Trinidad and Tobago, but in neighboring countries such as Grenada, where he was banned for a while. (As his song "Excursion to Grenada" demonstrates.) Further, the lyrics of many of his "war calypsoes" (essentially insult songs) presage those of similar hip hop battle rap songs by over 50 years. An extract from his lyrics to "War" (recorded during the 1930s by Roaring Lion with Executor, Caresser, and Attila and directed against their fellow calypsonian Wilmoth Houdini) is a particularly good example of such lyrics:

:The earth is a trembling and a tumbling :And the heavens are falling and all :Because the lion is roaring. :My tongue is like the blast of a gunman... :Destruction, desolation and damnation -- :All these I'll inflict on insubordination, :For the Lion in his power is like the rock of Gibraltar.

Later life[link]

Roaring Lion continued recording through the 1990s; his later recordings feature electronic and soca backgrounds, though he continued to sing in the classic early calypso style. He was regarded as an elder statesman and historian of calypso music and frequently appeared in the Trinidadian media in this role.

In 1986 he self-published a book entitled ''Calypso From France to Trinidad: 800 Years of History''; in it, he claims that calypso is of French rather than African origin, and also shares many reminiscences about his career.

Roaring Lion died on July 11, 1999, at the age of 91. Reports claim that Lion had ten children. His sons include Ibn Llama de Leon, Ishmael de Leon, Akenathon de Leon, Rafael deLeon, Jr. (who lives in Minnesota), Mohondas deLeon (who lives in Norway), Karelius de Leon (who lives in Norway), Christobal deLeon (who lives in Brooklyn, New York), and Krishna deLeon (who lives in Paris). His daughter is Pamela deLeon-Lewis (who lives in Brooklyn, New York with her three children: Abigail J. Bishop, Darryl R. Bishop, and youngest daughter Keiela J. Lewis). He was formerly married to Marie Louise de Leon, of Norway and the mother of his children.

In 2002 Akenathon announced plans to turn his father's Mt. Lambert property into a Roaring Lion Museum. His daughter is currently writing two books about the Roaring Lion; one is a compilation of the stories behind the writing of his calypsoes, his business successess, his world travels, his time as Goodwill Ambassador, entertaining the troops in World War II, his performances for historical figures like Winston Churchill, Rockefeller, kings and queens, the Pope, et al., as related by him on tapes he recorded with and for her. This book presents a side of the Roaring Lion that the public never saw or knew. ''The Roaring Lion-Trapped'''the second bookdetails the untold story of his final days and also presents another dimension to this legendary man.

Notes[link]

The oft-printed statement that Roaring Lion was born "Hubert Raphael Charles" is thus incorrect, at least as far as the surname "Charles" is concerned. Although the second name has appeared in print as "Arius," it appears in Lion's book "Calypso From France to Trinidad: 800 Years of History" as "Arias." "Kairi" is, indeed, the aboriginal name for Trinidad in the Island Carib language. This published quote has his surname spelled Deleon rather than de Leon, the latter of which Roaring Lion seems to have preferred. Although his surname has variously appeared in print as "DeLeon," "de Leon," "De Leon," and "Deleon," Roaring Lion gives his name as "de Leon" in his book ''Calypso From France to Trinidad: 800 Years of History''.

References[link]

External links[link]

Roaring Lion interview by Tony Hall

Roaring Lion biography from MP3.com site

"Homes of Kitchener, Lion to Be Museums", by Terry Joseph, ''Trinidad Express'' (February 11, 2002)

Roaring Lion biography

Further reading[link]

Roaring Lion (Rafael De Leon) (1986). ''Calypso From France to Trinidad: 800 Years of History''. Trinidad: General Printers of San Juan.

Gordon Rohlehr (1990). Calypso & Society in Pre-Independence Trinidad. Trinidad : Lexicon Trinidad Ltd.

Bear Family records, "West Indian Rhythm" 10 CD boxset + book.

Category:1908 births Category:1999 deaths Category:Calypsonians Category:Soca musicians Category:Trinidad and Tobago musicians

pt:Roaring Lion

name	Joel Osteen
birth name	Joel Scott Osteen
birth date	March 05, 1963
birth place	Houston, Texas
occupation	Pastor, author, televangelist
spouse
children	Jonathan, Alexandra
residency	Houston, Texas
employer	Lakewood Church
predecessor	John Osteen
term	1999 – present
religion	Evangelical Charismatic
website	joelosteen.com
parents	John Osteen (father) Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim Osteen (mother)
footnotes	}}

Joel Scott Osteen (born March 5, 1963) is an American author, televangelist, and the senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. His ministry reaches over seven million broadcast media viewers weekly in over 100 nations around the world.

Biography[link]

Born in Houston, Texas, Osteen is one of five children of John Osteen and Dolores ("Dodie") Pilgrim. His father, a former Southern Baptist pastor, founded Lakewood Church where Osteen is the current senior pastor. Osteen married his wife, Victoria L. Iloff, on April 4, 1987. They have two children, Jonathan and Alexandra. His older siblings, Paul, Lisa, and Tamara, and his younger sister, April, are also involved in full-time ministry. His half-brother Justin does missionary work out of New York.

