A lot of people come to this blog searching for information about Benny Hinn’s divorce. They probably find my post reporting on Hinn’s “broken heart” at the ending of his marriage. They may also find this post and this one. But all of these are over a year old. What has been happening with him since then?
Well, Benny is still keeping up a busy schedule of ministry, as listed at his official website. It doesn’t seem to include as many international events as it did a few years ago. Indeed his visit to London, announced for 24th and 25th June, looks like his only one of the year outside North America, apart from his Holy Land tour in November. It may simply be that at nearly 60 his age is catching up with him.
Meanwhile the Hinns’ divorce has been finalised, as confirmed by Bene Diction.
Last August the Christian Post reported that Benny Hinn Says Neglecting Family Led to Divorce, quoting Hinn as saying:
I’ve made mistakes because I wasn’t the perfect husband and the perfect dad because I was always gone traveling the world. That’s probably what broke the whole thing up.
This is just as I had surmised in March.
The Christian Post article also mentions allegations in the National Enquirer that Hinn had an affair with fellow evangelist Paula White. Wikipedia also mentions these allegations. Hinn and White denied them. The latest development, reported by the Christianity Today blog, is that
Benny Hinn is being sued by Strang Communications, a publishing company that alleges that Hinn violated a morality clause in their contract when he began an “inappropriate relationship” with Without Walls pastor Paula White.
Hinn has admitted concerning his friendship with White that
while it has remained morally pure at all times, I have enjoyed the company of someone who has also gone through the trauma of a painful and public divorce.
And they were photographed holding hands:
It is typical of the gutter press to assume that two people who hold hands are having a “torrid affair”, and not just showing friendship. As Christians we certainly should not jump to such conclusions, but should accept Hinn’s statement that the friendship “remained morally pure at all times”. We are instructed in the Bible:
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
1 Timothy 5:19 (NIV 2011)
Since there is only one witness, that should be the end of the matter, including for the Christian publishers Strang Communications unless of course they have other evidence.
Peter, I continue to wonder why an intelligent man like yourself wants to draw attention to people like Benny Hinn (as you do with Todd Bentley). I could also argue you are promoting him – by saying he’s “ministering” you are effectively endorsing him as a minister with a ministry.
Hinn is just another charismatic charlatan who is widely acknowledged to use mass hypnosis and other mind control techniques in his meetings. Have you actually bothered to check up on this? Several years ago I knew nothing about this subject, but then researched it – you would do well to do the same.
In addition, he pronounced a curse on anyone who speaks against him, and falsely prophesied (with dates) the death of Fidel Castro and the destruction of the homosexual community in America “by fire”. All this is on video for the world to see.
All he’s interested in is making money (and he’s done very well at that), and it’s obvious that issues of personal integrity and sound doctrine are irrelevant to him.
Any discerning christian would tell people to stay well away from Benny Hinn, and it saddens me greatly that you take a different approach.
Sidefall, I intend no endorsement of Benny Hinn’s ministry. I don’t want to discuss here the other matters that you raise, not least because many of them count as accusations without two or three witnesses. I will allow your comment to stand, although it is barely on topic, so that readers of my post can also read your opinions.
Of course, it is reasonable to ask if it is appropriate for a Christian man to be holding the hand of a woman who is not his wife or relative, especially as he is supposed to avoid all appearance of evil. This is not the action of a responsible Christian leader.
Ian, that is indeed a question which should be asked. But there are various issues here. For one thing, is holding hands “appearance of evil”, except in the twisted minds of people who don’t believe that friendship can exist without full-on sex? Hinn and White were in Italy – perhaps it is culturally appropriate there for friends to hold hands without wrong intentions. And then they probably thought they were in private and so there was no “appearance” as well as no evil. The Bible is not talking about paparazzi. Of course I’m sure they now regret holding hands!
Peter,
your arguments do not logically stand.
I spent the first 19 years of my life in Italy before moving abroad, and I can tell you friends do not hold hands, couples do. But far from basing my arguments on presumptions as you seem to do, I believe there is much more on the plate that would easily keep a discerning Christian from having anything to do with him and “Sidefall”already presented some of them.
However, I have no intention of pointing fingers at him (only God knows what is in his heart), but I would definitely not recommended his ministry to anyone. Judging not, warning people yes.
@ Jonathan P, I don’t know if this comment will appear, but I did write an earlier comment giving a pile of links (including to actual video of Benny Hinn) to provide evidence for everything I said. But Peter didn’t approve it…
The Bible tells us in numerous places to exercise discernment and watch out for false prophets. I think Jesus words about not judging are about judging someone’s salvation – judging teaching and behaviour in accordance with God’s standards is something we are commanded to do.
Jonathan, I am not recommending Hinn’s ministry. I just wanted to point out that there were more issues which needed to be thought through.
