Benny Hinn’s Wife Sues for Divorce
19 February 2010 – 3:19 pmA recent email I received from the UK states:“Word of Faith’s brightest star and most well-known advocate, Benny Hinn, is getting a divorce. Hinn’s wife, Suzanne, filed for divorce on February 1, 2010 in Los Angeles. Hinn and his wife had been married for more than 30 years. The reason? Irreconcilable differences.
“That wasn’t one of the conditions Jesus gave for justifiably seeking a divorce. But, since divorce is an epidemic in our church, we clearly see that many Christians don’t follow the commands of Jesus regarding divorce. It will be interesting to hear any public statement Hinn makes about this.”
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My only time of controversy in all my recent preaching in India was when I mentioned Benny Hinn. A dear couple, who are leaders at the AoG in Delhi, where I was speaking objected as did two other dear ladies, one of whom claimed healing as a result of touching the TV screen on Benny Hinn’s TV Programme and at his suggestion. I answered the objections publicly and later privately in front of the local AoG pastor and the two leaders from his Church who wanted to discuss the matter with me. On the Sunday morning in that Church I felt constrained to again make oblique reference to the matter and to issue a warning that very soon there would be disclosures which would re-confirm my position. Of course I knew nothing about the pending announcement regarding Benny Hinn’s divorce. It is high time that God’s true people woke up to what is happening among the so-called “televangelists” and the Word of Faith preachers, who are, in the main, charlatans of the highest order. Nicolaitanism (false doctrine) always leads to Balaamism (immoral living) and vice versa cf. Revelation 2:6, 14-15. How many more modern examples do we need? The only way the Church will engage in a Clean Up will be when the godly leaders of the large and notable Churches in the world [especially the Pentecostal/Charismatic section] stand up and name and denounce these false teachers and false “miracle workers” and tell their people that they should not support or follow them.
The big question is: “Will this ever happen?” · Jeremiah 5:31 - The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?·
1 Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
From God’s perspective it is Clean-up Time in the Church. How will we respond? Sadly, there will be more disclosures as confirmation that men like Benny Hinn are hirelings no matter what they do or claim to do.
Sincerely your brother in Christ,
Philip L. POWELL.
42 Responses to “Benny Hinn’s Wife Sues for Divorce”
GOOD. Let him lose millions of dollars. He’s a wolf in sheepskin clothing.
By knowledge is power on Feb 21, 2010
Y’know, I nearly lost the friendship of a good Christian couple a while ago, by warning them about false “apostles of God”, naming B.H. as one such! “Let’s never mention this again” they said, “he’s a great evangelist and man of God”. I shut up, what else can one say? I shall now mention this pending divorce and test them a little bit! Still love ‘em in the Lord of course!
By Abraham on Feb 23, 2010
Don’t tell like that. It is very easy to get split and take hardships, yet to join together again later.
By Christians Churches on Mar 7, 2010
Sentimentality has no place in true Christianity, and this should not happen to a man of God. I imagine that as a marriage partner he was pretty near insufferable with great swelling ideas of grandeur. What woman could live with that? However, Susan Hinn will more than likely get the blame. My main concern/interest is what the younger family think about all this, believe he has two sons and I remember them being ‘obliged’ to perform on stage with their Dad several years ago at the Albert Hall London. This did not ‘gel’ very well and added nothing to the ’show’ Sorry I may sound harsh but a man who purports to be a chosen apostle of God should not have this happen to his family.
By Abraham on Apr 8, 2010
Pray to God that His will be done and that Benny and Susan can repent, or be set free from some adverse influence, to heart forgiveness and revived love. I am sad if this is true, also that apart from demons, people like it.
Peace to the Hinn family. Love be strong in your words from your hearts.
By Novatian on Apr 20, 2010
May I make a point here? If we all pray to God that Benny & Susan be reconciled in love and the divorce be forgotten, will (a) God hear us and (b) will he answer and in answering (c) by His sovereign power oblige them to settle their differences and over rule the human will? I don’t think so somehow, my prayer is that Christ though His body on earth ‘obliges’ Hinn to cease his Ministry that only those - in these the end-times - who are truly called of God and have the Holy Spirit gift of preaching come to the fore and repeat the warnings given to us by Jesus of false prophets et al. If I remember correctly Benny was ‘called’ by an Angel and not God?
By Abraham on Apr 21, 2010
He who is without fault cast the first stone.
Pray for them, casting aside all your thoughts and opinions. Pray in the spirit, pray without ceasing,”Our God is an awesome God” He is able to do far greater things than we could ever hope for, or have faith to believe for. Love is unconditional, love them in prayer and fasting, love them without one thread of “Self righteousness”
By Paterson on Apr 25, 2010
Benny is a great miracle performer but we don’t know whether is it by the power of God or evil. If he is really a man of God why did he lose the trust/faith of his wife?
By Lakpa on Jun 15, 2010
Not a Hinn fan myself - just a normal Jesus follower. I’m also not a fan of pointing fingers and using tragic situations in peoples’ lives to gloat and puff up their own polemics. You without sin cast the first stone. Divorce is not necessarily an indication of a person’s character or of their ‘correct doctrine’ - but writing reams and reams of stuff against other Christians, and setting up a ‘ministry’ to do so, does indeed say much about a person’s character and has as much to do with following Jesus as a grass hopper has. It also has nothing to do with being a Berean - they were noble [Acts 17:11].
By Giles on Aug 26, 2010
Time and time again contributors on this and other web sites try to warn against impostors and false apostles. In the same manner, the same responses come back from non-discerning ‘mawkish’ sentimentalists - ‘don’t criticise the Lord’s anointed’, ‘hurt not My prophets’ and ‘you shouldn’t criticise’. Why not? Jesus warned us of end time deception in His body, yet huge swathes of folk will always support the Hinns and the Bentleys without any form of discernment.