After 17 years producing the church's television program, Osteen succeeded his father on October 3, 1999, as pastor of Lakewood Church. He had only preached once in his life, the week before his father's death. Today, Lakewood Church services, led by Pastor Joel Osteen, are seen in over 100 nations around the world. Joel Osteen's first book, ''Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential'', was released in October 2004. In December 2006, he was named one of the year's "Ten Most Fascinating People" by Barbara Walters. Former presidential candidate John McCain has described Osteen as "inspirational". Currently, Osteen and several Lakewood Church personnel travel across the nation, presenting programs in large arenas. The event, titled "A Night of Hope", includes worship music led by the church's music ministry, a sermon from Osteen and a testimony by his mother, Dodie. In 2007, the tour expanded to include stops in several other countries, including Canada, England, Northern Ireland and Israel. Osteen released his second book, titled ''Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day'' in October 2007, which also topped the New York Times Best Sellers List with a first printing of four million copies. Osteen told Larry King the new book will focus more on relationships and not getting stuck where we are in life. "Just my basic message of becoming all God's created you to be," he added. Osteen's popularity led to him being featured as one of ABC News' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2006", and was named "Most Influential Christian in America" in 2006 by ''The Church Report''. Osteen is one of five children of John Osteen and Dolores "Dodie" Pilgrim.

Education[link]

It has been widely reported that Osteen attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a two year period without receiving a degree. Likewise, it has been reported that he has no higher level training in religious matters or Bible studies. In an appearance on ''Piers Morgan Tonight'' in January, 2011, Osteen mentioned that he had never attended seminary.

Preaching style[link]

On the December 23, 2007, edition of ''Fox News Sunday'', host Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday brought up Osteen's lack of Scripture reference in his sermons, as well as his hesitancy to discuss sin as an integral part of life. Osteen responded: "And I am ultimately trying to do that, but I'm trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives, and so I do focus on it, probably not as much as some people would like." Osteen says that he chooses to focus on the goodness of God rather than sin. Osteen explains that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple way, emphasizing the power of love and a positive attitude.

Osteen's sermons and writings are sometimes reproached for their use of the concepts of prosperity theology, or the prosperity gospel, a belief that wealth and power are rewards for pious Christians.

Political and social views[link]

Osteen said that he is opposed to same-sex marriage in an interview wth Fox News. In an interview with CNN, he further said that he believes "that homosexuality is a sin".

In an interview on Fox News in 2008 during the U.S. Presidential primary race, when discussing whether he thought that a Mormons were Christians, Osteen indicated that he believed that they were. He further noted that he had not studied the religion.

Criticism[link]

On October 14, 2007, ''60 Minutes'' ran a twelve minute segment on Osteen, titled "Joel Osteen Answers his Critics", during which Reformed theologian Michael Horton critiqued his message. Horton told CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts that Osteen's method of teaching is "heresy".

See also[link]

Charismatic movement

Christianity

Prosperity theology

Word Faith

References[link]

External links[link]

Official Joel Osteen Ministries

Category:1963 births Category:Living people Category:American self-help writers Category:Christian writers Category:American Pentecostals Category:American television evangelists Category:People from Houston, Texas Category:Christian creationists Category:American Christians Category:Pentecostal clergy

de:Joel Osteen el:Τζόελ Όστιν es:Joel Osteen fo:Joel Osteen fr:Joel Osteen ko:조엘 오스틴 he:ג'ואל אוסטין nl:Joel Osteen no:Joel Osteen pt:Joel Osteen fi:Joel Osteen

name	Donald Lawrence
background	solo_singer
birth date	May 04, 1961
genre	Gospel music
occupation	Singer, songwriter, record producer, choir director
years active	1992-present
label	GospoCentric, Reprise, Crystal Rose, Star Song, Island, EMI Gospel, Quiet Water Entertainment, Verity
associated acts	The Tri-City Singers
website	TriCitySingers.com
notable instruments	}}

Donald Lawrence (born May 4, 1961) is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist.

Early years[link]

Donald Lawrence was born on May 4, 1961. He studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the Southern Baptist Church on Reading Road. To his credit, Donald's musicality has seen many incarnations, as vocal coach to the R&B; group En Vogue, musical director for Stephanie Mills, songwriter for The Clark Sisters, and producer for a host of artists including Peabo Bryson and Kirk Franklin. Donald Lawrence has been an inspiration to many.

Musical career[link]

Lawrence took on The Tri-City Singers after a friend vacated his position as musical director. (NOTE: The three cities that The Tri-City Singers come from are Spartanburg, SC, Gastonia, NC, and Charlotte, NC.) The group debuted in 1993 with ''A Songwriter's Point Of View'' on a then-brand-new independent record label called GospoCentric Records. The set debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The group's follow-up release ''Bible Stories'' would top those same charts when it arrived in 1995. It was the first to be billed as Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers and featured black church-ubiquitous hits such as "A Message For The Saints", "I Am God" and "Stranger". The album was released on Lawrence's newly minted label Crystal Rose Records which was distributed through Sparrow Records.

