In what one Christian apologist calls an "amazing theological turn," a well-known televangelist who has been criticized for preaching the "prosperity gospel" is taking a fresh look at the Bible and now is "correcting" his theology.
For decades, Benny Hinn has been conducting healing services and preaching the prosperity gospel on TV, making appeals such as:
Hinn: "Help me pay this amount of money. And I am believing God, with you, that whatever seed you sow, God will bless you back one million times. The harvest will come to you so quickly with power and with speed. You can go to BennyHinn.org and sow your seed, and let's see this miracle together."
So it must have been quite a shock to his viewers – many of whom, perhaps, have supported his ministry for years by sending him money – to hear him say earlier this week:
Hinn: "… I'm sorry to say that prosperity has gone a little crazy – and I'm correcting my own theology …. And I will tell you now something that is going to shock you: I think it's an offense to the Lord, it's an offense to say give a thousand dollars. I think it's an offense to the Holy Spirit to place a price on the gospel. I'm done with it. I will never again ask you to give a thousand [dollars] or whatever amount because I think the Holy Ghost is just fed up with it."
Christian apologist and author Dr. Alex McFarland calls Hinn's decision "an amazing theological turn by one of the leaders of the Charismatic movement, televangelism and the prosperity gospel for several decades."
McFarland
But McFarland says only time will tell if Hinn has actually weaned himself off the heresy. Still, it's a bold move, he adds.
"To the degree that he is truly getting a more biblical perspective on the atonement and what the true message of salvation is, I'm thrilled – and I applaud his courage," McFarland tells OneNewsNow.
Hinn made his announcement during a Facebook Live broadcast on Monday night (see excerpt below). His announcement was met with applause.
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