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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 3:28:18 PM
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misty35
Posts: 614
Joined: 9/22/2008
From: Arkansas
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
quote:
ORIGINAL: misty35
quote:
ORIGINAL: earthless
quote:
ORIGINAL: misty35
quote:
ORIGINAL: earthless
Misty,
Please read the thread.
All of your questions you have asked are answered in it. You will be to see and hear and read for yourself the reliable proof that Benny Hinn is a false teacher and a false prophet.
We can know this because we have his claims, his teachings, his failed prophecies and all of that is tested with the Bible, the Word of God.
Again, please read the thread and get equipped.
I understand what your saying Earthless, and I thank you for your kindness that you have shown. But really, Benny Hinn isnt taking me to Heaven....Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and He has equipped me, and continues too daily.
So this means you're not going to read the thread?
Well, that's fine.. free-will is a beautiful thing. It's always easier to remain uninformed about something someone keeps wanting to give an opinion on.
But we all will have to give an account to God for what we failed to do. As for me and my house, we will continue to sound the alarm about the wolf in sheep's clothing that is Benny Hinn and his cohorts.
Oh give me a break Earthless, so Im going to have to give account to God because I didnt read this thread? You keep thinking that, you only make me laugh that much more! 
What have you got to lose if you investigate Hinn? Absolutely nothing, and you have everything to gain. Unless of course you like burying your head in the sand and refusing to see what is so obvious to so many here...Benny Hinn is a false teacher who has led countless people away from the Truth of God and His Word. He obviously banks on people like you who choose to remain ignorant. They are what he has made his millions on and what enables him to continue to build his false kingdom. Please, take the time to educate yourself.
I would rather spend my time helping others, than wasting my time on trying to prove if someone is right or wrong. And if he has that much power to lead others away from God, then it sounds like someone isnt "equipped." That would not be me! And as far as being ignorant....far from it, ignorant are those who continue to post on this thread countless times about the same thing, lol. Thats why, I would rather not visit this thread anymore, ignorance is clearly seen here.
_____________________________
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 4:10:58 PM
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figmentPez
Posts: 1498
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: TX
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: misty35
I would rather spend my time helping others, than wasting my time on trying to prove if someone is right or wrong.
Acts 17:11
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
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.
1 Thessalonians 5: 21-22
But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.
Time spent testing the teachings of others is NEVER wasted. We cannot know what is true without comparing it to scripture. We cannot believe every spirit simply because it does miraculous things. We cannot abstain from every form of evil, if we don't examine things to be able to recognize evil.
quote:
And if he has that much power to lead others away from God, then it sounds like someone isnt "equipped."
There is no way to be "equipped" while believing that the examination of teaching is a "waste of time".
2 Peter 3:17
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,
This letter from Peter is all about false teachers/prophets, a warning that they will come and that they will try to exploit believers, and that because of these false teachers "the way of the truth will be maligned." (2Pet 2:2)
Furthermore, it's not just a matter of saying "Okay, you know the truth, you're going to be fine!". Peter says that's not the case!
2 Peter 1:12
12Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
You mock us for continually speaking out against falsehood, and countering that by proclaiming what is true about God. However, Peter says that he is always ready to remind people of the truth, even though they already know it. This is because he knows that such remembrance is necessary in the face of the false teachers that will crop up.
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 4:15:28 PM
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lw9
Posts: 962
Joined: 7/22/2005
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quote:
misty35: The Bible teaches compassion and love, if this man is a false teacher, shouldnt there be concern for him, for his salvation?
While there should be concern for him and his salvation [and many of us have prayed for him, thanks for falsely assuming otherwise], we are also to be concerned about those he is leading astray. That is the point you are missing. There is NO love in keeping silent about a false teacher and allowing him to continue to lead people to their DESTRUCTION.
quote:
In all honesty, I find it a little disturbing that so many can quote the Bible, but are filled with so little concern about a man who is "suppose to be a false teacher." Would Jesus Christ sit around and bash a person? The answer is, no, He wouldnt.
Bashing? If I point out the fact that the sky is blue when it is in fact blue, that's not bashing. If I point out what a person teaches publically, that's not bashing. Stop throwing buzz words around. What has been pointed out here are the FACTS. The very facts you yourself refuse to look at.
quote:
As I have stated before, you or no one else here has proof that this man is a false teacher, its clearly what you "think." And I dont have proof that he is not. This is a thread that could turn into a long time debate, and never truly be answered. Now, if you could say, I have been in this man's presence, I have been on one of his crusades, and you had "proof" that he is a false teacher...well then, thats all together different, now isnt it?
