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In the first issue of Vanguard, we ran
a slightly controversial article entitled Unmasked - Benny Hinn.
In that article, written by Neil Richardson, many aspects
of the teachings and doctrines of Mr Hinn, who remains one
of the most popular pseudo-Pentecostal figures in the world,
were shown to be erroneous. That article attracted a certain
degree of criticism from some quarters, partly due to the fanciful
notion that Mr Hinn had since repented of his erroneous ways.
We now present startling evidence to
the contrary, enough to convince any reasonable person that this
man should not be received as a brother.
In the weekly journal WEST AFRICA, dated
2-8 September 1996, Christian sociologist Michael Amoah wrote
an article entitled Christianity and Politics, in which he examined
the impact of evangelistic crusades on African politics.
The first paragraph reads as follows:
"In August, during the week-long
"Mission to London" Pentecostal gatherings at Earl's
Court Arena, one of the preachers, Benny Hinn, is known to have
mentioned the fact that during his most recent visit to Ghana
(perhaps in November 1995), he was invited by the President to
the Castle. During the meeting, the President communicated
something to the effect that Benny Hinn has power, so he should
speak to his people (Ghanaians), since they would rather listen
to the preacher than to himself [Rawlings]. Various arguments
have arisen out of this comment. Most prominent of these
is that if Jerry Rawlings thinks that Christians have that much
power, then why is he not "born again"? Perhaps,
then, he could talk to Ghanaians better?"
This article drew the following response
from the Office of the President of Ghana. Sent by V. A.
Sackey, Public Affairs Secretariat, it appeared in the letters
page of WEST AFRICA, dated 16-22 September 1996. In this
response, he accuses Mr Hinn of being:
"rather generous in embellishing
the truth!"
These rather generous embellishments,
otherwise known as lies, were used by Mr Hinn to raise money
from a largely African audience. These embellishments included
the claim that 500,000 people filled the Accra Sports Stadium
which, Mr Sackey points out, can only hold about 125,000.
Mr Hinn claims to have been invited to return to Ghana as the
President's guest. This is also denied by Mr Sackey, who
points out that there was:
"merely a remark that he and
other religious leaders are welcome to visit Ghana."
The claim that Mr Hinn was asked to
get a message across because he had more power than the President
is true however, which sounds impressive until one learns what
this message was. Again, from Mr Sackey's response:
"The President attends many
religious functions of all persuasions, and meets with visiting
religious leaders who so request, not merely as a duty but out
of recognition of the role of religious groups in strengthening
the moral values of the nation."
[NB - this includes Christian, Muslim and traditional priests].
The "message" which the President
asked Hinn to stress to his congregation was a topic which the
President himself often raises at religious and other gatherings.
This is that passive prayer of words and thoughts needs to be
supported by the prayer of action...we must all be prepared to
get up and do something about our problems, rather than wait
for intervention from above.
Not only has Mr Hinn been exposed as
a fraud by a secular authority, thus shaming himself, but he
has also shamed the gospel and the efforts of those who are sincere
in their desire to reach Africa with the good news of Jesus.
As President Rawlings of Ghana said [Ghanaian Times, 31st August]:
"...because of the deep religiosity
of our people, some so-called men of God use the bible to exploit
their credulity."
We stand by our initial article about
Mr Hinn, and will seek to oppose his influence at every opportunity.
Editor http://www.powerup.com.au/~shaneph/more_on_benny_hinn.htm |