Tell me then why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees so often, they were certainly in the mould of today’s false prophets and so-called anointed apostles. We should never take a text out of context and use it to ‘whack’ those who know God and His Word a lot better than we do. The predator is very busy in the body today, the sheep must be warned and, because of that, empty-headed sentimentality is of no use nor benefit to seekers after truth. Salvation is for eternity, never let yourself be beguiled by the Deceiver, seek after the gifts of the Spirit, particularly ‘discernment’.
By Abraham on Sep 2, 2010
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” (Rev 18:4 NKJV)
My only hope in writing is that some will read it, heed it, and come out of these Latter Rain
revivals.
There is no “new paradigm” as far as Christianity is concerned, just the same old narrow road that leads to eternal life in Christ. No immortality or streets of gold on this side of heaven. Just the truth. The
Way, the Truth, and the Life - and that “old rugged cross”.
It comes as no surprise that we are in the midst of a terrible apostasy in these last days as we have clearly been warned that it would come. It is still frightening that so many of God’s people today could fall for the same old lie that first deceived Eve so many thousands of years ago.
“You shall be as gods.”
The same old lie of Satan is the lie at the heart of the New Age Movement.
Even sadder is the fact that it is the same lie that the Latter Rain “prophets” and “apostles” of “Joel’s Army” are putting forth today.
You will become Christ – God on this earth.
The heresy of Apotheosis.
Thousands of Christians are swallowing it – hook, line, and sinker.
The Church is trading her heavenly hope for an earthly delusion.
Like those foolish virgins of the
parable, their lamps have run out of oil. What they perceive to be oil, “the anointing of the Holy Spirit”, is instead a sensual counterfeit offered up by seducing spirits.
This counterfeit anointing comes with a
counterfeit gospel of a false triumphalism that will lead to a New Age “Kingdom” under Anti-Christ.
They will accept Anti-Christ with open arms, perceiving him to be Christ, whom they mistakenly identify as the
“rider on the white horse” of Revelation chapter six verse two.
What is so desperately needed in the Church today is so desperately lacking – discernment.
Discernment to tell the Spirit of Christ from the ecumenical spirit of Antichrist.
To discern the true anointing
from the false anointing, the true Christ from the Gnostic Anti-Christ of the Manifest Sons of God.
If you are participating in any of these Latter Rain revivals or churches today I urge you to turn back to the Bible. Compare what you are hearing and seeing with what is recorded and portrayed in the scriptures
“Test all things, hold fast to what is good.” Call the leadership into account for everything they say, or teach,
or do that does not line up with the word of God. If they refuse to repent – leave. Flee from the place and
don’t look back. “Remember Lot’s wife.”
I know it can be hard to leave a church, especially if you have
family and close personal friends there. But if they will not hear you – leave them behind.
The Latter Rain prophets are right about one thing – doctrine divides. Truth separates the wheat from the chaff.
In the early Church the Apostles kept the deceivers and false apostles out. They did this by publicly identifying the heretics and warning the sheep of their false doctrines.
Because of the diligence of
the true apostles of our Lord, the false apostles and their followers were forced to leave the Church.
The Apostle John writes:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many anti christs have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” (1 John 2:18,19 NKJV)
Today we face just the opposite situation in that the false prophets and apostles are in the majority in many churches.
When they gain inroads into a church it’s more likely that only a minority will reject their false doctrines, revelations, and counterfeit “anointing” and stand on the Bible, being forced to go out from among the apostate majority.
Hold fast to the end for I am convinced that God is testing faithfulness rather than novelty in these last days.
By Anonymous on Oct 10, 2010
This paragraph is so very true of today, namely,
“When they gain inroads into a church it’s more likely that only a minority will reject their false doctrines, revelations, and counterfeit ‘anointing’ and stand on the Bible, being forced to go out from among the apostate majority.” There is a small remnant (though growing) who are very aware of this growing, unwitting, apostasy in the body of Christ today, leading again to the ‘love of many/most growing cold’.
I love the Word and this sustains me, but ‘growing cold’ in the love of Christ implies more than just not going to church anymore - rather it means shifting our worship to a different ‘god’ - one we have reconstructed and prefer. Are we therefore in danger ? Well, examine yourself in the faith as Paul says in 2 Cor. 13:5 - we have only one lifetime left! Salvation is a Day ahead, not a Day in the past!
By Abraham on Oct 14, 2010
Many have considered Benny Hinn to be ‘God’s anointed’ - a holy man chosen by God to be an apostle of faith. Currently the news and information about Hinn is very un-Godly! There are rumours that I can’t quote but also facts that I can - namely that he has, it appears, developed a strong friendship with Paula White and they have been seen walking hand in hand as if courting. Is he yet divorced from his wife I wonder. Has anyone any comments on this? Beyond, of course, ‘don’t judge’ or ‘no one is perfect’ ?
By Abraham on Dec 13, 2010
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.
http://tinyurl.com/InChristAlive
By Christ Lives on Jan 22, 2011
Benny Hinn’s wife, is not representative of the faith, she detracts from it by divorce. Normally such wives would see a counselor to fix whatever was unpleasant about married life.
Benny Hinn is devoid of the faults of his wife Suzanne’s actions.
By Novatian on Feb 5, 2011
The teachings of Benny Hinn are impossible to reconcile with the clear teaching of scripture.
I will ALWAYS go the BIBLE to receive instruction in the things of God rather than the teachings of religious “big shots” who seem to have a problem with any attempt at the faithful exposition of the Word of God.
By Wayne on Feb 22, 2011
Benny Hinn has used the airwaves to expound a whole host of extra-biblical teachings, that are a mixture of Word-of-Faith and Roman Catholic dogma.
