Wife of televangelist Benny Hinn files for divorce

[Anna_Scott]

Oh - does that mean sinners do not need our prayers?? For heaven’s sake - I never said I agreed with anything about Benny Hinn or his wife. I just find it incredibly sad that most of the “christians” who have posted in this thread seem more interested in making jokes than praying. Do we stop praying for those in need just because we don’t like them? Maybe if more people prayed for this man and his family to “see the light of truth” then maybe he would change his ways. If you do not believe that is possible, then you must not believe that God is able
Annie

Annie B,

You are very kind; and you are right: they do need prayer.

A good friend of mine dragged me to a Benny Hinn service many years ago. I didn’t really know anything about him at the time. My friend told me how powerful his healing services were and what great work he did, etc.

First, the crowd was unbelievable. People were lined up waiting for the doors to open–we are talking about thousands of people. I was thinking, this better be good, because I really don’t like crowds; and it was a long wait to get inside (I’m not the most patient person.)

I was prepared for this great healer in the name of Christ. Sadly, what I saw was a con man, who really knows how to work a crowd. He was so obviously a fake, but the crowd loved him.

I don’t think the crowd was stupid, as some would say. I think they were just so desperate for some kind of hope. People want to believe in something. It’s easy for any of us to fall, if we are vulnerable enough.

Of course, it is only Christ that can fill that emptiness in us.

Anyway, it’s a tragic situation all around.

Anna

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Hi again, Anna. Just curious at what point did you go from looking forward to a possibly holy, spirit-filled, healing man of God to seeing him as a con man? What did he say or do to indicate he was a con? I personally have always thought he’s a loon and a con but I’m curious what made you feel that way at the actual event.

God’s blessings on you this Lent…

I was prepared for this great healer in the name of Christ. Sadly, what I saw was a con man, who really knows how to work a crowd. He was so obviously a fake, but the crowd loved him.

I don’t think the crowd was stupid, as some would say. I think they were just so desperate for some kind of hope. People want to believe in something. It’s easy for any of us to fall, if we are vulnerable enough.

Of course, it is only Christ that can fill that emptiness in us.

Anyway, it’s a tragic situation all around.

Anna

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

Hi again, Anna. Just curious at what point did you go from looking forward to a possibly holy, spirit-filled, healing man of God to seeing him as a con man? What did he say or do to indicate he was a con? I personally have always thought he’s a loon and a con but I’m curious what made you feel that way at the actual event.

God’s blessings on you this Lent…

Many of us fall for a false prophet at one point or another in our life. I know a woman at my church who refuses to listen to anything bad about Benny Hinn because she is of the opinion that we “don’t know what it’s like to be under the Spirit.” Such a simple-minded explanation, however, leaves the room open for heresy. It reminds me of a woman who told John MacArthur, after the release of his book Charismatic Chaos, to throw out his Church history, his lexicon and (get ready for this) his bible and just “experience” the Holy Spirit.

I am again reminded of that quote by St. Peter of Damascus regarding Paul’s warning about demons who appear as “angels of light” - namely that they can appear as such easily when we are spiritually ignorant. It is up to us, however, to continue to mature, and for many that is when they see the light and realize that they are following a false image of a prophet. I learned it with Mohammad, Anna with Benny Hinn, and I pray the woman at my church learns it well about Hinn as well (along with some other false prophets who shall remain nameless).

 

[Young_Thinker]

I am not saying that he is a saint, but I am really confused. As for his character, if he is, indeed, a swindler, he would be more akin to those whom perform wonders for Christ but He does not know them than truly being a false prophet.

 

[why_me]

Much will depend on why she is divorcing Benny. If it is because of cheating on her…he is finished. And if she now claims that he is a fake and a fraud, he is finished. But if it is because of a lack of love and if it is because she is tired of being alone as he goes all over the world preaching, he is ‘saved’.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Hi Wolf, great post. I was just asking Anna what exactly about her experience with the Hinn Man left a sour taste in her mouth and led her to figure out he was a phony. I agree with you–we all have followed a false prophet or two at some point. Me included for sure.

