Editing Benny Hinn

{{Short description|American-Canadian evangelist (born 1952)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox religious biography
|birth_name   = Toufik Benedictus Hinn 
| image       = Benny Hinn 2019 (361354094).jpg
| image_size  = 
| caption     = Hinn in 2019
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1952|12|3}}
| birth_place = [[Jaffa]], Israel<ref name="FifthEstate" /><ref name=About-BHM>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|work=Benny Hinn Ministries|access-date=10 September 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908055219/http://www.bennyhinn.org/about-us|archive-date=8 September 2013}}</ref>
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| occupation  = [[Televangelist]], author, speaker
| spouse      = {{marriage|Suzanne Harthern|1979|2010|end={{abbr|div.|divorced}}}}<br />{{marriage||2013|2024|reason=separated}}
| parents     = 
| children    = 4
| website     = {{URL|http://www.bennyhinn.org/}}
}}

'''Toufik Benedictus''' "'''Benny'''" '''Hinn''' (born 3 December 1952) is an Israeli-born Palestinian-American-Canadian [[televangelist]], best known for his regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] or [[faith healing]] summits that are usually held in stadiums in major cities, which are later broadcast worldwide on his television program, ''[[This Is Your Day]]''.<ref name=tsunami>{{cite news
| url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/benny-hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/story-uEsiQ2y9oxndDxfs6wiW7O.html
| title=Benny Hinn gives aid for tsunami victims
|date=22 January 2005
| access-date=27 August 2024
| newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]]
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020746/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/karnataka/Benny-Hinn-gives-aid-for-tsunami-victims/Article1-27703.aspx |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=live
}}</ref>

==Biography==
Hinn was born in [[Jaffa]], in 1952, in the then newly established state of [[Israel]]<ref name="FifthEstate" /> to parents born in [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]] who had [[Greeks in Egypt|Greek]], [[Palestinians|Palestinian]] and [[Armenians in Lebanon|Armenian]] heritage.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ghePZwMqY3sC&pg=PP10 |title=He Touched Me: An Autobiography |first=Benny |last=Hinn |page=10 |date=2001 |publisher=Thomas Nelson |isbn=9781418556631 |quote=Immediately following World War I, my dad's great-grandfather and his family – the Costandis – emigrated from their native Greece to Alexandria, Egypt... Later one of the Hinn sons (my grandfather) moved from Egypt to Palestine and settled in the thriving Arab community of Jaffa... Although my mother was born in Palestine, her mother's family emigrated from the impoverished southern European nation of Armenia to Beirut, Lebanon, many years earlier. Her father, Salem Salameh, was a Palestinian.}}</ref> He was raised within the [[Eastern Orthodox]] tradition and baptized by the [[Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem|patriarch of Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite journal|author=Nickell, Joe |url=http://www.csicop.org/si/show/benny_hinn_healer_or_hypnotist/ |title=Benny Hinn: Healer or Hypnotist? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030140655/http://www.csicop.org/si/show/benny_hinn_healer_or_hypnotist/ |archive-date=30 October 2013 |volume=26 |issue=3 |date=2002 |journal=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |url-status=live |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

Soon after the [[Six-Day War|1967 Arab–Israeli War]] ("The Six-Day War"), Hinn's family emigrated to [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada, in 1968 where he attended [[Georges Vanier Secondary School]].<ref name="Randall Herbert Balmer 2004, p. 336">{{cite book |first=Randall Herbert |last=Balmer |title=Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism |edition=Revised and expanded|publisher=Baylor University Press |location=USA |date=2004 |page=336}}</ref> He did not graduate. In his books, Hinn states falsely that his father was the mayor of Jaffa at the time of his birth and that he was socially isolated as a child and had a [[stutter]], and he was a first-class student.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2">{{cite book |first=Benny |last=Hinn |title=[[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]] |chapter=Chapter 2}}</ref>