By Lance on Mar 24, 2011
It would be very interesting to examine the definition of idolatory. My view is that any image, picture, person, whom people worship instead of the invisible living God, is idolatory. Even the worship of pictures and statues of Jesus is idolatory. Therefore when people in their thousands flock to hear a man who has been put up on a pedestal as a man of God and a representative of Christ, and who put more faith in the man and his ministry more than in Jesus Himself, then that would tend towards idolatory. Instead of a picture or statue, we have a man who is the object of worship. This is why, I believe, that a few of these big name preachers have fallen from grace. God has deliberately done it to show that it is the invisible Creator we worship and not the creature (man or woman) who is representing Him.
Paul made the statement, “Who is Paul? Who is Peter? Who is Apollos? They are merely men who have brought you to faith in Christ”.
If the big name preacher was a short, bald, pimple-faced, pot bellied, spindly legged fellow, who dresses in cheap suits and drives a 1989 Toyota, and lives in a modest three bedroomed house, would people flock in their thousands to hear him? And yet that fellow might be more filled with the Spirit than the more attractive big name guys.
Bears thinking about.
By Paul Christensen on Mar 24, 2011
Paul - in essence I agree with you - so how can you, in apparent contradiction of this position, idolise the late Frank Houston (see comment “PENTECOSTAL DISGRACE” 24 March, 2011) who was a proven homosexual paedophile, & whose own son, Brian, was forced to discipline him as a result?
By Philip L. Powell on Mar 25, 2011
It is amazing to me, who has been a pentecostal Christian for almost 80 years now, to hear so-called preachers criticising Benny Hinn’s ministry.
You can use the Word of God for your own agenda too.
So many churches today are dead and have not much life, and because Benny has come with fire in his belly and he does preach the Word with life.
He did not hear from an angel but was convicted by God in Katherine Kuhlmann’s service and had conviction on his life to change him so much that as a young man he was anointed by God to speak the vision that God gave him.
Yes, you are many like the pharisees of old who came in Jesus’s time to pick faults, too.
He had a dream of hell and saw many in the fire and God told him that if he did not go and tell the nations that he would be responsible for souls. Have you seen Hell?
Are you more taken with whether he is right or wrong or telling people of their need to repent and be saved?
Did you know that it is well known that “Satanists” are praying for the evangelists’ wives to divorce them to bring disorder or mistrust in them?
Derek Prince was also divorced and remarried, and yet he was a wonderful teacher of God in his day?
After all, does it not say that this message must be preached to all the world first before Jesus returns. So how else can this happen as I do not see many fulfilling that, do you? TV is an open door.
And yet you point the finger at Pastor Benny?
He openly says you cannot take any of the Glory from God and He means it too and says so when people thank him and emphatically tells them he can not heal them. It is Jesus only.
Jealousy is very often seen by some so called old churches when someone is anointed and takes over from them.
Many respect him for his sincerity and do you notice he does not critize you except he does say why go to a dead church, get out and find a lively church that worships God.
Perhaps if you who judge had more life in your church he would not have to be doing what he is doing - it would not be necessary.
People would not need to go to his crusades or conferences, eh?
So why not get behind these men who are prepared to put their life on the line and stop doing satan’s work for him as it says “that he (satan) is going around like a Lion seeking to devour.(1 Peter 5.v8)”+
I love God and, yes, we need to be careful and not be deceived, but here you are debating over someone who has opposition and things thrown at him and even he and his ex wife are still friends. Pray against the enemy of yours and my soul and do not be one that Jesus says to depart from me I never knew you even if you have been a preacher and sought to be faithful.
The end times are right on us and we need to be clean vessels, not one that satan can use to oppose someone else who is doing the work of God where you should be.
By Phyllis L.McDowall on Apr 19, 2011
FALSE TEACHING WILL ALWAYS BE FALSE TEACHING REGARDLESS OF HOW IT IS PACKAGED!!!!!
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”
— Matthew 7:15
By Wayne on Apr 20, 2011
Phyllis,
It is always an encouraging thing to read the thoughts of a sister or brother in Christ who has walked the road for so long. I read with interest your comments about Derek Prince, and was surprised to read he had been divorced, as I was only aware that he had become a widower after (Lydia) his first wife’s death, and had later married Ruth, his second wife. Is this not correct?
He was a solid Bible teacher, indeed, although an Arminian. I’m sure many hundreds of thousands grew strong in Christ because of most of his teaching.
Wisely he parted company with the men who became known as the Fort Lauderdale Five and the Florida-based Christian Growth Ministries who, during the 1970s, influentially taught a controlling type of discipleship to many in the Charismatic movement. He publicly repented of his involvement in this authoritarian extremism. However with his particular end-times bent he spent the remainder of his life outreaching to the physical modern-day Israel.
Prince also taught clearly about the wolves in sheep’s clothing coming in among the Lord’s flock. This is wisdom to discern and recognise them.
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But Benny Hinn is a very different matter!!!
[You’ve presumed that those who talk about these matters do little else - without you having any knowledge of the extent of our gospel work in other countries.]
Unfortunately BH is a charlatan raising LOTS & LOTS of money for himself to live in the decadent and luxurious lifestyle that he pursues. Selling what looks like a pentecostal-type of religion has indeed made him filthy-rich.
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IMO the warnings of CWM are much needed in the part of the body of Christ who are bedazzled with Hinn. It is a promising sign that it is persons who are pentecostal Christians who are distinguishing the true from the false, instead of lapping up everything these cultish Word-Faith teachers with ‘jewels dripping from their hands’ are preaching and publishing.
