Benny Hinn

← Back to People

Early Life and Conversion

Toufik Benedictus "Benny" Hinn was born on December 3, 1952, in Jaffa, Israel, to a family of Greek and Palestinian-Armenian descent. He was one of eight children and grew up in the religiously diverse environment of Israel, where his family practiced Greek Orthodox Christianity. The young Benny reportedly struggled with a severe stutter that would later figure prominently in his conversion testimony.

In 1968, when Benny was a teenager, his family emigrated to Toronto, Canada, where they settled in the city's diverse immigrant community. The move represented a significant transition for the Hinn family, taking them from the Middle East to the multicultural environment of late-1960s Canada.

According to Hinn's own account, his conversion to charismatic Christianity occurred in 1972 when he attended a Kathryn Kuhlman miracle service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kuhlman was one of the most famous faith healers of the mid-twentieth century, and Hinn has consistently credited her ministry as the primary influence on his own approach to healing ministry. He has described the experience of attending her services as transformative, claiming that his stutter was healed and that he received a calling to ministry.

The influence of Kathryn Kuhlman on Benny Hinn cannot be overstated. He adopted many of her theatrical elements, including her flowing robes, dramatic gestures, and the phenomenon of people "falling under the power" (being "slain in the Spirit") during services. After Kuhlman's death in 1976, Hinn has positioned himself as something of a spiritual successor, carrying forward her style of miracle ministry.

Ministry Beginnings

Following his conversion experience, Hinn became involved in charismatic Christian circles in Toronto. In 1974, he began leading a prayer group called the Kathryn Kuhlman Fellowship, named after his mentor. This small group would eventually grow into his first church, Orlando Christian Center, which he founded in 1983 after relocating to Florida.

Orlando Christian Center experienced rapid growth during the 1980s, eventually reaching a membership of over 10,000. The church became known for its charismatic worship style, emphasis on the supernatural, and Hinn's dramatic preaching. During this period, Hinn also began his television ministry, which would eventually reach millions of viewers worldwide.

His 1990 book "Good Morning, Holy Spirit" became an unexpected bestseller, selling millions of copies and establishing Hinn as a significant figure in charismatic Christian publishing. The book, which describes an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit and recounts various supernatural experiences, resonated with many believers seeking a more experiential faith. It also generated controversy for some of its theological claims, which critics argued went beyond biblical teaching.

Miracle Crusades

The signature element of Benny Hinn's ministry is the miracle crusade: large gatherings, often in stadiums or arenas, where Hinn preaches and prays for healing. These events have been held around the world, drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees across his decades of ministry.

The crusade format follows a recognizable pattern. The events typically begin with extensive worship, often featuring emotional music designed to create an atmosphere of expectancy. Hinn then preaches, frequently emphasizing faith, the power of God, and the possibility of miraculous intervention. The climax of the service involves Hinn calling people forward for healing prayer.

During the healing portion of the services, dramatic scenes unfold that have become Hinn's trademark. People fall to the ground when Hinn gestures toward them or touches them, a phenomenon proponents attribute to the power of the Holy Spirit and critics attribute to suggestion, social pressure, or theatrical staging. Testimonies of healing are announced from the stage, with individuals claiming to have been cured of various ailments.

The crusades have been broadcast on Hinn's television program "This Is Your Day," which at its peak aired on numerous networks worldwide. The broadcasts have been effective fundraising tools, with appeals for donations interspersed with footage of apparent healings and emotional testimonies.

Theology and Practices

Benny Hinn's theological framework draws primarily from the Word of Faith movement and charismatic Christianity, though he has made various statements over the years that have generated theological controversy.

Faith and Healing

Central to Hinn's teaching is the belief that God desires to heal and that healing can be accessed through faith. He teaches that Jesus's death on the cross secured salvation from sin along with physical healing, a doctrine known as "healing in the atonement." This teaching implies that sickness is not God's will and that believers with sufficient faith should expect healing.

