Benny Hinn and other evangelists

[MarieRose]

I am quite confused when I see Benny Hinn on television and see his healings and the crowds at his meetings. I am not sure if he is for real, and I wonder why he and other evangelists like him don't get led by the Holy Spirit into the Catholic Church, if he is genuine. One of my children has left the Catholic Church and joined the New Life Pentecostal Church and she is always telling me of healings at their services. This has hurt me greatly that she has chosen to leave us.I would never leave the truth of Catholicism but why don't the healings take place in our own Catholic Church, like it appears to be in theirs. I know we have miracles that happen, but not in the abundance that it appears happens in the Pentecostals and Fundamentalist Church.

[Catholic Dude]

If those people were really being cured there would be no need for hospitals.

[Genesis315]

The most sublime miracle imagineable happens every Mass, every day--the Eucharist. I'm not sure if that other stuff is real, but accepting the entire being of Jesus into your entire being is better than having an ailment cured. There's medical cures for most of that, nothing else comes near the Eucharist! I'll take sublime over sensational anyday

[starrs0]

I would not take Binny Hinn seriously at all he is one of the worst swindlers since Oral Roberts and has about as good a track record with his "prophecies" as the Jehovah Witnesses I personaly think the man is in league with Satan himself thus the so-called "healings" you see on tv aren't from God (most if not all of those people on tv are paid actors anyways). Satan can work wonders too don't let yourself be fooled by the Penecostal Healing stuff its all very suspect and quite dangerous pray for you daughter that she'll return to the Truth and come home to Rome.

[Madaglan]

Originally Quoted by MarieRose:

I am quite confused when I see Benny Hinn on television and see his healings and the crowds at his meetings. I am not sure if he is for real, and I wonder why he and other evangelists like him don't get led by the Holy Spirit into the Catholic Church, if he is genuine.

I have seen him on tv, and I myself am not sure if he is real.

I too have wondered why these evangelists, if they truly have the Spirit, don't re-enter the Church. I, nevertheless, think there are two things in operation here. First, many people need a faith in Christ, and Benny Hinn gievs people this faith, even if it is slightly flawed. Secondly, in the past few hundred years Protestants in general have become increasingly less anti-Catholic. In fact, many Protestant churches are beginning to acquiesce on certain Catholic beliefs. Perhaps God is using Benny Hinn to prepare for one massive conversion back into the Catholic Church. I know this may seem a bit contradictory, but perhaps in the grand plan it is so.

ibid. :

I would never leave the truth of Catholicism but why don't the healings take place in our own Catholic Church, like it appears to be in theirs. I know we have miracles that happen, but not in the abundance that it appears happens in the Pentecostals and Fundamentalist Church.

Maybe you should start attending a Catholic Charismatic group. They are devout Catholics who conduct healing services in which they pray over those afflicted with diseases. Oftentimes healings, physical and spiritual, result from these services.

Right now I'm having lots of health problems. I have been to several Catholic heailng masses, but none of them has healed me miraculously. However, I keep in mind that not all miraculous healings are sudden and discernable. In fact, I have found it to be a fact that God heals us through our wounds. This is not to say that God doesn't heal us in the way that Pentecostals heal; but unlike Pentecostals, Catholics have been given the gift of patience to endure trials; and moreover, these trials often make Catholics spiritually mature. Although many non-Catholics are energetic about the Lord, they may not have the maturity to recognize that God uses his miraculous powers in ways beyond our visual perception.

Hope that helps.

[cestusdei]

We have real healings verified by non-Catholic doctors. Just consider Lourdes. The only thing miraculous about Benny is his hair. Too many people sell their inheritance as Catholics for a pot of stew.

[Joannes]

Hello all:

I think the success of ministers like Benny Hinn is partly the old "signs and wonders", but mostly the new religious consumerism that is so characteristic of our time. People seem to be interested in "What does this church do for me?"