By a small potato on Apr 21, 2011
Controversial Televangelist
Benny Hinn (founder, chairman, president and CEO of Benny Hinn Ministries/World Outreach Church [BHM]), is one of the most popular – and controversial – televangelists of his generation. Hinn has remained a lightning rod of controversy, precipitated by his own unverified claims of healings and numerous news reports of the lavish lifestyle that he and selected family members and friends enjoy, reportedly through the donations of supporters, much of which comes through manipulation and fraud, according to critics. Additionally, Hinn has repeatedly refused to release financial information to MinistryWatch.com that would provide insight into information of interest to donors. These facts, coupled with Hinn’s enthusiastic embracing of the unorthodox prosperity theology – otherwise known as “Word-of-Faith” or “Name-it, Claim-it” teachings – have led MinistryWatch.com to conclude that the popularity of Hinn’s programs and teachings are cause for alarm for those concerned that the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ be told over the airwaves.
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Stage Craft of a Man
The early 20th Century theologian, Oswald Chambers, writing in his most famous book, “My Utmost for His Highest,” noted, “Our motive for surrender (to Jesus) should not be for any personal gain at all.” Chambers’ reflections are based on Peter’s remarks to Jesus that, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Mark 10: 28). It is the apparent rejection of this fundamental biblical precept that has called into question Hinn’s ministry. Indeed, based upon his unverified claims of healing (fundamental because Hinn raises considerable revenues based on those claims) and the extravagant lifestyle that he enjoys, it could be argued that BHM was created by and for Hinn. Rather than focusing his teaching upon the salvation available only through Christ, Hinn seemingly uses his talents primarily in performing dramatic healing concerts and television shows through the ministry’s “This is Your Day!” broadcast – which “coincidentally,” often has Hinn appearing on stage as “How Great Thou Art” booms throughout the venue – and also through prominent appearances on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). He also writes books and sells audio and videotapes, the royalties of which remain undisclosed and provide Hinn with potentially millions of dollars in unreported revenues.
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Transparency is Foundational to Donor Confidence
MinistryWatch.com’s analysis has pinpointed some troubling information. Ongoing study by MinistryWatch.com reveals that BHM take in millions of dollars every year without ever giving a proper account of how that money is spent. Transparency is at the heart of long-term trust in any relationship. Donors want to make wise giving decisions. Without access to comprehensive ministry information it is not possible for donors or donor advocates like MinistryWatch.com to make optimal giving decisions. Charitable organizations such as Hinn’s that seek to obscure critical information from scrutiny undermine the faith and trust of the donor and damage donor attitudes that have an impact well beyond their own operations. BHM has demonstrated substandard openness and transparency through a lack of responsiveness, an absence of sending information and a lack of information available in public arenas, such as their website. BHM repeatedly denies requests from MinistryWatch.com for information, and has chosen instead to respond by having their attorneys write a response letter denying the requests.
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Classified as a “Church”
BHM does not have a legal obligation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to supply financial information to anyone because the IRS has recognized the organization as a “church.” Benny Hinn first sought IRS church status in Florida under the name of Orlando Christian Center, Inc. The original application (IRS form 1023) lays out what appears to be a congregational church. Since that time, Hinn has moved to Texas and the remaining congregational members merged with another congregation in Florida. Hinn kept the legal status, changed the legal name to World Outreach Church, Inc., but instead of using the “legal” name, he markets the dba (doing business as) name “Benny Hinn Ministries”. Any congregational aspect has been lost, for the primary activities are that of a television show and healing crusade movement.
BHM has office locations in at least California, Texas, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of the overseas locations may indicate separately organized entities that deserve further research given Hinn’s nontransparent nature.
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Scrutiny
Hinn has been the subject of a number of investigative news reports by both secular and Christian media, most recently the NBC news magazine, “Dateline.” In that report, aired on March 6, 2005, NBC reported that BHM has not provided any medical records to verify claims by the ministry that purported healings at Hinn crusades have actually ever occurred. The report also revealed that Hinn lives in a parsonage valued at $10 million, and as spent as much as $10,000 a night for hotel rooms on “layovers” between crusades, registering in assumed names.
His TV program, “This is Your Day,” helps his self-styled church take in millions of dollars. These, coupled with the reports accusing Hinn of misleading donors about how funds will be spent and of leading a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of donors, raise serious questions as whether BHM provides substantial benefit to Hinn, rather than to designated charitable purposes as required by law.
Churches have less restrictive financial and management reporting requirements than do ministries, but all IRC Section 501(c)(3) organizations, including churches and religious organizations, must abide by certain rules. For instance, their net earnings may not inure to any private shareholder or individual; and, they must not provide a substantial benefit to private interests.
When considering these provisions, there appears to be a clear need for the IRS to examine BHM to determine if it actually qualifies for the church exemption. Government has a duty to examine an organization’s claim to the tax-exempt benefits it bestows on nonprofits. Given the millions of dollars likely donated to such an organization, the IRS should make this investigation a priority. The IRS can always re-examine and make another determination and decide it has not been a church for many years. The IRS has plenty of justification to do so, because the organization has substantially changed. IRS can re-examine based on no more than fundamental changes have taken place.
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Hinn Maintains Total Control, Avoids Independent Oversight
Hinn is in a position to exercise not just substantial influence over the affairs of the organization, but total control. Copies of the original application, Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were obtained from the IRS. A few items of interest in them include:
•Pastor and Founder, Benedictus “Benny” Hinn, shall be President and Chairman of the Board of Directors…for the duration of his life.
•The Vice-President is appointed by the Pastor and Founder and is a member of the Board.
•The Board was picked by Hinn.
•The Pastor and President of the Corporation shall have the authority to suspend any member of the Board of Directors.
When one individual or family is dominant in an organization, there exists the opportunity for abuse that would preclude a full and candid disclosure of all the facts surrounding questions of impropriety.