Many of us fall for a false prophet at one point or another in our life. I know a woman at my church who refuses to listen to anything bad about Benny Hinn because she is of the opinion that we “don’t know what it’s like to be under the Spirit.” Such a simple-minded explanation, however, leaves the room open for heresy. It reminds me of a woman who told John MacArthur, after the release of his book Charismatic Chaos, to throw out his Church history, his lexicon and (get ready for this) his bible and just “experience” the Holy Spirit.

I am again reminded of that quote by St. Peter of Damascus regarding Paul’s warning about demons who appear as “angels of light” - namely that they can appear as such easily when we are spiritually ignorant. It is up to us, however, to continue to mature, and for many that is when they see the light and realize that they are following a false image of a prophet. I learned it with Mohammad, Anna with Benny Hinn, and I pray the woman at my church learns it well about Hinn as well (along with some other false prophets who shall remain nameless).

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

I saw Benny Hinn one day on tv where he was saying it was the time of the ‘double portion’… that if you gave money to his ministry… you would recieve a double portion from God.

He was saying it was in the bible…

I thought that was awful… how many people who are hurting right now gave money they didnt have to him? sad.

I hope thier marriage can be saved however, divorce hurts badly. Children suffer no matter what age they are.

 

[Anna_Scott]

Hi again, Anna. Just curious at what point did you go from looking forward to a possibly holy, spirit-filled, healing man of God to seeing him as a con man? What did he say or do to indicate he was a con? I personally have always thought he’s a loon and a con but I’m curious what made you feel that way at the actual event.

God’s blessings on you this Lent…

gurneyhalleck1,

Good question.

We sat in some of the higher seats (since we hadn’t gotten there at the crack of dawn–to wait in line for the good seats.) However, I could see what was going on from a wider vantage point. There was an area, just below the stage, for people who came for healing. There were rows of people.

The most obviously disabled, were seated in the last few rows farthest from the stage. These were children in wheelchairs, some with obvious disabilities, such as cerebral palsy.

Before the service ever started, a woman wheeled in a man, who was wearing a neck immobilizer. Suddenly, he stood up and started jumping up and down. He pulled off the neck immobilizer and jumped up and down some more. The woman, who wheeled him in, started waving the immobilizer around, and the man continued him gymnastics. I was thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding, me.”

As the crowed soaked up this amazing “healing,” Mr. Hinn came out on stage. He told the crowed that people accused him of false “healings,” and that God responded by healing people, before he (Mr. Hinn) ever came out on stage. The crowed cheered and clapped, and Mr. Hinn launched into his sermon. People were brought on stage in wheelchairs, and he prayed for healing; and they jumped out of their chairs and did their own version of the gymnastics I saw earlier.

I sat there through this long service amidst a frenzied crowd. Not one of those children, with the obvious disabilities, were ever brought on stage. Sadly, they waited and waited, with hopeful parents, joyously celebrating the onstage “healings,” of those chosen. None of Mr. Hinn’s people ever came to them. As I sat there, I thought of Christ; and I knew our Lord would not have left all those children there. If Mr. Hinn truly had the gift of “healing,” why would he ignore them? I felt such sadness for those children and their families. It is cruel to give false hope. It is cruel, indeed.

Mr. Hinn only “healed” those without any obvious affliction. In addition to that, there was something spiritually wrong with the whole situation.

I do think that still voice of God can let us know when things are not of God. But, I can’t exactly pat myself on the back. I might have listened to God, then, but I’ve fallen for things in other situations–that were far worse than being fooled by a false faith healer.

As Mr. Wolf said, “Many of us fall for a false prophet at one point or another in our life.”

None of us are above being deceived.

Anna

 

[Byzantine_Wolf]

You know, on another note, how many of these Word of Faith people are divorced?

Benny Hinn is getting divorced, Paula White is divorced (IIRC), we all know about Tammy Faye Baker and that whole thing…it seems like a lot of these people who are supposed to be role models for their community are not presenting good examples for families.