Sidefall, I will let this comment stand, but I did not approve the previous one because the links you gave were to off topic material and I had already warned you about a comment only just on topic. This post is not about Hinn’s ministry in general but about his divorce and his friendship with White. Anything else is off topic.
Sidefall, I certainly agree with your last post.
When I were to confront Benny Hinn’s teaching in the light of the Bible I would certainly have no words to spare (if you want to call this “judging” it’s fine with me, I believe it’s just a matter of terminology). Regarding whether I should label him as a false prophet, I would be a bit more careful on that. I have never fiscally came in contact with his ministry and therefore I feel I could not express this kind judgment on him (though his unfulfilled prophesies seem to point at that).
Peter,
do you think it’s appropriate for a a married christian leader to hold hands with a woman who is not his wife?
I am just thinking logically, as I am married myself and neither I or my wife would ever tollerate seeing the other so close in contact with another person of the opposite sex, especially when alone.
If you believe christians should not jump to the conlusion that because they were holding hands they must have also slept with each other, nobody could argue you are wrong. However, by insinuating that because nobody can prove (yet) that an affair actually took place, you mislead people into thinking that the matter should be ended and any speculation stopped: “Since there is only one witness, that should be the end of the matter…”.
But you miss the other possible conclusions. What about concluding that Benny Hinn was willingly putting himself into a tempting situations which could have lead him into adultery? What about his image towards the Christian world being compromised?
I believe you should also mention these and other possible conclusion.
The fact that you don’t proves to me that you are trying to defend Benny Hinn’s ministry and in this case, his questionable behavior.
Jonathan, please let’s keep this discussion to the topic of Hinn’s divorce and relationship with White.
I can accept that Hinn was unwise to hold hands with White. I do not accept that that was sinful in itself. I consider it quite wrong, and specifically forbidden in the Bible, to speculate that they might have committed adultery or any other sin, in the absence of any real evidence. That is why I do not allow such speculation on this blog. Please let this stop there unless you have any more facts to bring in.
Peter,
I have nothing else to add. Thanks for posting my comments.
Peter, if you’re online now and get this in time, watch Channel 4 at 9pm – it’s a special programme with Derren Brown looking at how many people with a claimed “healing ministry” actually work. It will be very relevant to discussions about Benny Hinn, Todd Bentley, and many more…
There is no way someone can compare Todd Bentley with Benny Hinn. Benny is a renowned author and Pastor as well as a fabulous teacher. Benny’s wife was starting to act nutty towards the end, you can go on u-tube and view her nutty preaching here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jhw_5ye8Qo Benny Hinn
on the other hand has been faithfully fulfilling his God given mandate to preach the gospel in all the world! If you google the word anointing Benny Hinn is on the second page. Even Google knows he’s anointed! God’s probably going to bring Paula White and Benny Hinn together for the final push up to Christ’s return. I think they make a great couple and they have every right to do so because both there spouses deserted them. The lame argument that Hinn is in it for the money is ridiculous. God has prospered him so much he could never spend all his money. If he was in it for the money he would be on a beach in Tajiti relaxing instead of traveling the world and healing the sick while leading hundreds of thousands to Christ in his golden years! There are going to be a lot of ashamed Christians in Heaven when they witness God rewarding Benny Hinn for fulfilling his calling.
Mark D, that video of Suzanne Hinn dates from before 2000 – it’s not at all recent.
If you google “false teacher” the first result refers to Benny Hinn! And he’s also on the first page of results for “false prophet”. So by your argument (which is daft anyway), he’s a false teacher and a false prophet.
But let me ask you this – who says he’s renowned? Can you find a single theologian at a bible college who say that? I think not.
Mark, you obviously know a lot about Benny Hinn, but how much do you know about Todd Bentley? Todd is also an author and a faithful preacher. He too has been “traveling the world and healing the sick while leading hundreds of thousands to Christ”. He was also deserted by his wife and forced into a divorce. And there is certainly no doubt, for those who discern these things, that he is anointed.
Todd Bentley left his wife for a lot better looking woman. I have nothing against Todd Bentley, I believe he has an anointing but he has terrible overseers in Rick Joyner and Stacey Campbell. Here’s the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjl5wKso9eU 1 month later he divorced his wife and married his intern whom he was having an affair with. He needs some Godly counsel to submit to to point out that this talk of the healing angel Emma is nonsense, before he loses all credibility. By submitting to someone who shakes her head violently while acting like a lunatic is quite disturbing. @ Sidefall you have obviously never experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit spoken of in the book of Acts so I can see how you would have absolutely zero discernment concerning the things of God!