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Fundraising and “Healing Lottery Tickets”
Fundraising material is one item that BHM is quick to produce and send in mass. It produces lengthy fundraising appeals that are generally emotionally charged.
Fundraising speeches are also prominent in the healing crusades. For many people, the healing crusade becomes an all day event, with the televised portion lasting up to three hours. Because of the lengthy performance, multiple offerings are easily taken for the same event. Cash offerings are sometimes followed-up with credit card offering envelopes. While the offering baskets are going around, emotionally led music is performed, with Hinn sometimes admonishing his audience to repeat phrases like, “This is my day to be healed,” and then talking of sowing and reaping in financial and health areas. Sometimes the offerings have a flare and feel of a healing lottery ticket. Here are a few quotes:
•“As you sow your seed, miracles will happen as you do it!”
(Benny Hinn, TBN, Praise-A-Thon, April 1, 2004)
•“The Lord is speaking to eight men to sow a $1,000,000 each. If you will obey, one of you who lost millions, if you sow that seed God will restore everything that you lost…Obey God and win! I am speaking under the anointing. What God is asking for is a little to what he is going to give you.”
(Benny Hinn, TBN, Praise-A-Thon, April 1, 2004)
•“The more you give the more protection you will have for tomorrow…God will spare you if you sow today.”
(Benny Hinn, TBN, Praise-A-Thon, April 1, 2004)
•“Cause it doesn’t take brains to figure the thing out, you give to get!”
(Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, October 28, 1999)
•“A man said to me, ‘How much do I sow?’ My reply was, ‘What kind of harvest do you want? If you have big debt, sow a big seed.’ That’s just the way it is!”
(Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, August 14, 1996)
•“God multiplies the seed you sow, the supernatural power of God hits after you sow, not before, after.”
(Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, August 19, 1996)
In addition, there is much talk about sacrifice at times of giving. However, such an appeal overlooks a balanced biblical perspective, as evidenced with the biblical admonition “To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord rather than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3).
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Many of the collections of money also seem to create hasty decisions by donors, again seeming to contradict scriptural precepts. From Proverbs we read, “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way” (Proverbs 19:2). And, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit, so surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5).
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– THE ANALYST’S REPORT FROM WWW.MINISTRYWATCH.COM
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By a small potato on Apr 22, 2011
Small Potato.
Thanks for your reply but wondered if you knew that it was Derek Prince who introduced Benny Hinn and his wife together in the first place and was a staunch supporter all of his life as he knew that Benny was a zealous young man and God definitely had His hand on Benny and still has.
I may have said it wrong as I did check up on the facts but know that his second wife was previously married to someone else but later married Derek and both were used of God.
Have you seen that this might be why you are a small potato because you can not discern the truth from the natural mind which does play tricks especially when God is using someone.
The very fact Benny is who he is, is because he is prepared to take God’s opinion of him than man’s. True men of God do what God tells them even if it is not popular with this world’s way of thinking. Look at Jeremiah and Hosea and other prophets of old. That is perhaps why there are not many Daniels today. He even prayed when he was forbidden from the King down. But do you notice that in the end it was Daniel who was able to tell the King the meaning of his dreams. That is what true men of God do.
It is where it is no longer their agenda but prepared to if necessary to die for the Truth.
Truth will prevail in the end when Jesus himself comes back again to this earth.
He will be able to honour those that honour Him.
It also amazes me if you know the Truth why are you judging Benny as He is promoting the Truth too.
Who do you serve God or man?
The things you accuse Benny of saying He has already proved that it is true and has done it. So have you done it and proved it not true?
I have proved it true too.
Perhaps you could not do it and are trying to say this so that people will not trust God.
Not that you can bribe God either. It depends on your motive in the first place.
Do you believe God’s Word or not?
,
Phyllis
By Phyllis L.McDowall on Apr 30, 2011
Perhaps you are mixing up who said what among the comments. It is very important to discern truth from error, Phyllis, I’m sure you’d agree. We are commanded to do this in this New Covenant we have so graciously been implanted in by our Sovereign.
It is he whom I serve very gladly. My family and I live simply so that others simply may live. According to our Lord that is part, not all, of laying up treasures in heaven.
As Wayne pointed out above, truth is truth but error is error - even from charming preachers.
By a small potato on May 4, 2011
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Faithfulness to HIS WORD will save us from the wolves in sheeps clothing who come to deceive and to steal.
As a Roman Catholic mystic the teachings of Benny Hinn are impossible to reconcile with the clear teaching of scripture.
We should ALWAYS go the BIBLE to receive instruction in the things of God rather than the teachings of religious “big shots” who seem to have a problem with any attempt at the faithful exposition of the Word of God.
By Wayne on May 5, 2011
Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
By Wayne on May 5, 2011
Thank you small potato. I have seen more than enough to be convinced that this charlatan needs to be avoided as one of the wolves in sheep clothing the Bible warns us about repeatedly.
By Wayne on May 5, 2011
Hello,
I stumbled upon this site; the Christian Witness Ministries.
This site is like numerous christian sites: a forum for free thought and discussion. I applaud this as there tends to be a reluctance among christians to be honest and open about anything that is a little gritty and controversial.
I was at our weekly bible study (made up of Baptists, Pentecostals, Anglicans and other free range eggs) where we were discussing the issue of the assassination of Bin Laden. Some wanted to journey through their uneasy feelings on this matter; he should have been tried before being sentenced I think. None of us were leaping for joy, rather we found the matter disturbing. However, some did not wish to discuss the matter because it appeared to be negative.
Their concern was just to pray: but as I said, “Pray about what?”