The right questions would seem to be, "Is this true," and, "What should I do for God?"

Just a thought!

Regards,
Joannes

[Lorarose]

Right now I'm having lots of health problems. I have been to several Catholic heailng masses, but none of them has healed me miraculously. However, I keep in mind that not all miraculous healings are sudden and discernable. In fact, I have found it to be a fact that God heals us through our wounds. This is not to say that God doesn't heal us in the way that Pentecostals heal; but unlike Pentecostals, Catholics have been given the gift of patience to endure trials; and moreover, these trials often make Catholics spiritually mature. Although many non-Catholics are energetic about the Lord, they may not have the maturity to recognize that God uses his miraculous powers in ways beyond our visual perception.

Very well said - and could only come from someone who has been living it.
More important than physical healings - is the state of the soul.
God sometimes uses pain and suffering to bring about spiritual healing.
The body will eventually fade away and die. The soul is forever.
Which should we worry most about? The body or the soul?

[MaggieOH]

I have done quite a bit of Internet research on Benny Hinn and most of his detractors are in the Fundamentalist camp . It's weird that we can actually agree on some things and Benny Hinn is one of those things. One site had a good coverage on what happens at one of Hinn's meetings and the kind of psychology that he uses to whip the people up into a frenzy. He is not subtle about the demand for money, and in fact what he is doing is Simony. He says that you cannot be healed by God unless you give a generous donation.

Hinn relies upon a psychology of positive affirmations. Now this can work for some people so that they truly are healed from their psychosomatic illnesses. However, he cannot heal people with cancer. On one site that I researched that had great detail I might add, it was pointed out that there are several cases where people bought Benny Hinn's "miracles", paid thousands of dollars and the one who was suffering from a terminal illness died. In some cases medication was ceased and that caused the death of the loved one.

It is a good question to ask: Why if these people say that they are led by the Holy Spirit, have they not been led to the Catholic Church.

It is best to use a barge pole to keep away from the Benny Hinn type of faith healer. It is all a sham.

On that note, I will state that I have been to a healing Mass led by Fr. Peter Mary Rookie. I did see healings that night, and I had my own mystical experiences as well. I do not want to be on record as stating that I do not believe that miracles can and do happen.

Maggie

[MaggieOH]

Originally Posted by Joannes

Hello all:

I think the success of ministers like Benny Hinn is partly the old "signs and wonders", but mostly the new religious consumerism that is so characteristic of our time. People seem to be interested in "What does this church do for me?"

The right questions would seem to be, "Is this true," and, "What should I do for God?"

Just a thought!

Regards,
Joannes

It is a sign of the selfishness that abounds in these circles. It is all about "me" and to quote from a Benny Hinn rally:

"I want to be healed now" say it, say it "I want to be healed now"

I believe that this has nothing to do with how the Gospels described people coming to Jesus in faith, believing that He will cure them of their illnesses. It is why Jesus would sometimes say things like "your sins are forgiven" to an uncomprehending audience, and then He would say, "get up, pick up your bed and go home" (paraphrased from the cure of the Paralytic man)

MaggieOH

[SPOKENWORD]

Originally Posted by cestusdei

We have real healings verified by non-Catholic doctors. Just consider Lourdes. The only thing miraculous about Benny is his hair. Too many people sell their inheritance as Catholics for a pot of stew.

Hi Cestusdei,Im willing to bet you are bald. Can,t you be jealous without showing it. Be careful with your judging,souls in numbers are coming to Christ through his ministry. God Bless

[Scott_Lafrance]

Benny Hinn is not an evangelist. He is a fraud.

Originally Posted by MarieRose

I am quite confused when I see Benny Hinn on television and see his healings and the crowds at his meetings. I am not sure if he is for real, and I wonder why he and other evangelists like him don't get led by the Holy Spirit into the Catholic Church, if he is genuine. One of my children has left the Catholic Church and joined the New Life Pentecostal Church and she is always telling me of healings at their services. This has hurt me greatly that she has chosen to leave us.I would never leave the truth of Catholicism but why don't the healings take place in our own Catholic Church, like it appears to be in theirs. I know we have miracles that happen, but not in the abundance that it appears happens in the Pentecostals and Fundamentalist Church.