Mark D, you’ve just used a classic technique of those who have a weak argument – shoot the messenger because you don’t like the message. It’s very disappointing that a Christian should use such shameful tactics – I believe you should repent of this. Perhaps you would like to respond to the substance of my comment rather than resorting to personal attacks…
Mark, do you have evidence to back up your claim that “Todd Bentley left his wife for a lot better looking woman”? The facts seem to be that Todd’s first wife left him in Florida, took the children back to Canada, and refused to see him again, and it was only after that that Todd’s relationship with his former intern became more than just friendship. At least there is no evidence for anything more, just rumours put about mostly by enemies of the work of the Holy Spirit. As for the angel Emma, see this old post here.
Meanwhile I suggest you let me deal with Sidefall. In this case it is probably best for neither of us to reply to him.
Peter it’s common knowledge, have you seen her? @ sidefall, wasn’t attacking you it’s just that if you haven’t experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit you can’t possibly discern something you haven’t experienced!
Mark, yes, the new Mrs Bentley is more attractive than the old one. But don’t you realise that a lot of things that are said to be “common knowledge” are in fact lies which have gained general acceptance. Consider for example the lie that Obama wasn’t born in Hawaii, now exposed but once considered “common knowledge”. Or the “common knowledge” Sidefall quoted that Benny Hinn is a “charismatic charlatan who is widely acknowledged to use mass hypnosis and other mind control techniques in his meetings”. That should be enough for you to be more careful about what you read on the Internet, especially about Christian teachers written by people who “have obviously never experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit”.
I must say that in some respects it is “our nature” (fleshly) to automatically assume that because the two are holding hands, something obscure is going on! Whether it was or was not, as people of God, we ought to be praying without ceasing. Not getting all entangled in he say she say and are there more sources. It sickens me to see how easily people pick up on mess and division and confusion but on the contrary, the word of God and praying for him is not mentioned. Truth is a time teller and in time all things shall be revealed! OASN: My father who is a pastor, no names, has been seen with me on several occassions, his daughter and people think I’m his wife! Not so! My family and I have a very strong bond and relationship. So just as a stranger or friend could think it so to can those reading tabloids for the latest gossip1 Let us continue to pray for our leaders in all capacities. Jesus always! Peace
Thank you, Propheticdemure. I agree with you.
Apparently Todd Bentley is being visited by the healing Angel Emma, this guy has know one over him to correct him, What a shame!
Mark, your information is several years out of date. It is also off topic for this post. If you want to discuss Todd Bentley, please comment on one of my many posts about him.
WHEN HAS HOLDING HANDS WITH ANYONE BECOME A CRIME WHATSOEVER?SERIOUSLY ……….GIVE MINISTERS A BREAK.GO AND WIN SOULS,GOD DIDN’T ASK YOU TO BE A DICTATOR FOR HIM.GO AND FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION.HOW MANY SOULS HAVE U WON TODAY?BE CAREFUL YOU ALL……LET HIM THAT THINK HE STANDETH TAKE HEED LEST HE FALLS.
Oma, thank you for your comment. I agree with you – although not everyone’s calling is to win souls every day.
Peter Kirk ….where is it written in the scripture that your calling as a christian is not to win souls,as a matter of fact everyday………as much as u can…lets not loose direction.
Oma, let’s start with Ephesians 4:11 where it is written that some were called to be evangelists, but others to be apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers. How is the body of Christ to be built up, and how are the poor to be fed (compare Acts 6:1-4), if every Christian is spending all their time evangelising?
EPHESIANS 4:12……FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS,FOR THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY….MEANING THAT ALL THIS PEOPLE ARE GIVEN TO EQUIP THE SAINTS SO THEY CAN DO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY EFFECTIVELY.IF EVERY CHRISTIAN CAN TAKE ATLEAST 20 MINS A DAY TO PRAYERFULLY MINSTER TO ATLEAST ONE SOUL A DAY,I DONT THINK IT WILL BE A CRIME BECAUSE GOD EQUIPS THEM THROUGH HIS MINISTERS TO GO TO THE WORLD AND USE THEIR INFLUENCE…WHEREVER THEY FIND THEMSELVES AND WIN SOULS TO THE LORD.WHAT DO U MEAN USE ALL THEIR TIME?HOPE WE ARE NOT GROWING LUKEWARM?EVERYONE IS INCLUDED IN THE GREAT COMMISSION.
I may not knw much about Benny Hinn, but all i know is that the Benny at the time he wrote Good Morning Holy Spirit had the full power of the Holy Spirit. He might have drifted because he did not recognize the role of a family in the life of a minister. I am going to pray for him cuz he needs prayers. all of God’s ministers needs prayers instead of continuous condemnations. Lets spend time praying for them pls………………………………. And about the great commission, the commission was meant and is meant for everyone, it was not specified in the bible who should preach. Some ministers may have been called to majorly preaching the gospel, this does not excuse every true christian from preaching the gospel at every given opportunity instead of waiting for those with special evangelical ministry to reach out all sinners. This is my view.
Omoye, thank you. I agree, and join you in praying for Benny.