My point being that if there is not a forum for discussion one can find it a difficult path to find a clarity on what or how to pray. We can be manipulated and forced along with the “flow” with no real rhyme or reason. Shutting up the box is a response of “Fear” and not a behaviour of “In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.”
I am amused by the range of subjects covered here. It would appear that Benny Hinn and Frank Houston are the flavour of the moment.
I have been 50 years in the faith and I must say that there would appear to be “nothing new under the sun”. All this sort of thing has been going on for ever: just read a bit of church history there have been some real “shockers”.
I Knew Frank Houston and was taken to a pentecostal church camp by friends way back in the mid-to-late 1960’s. He was known as “Fireball Frank”, and yes that was a pretty good description. He appeared sold out for his commitment to faith; but really how does one make a judgment on a man that you only see performing on a stage?
We later got to know him as he would visit his sister-in-law up the long country road from us. He seemed a rather quite pleasant man in private life. In fact I chatted to him at breakfast one Saturday morning at the local McDonalds, only 2 weeks before his death. He remembered me and was cordial and relaxed.
Much has been said about his moral fall; however much has and will be said about his contributions. I must admit I had been informed about his “indiscretion” some years before it became public. The fact that anyone in high public profile will all ways be up for some controversy. Be this right or wrong it would just seem to be the case.
I think that the situation is the same for Osama Bin Laden; a fair trial to establish facts and provable truth. This must all ways be the position of the christian who holds with Christ’s teaching on social justice. None of us can be Judge/Jury/Executioner, this is simply not allowable in the Old Testament justice ethics or New Testament social justice ethics.
I am not making a judgement either way, just putting forward a platform of christian behaviour. My thought would be if I knew about the information about Frank Houston (along with others) some years prior, how come the AoG organisation did not?
I find an interesting position here, though, in that God appears to choose the weak things of this world to confuse the wise and powerful. Consider the powerful film “The Passion Of the Christ” an incredibly moving and convicting film and yet produced by a man of talent yet obvious cracks in his vessel. Yet Mel Gibson was truly “inspired”.
It can be easy to stand in condemnation: I must state that I am not taking any position other than we all struggle with our own issues. I am not a pentecostal but I can see the result of Frank Houston’s ministry: The Hillsong Movement. I say thank God that this movement has rejuvenated the young people in the church.
I am an Anglican and think that it is appalling what they have done to get rid of the up and coming generation. God has used a broken vessel in Frank Houston for sure and I will leave it there.
.
Benny Hinn; well we need to decide as one your commentators has pointed out “is it a church?”. The church formulae is presented by our Lord; “When two or three are gathered in my name.” Denominations and structures are based on the three “R’s”. Ritual, Riches and Real Estate.
Without these in place the formalised denomination has absolutely nothing at all. This works on the basis of numbers and power underpinned by good old soul-saving, life-changing, get-you-anywhere cash!! If you are a cashed up grasping pentecostal you could fly out to lands across the sea and attend a Benny Hinn show and have your sick child healed of their leukemia. My question is; if “There I am in the midst of you.” What then would be the need? Is not Jesus present with us now?
Is it Benny doing the healing? or is it the powerful presence of our Lord that still touches lives today?
Who is at work?
This smacks of Romanish pilgrimages; travelling afar through great perils and privation to touch the bones of St. Peter to receive a blessing.
I will sum up: I think there is no substitution for getting up early and studying the scripures and using other helps for background. Living a quite and peaceable life as is stated in the formulae: “He has shown you o man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you?
But to do justice, to love kindness (mercy) and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah the Prophet.
By Kevin Parker on May 12, 2011
“And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’” (Rev 18:4 NKJV)
My only hope in writing is that some will read it, heed it, and come out of these Latter Rain
revivals.
There is no “new paradigm” as far as Christianity is concerned, just the same old narrow road that leads to eternal life in Christ. No immortality or streets of gold on this side of heaven. Just the truth. The
Way, the Truth, and the Life - and that “old rugged cross”.
It comes as no surprise that we are in the midst of a terrible apostasy in these last days as we have clearly been warned that it would come. It is still frightening that so many of God’s people today could fall for the same old lie that first deceived Eve so many thousands of years ago.
“You shall be as gods.”
The same old lie of Satan is the lie at the heart of the New Age Movement.
Even sadder is the fact that it is the same lie that the Latter Rain “prophets” and “apostles” of “Joel’s Army” are putting forth today.
You will become Christ – God on this earth.
The heresy of Apotheosis.
Thousands of Christians are swallowing it – hook, line, and sinker.
The Church is trading her heavenly hope for an earthly delusion.
Like those foolish virgins of the
parable, their lamps have run out of oil. What they perceive to be oil, “the anointing of the Holy Spirit”, is instead a sensual counterfeit offered up by seducing spirits.
This counterfeit anointing comes with a
counterfeit gospel of a false triumphalism that will lead to a New Age “Kingdom” under Anti-Christ.
They will accept Anti-Christ with open arms, perceiving him to be Christ, whom they mistakenly identify as the
“rider on the white horse” of Revelation chapter six verse two.
What is so desperately needed in the Church today is so desperately lacking – discernment.
Discernment to tell the Spirit of Christ from the ecumenical spirit of Antichrist.
To discern the true anointing
from the false anointing, the true Christ from the Gnostic Anti-Christ of the Manifest Sons of God.
If you are participating in any of these Latter Rain revivals or churches today I urge you to turn back to the Bible. Compare what you are hearing and seeing with what is recorded and portrayed in the scriptures
“Test all things, hold fast to what is good.” Call the leadership into account for everything they say, or teach,
or do that does not line up with the word of God. If they refuse to repent – leave. Flee from the place and
don’t look back. “Remember Lot’s wife.”
I know it can be hard to leave a church, especially if you have
family and close personal friends there. But if they will not hear you – leave them behind.