In 1972, he claimed to become a [[Born again|born-again Christian]].<ref>{{cite book |first=J Gordon |last=Melton |title=The Encyclopedia of Religious Phenomena |publisher=Visible Ink Press |location=USA |date=2007 |page=148}}</ref> Hinn has written that on 21 December 1973, he traveled by charter bus from [[Toronto]] to [[Pittsburgh]] to attend a "miracle service" conducted by evangelist [[Kathryn Kuhlman]].<ref name="Randall Herbert Balmer 2004, p. 336"/> Although he never met her personally, he often attended her "healing services" and has often cited her as an influence in his life.<ref name="GoodMorningHolySpirit2" /> In 1974 he was invited to speak about his spiritual experience at Trinity Pentecostal Church in [[Oshawa]] and claimed to have been cured of his [[stuttering]].<ref name="Randall Herbert Balmer 2004, p. 336"/>

== Ministry ==
On moving to the United States, Hinn traveled to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], Florida, where he founded the Orlando Christian Center in 1983.<ref name=kurian>{{cite book |first1=George Thomas |last1=Kurian |first2=Mark A. |last2=Lamport |title=[[Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States]] |volume=5 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=USA |date=2016 |page=1091}}</ref> Eventually, he began claiming that God was using him as a [[Conduit (spiritualism)|conduit]] for healings, and began holding healing services in his church. These new "Miracle Crusades" were soon held at large stadiums and auditoriums across the United States and the world, the first nationally televised service being held in [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]], Michigan, in 1989. In 1990, he also launched a new daily talk show called ''[[This Is Your Day]]'', which to this day airs clips of supposed miracles from Hinn's Miracle Crusades.<ref name=kurian/> The program premiered on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] of [[Paul Crouch]], who would become one of Hinn's most outspoken defenders and allies. Hinn's ministry began to rapidly grow from there, winning praise as well as criticism from fellow Christian leaders. In 1999, he stepped down as pastor of the Orlando Christian Center, moving his ministry's administrative headquarters to [[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]], Texas, a suburb of [[Fort Worth, Texas|Fort Worth]], while hosting ''This Is Your Day'' from a television studio in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], California, where he now lives with his family. His former church was renamed Faith World Church under the leadership of Clint Brown, who merged his Orlando church with Hinn's.

Benny Hinn is the author of a number of Christian books. As of 2013, his television series ''This Is Your Day'' was among the world's most-watched Christian programs, airing on various Christian television networks, including the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] (TBN), [[Daystar Television Network]], [[Grace TV]], and [[The God Channel]].<ref name="VCU">{{cite web|url=https://wrldrels.org/2016/10/08/benny-hinn-ministries/|title=Benny Hinn Ministries|first1=David G. |last1=Bromley|first2=Leah M. |last2=Hott|website=World Religions & Spirituality Project |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> However, TBN dropped Hinn's program in 2016, and Daystar stopped airing it in 2017.<ref name=hinntv>{{cite news|url=https://trinityfi.org/investigations/suzanne-hinn-files-for-divorce-again-from-televangelist-benny-hinn/|title=Suzanne Hinn Files for Divorce Again from Televangelist Benny Hinn|first=Barry|last=Bowen|publisher=Trinity Foundation|date=July 29, 2024|accessdate=July 31, 2024}}</ref> As of April 2025, Hinn's website lists [[Kenneth Copeland]]'s [[Kenneth Copeland#Victory Channel|Victory Channel]] as the only network broadcasting ''This Is Your Day'', with a single weekly airing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bennyhinn.org/tiyd/ | title=This Is Your Day on The Victory Network | website=Benny Hinn Ministries | accessdate=30 April 2025}}</ref>