Critics argue this teaching can be harmful to those who are not healed, as it may lead them to conclude that their continued illness results from inadequate faith. Supporters counter that Hinn does not teach that every healing will occur immediately and that he acknowledges the sovereignty of God in healing.

Controversial Teachings

Over the years, Hinn has made various theological statements that have drawn criticism from mainstream Christian theologians. These include claims about the nature of the Trinity that appeared to endorse tritheism (the belief in three separate gods), statements suggesting that Adam could fly before the Fall, and declarations about his own prophetic authority that critics found exaggerated.

While Hinn has walked back or modified some of these statements when challenged, the pattern of controversial teachings has led many evangelical leaders to distance themselves from his ministry and to warn against uncritical acceptance of his claims.

Healing Claims and Investigations

The healing claims at the center of Benny Hinn's ministry have been the subject of significant scrutiny and investigation over the years, with critics challenging both the authenticity and the documentation of alleged miracles.

Investigative Reports

Several journalistic investigations have examined Hinn's healing claims with troubling findings. In 2001, HBO's documentary series "A Question of Miracles" followed up on individuals who had claimed healing at Hinn's crusades, finding that many had not actually been healed or had experienced only temporary improvement that did not last. The investigation raised serious questions about the verification process for healings announced at crusades.

A 2009 investigation by NBC's Dateline examined Hinn's ministry practices and healing claims, again finding discrepancies between the dramatic claims made at crusades and the actual medical outcomes for many individuals. The report documented cases where people who had been pronounced healed on stage later died of the conditions they supposedly had been cured of.

Medical Documentation

Critics have repeatedly called for rigorous medical documentation of the healing claims made at Hinn's crusades. While his ministry has provided some documentation in response to criticism, independent medical verification of dramatic healings remains limited. The challenge of documenting faith healings is acknowledged even by some supporters, who argue that the spiritual nature of healing does not lend itself to scientific verification.

Financial Controversies

Benny Hinn's ministry has faced sustained scrutiny regarding its financial practices and Hinn's personal lifestyle, generating some of the most persistent criticism of his career.

Lavish Lifestyle

Investigations have documented a lifestyle that appears strikingly at odds with traditional Christian teachings on simplicity and sacrifice. Reports have detailed Hinn's use of private jets, stays in luxury hotel suites costing thousands of dollars per night, expensive clothing, and a multi-million dollar oceanfront mansion in California. These revelations have troubled many observers, including some within the faith healing and prosperity gospel world.

Senate Investigation

In 2007, Senator Chuck Grassley launched an investigation into the financial practices of six televangelists, including Benny Hinn Ministries. The investigation sought detailed financial information, including compensation for ministry leaders, use of ministry-owned jets, and credit card expenses. While Hinn's ministry provided some information, the investigation concluded without definitive findings due to the voluntary nature of the inquiry and limitations on Senate authority over religious organizations.

The investigation highlighted concerns about accountability and transparency in large independent ministries that operate without denominational oversight. Hinn's ministry has since taken some steps toward greater transparency but continues to face questions about financial practices.

Prosperity Gospel

Hinn's ministry has been associated with the prosperity gospel, which teaches that God rewards faith with material blessing. Critics argue that this teaching exploits vulnerable people by encouraging donations from those who can least afford them, based on promises of financial returns that often don't materialize. The emphasis on giving to receive has been particularly criticized when directed at people in developing nations or those facing financial hardship.

Failed Prophecies

Throughout his ministry, Benny Hinn has made numerous prophetic predictions, many of which have not come to pass. These failed prophecies have been documented by critics and raised serious questions about his claimed prophetic gifting.

Notable Failed Predictions

Among the more widely documented failed prophecies are Hinn's predictions in the 1990s that Fidel Castro would die in the 1990s (Castro lived until 2016), that the homosexual community in America would be destroyed by fire by 1995, and that a major earthquake would destroy the East Coast of the United States. None of these events occurred as predicted.