In 1997, Donald Lawrence produced the live portion of Karen Clark Sheard's Grammy-nominated ''Finally Karen'' debut. Lawrence & Tri-City also released the seasonal ''Hello Christmas'' the same year. Later, Lawrence signed a contract with the Island Records imprint Island Inspirational. Though a live recording did take place for release, the album never materialized.

In 2000, Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers signed to EMI Gospel. To promote the new album, a maxi CD of the lead single "Testify" to the mainstream. House remixes by Junior Vasquez sent the song to #33 on Billboard's Mainstream Dance Charts. When ''tri-city4.com'' was finally released in late summer 2000, the set peaked at #2 on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts and #13 on Billboard's Heatseekers Charts. The album also got a profile boost from the all-star standout "God's Favor", featuring vocal turns from Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, and Kelly Price.

Lawrence waited almost two years before delivering the follow-up ''Go Get Your Life Back'' in early 2002. "The Best is Yet to Come", a song sonically much in the vein of the previous smash "Testify," was chosen as the album's lead single. This release featured guest appearances from Ann Nesby (formerly of Sounds of Blackness) and gospel pioneer Bishop Walter Hawkins. The momentum continued with the 2003 release of ''Restoring The Years'', a greatest hits album featuring two new songs.

The next album would mark a fresh start for Donald Lawrence. ''I Speak Life'' was his first solo album, the debut for his newly inked recording contract with Verity Records, and also the first release under his new sublabel Quiet Water Entertainment. Though the album was without The Tri-City Singers, guest appearances were plenteous. Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Faith Evans, Richard Smallwood, and Carl Thomas all contributed to the album. Even jazz notables Ramsey Lewis and Lalah Hathaway were on hand for a remake of the ''Bible Stories'' classic "Don't Forget To Remember". The effort earned Lawrence a total of 7 Stellar Award nominations, and 6 wins.

In March 2006, The Tri-City Singers announced that they would retire, but not before one last live recording. ''Finale: Act One'' and ''Finale: Act Two'' were released simultaneously on April 4, 2006. Each release was a CD/DVD set that chronicled the audio and video of one half of the concert, with packages that locked into one another respectively. A special edition of ''Finale'' was later released with both CDs and DVDs. The blowout concert included guest appearances from Bishop Walter Hawkins, Karen Clark Sheard, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Daryl Coley, LaShun Pace, Darwin Hobbs, and many other gospel luminaries. The album's lead single "The Blessing Of Abraham" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance in December 2006. His sophomore solo album, ''The Law of Confession Part I'' was released in February 2009. Donald said in an interview that ''The Law of Confession, Part II'' will be released soon, but he's focusing on other projects.

Discography[link]

Albums

''A Songwriters Point Of View'' (The Tri-City Singers) (GospoCentric, 1993) (US Gospel #2)

''Bible Stories'' (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) (Crystal Rose, 1995) (US Gospel #1, CCM #10)

''Hello Christmas''(Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) (Star Song, 1997) (US Gospel #7)

''tri-city4.com'' (The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2000) (US Gospel #2, Heatseekers #13)

''Go Get Your Life Back'' (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2002) (US Gospel #4)

''The Best of Donald Lawrence & the Tri-City Singers: Restoring the Years'' (EMI Gospel, 2003) (US Gospel #21)

''I Speak Life'' (Donald Lawrence & Co.) (QWE/Verity, 2004) (US Gospel #2)

''Finale: Act One'' (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2006) (US Gospel #4)

''Finale: Act Two'' (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2006) (US Gospel #5)

''The Law of Confession, Part I''(Donald Lawrence & Co.) (Zomba/Verity Records, 2009) (US #72, US Gospel #2)

''YRM (Your Righteous Mind)''(Donald Lawrence & Co.) (Zomba/Verity Records, 2011) (US #41, US Gospel #1)

Singles

"Don't Give Up" with Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, and Karen Clark Sheard (Island, 1996)

"Testify (Remixes)" (The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2001)

"Never Seen The Righteous" (The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2002)

"The Best Is Yet To Come" (The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2002)

"The Blessing Of Abraham" (The Tri-City Singers) (EMI Gospel, 2006) (Billboard #97 R&B;)

"Back II Eden" (Donald Lawrence & Co.) (Zomba/Verity Records, 2009)

"YRM (Your Righteous Mind" (Donald Lawrence & Co.) (Zomba/Verity Records, 2010)

"Spiritual" (Donald Lawrence & Co.) (Zomba/Verity Records, 2011)

Awards[link]

;Stellar Awards 2006:

Artist of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

CD of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

Producer of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

Group/Duo of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

Contemporary CD of the Year for ''I Speak Life''

;Stellar Awards 2007:

Artist of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Choir of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Producer of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Contemporary CD of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Contemporary Choir of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Special Event CD of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

Music Video of the Year for ''Finale: Act One''

;Stellar Awards 2008:

Producer of the Year for The Clark Sister - LIVE! One Last Time

References [link]

;Other References

External links[link]

Tri-City Singers Official Website

EMI Gospel Official Website

Verity Records Official Website

Category:Living people Category:African American musicians Category:American gospel singers Category:Urban contemporary gospel musicians Category:1958 births