Why do people rejoice at evil and pretend when good things happen.
I thank God for Benny Hinn. All who are mocking him should be ashamed now that God has reconciled him and his wife.
He has been and remains a tremendous blessing to the church and the world of humanity in his generation and beyond. No wonder the attacks both by men and devils. But we thank God for making him victorious over them all. HE IS A MENTOR, A COACH, A TRAINER, A TEACHER, A MODEL, A FATHER AND A GREAT MAN OF GOD.
THOSE WHO ARE SPEAKING AGAINST HIM PLEASE TELL US WHO YOU HAVE IMPACTED AND AFFECTED POSITIVELY.
Let’s learn to respect those who are ahead so God can give us speed and cause those behind us to value us too.
Thank you, Apostle Eric, especially for challenging people to be positive. I wish people who don’t like Benny Hinn but don’t have any personal experience of him would just keep quiet, instead of criticising him and spreading negative gossip about him.
DO NOT FORGET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MARIAH .MOSES SISTER AND THOSE WHO CRITISED MOSES FOR MARRYING AN AFRICAN WOMAN/THOUGH SHE WAS WRITE TO DO THAT BUT GOD PUNISHED HER WITH LEPROSY.JUDGEMENT BELONGS TO GOD.NOT US.AFTER ALL BENNY HINN IS HUMAN JUST LIKE YOU AND ME AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO FALL JUST LIKE ANY OTHER MAN .LET.S PRAY FOR HIM THAT HE MAY RISE UP IF ACTUALLY IT HAPPENED AT ALL MAYBE GOD MAY HAVE FORGIVEN HIM ALREADY IF REPENTED .THEREFORE WHO ARE YOU TO HOLD JUDGEMENT ON HIM EITHER TRUE OR FALSE.
We are told to thank God in all situations. This may sound rather stupid, but God has a purpose for everything that happens to his children. God in his wisdom must have been dealing with these two souls, (Suzzane & Benny) and teaching them some lessons they would never have grasped otherwise. We should all know that we are but mortal men and can only stand firm by the grace of God! We all are capable of the most dispeakable deeds, whoever we are. So instead of judging, lets pray for our fellow soldiers and watch out that we are not the next casualties.
well, despite all odds, criticisms and all that may count, I refuse to agree that all these things are realities, I see them as fairy tells, and even if there be an atom of truth in it, then, something must have gone wrong some where. To the best of my knowledge, I can stand anywhere to tell how true Pastor Benny is as regards to when I first met him. He is true, He is real, He is not fake. God recognizes him, whatever that has happened can simply happen to anyone, The Devil has not given up on any, no matter how far you have gone. Pastor Benny inclusive.
Thank you, Benny. Indeed God never gives up on anyone, no matter how far they go away from him.
I am amazed at the intense foolishness of anyone who bothers to write one single word of support or defense for Mr. Hinn.
From the beginning, let’s get one simple thing straight: A prophet of God is NEVER wrong.
Having said that, Mr. Hinn has been wrong on multiple occassions, all the while claiming the prophesies are coming from directly from God. That is as far as the discussion needs to go. His prophecy is NOT from God, so it is either coming from his own brain or from some other dark force, in either of the latter two possibilities he is attributing it to the Holy Spirit…and as such is committing blasphemy.
Jesus and Paul were very specific, and spoke at length regarding false prophets and their false doctrines which would invade the church. Despite our warning to watch out for the dogs, Christians eat this NewAge Hinn hysteria nonsense up. If a Christian follows Christ and the Word of God they will not listen to Hinn.
As far at two or three witnesses are concerned, Hinn and his collection of fellow heritics have recorded their false prophecies for all the world to see…there are millions of people who can attest to his false prophecies regarding the death of Fidel Castro and the destruction of the gay community in America. If one cannot see it then they are blind and have been decieved (which, incidently is also spoken of in the Bible).
I imagine Peter will insist I am not on topic, but the fact of the matter is, these things must be continually discussed if anyone is to accurately discuss Hinn’s divorce, et al. Hinn’s theology blasphemes the Holy Spirit, and he has made claims that each member of the trinity is a mini-trinity in itself…claiming that there are actually nine parts to God.
Hinn divorced because he was not tending to his family life the way God instructed. He was neglectful because he was spreading himself rather than the gospel. Hinn’s claim to riches and prosperity revolved around being right with God, and used his life as proof of the abundance and truth of the prosperity gospel. Well, there can be no doubt now, given his divorce, his false prophesies, his heretical doctrine, and his blasphemy, that his riches did not come from being right with the Lord.
Have you ever read in the Bible what you see going on at one of Hinn’s carnevals? Of course you haven’t because Paul instructed us to remain sober and alert…not drunk with ecstasy. Hinn makes believers look like idiots and makes a mockery of the gospel to the world.
There are none so blind, as those who will not see.