BENNY HINN’S NEPHEW RENOUNCES THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL

Pastor Art Watkins of Coden Bible Church (Coden, Alabama)

November 17, 2018

This is an article from the Way of Life web site.

(Friday Church News Notes, November 16, 2018, www.wayoflife.org, https://www.wayoflife.org/pdf/20181116.pdf)

The following is excerpted from “Benny Hinn Is My Uncle,” Christianity Today, Nov. 20, 2017:

“Growing up in the Hinn family empire was like belonging to some hybrid of the royal family and the mafia. Our lifestyle was lavish, our loyalty was enforced, and our version of the gospel was big business. Though Jesus Christ was still a part of our gospel, he was more of a magic genie than the King of Kings. Rubbing him the right way—by giving money and having enough faith—would unlock your spiritual inheritance. God’s goal was not his glory but our gain. His grace was not to set us free from sin but to make us rich. The abundant life he offered wasn’t eternal, it was now. We lived the prosperity gospel. ... We lived in a 10,000-square-foot mansion guarded by a private gate, drove two Mercedes Benz vehicles, vacationed in exotic destinations, and shopped at the most expensive stores. 

On top of that, we bought a $2 million ocean-view home in Dana Point, California, where another Benz joined the fleet. ... doubts would surface. What about unsuccessful healing attempts? I learned that it was the sick person’s fault for doubting God. Why would we speak in tongues without interpretation? ‘Don’t quench the Spirit,’ I was told. ‘He can do what he wants.’ Why did many of our prophecies contradict the Bible? ‘Don’t put God in a box.’ Despite the questions, I trusted my family because we were so successful. ... 


After graduating college and returning home, I met my wife, Christyne. I had no idea that God would use her in bringing about my salvation. In fact, my family and I were nervous because she didn’t speak in tongues. ... one day she pointed to a verse I had never seen: 1 Corinthians 12:30 (‘Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?’). I was shaken to the core. There it was plain as day—not everybody has to speak in tongues. Soon, the domino effect began. Other longstanding beliefs were failing the biblical test. No longer did I believe that God’s purpose was to make me happy, healthy, and wealthy. Instead, I saw that he wanted me to live for him regardless of what I could get from him. ... I am thankful that my wife was willing to question my insistence on speaking in tongues and that my pastor loved me enough to disciple me out of prosperity gospel confusion.”