Benny, Benny, Benny…
- Posted on July 27, 2010
- Viewed 6217 times
- (64) comments
I'm sure that most of you have at least heard of the latest, greatest TV evangelist scandal. The National Enquirer is reporting that Benny Hinn and Paula White are having an affair. This is a charge that both TV evangelists firmly deny... kinda.
Here are a few thoughts.
1. I know, I know... it's the National Enquirer. But say that to John Edwards.
2. Benny's still married. His wife recently filed for divorce. Paula is divorced. Twice.
3. Both say that nothing inappropriate happened and that there is no immorality.
4. Both were spotted in Italy, hand-in-hand. The Enquirer supposedly has pictures of them entering a hotel room together.
5. Both Benny and Paula admit that they were in Italy at the same time recently, and that they were together, but 'were never alone and were in constant company of staff and other associates". The pictures, however, suggest differently.
6. Both Benny and Paula took different transportation to Rome; and were both there on separate ministry assignments... at the Vatican. (This sounds just a little fishy to me. What is the Vatican doing talking to either of these people for? Seriously?
7. Benny Hinn posted a response on his website that pretty much said that he does have some feelings for Paula White; but they have decided to 'cool' it, at least publically until the divorce is final. This statement has now been removed from Hinn's website. In fact, it was replaced with a video of Benny asking his supporters to help catch up on $2 million dollars worth of bills.
8. I think most people aren't really interested. I think church people want to stay as far away from this as possible. And I think unchurched just look at it and figure it's normal. I'm not in the Hinn/White circles, so I don't know what the response is there; but let's face it... both of these ministries (and their followers) are used to dealing with divorces, charges of financial misconduct (both ministries are being investigated for that), and misc. other charges over the years. It could be to them (personally), and their followers, just another day.
9. I'm glad that my wife confuses Benny Hinn and Benny Hill. That makes me smile.
Seriously though... I wish that things like this just didn't happen. But they do. In fact, there's not anything that will surprise me any more. Evangelical (I use that term loosely) scandals these days are so much more complicated. It used to be that a fall from grace just meant that you had an affair. Now, it's not a scandal unless you have a gay prostitute, you beat your spouse in a parking lot, or you get caught holding hands with another evangelist while your still married. It seems like everyone keeps setting the bar a little higher.
The bar of offense has been raised; but the bar of forgiveness has been lowered. Every one of the recent scandals I'm thinking about have the people involved immediately (or almost immediately) back in ministry. Some never left the ministry for a minute. Most have little or no accountability; or scrap their accountability structure when they fall. They find that there are always enough followers to keep them going. So, they start afresh.
Actually, it disgusts me.
Your thoughts?
Todd
Comments
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CS on Fri, July 30, 2010
Carey Ann:
“There is no hierarchy of sin, my friend. I see what you’re trying to do (call out false teachers), and I’m fine with that, for the most part. But, I don’t think you’re doing it in the right way.”
What is the right way of pointing out false teachers? How would you go about doing it?
—
CS
djreid on Fri, July 30, 2010
Here’s an article by James MacDonald that answers Carey Ann’s question ...
The Public Rebuke of False Teachers
What an incredibly difficult thing it is to think and act like a Christian when we are so incredibly immersed in our culture. The job of thinking biblically, while the deafening noise of societies �norms� rings in our ears and our own personality biases our convictions, can seem impossible.
The problem with false teaching and twisting of Scripture or flat out denials of Scripture as solutions to some of the excesses currently plaguing evangelicalism - the danger being these false teachers winning over of people who lack the discernment to see that many of the �solutions� being marketed are often totally unbiblical.
What was amazing about some of the comments I received was that they were not put off by the critique, but by the naming of specific people who continue to spread these deceptions. Some comments stated in the strongest of terms that it is unbiblical and unwise, even unloving, to name the names of false teachers and opponents of the biblical gospel.
Is that true? Is it wrong to publicly call out those who attack the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? Even when their denials are much more public? Let�s see what Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John have to say about how to deal with false teachers. Do they confront it? Do they, in many instances, actually name the people involved?
Jesus:
Matthew 7:15 �Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep�s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.�
Matthew 23:31, 35 �So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. . . so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.� [In this instance Jesus did not need to name the false teachers as He was face to face with them and calling them out publicly in the temple square.]
Paul:
2 Corinthians 11:13 �For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.�
2 Timothy 2:17-18 �And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.�
2 Timothy 4:14 �Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.�
Peter:
2 Peter 2:1 �But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.�
2 Peter 2:15-16a �Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression��
John:
1 John 4:1 �Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.�
3 John:9-10 �I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.�
Likewise, the early church fathers were so committed to the public rebuke of false teachers that they actually named heresies after the false teachers who promoted them (i.e., �Arianism� after Arius, �Pelagianism� after Pelagius, etc.).
Let those people who complain about naming false teachers state how Jesus and the apostles were wrong to confront those in error, personally and publicly, in their time. If they cannot do that, let them show that what we name as false teaching is, in fact, the truth.
And let us all live under the authority of the Word of God, rather than embrace a sentimental, emotional, unbiblical approach for dealing with error in the church of Jesus Christ.
�Mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them� (Romans 16:17).
Carole Turner on Fri, July 30, 2010
Paula White had an affair with my friends husband, Rick Hawkins, while she was married to her last husband.
Last I heard they were getting married but both were also seeing other people.
Both are ministers still of course.
I guess she moved on to Benny as one of her “other people”.
What goes around comes around.
kjc on Sun, August 01, 2010
Sad if its true, but my faith is not in them but in Christ. I was saved in 1986 and we all remember 1988 and what happened and guess what I am still a pastor and strong committed Christian and still love Jesus with all my heart. I do say that we are to model Prayer before the world and we should pray for any and all involed in any thing that draws attention away from the main thing, a relationship with our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ.
Judges 16:28a says - “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me”
Greg Atkinson on Sun, August 01, 2010
Thanks for posting this, Todd. We need to be able to discuss issues like this openly and honestly. We need to each ask ourselves tough questions like “Do I have accountability in place?” “Am I following the person or Christ?”, etc. This is actual news that is being discussed around the web. Why wouldn’t we take a hard and sobering look at it, too?
Scott on Mon, August 02, 2010
Way to got Todd! Keep up the good work. I for one like the fact that you present the good, the bad, and the ugly. It helps me to stay in check. Thanks!
Helen on Mon, August 02, 2010
We all will stand before the JUDGE and must answer when our time comes. It is just so sad that these people who are held to a higher standard-well maybe- act in such immature and ungodly ways. It certainly harms the cause for CHRIST. h
D. Bommarito on Mon, August 02, 2010
I have to concur with Todd in this posting - while I couldn’t care less what these two “evangelists” are doing in their “ministry” or their personal lives, we - as a Body of Christ - need to be aware what is going on in the world. What better opportunity to talk to a co-worker in the secular workplace about their Salvation? If we’re aware of what’s out there we can respond in a Christ-like manner - with Grace, the reality that �not one of them is Holy, not one�, that there truly is nothing new under the sun and no matter what debauchery we try to come up with, God knows, as did Solomon, that nothing will fulfill us � or fill the God-sized hole in our souls other than the Creator of the Universe. Talking about what�s going on in the world is the perfect opportunity to bring up the only eternal issue ever - are you saved? Chosen ignorance [sticking our heads in the sand] is not acceptable. We need to be aware of what’s going on around us at all times. We need to be balanced in all areas of our lives so we don’t forget our armor and walk right into one of satan’s attacks on our way to ministry. There is nothing new under the sun…satan�s attacks are tried and tired, but still effective nonetheless. Here is the main point: stories about people falling can be used to initiate dialogue with those “in the world” to bring the conversation to the one area of conversation that truly matters - bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth. What man intended for evil, God will use for good - IF we’re paying attention.
art rbrokop II on Mon, August 02, 2010
the problem rests deeper than an affair. their “doctrines” reflect tickling of ears and lack of renewed minds. the actions (alleged or not) reflect the lack of holiness within the body of Christ. we have for far to long tried to make the church sooo much like the world thinking and teaching this will be “good” evangelism that now we cannot tell the difference - AND THERE MUST BE A DIFFERENCE or why bother!
Scott Couchenour on Mon, August 02, 2010
I agree with Todd. We need to look at the good, bad AND ugly. We must be brutily honest about the current situation while, at the same time, maintain an incredible faith in God for a better tomorrow.
IMHO.
David on Mon, August 02, 2010
I first heard of Benny Hinn from Hank Hannegraff. You should ask him what he thinks.
Oliver on Tue, August 03, 2010
Its funny how many in this post (though not all) can call Hinn a “christian” or brother, when he is clearly a heretic, false prophet, and apostate. Nothing he does should surprise us, his history speaks for itself, and his ministry speaks for itself. He shouldn’t be news, he isn’t news, and all of this is a collosal waste of time. It isn’t worth discussing, excpet to say it isn’t worth discussing. Period.
Oliver on Tue, August 03, 2010
hmmmm…this almost has 60 comments, wonder why this was posted?
Carey Ann on Tue, August 03, 2010
Only The Lord & Todd know the full reasons why this was posted, so I’ll stay away from that question.
My only comment for now is this: I see very little love on this page. I see a lot of judgment, name-calling, etc. when what this incident/situation/whatever-I-should-call-it SHOULD do is cause us all to do a *major* spiritual gut-check…make sure WE don’t have anything going on in our *own* lives that could cause a Brother or Sister to stumble. I think it’s within fairness to suggest that satan has a field day when Christ’s followers take so much time discussing the sins of others—- not their own.
I think I’m going to set up a confessional in my front yard. But, when people come by, *I’ll* be the one who starts confessing. I’ll see what happens next. (Not exactly an original idea but one I intend to follow through with nonetheless.) PEACE.
art on Tue, August 03, 2010
We have got to focus on the fact that truth is the issue not emotional fuzzes. If warm fuzzes and kum by ya were the sentiments of Heaven then the Cross would have been a huge and Jesus’ call would not have been “take up your cross and follow Me”! The modern Church has forgotten Her history - struggle for purity and truth fills Her pages. If we put aside this struggle then anything goes - maybe that is why the scandals get bigger and uglier.
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