 

[Bill_Pick]

Much will depend on why she is divorcing Benny. If it is because of cheating on her…he is finished. And if she now claims that he is a fake and a fraud, he is finished. But if it is because of a lack of love and if it is because she is tired of being alone as he goes all over the world preaching, he is ‘saved’.

You Benny Hinn is out spending 20,000 a night on hotle roam.

 

[PamS]

Sad situation but the financial disclosures in court may prove to be interesting.

hardout! NBC news did a report on the life of preachers, and I must say for a so-called servant of God, he’s living quite lavishly. Benny Hinn is a sham, he claims that one day Jesus will appear next to him on the platform. He’s clearly deluded. Need I say more?

 

[simspt]

hardout! NBC news did a report on the life of preachers, and I must say for a so-called servant of God, he’s living quite lavishly. Benny Hinn is a sham, he claims that one day Jesus will appear next to him on the platform. He’s clearly deluded. Need I say more?

I dont think he is deluded, he knows exactly what he is doing and he is very good at it.

 

[BILL_PICK53]

I dont think he is deluded, he knows exactly what he is doing and he is very good at it.

Benny Hinn is the best con man in the buss

 

[PamS]

I dont think he is deluded, he knows exactly what he is doing and he is very good at it.

I disagree, I believe he’s totally convinced that he’s the real deal and that God speaks through him. It’s either that or he’s the world’s best actor. Think about it, he’s convinced MILLIONS of people, noone scan be that influential if they didn’t first believe in themselves. Nevertheless, I wish there were some way to prove to him and his followers that what he’s doing is disrespectful to the teachings of JC xx

 

[Bob_Crowley]

I disagree, I believe he’s totally convinced that he’s the real deal and that God speaks through him. It’s either that or he’s the world’s best actor. Think about it, he’s convinced MILLIONS of people, noone scan be that influential if they didn’t first believe in themselves. Nevertheless, I wish there were some way to prove to him and his followers that what he’s doing is disrespectful to the teachings of JC xx

You’d be surprised at how convincing con-men can be. A few years ago there was a charity, which had a very wide and powerful marketing program. A lot of people donated time and money to it.

It turned out the “pastor” and his sons who organised it were the main beneficiaries. I think they went to jail, but there were a lot of disillusioned and angry people, not only those who gave money, but those who in good faith put their time and sincere efforts into it, and convinced others to give money. They really felt upset.

I remember my old pastor commenting that he wondered if there was salvation for con-men. He’d been a prison pastor for a while and he said some of them could sit across the other side of the desk, and just about sell you the shoes off your own feet. He wondered if they could tell the truth themselves after a while.

Benny Hinn came out here a couple of years ago, and I was driving a Maxi Taxi a couple of days a week at the time. I dropped off and picked up a couple of groups of people to the Boondall Entertainment Centre where he held his rally while in Brisbane. While they seemed to think it was all genuine, my most enduring memory was driving in and seeing a bunch of muscular security types in dark suits standing around in a small area, and they all seemed to have cynical grins on their faces.

Colour me cynical. I think he’s a con man. As my old pastor said, some of these so-called evangelists are very clever marketers.

 

[Philena]

Benny Hinn reminds me a little of Todd Bentley of Fresh Fire Ministries in Canada. A friend of mine wanted me to go with her to see him because “he’s on fire for the Lord and performs healings!” (I have cancer).

Before committing to go to a Protestant Charismatic service, I decided to download and listen to a couple of his sermons. My heresy-o-meter went way up into the red zone. He was talking about being spiritually transported into Heaven, and told to stuff his pockets with gold treasures of heaven. Then he said that God wanted him to share those treasures - “just write out a check for Fresh Fire Ministries and God will multiply your offering!” What a crook.

A few months after I heard about Bentley, his wife filed for divorce. Turns out this “great man of God” was having an affair with his secretary. Classic.

Bentley was “disciplined” by the ministry, but for some reason they continue to preach their heresy and let him back into the ministry. I don’t know how people can support him, except to say that people are hungry for signs and wonders and like having their ears tickled.