The Latter Rain prophets are right about one thing – doctrine divides. Truth separates the wheat from the chaff.
In the early Church the Apostles kept the deceivers and false apostles out. They did this by publicly identifying the heretics and warning the sheep of their false doctrines.
Because of the diligence of
the true apostles of our Lord, the false apostles and their followers were forced to leave the Church.
The Apostle John writes:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many anti christs have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.” (1 John 2:18,19 NKJV)
Today we face just the opposite situation in that the false prophets and apostles are in the majority in many churches.
When they gain inroads into a church it’s more likely that only a minority will reject their false doctrines, revelations, and counterfeit “anointing” and stand on the Bible, being forced to go out from among the apostate majority.
Hold fast to the end for I am convinced that God is testing faithfulness rather than novelty in these last days.
By Wayne on May 14, 2011
It’s funny to read how some of you waste your time judging Benny Hinn. Why don’t you just serve God and stop wasting your time focusing on preachers. Why don’t you pray and ask the Lord to guide him if hes doing something wrong and to save him and have mercy for him. Keep it up and you will definitely stay on earth after the rapture.
By unknown on Jun 20, 2011
Blind allegiance is the gateway to DELUSION the fruit of which is eternal damnation.
Bible believing christians are OBLIGED to SERVE GOD WHOLEHEARTEDLY by warning people about FALSE teaching wherever it is encountered.
FALSE THEOLOGY LEADS TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE FALSE CHRISTS WE ARE REPEATEDLY WARNED ABOUT IN THE BIBLE.
To remain non-committal whilst the scripturally ignorant and spiritually naive are deceived by these Latter Rain “anointed ones” is as heartless as any sin imaginable.
By Wayne on Jun 20, 2011
Dear Unknown,
Get real - this preacher is a conman, who rips off the Lord’s people. It’s wise for all believers to be warned about the wolves who are mixing with us. Thank God that it is a minority of preachers who are like this. Faithful Christians are commanded to warn the flock of God about such-like.
Sticking our head in the sand about Hinn’s decadence doesn’t change the facts.
And when Christ Jesus returns in his glory, every eye will see it - we will all be caught up - the heavens and earth will melt in fire - either to be obliterated or renovated in making way for the new heavens and earth. We will all stand before the judgment and be assigned to our eternal destinies. This is the coming Day of the Lord. There is no ‘left behind’ secret rapture fiction about to happen - we are facing the aweful Day of the Lord just ahead.
By Paul on Jun 21, 2011
I, for one, make no apologies for judging Benny Hinn. I certainly DO judge him as God commands us ” For if we would JUDGE ourselves, we should not be judged.” 1 Cor. 11:31. The lost world has already judged Benny Hinn to be a money-making charlatan, yet many in the ‘church’ will not. It is no wonder Christianity in the West is a laughing stock. The apostle Paul said “I speak as to wise men; JUDGE ye what I say.” 1 Cor. 10:15, and if I am to judge the speech of the writer of most of the NT I think I’m fine to judge Benny’s words. We are told to ‘prove all things’ and ‘try the spirits, whether they are of God’. How else can one try them except against the Word? We are told that we will know false prophets ‘by their fruit’ (although I think many have no idea what fruit is being spoken of), and even Jesus warned His disciples against the ‘leaven’ (false doctrine) of the Pharisees. Thank God for those in the church who, like the apostle Paul (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18) will openly judge the words and teachings of a public minister/ministry for the sake of the lost and the babes.
By Gillian on Jun 21, 2011
Hello All.
In regards to the great and mighty “Benny Hinn”.
There are very clear and seperate legal issues regarding a “Private” business and a “Registered Religious Denomination”.
For example: “Benny Hinn Ministries” is a “BUSINESS”, Not a Church denomination.
The Anglican Church for example is a “DENOMINATION”. This would apply to the Baptists, SDA’s, and so on.
As a business BH is a terrific businessman, he represents a great example of “How To” run a profitable business. All power to Benny; However he is not a Christian Church or Denomination in the regular sense.
He is entitled to make mountains of money and employ staff and so on. This is what good business is all about and he shows us an incredibly good way of doing it!!
I repeat BHM’s is a business NOT a church.
The issue of good business is really about “price and service”. His “clients” will need to decide are they recieving the “goods” for which they are “investing” in.
Only Benny’s clients can decide that for them selves. No one is “Forcing” them to send in their cash. Freely given, freely recieved. What do BH’s clients get in return?? This would be my question.
If you child is dying of Luekemia and you send in your $200 “gift”; then you would not complain if your child was healed.
I do notice however that the “Prayer Pile” all ways seems to look the same size on the TV.
Is it the same pile used over and over? Who knows.
I watched the BH Show early one morning and a rather handsome Black American man was speaking. He was obviously highly educated and immaculately dressed and sported what appeared to be an Omega watch.
The “gist” of the deal was “Sowing a Double Portion Jacob Seed of Faith”. The seed of course was obviously that beautiful thing called cash. The deal being $22, $44, $88 and so on keeping with the doubling effect.
The idea being that BH’s private business would enable you to vastly increase your returns. If I invested $2200 and got a big bingo back then as a client of BH I would be pretty pleased.
The question is; did i recieve the “service” and the “goods” for which I invested.
Part of my training was in Gambling and Addiction Counselling. It would seem to me that christians are approaching things in the way you would at the annual church fete. The ever popular “Chocolate Wheel”. Acceptable christian gambling perhaps??
The Chocolate Wheel in heaven; youv’e got to be in it to win it!! Go on give it a spin!!
I think that people should be free to spend their hard earned cash how they wish.
The issue is that people should be made aware of the difference between a “Registered Private Business” and a “Registered Christian Denomination”.