As others have pointed out, there is VIDEO, AUDIO, and WRITTEN evidence of what Hinn has said. It's here or out there in www land for anyone to find IF they take the time. Benny Hinn has written many books, his crusades have been filmed and taped, and his websites contain a plethora of information - all of which can be seen, heard, and read by YOU. Your continued disaproval of us in this thread is solely based on your self-professed ignorance of what Hinn teaches, and you are assuming that the rest of us are ignorant of what Hinn teaches as well. You couldn't be more wrong... but clearly you don't want to learn the facts. Can't help you there.
quote:
This thread here is clearly about a debate, about a man that no one really knows...its called assuming.
No. YOU don't know what he teaches, YOU don't know what he has done, and you are imparting YOUR ignorance onto the rest of us.
The irony leaves me completely gobsmacked. I've asked you 2 serious questions and still I see no answers. All I'm getting from you is emotional arguments, personal opinions, false accusations, and scriptural dodges - all of which amount to nothing.
Straight up: If you can not or will not back your views up with scripture, what good is that? Your word alone means nothing to me since God's word has the authority. It's His word we either accept and live by, or His word we reject and consequently wander off on our own paths.
< Message edited by lw9 -- 11/2/2008 5:16:58 PM >
_____________________________
Aperture Science. We do what we must because we can.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 5:43:03 PM
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themoodyexperience
Posts: 2346
Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Status: offline
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Just symptomatic of people that see it's a thread about BH, come in expecting to talk about Good Morning Holy Spirit or something, read 2 pages max, see an instance or two of his teachings being tested, thinks he is being judged, proceeds to say it like we've never heard it before, gets in a tiff and leaves. Sad.
_____________________________
Moodyvision - my YouTube channel
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 5:55:32 PM
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stephanos
Posts: 1040
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in KC MO
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To be fair earth, you didnt give your awesome testemony regarding Hinn in this thread (I think it was the WOF thread), so the doubters would not see (even if they did try to look) how strong of connections you have not only to Hinn but others in the WOF crowd.
That being said, there ARE over 35 pages of evidence against Hinn...So people not willing to go back and look at even SOME of the posts is frankly scary, and reeks of blind obedience to a cultic figure...Oh wait...It IS Hinn we are talking about! lol
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:09:24 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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Doesnt take much to get people cranky in here....lol
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:29:22 PM
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Kat_D
Posts: 1741
Joined: 9/2/2005
From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
Doesnt take much to get people cranky in here....lol
Yeah, false teachers who fleece the flock, make false claims about healings, preach a false Gospel, and lead people away from God and His Truths do kinda make me cranky...you gotta problem with dat? 
Wow, now thats real Christian-like right there, do I have a problem with it?Umm, no, because I cant be shaken like you. LOL 
I'm not shaken by false teachers because I am well versed in God's Word and can recognize false teaching when I see/hear it. However, my concern is for those who have not been raised up in the Truth of the Bible and get taken in my the likes of Benny Hinn and others like him. My heart literally breaks for them.
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:33:25 PM
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themoodyexperience
Posts: 2346
Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Didn't I just post about this? Astounding.
_____________________________
Moodyvision - my YouTube channel
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:39:03 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
Doesnt take much to get people cranky in here....lol
Yeah, false teachers who fleece the flock, make false claims about healings, preach a false Gospel, and lead people away from God and His Truths do kinda make me cranky...you gotta problem with dat?
Wow, now thats real Christian-like right there, do I have a problem with it?Umm, no, because I cant be shaken like you. LOL
I'm not shaken by false teachers because I am well versed in God's Word and can recognize false teaching when I see/hear it. However, my concern is for those who have not been raised up in the Truth of the Bible and get taken in my the likes of Benny Hinn and others like him. My heart literally breaks for them.
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Kat_D
First of all, I will not even respond to your last little statement you have made here, why? Because it's very childish of you. With an attitude like yours, it makes it a little hard to even want to have a discussion. Anyone that approaches someone the way you have me, by first commenting on, "Do I have a problem with it?" Is clearly up for an argument. You won't get it here. And if your so concerned with others being led away from God by false teachers, then why treat people so harshly? The other person posting here was not treated fairly, and that's a shame!!
Dawn
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:40:30 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Didn't I just post about this? Astounding.
Was that for me?
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:41:43 PM
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themoodyexperience
Posts: 2346
Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Didn't I just post about this? Astounding.
Was that for me?
If you want to name it and claim it.
_____________________________
Moodyvision - my YouTube channel
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:42:37 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Didn't I just post about this? Astounding.
Was that for me?
