False Teacher

Bill Winston

Word of Faith pastor teaching believers are divine duplicates of God

Biography

Bill Winston is the founder and pastor of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, Illinois, and president of Bill Winston Ministries. He is a prominent figure in the Word of Faith movement, teaching that 'Adam is the exact duplicate of God' and that believers share divine nature. His ministry sells materials on 'Understanding Our Divinity' and teaches that prosperity and royalty are the birthright of every Christian. He represents the dangerous teaching that elevates humans to godhood while reducing God's sovereignty.

Biblical Assessment

Every preacher is tested against our 5-point biblical framework. Here's how Bill Winston measures up:

Title & Authority

VERDICT: FAIL

Self-appointed pastor and teacher within the Word of Faith network. Promotes heretical teachings about human divinity without accountability to orthodox Christianity.

Scripture:

2 Peter 2:1, Galatians 1:8, Titus 1:9

Gospel Message

VERDICT: FAIL

Teaches the 'little gods' doctrine — that believers are divine duplicates of God. This blasphemously elevates humans and diminishes the Creator-creature distinction. Also teaches prosperity as a covenant right.

Scripture:

Isaiah 43:10, Isaiah 45:5, Ezekiel 28:2

Fruit & Lifestyle

VERDICT: FAIL

His teaching produces followers who believe they are gods entitled to wealth. This creates pride rather than humility and covetousness rather than contentment.

Scripture:

Matthew 7:16-20, 1 Timothy 6:6-8, James 4:6

Revelation vs. Scripture

VERDICT: FAIL

Teaches that believers can speak things into existence like God. This 'positive confession' doctrine claims creative power for human words that belongs to God alone.

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 115:3, Romans 9:20

Finances & Transparency

VERDICT: FAIL

Teaches that 'without wealth, your royalty is in question' and 'you've never seen a poor king.' Uses prosperity promises to extract giving from followers.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:9-10, Luke 6:20, 2 Peter 2:3

Key Quotes

These statements from Bill Winston reveal doctrinal error.

"Adam is the exact duplicate of God, made in His image."

— Bill Winston

Violates: Isaiah 43:10, Genesis 1:27, Ezekiel 28:2

Source: No More Toil, Believer's Voice of Victory, September 2008

"Without the wealth, your royalty is in question. You've never seen a poor king; it doesn't exist. God never intended for His people to be poor."

— Bill Winston

Violates: Luke 6:20, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Source: Teaching on royalty and prosperity

Sources & References

All assessments are based on verifiable, publicly available sources:

•Believer's Voice of Victory magazine (September 2008)
•Living Word Christian Center teachings
•Understanding Our Divinity DVD series
•Kenneth Copeland network broadcasts

See an error? We strive for complete accuracy. If you believe we've misrepresented Bill Winston's teaching, contact us with evidence and we'll review.