A “HINNt” OF SPIRITUAL DECEPTION: THE MANY SINS OF BENNY HINN MINISTRIES

Now, this particular post will rub some of my fellow Christians the wrong way, especially those in the charismatic group, which by the way, I would associate myself with. This post also contains some notes for the skeptic/unbeliever who might want to know if Benny Hinn actions or those of similar actors invalidate Biblical Christianity.

So, let's all brace for impact.

The backstory

Here's the deal: In February this year renowned Televangelist Benny Hinn was in Kenya for what was dubbed as "Healing the Nation Crusade". The event was particularly peculiar as it was said to be a result of an official invitation of the "Man of God" by the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya under the department of "Faith Advocacy" in her Docket. Now that's a big deal in multiple dimensions but I will restrict myself to one of them as below.

Now, over the years I would dismiss anyone who would take time their time to 'expose' preachers like Benny Hinn for two reasons; one because I thought it was being too critical and not being aware of the greater good that is achieved through the ministry of such men. That's when I was young and naive as a believer. Secondly, and more recently, because I thought everyone could see through the deception of such men and their ministry and that after all those ministries no longer have much influence on people.

On the second reason, I realized I could never have been more wrong after Benny Hinn's visit to Kenya. The fact that he was here, at least partially, as a guest of the State makes a whole lot of difference. I know a group of evangelical pastors refuted that notion claiming he was here under invitation by "the Church" but that probably makes it even worse! What's the point am making here? I am saying I was wrong all along in thinking that the man is no longer having real influence on people and Christianity anymore and hopefully y'all can see why I was wrong.

Coincidentally, soon after Benny Hinn's Crusade in Kenya, a US based Youtuber that I follow keenly made a 4-HOUR EXPOSE on the sham that is of Benny Hinn's ministry.

This post in itself is not sufficient to substantiate the claim of the "sins of Benny Hinn Ministries" but it is meant to draw attention to the evidence demonstrated by the linked expose on YouTube. These are also my thoughts and comments having keenly looked at the evidence provided.

The Expose

To reiterate, that video is a full four-hour presentation bringing a proper and balanced review of the 30 years of this man's purported Christian ministry. This is not someone cherry picking some inconsequential theological errors by the "man of God" and making an unnecessary deal out of it. It's a serious and shocking step by step analysis of obvious, absurd and consistent abuse of scripture and the name of Christ for material gain.

The video is by Mike Winger and has rightly been titled "The Victims of Benny Hinn-30 years of spiritual deception." I say rightly titled because when you watch the video, some of the raw clips from Hinn's Crusades are absolute horrific to watch, some people will burst into tears watching how some of the victims are taken through especially with fake miracle healings and the outright financial rip off going on there. The video is linked here: "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Ip_3A32W0

I watched the entire episode and some of the things brought to light are heart-wrenching, to say the least, considering that they are done "in the name of Christ!

Just to give a 'Hinnt' of what some of those horror stories are, Benny is seen on some of those videos, most of which are, by the way, available on his official YouTube channel, pushing down cancer patients in the name of "slaying in the spirit' even when some of them openly show to be in deep pain out of the pushing, some of them even seemingly saying they're scared of it and begging him to 'be easy' on them while at it.

He deliberately parades people with clear visible illnesses and tactfully forces them to confess they are fully healed while everyone can see the same sickly people being escorted out of the stage with the symptoms of their illnesses still glaring in plain sight. (A case in point is that boy from the very recent Kenya Crusade that had purportedly being healed of Nephrotic syndrome) This man uses even kids as props, how disgusting, evil even!

Benny knows he's scamming people and even hurts them physically, spiritually and financially. And what makes me think that Benny knows that he's using people and that most of the time, if not all, there are no healings: because Benny has previously made confessions and feigned repentance of such acts. He's on record on his own channel!

Reflection for the Believer

I recommend any Christian who feels moved in any way by this issue to watch the full presentation and make a decision for themselves. This is because this man and such as him that are out there, and they're many, are a big setback to the message of the Gospel. Believers need to be discerning because 'testing the spirits' is a discipline that should be embraced by all followers of Christ.

Also, as believers, we can fully trust Jesus and put our faith in Him and Him alone. Even in times of difficulty, pain and suffering, we can trust that He knows the end from the beginning and whether it's healing that we need or comfort and strength to go through it all He will provide exactly what He wills for us. And that even when healing doesn't come, we hold to the truth of God's word as highlighted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Again, as believers we cannot keep quiet and be unmoved as these ravenous wolves continue to wreak havoc to the genuine efforts at evangelizing the world. We must call them out, expose their works of darkness and be separate from them!

A note to the unbeliever or skeptic

Now, for those of you that are non-believers or non-Christians and particularly the skeptics who might ask how this concerns you, here is how you come in.

Some of you will say, "but this man is a true reflection of what religion or Christianity is: a sham and scam!" Or perhaps you will see this man as one more reason not to believe in the truth of the Bible and Christianity.

But that would be making yourself another victim of Benny Hinn and here's how:

As a Bible believing Christian, I can say without a doubt that Benny Hinn's ministry is NOT Biblical Christianity. His is the proverbial "wolf in sheep's clothing" kind of a thing.

If any skeptic would ever see Benny as a true reflection of Christianity, that person would be naïve and as deceived as Benny Hinn's ardent followers.

If you want to know or even critic true Christianity you look at the Man Jesus Christ from the Bible, the author and perfectos of this faith. Anyone else, including all sincere followers of Christ, has their own flaws. But Benny Hinn is not just flawed, he is outrightly a con-artist masquerading as an evangelist of Christ.

Christianity does not stand nor fall on the conduct of people like Benny Hinn or any other preacher but on the character and person of Christ as portrayed in the Bible.

Jesus Christ is so flawless and incorruptible that even when they accused and convicted him falsely and even killed him for it, death and grave could not hold Him hostage or contain Him: He rose from the dead!

If the fakery by Benny and other scammers is your reason to keep away from Christ and Christianity then you should also keep away from the Dollar bill or Kshs note as they also have lots of fakes out there! You see where this is going, right? The fact there is fake Christianity out there can only mean that there must be genuine Christianity out here too. There cannot be a fake version of something does not exist. The existence of a fake should not deter your pursuit for the genuine.

The Bible itself warns of the coming of these fakers and scammers in the name of Christ, well ahead of time! Among many other verses, Jesus Himself in his well-known 'Sermon on the Mount' warns: Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"

Final comment

Bottom line is this, even with all these unfortunate acts being propagated in the name of Christ, the Bible (and Christianity) still hold(s) as Truth (and true) and no one has a good excuse to run away from Christ or the Bible due to the acts of these false prophets like Benny Hinn.