If you want to name it and claim it.
That's what I thought.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:45:13 PM
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Kat_D
Posts: 1741
Joined: 9/2/2005
From: Where We Shake, Rattle & Roll!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
Just symptomatic of people that see it's a thread about BH, come in expecting to talk about Good Morning Holy Spirit or something, read 2 pages max, see an instance or two of his teachings being tested, thinks he is being judged, proceeds to say it like we've never heard it before, gets in a tiff and leaves. Sad.
Yes, you did post about this here^^^. Don't know how I missed it, but you have been proven to be absolutely right! 
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:50:32 PM
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themoodyexperience
Posts: 2346
Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: dawn_s
quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
quote:
ORIGINAL: Kat_D
Did you have something legitimate to add or discuss concerning Hinn or did you just want to make a few random drive-by comments?
Didn't I just post about this? Astounding.
Was that for me?
If you want to name it and claim it.
That's what I thought.
Not trying to pick a fight. It did astound me that I posted post #855 and wahlah....
_____________________________
Moodyvision - my YouTube channel
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:52:13 PM
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lw9
Posts: 962
Joined: 7/22/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
dawn_s: The other person posting here was not treated fairly, and that's a shame!!
How so? She [misty35] didn't bother to read the thread or know anything about Benny Hinn's teachings yet was telling us we are in the wrong for calling his teachings false. I and others tried every way possible to reason and discuss with her and all we got in return was empty accusations and non-Biblical emotional arguments. No one can force her to actually study up on the discussion she is participating in and commenting on. A little common sense should tell you that she wasn't interested in actually learning about the topic of discussion before she spoke out on it.
Considering that she was repeatedly invited to research the facts here or elsewhere and given ample opportunity to post her views with scriptural backup and explain Biblically why we were in the wrong... how exactly was she treated unfairly? Explain.
< Message edited by lw9 -- 11/2/2008 7:00:31 PM >
_____________________________
Aperture Science. We do what we must because we can.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 6:53:31 PM
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Soxfan
Posts: 1435
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Connecticut
Status: offline
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Dawn_s & Misty 35:
Since you are to lazy to investigaste yourself, it looks like someone will have to do it for you:
Three false prophecies of Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn, Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31st, 1989
http://op.50megs.com/ditc/hinn1.html
"The Spirit tells me - Fidel Castro will die - in the 90's. Oooh my! Some will try to kill him and they will not succeed. But there will come a change in his physical health, and he will not stay in power, and Cuba will be visited of God."
NEVER HAPPENED!
Benny Hinn, Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31st, 1989.
http://op.50megs.com/ditc/BENNY-HINN-HOMOSEXUALS.mp3
"The Lord also tells me to tell you in the mid 90's, about '94-'95, no later than that, God will destroy the homosexual community of America. [audience applauds] But He will not destroy it - with what many minds have thought Him to be, He will destroy it with fire. And many will turn and be saved, and many will rebel and be destroyed."
NEVER HAPPENED!!
Benny Hinn, TBN Praise-a-thon, April 2nd, 2000
http://op.50megs.com/benny-hinn.wav
"The hour is urgent. Many of you have known me for many years. But I am telling you right now, things I haven't said years 'n years 'n years ago. I believe - here this, hear this! I believe, that Jesus, God's Son, is about to appear physically, in meetings and to believers around the world, to wake us up! He appeared after His resurrection and He is about to appear before His second coming!
NO VIDEO. DIDN'T HAPPEN. CAN'T HAPPEN!
_____________________________
"This would be the first step in apostasy; men first forget the true, and then adore the false.".......C.H. Spurgeon
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 7:00:00 PM
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themoodyexperience
Posts: 2346
Joined: 3/19/2008
From: Tuscumbia, Alabama
Status: offline
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And these things are posted not to be a Pharisee, but to warn people to stay away. Maybe somebody will come into the thread having only seen him blow people down on TBN. They'll read and say 'hey, I never knew that. Maybe I need to look into this further.' And if Binny Hinn repented of his false teachings, I'd be in the line to shake his hand.
_____________________________
Moodyvision - my YouTube channel
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 7:01:48 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Soxfan
Dawn_s & Misty 35:
Since you are to lazy to investigaste yourself, it looks like someone will have to do it for you:
Three false prophecies of Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn, Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31st, 1989
http://op.50megs.com/ditc/hinn1.html
"The Spirit tells me - Fidel Castro will die - in the 90's. Oooh my! Some will try to kill him and they will not succeed. But there will come a change in his physical health, and he will not stay in power, and Cuba will be visited of God."
NEVER HAPPENED!