Hinn has also made predictions about the timing of the rapture and the return of Christ that have not materialized. While such predictions are common in certain streams of Christianity, the specificity and confidence of some of Hinn's declarations have been cited by critics as evidence against his prophetic claims.

Response to Failed Prophecies

When confronted with failed prophecies, Hinn has offered various explanations, including that the prophecies were conditional, that he was mistaken but not false, or that critics misunderstood what he actually predicted. The biblical standard for prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22) states that a prophecy that fails to come true indicates the prophet did not speak from God, a standard critics argue Hinn has failed to meet.

Personal Life Scandals

Beyond financial and prophetic controversies, Benny Hinn's personal life has also generated scandal that has damaged his reputation and credibility.

Divorce and Reconciliation

In 2010, Benny Hinn's wife Suzanne filed for divorce after 30 years of marriage, citing emotional disturbances from years of trauma. The divorce became public and generated significant media coverage, particularly given Hinn's public emphasis on family values and his criticism of divorce in other contexts. In 2013, the couple remarried, with Hinn describing the reconciliation as evidence of God's restoration.

Alleged Affair with Paula White

In 2010, photographs emerged of Benny Hinn and fellow televangelist Paula White holding hands at the Colosseum in Rome. Both were married to other people at the time, and the images generated speculation about an inappropriate relationship. Both Hinn and White denied any affair, with Hinn calling White a "dear friend" and dismissing the scandal as misinterpretation of innocent interaction. The incident nonetheless damaged both ministers' reputations and raised questions about their personal conduct.

2019 Prosperity Gospel Reconsideration

In September 2019, Benny Hinn made statements that appeared to represent a significant reconsideration of prosperity gospel teaching, generating headlines and cautious optimism from some critics.

During a Facebook Live broadcast, Hinn stated: "I'm correcting my own theology... The gospel is not for sale... I think some of us need to go back to the beginning." He expressed regret about past emphases on giving to receive and seemed to distance himself from the more extreme forms of prosperity teaching.

The apparent repentance was welcomed by many who had criticized Hinn's ministry, though observers noted that similar statements in the past had not resulted in lasting changes to ministry practices. Subsequent broadcasts and crusades have shown mixed messaging, with some return to prosperity themes alongside continued expressions of concern about excesses in the movement.

The episode illustrates the complexity of assessing Hinn's ministry. The 2019 statements suggested genuine reflection, but whether they represent lasting theological change or a temporary rhetorical shift remains unclear. Critics continue to monitor his ministry's actual practices rather than relying on periodic statements of regret.

Assessment and Legacy

Benny Hinn remains one of the most controversial figures in contemporary Christianity, with passionately held views both for and against his ministry.

Supporters point to the millions who have attended his crusades, the testimonies of transformed lives, and the global reach of his ministry as evidence of genuine spiritual impact. They argue that the controversies have been overblown by critics hostile to charismatic Christianity and that Hinn's ministry has brought hope to countless people around the world.

Critics maintain that the documented problems with healing claims, financial practices, failed prophecies, and personal conduct represent serious disqualifications from ministry leadership. They argue that Hinn exemplifies the dangers of personality-centered ministry without accountability and that his influence has been harmful to many vulnerable people who trusted his claims.

The truth, as often with such complex figures, likely contains elements of both perspectives. Hinn's ministry has unquestionably reached millions and has generated testimonies of genuine spiritual impact. At the same time, the documented controversies represent legitimate concerns that cannot be dismissed as merely the attacks of critics.

What seems clear is that Benny Hinn's ministry raises important questions about accountability in independent religious organizations, the verification of miraculous claims, the ethics of prosperity teaching, and the relationship between personal conduct and public ministry. How one answers these questions will largely determine one's assessment of his life and legacy.

Prefer to give instead of buy? Support this ministry with a donation.