I checked this point out with my accountant: There is nothing stopping anyone at all in starting up their own Christian Ministry. I could start up Brother Kevin’s Prophetic Power Ministries and that would be quite proper and legal. My business focus would be to make money. The business format would have to be “Market Driven”, price and service!!
People must contribute to Benny’s business for some very good reasons. Like Joyce Myers, they draw the crowds. It may be worth investigating “WHY” this is the case??? That would be my starting point.
I personally do not take up a position on any of these big time tele-evengelists; I don’t feel I need to. I am not a client of either and choose to “Spend” my dollars elsewhere.
I will add that “most” christians or the greater percentage tend to be “BIBLICALLY ILLITERATE” and most certainly “THEOLOGICALLY AMBIGUOUS and NAIVE”. This may be a problem perhaps.
I see these issues much the same way as the Roman Catholic Pilgrimages. They are more acceptable to the Protestant mind.
It may be worth while “exploring” the “WHY” in all of this. People do not support things if they are getting “Nought” out of it. People on the whole are a bit more “Mercenary” than we may suppose.
God Bless All.
Brother Kevin
By Brother Kevin on Jun 23, 2011
There, but for the grace of God, go I……………he who is without sin cast the 1st stone!! Don’t let our own self-righteous standing judge any brother or sister . It only takes the Lord to turn his head for one moment and we too would fall from grace. We don’t know what goes on behind closed doors but he is a man like you and I.
I pray God’s kingdom come and his will be done for all. The letter of the law kills but the spirit brings LIFE. Speak Life!!
By Bron on Nov 1, 2011
Has anyone read “Boundaries in Marriage”? Ever since my son and daughter-in-law, along with their pastor, have been using it for counselling, my wife and I and several others have been treated rather badly, to the point where on a visit (this was after about a year) I was not even offered to see my new grand child - and have still not seen. There is much more that could be added, however my aim is not to blame but to warn Christians to not lean too heavily on books outside the Bible - and stick to church group discussion and much prayer to solve relationship issues, don’t take sides, and be honest. Books can, like scripture, be used the wrong way, but where the truth is established is in the counsel of many.
What do you think?
another small potato.
By Terry Peckover on Nov 5, 2011
That is a very extreme response by them, isn’t it. That kind of behaviour really does hurt.
This book is often used in conjunction with Bible studies for brothers & sisters who have grown up in homes where they never learnt respectful assertiveness. It is not the final say on these issues but is very helpful in working through some of the issues involved in being assertive Christianly, in my opinion.
One observation of the changes that occur when people are freed from a habitual way of relating is that they can experience a “pendulum effect” where they go to the reverse of where they’d been functioning previously. And instead of clarifying what their personal boundaries are, in practice they actually build walls. Not a healthy situation at all, and one in which it can be possible for the person who’s had “the lights turned on” about this matter to become quite self-centred and focussed on maintaining self-comfort. This in turn leads one to avoid those uncomfortable relationships with misfits, etc - and avoids some aspects of our discipleship of following Jesus Christ the Lord. However, not all people respond to this in the same way and many keep it well in the balance of walking as a disciple.
As with many programs in Christian groups, the Boundaries series has been treated in many as a cure-all or solve-all. It is not that. Yet it even attracts people who are quite assertive already and unfortunately when the person is not Spirit-controlled the ‘flesh’ takes over and boundaries are created and maintained in the power of the ‘flesh’. This can become manifest in aggressiveness, rather than assertiveness.
I’m sure the Lord is not glorified in all the new ways of relating that some trainees adopt and imbibe, particularly such extreme ones as you’ve related above. Have you tried communicating what effect their approach is having on you?
May the Lord bless you Terry.
By Paul, a mashed potato on Nov 6, 2011
Dear Terry,
You have made a very good point there.
A lot of the “American” books tend to suggest we need to see our “Therapist” every wednesday evening to keep our “S@*t” together.
This in fact is a very American style which permeates much of the christian feel good books.
However this is not really part of our Australian Culture. Consider that a Therapist could cost up to $200 per hour!!!
You will notice also that a great deal of the Koorong christian romance books are “Fixated” on cute, hot Amish babes. God knows what that is all about. That is neither Main stream American and certainly not Australian.
You’ve hit the nail on the head: follow the Scriptures. Ecclessiastes, Wisdom of Ben Sirach, Proverbs and the like.
The more I look at “Lifestyle” advise from the Bible the more “Basic” commonsense it appears to me.
God has given us reason, feelings, fellowship and friendship.
A lot of these new trendy books make some one a great deal of money I’m sure.
God Bless.
Bro Kevin
By Bro Kevin on Nov 7, 2011
Yesterday a friend sent me an email saying that Benny and Suzanne Hinn have reconciled. Can anyone here confirm this from a reliable source? (Like them or loathe them it is very good news if it is true.)
By Paul, a small potato on Jun 25, 2012
One just has to receive email newsletters from CHRISTIANITY TODAY to see the decadence in the so-called Christian books.
And as far as divorce goes, if Benny Hinn has committed adultery then that is a good ground for a divorce. He has broken the marriage. This is the only ground for divorce.
And yes BH is a charlatan - definitely not a man of God. Remember, “by their fruits ye shall know them…”
Pretty rotten fruit.
The little frail bark
John.
By John Douven on Dec 22, 2012
It has become necessary to take the CWM Blog OFFLINE
This facility has been in existence since 2007 and is hosted on our old domain christian-witness.org which is no longer maintained.
Recently our web host upgraded some of the system software on this site which has introduced an incompatiblity problem with our Blog software. We cannot log into this site and, at present, we do not have the resources to fix or continue with this blog.
Thank you for your support…
By Editor on Feb 28, 2013