Benny Hinn, Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31st, 1989.
http://op.50megs.com/ditc/BENNY-HINN-HOMOSEXUALS.mp3
"The Lord also tells me to tell you in the mid 90's, about '94-'95, no later than that, God will destroy the homosexual community of America. [audience applauds] But He will not destroy it - with what many minds have thought Him to be, He will destroy it with fire. And many will turn and be saved, and many will rebel and be destroyed."
NEVER HAPPENED!!
Benny Hinn, TBN Praise-a-thon, April 2nd, 2000
http://op.50megs.com/benny-hinn.wav
"The hour is urgent. Many of you have known me for many years. But I am telling you right now, things I haven't said years 'n years 'n years ago. I believe - here this, hear this! I believe, that Jesus, God's Son, is about to appear physically, in meetings and to believers around the world, to wake us up! He appeared after His resurrection and He is about to appear before His second coming!
NO VIDEO. DIDN'T HAPPEN. CAN'T HAPPEN!
Soxfan
It's comments like that, I'm far from being lazy, and that's exactly what I'm talking about when people are treated harshly. I'm new to the forum, and DO NOT want to argue with anyone, I just think people could be a little nicer, and approach people differently. But to keep down the trouble and not be bombarded as the other person was, I'll stay off your thread as well.
I apologize to everyone here.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 7:03:17 PM
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My_Redeemer_Lives08
Posts: 69
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: themoodyexperience
And these things are posted not to be a Pharisee, but to warn people to stay away. Maybe somebody will come into the thread having only seen him blow people down on TBN. They'll read and say 'hey, I never knew that. Maybe I need to look into this further.' And if Binny Hinn repented of his false teachings, I'd be in the line to shake his hand.
That was very nicely put, and again I apologize to you as well.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 7:09:19 PM
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lw9
Posts: 962
Joined: 7/22/2005
Status: offline
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dawn_s:
There's no need to leave the thread. Just keep in mind that the whole purpose of this thread is to discuss the issues surrounding Benny Hinn rather than silence people from talking about it or hide from the facts as some obviously want to do. It's important on so many levels because Hinn is a false teacher with a huge following and influence. The more we get the word out and educate people about him, the better they in turn can warn their friends and family and acquaintances.
We can't stop the Benny Hinn's of the world, but we can look out for our neighbors and care enough about them to warn them of the very real danger. That is the reason we are here.
_____________________________
Aperture Science. We do what we must because we can.
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RE: The One Stop Thread For All Things Benny Hinn - 11/2/2008 7:10:52 PM
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earthless
Posts: 6524
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: where pigeons get mugged and shot at...
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Stephanos
To be fair earth, you didnt give your awesome testemony regarding Hinn in this thread (I think it was the WOF thread), so the doubters would not see (even if they did try to look) how strong of connections you have not only to Hinn but others in the WOF crowd.
All glory to God! Here is the portion of it that you refer to:
I well try to type out as much of it as I can.... and hopefully not butcher it much due to time constraints. Not everything will be in chronological order:
A good number of years ago I used to co-own a Christian recording label - I was also the manager of the label's premiere band. We would do an average of several hundred concerts/events a year - all throughout the U.S., Latin America, and Canada. We were also popular in the Philippines, etc..
Did that for a good number of years and because of it had the opportunity to visit literally thousands of different churches from various denominations.
During those times we were in many a service where the Word of Faith type preachings and practices were conducted. Present and not being able to necessarily just walk out - I have seen my fair share of the so-called manifestations this group claims.
During this time I was an associate pastor in a decent sized inner-city Pentecostal church. Our doctrine was at times a bit more middle of the road Baptist, but many of our beliefs, worship styles, etc.. were Pentecostal.
Did that for almost ten years and during that time started writing for different publications, ministries, etc regarding apologetic type topics - ranging from cults, the occults, abhorrent movements in the church, false teachers, false prophets, cultural trends, world religions and a list of other items.
During our search for a senior pastor (because for many years there wasn't one, it fell on me and I was rather young to even be doing so according to many) the church ended up merging with another that came with a senior pastor the board had approved.
The first year of the merge was fine and nothing out of the ordinary besides the usual growing pains of two different congregations coming together as one.
A little after the first year the senior pastor and the leaders that came from his original congregation started taking affront to my sermons and or apologetic round table meetings we had once a week.
They started to preach HYPER Word of Faith and many claim that they were just masking it during the initial meet and greet and subsequent first year.
It got to the point where one Sunday morning I would preach about God's grace being sufficient and the next Sunday morning the senior pastor or someone from his side of the fence would counter what I had said and preach that if we speak forth things they will come into existence.
