www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Benny Hinn's Orthodox Background

Benny Hinn is in the news again-his wife is filing for a divorce. I was not aware of his Orthodox background-I read this in Wikipedia:

Hinn was born in Jaffa, in 1952, in the then newly established state of Israel. His father was of Greek heritage and in communion with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem of the Eastern Orthodox Churches and his mother an Armenian in communion with the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He was raised within the Eastern Orthodox tradition. As a teenager in Toronto, Hinn converted from Greek Orthodoxy to Pentecostalism, eventually joining a singing troupe made up of young evangelicals...Hinn was taught the bible and mentored by Winston I. Nunes of Faith Temple in Toronto.

Benny Hinn really set off Fr. Jonathan on his blog, Second Terrace, this week: http://janotec.typepad.com/terrace/2010/02/dear-benny-hinn.html and http://janotec.typepad.com/terrace/...e-nine-triangles-in-the-proskomedia.html

Another who made a business out of the god he worships!

I am very sad for his soul:


Read about him here [google.com]

A further thought: When one becomes spiritually deluded (known as 'prelest' in Russian or 'plani' in Greek), I have read that they can become demonic. I believe this is what has happened to Benny Hinn in his rantings, ravings and self annointed holiness, and let us remember that the demons can fool with miracles as well.

That is why I am very sad for his soul.

Briefly, the difference between "general prelest" and prelest in the particular sense of the word can, on the basis of the above. be expressed thus. General prelest is forgetting and not noticing one's sinfulness. That which we call prelest proper is attributing to oneself righteousness when it does not actually exist. If a man thinks he is righteous, then his righteousness is not divine, but diabolical, foreign to the grace of God and to humility. One should recall the famous saying of Abba Poemen the Great: "I prefer a man who sins and repents to one who does not sin and does not repent. The first has good thoughts, for he admits that he is sinful. But the second has false, soul-destroying thoughts, for he imagines himself to be righteous" (Bp. Ignatius, Patericon, 75).

Regarding the possibility of demonic miracles in Benny Hinn's ministry, I have a former client who worked in his ministry here in Dallas. He says the healings were faked. I realize a former employee could have an axe to grind, but this is a good man. I believe his claims.

Gregg

Alice kind of like the (forgive my spelling here)the Saducee and the Pharacee.

I readily admit I suspect almost everything having to do with Holy-Rollerism is fake. Whether demons are involved I couldn't say but I do think we can pray (in a non-pharisaical manner) that Mr. Hinn find his way back to Orthodoxy.

If you 'feel the spirit' it is good to ask which spirit you are feeling.

Healing is based on the persons faith in God, therefore healings can take place even at the ministry of charlatans.
Stephanos I