caught somewhere between real life, simple faith, & raw emotion
Crazy Christians & Rock Mash-up (& I can’t stand Benny Hinn)
So world famous televangelist Benny Hinn has been making headlines because it is alleged that he is having an affair with fellow televangelist Paula White. Now, I don’t know if this is true or not. One thing is for sure, there are plenty of people who hope it is so they can tear these two down–especially the media. The media salivates at stories like this.
I’m pretty familiar with both of these. I don’t like them. It’s nothing personal. I just can’t stand all the hootin’ and hollerin’ and money-grubbing they do when they ‘preach’. Like I say in my book , it’s like God is broke, Heaven is about to be foreclosed on, and Jesus has to get a second job just to help make the mortgage. It’s disgusting.
I especially find Hinn revolting. I feel he is an embarrassment to Christianity. His theology is bunk and he makes a mockery of God in his live ‘performances’.
Below is a video mash-up of some Hinn moments to the song Let the Bodies Hit the Floor. It’s pretty funny. And it’s the only way I can tolerate watching this. Still, there is a sense of sadness as I watch these things.
This is an aspect of Christianity that I wish were not there. Perhaps I am being small-minded and judgmental. It wouldn’t be the first time. But I always wonder what Jesus might think about this stuff.
Does it bring him honor?
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Man that’s a good investment opportunity! We should start a firm. Perhaps instead of a Hedge Fund a Lilly Fund? God gives you tenfold back from what people give to us.
Of course, there’ll have to be a disclaimer in the contract. We can’t be responsible for all their sins and how that will affect their return.
POSSIBLE DUPLICATE COMMENT – i’M HAVING TROUBLE SUBMITTING
I suspect that Jesus was considered “small-minded and judgmental” by some when he threw the money changers out of the Temple. And I further suspect that this was a viewpoint that played particularly well among the money-changers 🙂
(Trivia question – who was the first Treasurer of the Church – coincidence? I think not!)
-Steve
P.S.
We have a pastor here in Lansing who has arguably the fanciest and best known church in town, and to my mind is the worst hypocrite it has been my misfortune to see at close range.
Some years back a friend who attended that church took me to several midweek services based around the theme of “prosperity”. My general recollection of the persistent theme was that if you give to God (i.e. to the Church) God will make you rich.
My specific recollection was the night he preached this viewpoint from the scripture “Consider the lilies of the field…”. I would not have believed such sophistry possible – but the guy is slick and fast on his feet. He pointed out that the end of the passage “promises” “…. all this will be added unto you”. Talk about looking through the wrong end of the telescope!
For whatever it’s worth, I also heard this same guy preach a rousing sermon in defense of embattled televangelist Jim Bakker – shortly before the news of Bakker’s sexual and financial issues were splashed across the mainstream media.
But my most telling lesson came at the point during one service where the congregation stood to recite the Lord’s Prayer. And I was reminded of the scripture “…where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name…” and I realized then that God, assuming him to be real, is far more powerful than creeps like this pastor. Such people will never be successful in banning Him from their churches, despite their best efforts.
-Steve
I suspect that Jesus was considered “small-minded and judgmental” by some when he threw the money changers out of the Temple. And I further suspect that this was a viewpoint that played particularly well among the money-changers 🙂
(Trivia question – who was the first Treasurer of the Church – coincidence? I think not!)
-Steve
P.S.
We have a pastor here in Lansing who has arguably the fanciest and best known church in town, and to my mind is the worst hypocrite it has been my misfortune to see at close range.
Some years back a friend who attended that church took me to several midweek services based around the theme of “prosperity”. My general recollection of the persistent theme was that if you give to God (i.e. to the Church) God will make you rich.
My specific recollection was the night he preached this viewpoint from the scripture “Consider the lilies of the field…”. I would not have believed such sophistry possible – but the guy is slick and fast on his feet. He pointed out that the end of the passage “promises” “…. all this will be added unto you”. Talk about looking through the wrong end of the telescope!
For whatever it’s worth, I also heard this same guy preach a rousing sermon in defense of embattled televangelist Jim Bakker – shortly before the news of Bakker’s sexual and financial issues were splashed across the mainstream media.
But my most telling lesson came at the point during one service where the congregation stood to recite the Lord’s Prayer. And I was reminded of the scripture “…where 2 or 3 are gathered in My name…” and I realized then that God, assuming him to be real, is far more powerful than creeps like this pastor. Such people will never be successful in banning Him from their churches, despite their best efforts.
-Steve
If he said he was a business man I probably would respect him more. That would be more honest.
In truth NO it doesn’t bring him honor
Benny Hinn is just another Business-man wrapped in shiny paper by “the prince of the air” and I am ashamed to say business is good
http://nathanaelsblog.wordpress.com/2008/12/28/what-happened/