One Wednesday night round table would be about a particular Word of Faith individual's teachings, such as Joel Osteen.. and then that following Sunday morning they would preach about how marvelous God was using Joel and his new book.
One Sunday morning I would preach about God being the sovereign creator of all and the next Sunday morning they would preach about being little gods and God needing permission to do anything in this planet.
On and on and on I could go with examples after examples.. it was a very hard time for my family and me. For many that did not agree with what was going on and church time ended up being a time of over-bearing stress, headaches, and nervousness of what was going to be said or done in the service.
The string that broke the camel's back was the last Sunday we were present.. the senior pastor preached about getting so deep into prayer that he would physically levitate. We sat there stunned and during our family dinner time could not get over what he had said.
My parents thought that perhaps we heard him wrong, misunderstood him, or that he left out some context or clarification.
So my mom called him that night and asked for him and his wife to join us for coffee and cake the following night (Monday night).
They graciously accepted.
When they arrived at my parent's house that following evening.. we brought our concerns up with him and asked him if he could please clarify for us what he had said.
He did.
He said that he indeed would physically levitate and float around the room when he would get deep into prayer.
We asked him two more times if that was what he indeed meant. He said absolutely yes, without a doubt.
After dealing with that state of affairs for some three years, we made the decision (as a family) to leave the church.
It hurt to do so - we had been there since its inception. Had helped to physically build it up from a one room store front to a full complex that had around 500 active members.
For some years (and still to this day) I have written for several apologetic and research ministries/organizations. In being part of that I have had the opportunity to be in situations that were surreal.
One example is having had dinner with Benny Hinn - out of our concerns about his Word of Faith teachings and such. After a long and good discussion he repented of his teachings and vowed he would renounce them on the air (TBN).
What happened shortly after that meeting?
He publically cursed us on a platform, said we would be stricken down for touching God's anointed. He then went on TBN and to rousing applause said that he had searched the Scripture for one verse, just one verse, that would say God could give him a holy ghost machine gun to blow our heads off with. He was angry about "heretic hunters" and certain organizations naming names on the radio airwaves and in their publications.
I have received death threats, vile death porn, physical attacks, been kicked out churches, cursed, called a tool of Satan, told I am dead in my sins, told I do not know the Holy Spirit, lost many friends, lost many so-called opportunities because of what I write and say.
My wife was born and raised in a HYPER Word of Faith church - one that would make many Lakeland participants blush. One where the pastor referred to himself as an Apostle. One where frequent so-called Prophets would speak "words of knowledge" even though their success rate was dismissal, people still would follow their words.
One where they once locked the doors of the church, instructed the deacons to block the doors, and not allow anyone to leave until they donated at least $1,000 then and there.
One where the "Apostle" and his Pastor wife had people take their jewelry, car keys, anything of value and bring to them at the altar. They then got down and rolled around in the money, the rings, and chains, and car keys.
Telling people God was going to give them double of what they gave.
One where they then told everyone that in the basement of the church they were going to be selling back everything to the highest bidder.
I will never forget being in the parking lot that night after the debacle and speaking to a guy who was a new believer. He told me that he had just gotten saved a few months ago, was an immigrant, and was praying to God for a job and a way to get to it.
He said that he thought God had answered his prayers with a 1988 VW Jetta and a basic job. But that now God had asked him for the car and he did not know how he was going to get to work that following day.
My heart sunk.
A church where if you were going to miss any service or one of their nightly events (be it bible study, worship practices, pantry help, youth group, etc..) you had to call the "Apostle" and ask for permission to miss. Even when you did not have any ministry responsibilities for that particular date.
If he said no and you still did not go - you were put on discipline and told that you were disobedient to the Lord.
My mother in law is an international Word of Faith "superstar" - she has sat on Osteen's planning meetings (as have I). She has done a number of conferences with the largest names in the Word of Faith circuit (and I have been present there, behind the scenes, with her for many of them).
She says I need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and has said that if I changed my ways (stop discussing things in light of Scripture) that she could easily plant me in those conferences and that I would quickly (she says due to my Scripture memorization and speaking skills) rise to the top and have enough money to never worry about finances.
I am sharing more than I am comfortable with, but the context of my answer to your question requires a little of it.
A LOT could be said - but I need to stop now.
All of that is just the tip of the iceberg.. so for someone to say that I do not know Word of Faith.. well.. it's a bit skewed.
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Probing Today's Religious Movements | Promoting Doctrinal Discernment & Critical Thinking | Providing Reasons for Christian Faith & Ethics
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