[SPOKENWORD]

Originally Posted by Scott_Lafrance

Benny Hinn is not an evangelist. He is a fraud.

Hi Scott,explain further why he is a fraud? God Bless

[carol marie]

Originally Posted by SPOKENWORD

Hi Cestusdei,Im willing to bet you are bald. Can,t you be jealous without showing it. Be careful with your judging,souls in numbers are coming to Christ through his ministry. God Bless

Maybe it appears that "souls in numbers are coming to Christ through his ministry" but why??? Is their devotion to Christ sincere or are they coming for the "show?" I think of the gospels where thousands came to hear Jesus speak and then be fed fish & bread and yet what did they say when he stood before the crowds just a short time later? Crucify him! Talk about fair weather friends. Just because large numbers gather doesn't mean they are all in it for Christ. Many hear the gospel - come down for the alter call and then what? Go back to the same old thing once the emotion wears off. Truth is, it's tough work being a true follower of Christ. If we love Him we'll obey his commands- day in, day out. It's not a one shot deal - it's every day picking up our cross and following Him.

[Scott_Lafrance]

Originally Posted by SPOKENWORD

Hi Scott,explain further why he is a fraud? God Bless

No problem. First, lets agree on a definition so we have a common working from of reference.

Fraud n. 1 a : any act, expression, omission, or concealment calculated to deceive another to his or her disadvantage; specifically : a misrepresentation or concealment with reference to some fact material to a transaction that is made with knowledge of its falsity or in reckless disregard of its truth or falsity and with the intent to deceive another and that is reasonably relied on by the other who is injured thereby.

Let's start with the premise that Benny Hinn, because of ability to us his ability to persuade others, especially as a self-proclaimed mouth-piece of God, has a mandate of theological accuracy. For a "prophet" to speak a falsehood, especially when what one prophesies is so blatantly flawed in its Christology, would thereby carry with it the penalty of "theological fraud". Here are some examples of Hinn's professions and how they vary from historical Christological theology.

Originally Posted by Benny Hinn, Benny Hinn broadcast, recorded 10/13/90

God has 9 parts (tri-theistic).
A. God has a body, soul and spirit.
B. Jesus has a body, soul and spirit.
C. Holy Spirit has a body, soul and spirit.

Originally Posted by Benny Hinn, Praise-a-thon (TBN), recorded November 1990

Christians are little messiahs. Christians are little gods.

Originally Posted by Benny Hinn, Benny Hinn broadcast, recorded 12/15/90

Jesus at His death became one with Satan.

Originally Posted by Benny Hinn, Praise-a-thon (TBN), recorded November 1990

Poverty comes from Hell. Prosperity comes from Heaven. Adam had complete dominion over the earth and all it contains. A. Adam could fly like a bird. B. Adam could swim underwater and breathe like a fish. Adam went to the moon. Adam walked on water. Adam was a super being, He was the first superman that lived. Adam had dominion over the sun, moon & stars. Christians do not have Christ in their hearts. Sow a big seed, when you confess it, you are activating the supernatural forces of God.

Originally Posted by Benny Hinn, TBN, 12/1/90

"He [Jesus] who is righteous by choice said, 'The only way I can stop sin is by Me becoming it. I can't just stop it by letting it touch Me; I and it must become one.' Hear this! He who is the nature of God became the nature of Satan where He became sin!"

Originally Posted by Good Morning Holy Spirit, (Benny Hinn, Word, 1991) p. 82

"What was the appearance of God the Father? Like that of a man...God has the likeness of fingers and hands and a face."

Do you want more, I've got plenty more where this came from?