An influential member of the Christian movement in the early 20th century, E.W. Kenyon was a man of great faith and wisdom. Numerous people and religions have been influenced by his ideas, especially those about the effectiveness of positive confession.

Early Life

Kenyon, who was born in Hadley, New York, in 1867, started his spiritual journey when he was just 17 years old. An intense desire to strengthen his relationship with God was sparked by a life-changing event at a Methodist prayer gathering. He became a church member and gave his first sermon in his early twenties, which was a momentous occasion.

But after a period of disillusionment and spiritual doubt, he spent two and a half years drifting away from the church. His faith was renewed by a deep spiritual awakening in 1893, which paved the way for an extraordinary ministry.

Ministry

At first, Kenyon wanted to be an actor, so he trained at the Boston-based Emerson School of Oratory. However, when he committed his life to teaching and preaching the Bible, his true calling became apparent.

He established the Bethel Bible Institute in Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1898, and presided over it for 25 years. By fostering innumerable people and influencing the development of Christian philosophy, this institution turned into a lighthouse of spiritual enlightenment.

Published Books

Some of his published books are:

• The Father and His Family: The Story of Man’s Redemption (1916)
• The Wonderful Name of Jesus (1927)
• Kenyon’s Living Poems (1935)
• Signposts on the Road to Success (1938)
• The Two Kinds of Knowledge (1938)
• Jesus the Healer (1940)
• Identification: A Romance in Redemption (1941)
• New Kind of Love (1942)
• The Two Kinds of Faith (1942)
• The Two Kinds of Righteousness (1942)
• The Two Kinds of Life (1943)
• In His Presence: The Secret of Prayer (1944)
• New Creation Realities (1945)
• What Happened: From the Cross to the Throne (1945)
• The Blood Covenant (1949)
• The Hidden Man: The New Self: An Unveiling of the Unconscious Mind (1951)
• Basic Bible Course: The Bible in the Light of our Redemption (1969)
• Advanced Bible Course: Studies in the Deeper Life (1970)
• Personal Evangelism Course (2012)
• What We are in Christ (2013) Compiled and Edited by Joe McIntyre

Reprints:

• A New Type of Christianity (CrossReach Publications, 2016)
• Claiming Our Rights (CrossReach Publications, 2015)

Legacy

Kenyon’s teachings on the value of positive confession have left the biggest lasting impression. This Bible-based teaching highlights how speaking God’s Word into one’s life has the power to change it. When believers declare God’s promises and connect their thinking with His purposes, their circumstances can miraculously change.

It is important to remember that Kenyon’s theology was solidly based in biblical ideas, even though some have linked his beliefs to the New Thought Movement. He was influenced by the Higher Life, Faith Cure, and Holiness movements, which highlighted the value of spiritual development, healing, and faith.