Hinn conducts regular "Miracle Crusades"—[[revival meeting]] / [[faith healing]] events held in sports stadiums in major cities throughout the world. Tens of millions attend his Holy Spirit Miracle Crusades each year.<ref name="VCU"/>{{dubious|date=January 2016}} Hinn claims to have spoken to one billion people through his crusades, including memorable crusades with attendance of 7.3&nbsp;million people (in three services) in India, the largest healing service in recorded history.<ref name="Benny Hinn Ministries">{{cite web|url = http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|title = About Us|publisher = Benny Hinn Ministries|access-date = 2007-08-01|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080119104507/http://www.bennyhinn.org/aboutus/articledesc.cfm?id=1386|archive-date = 19 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="Rediff">{{cite web|url = http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/jan/24hinn.htm| title = Benny Hinn winds up India trip|publisher =[[Rediff.com|Rediff]]|access-date = 27 August 2024 |date=24 January 2005}}</ref><ref name="Streaming Faith">{{cite web|url = http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|title = Pastor Benny Hinn|publisher = Streaming Faith|access-date = 2007-08-01|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071216201416/http://www.streamingfaith.com/directory/broadcaster.aspx?TalentID=1018|archive-date = 16 December 2007}}</ref> [[Evander Holyfield]], who was diagnosed with a non-compliant left ventricle, has credited his healing to Benny Hinn, stating that through God working through Hinn, he was healed as he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him.<ref name="Jet">{{cite magazine|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=8LoDAAAAMBAJ&q=Holyfield+Benny+Hinn&pg=PA46| title = Holyfield's Heart Improves After Visit With Faith Healer| date = 4 July 1994|magazine=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |page=46|access-date = 27 August 2024|quote=Holyfield, 31, has a non-compliant left ventricle, or "stiff heart," which prevents sufficient oxygen from being pumped to muscles and tissues. The problem was discovered after his 22 April title-fight loss to Michael Moorer. Holyfield claims he was cured by faith healer Benny Hinn during a Christian revival in Philadelphia. "My heart is better," he said. During the revival Holyfield dropped to the stage three times and said he had "a warm feeling" go through his chest as Hinn touched him during the healing session.}}</ref><ref name="Holyfield">{{cite book|url =https://books.google.com/books?id=ypj_zXPjli0C&q=people+healed+by+benny+hinn+Holyfield&pg=PA209| title = Becoming Holyfield: a fighter's journey|publisher =[[Simon & Schuster]]|access-date = 8 February 2012|quote=So did Benny Hinn heal me? Was it a miracle? No, Hinn didn't heal me. God healed me, working through Hinn.|first1=Evander |last1=Holyfield |first2=Lee |last2=Gruenfeld| date = 19 February 2008| isbn = 9781416564386}}</ref>

== Beliefs ==
Hinn's teachings are [[charismatic]] (accepting the validity of [[spiritual gifts]]) and are [[Word of Faith]] in origin, with a focus on [[Prosperity theology|financial prosperity]].<ref>{{cite book |first=John |last=MacArthur |title=Charismatic Chaos |location=Grand Rapids |publisher=Zondervan |date=1993 |page=334}}</ref>

Hinn affirms belief in the [[real presence of Christ in the Eucharist]].<ref name="Dyikuk2022">{{cite web |last1=Dyikuk |first1=Justine John |title=What Catholics must never take for granted|url=https://catholicherald.org.ng/what-catholics-must-never-take-for-granted/ |publisher=[[Catholic Herald]] |access-date=5 December 2023 |date=9 May 2022}}</ref>

== Missions ==
Benny Hinn Ministries claims to support 60 mission organizations across the world and several orphanages around the world, and claims to house and feed over 100,000 children a year and support 45,000 children daily because of his donors.<ref>{{YouTube|u27B11MjNDg|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (1)}}.</ref><ref>{{YouTube|OdZCk8X6vzE|Benny Hinn – Orphanages and Missions (2)}}.</ref>

Benny Hinn Ministries donated $100,000 for relief supplies for [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims in 2005, and $250,000 to the tsunami relief effort in 2007.<ref name=tsunami/>

==Criticism and controversy==
Some media have questioned the fact that Hinn has a stutter.<ref name="Heretic">{{cite magazine|last=Bloom |first=John |title=The Heretic |magazine=[[D Magazine]] |date=1 August 2003 |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2003/august/the-heretic/ |access-date=27 August 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204235504/http://www.trinityfi.org/press/heretic.html |archive-date=4 December 2003}}</ref>

In March 1993 ''[[Inside Edition]]'' reported on Hinn's $685,000 Orlando home and [[Mercedes-Benz]], despite him having previously claimed a "modest lifestyle". An employee of ''Inside Edition'' also faked a healing from [[cerebral palsy]] which was shown on Hinn's regular broadcast.<ref>{{cite news|title=Preacher Changes His Ways|date=2 October 1993|work=The Tampa Tribune| via= [[Ancestry.com#Newspapers.com|Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

A controversial aspect of Hinn's ministry is his teaching on, and demonstration of, a phenomenon he dubs "The [[Anointing]]"—the power purportedly given by God and transmitted through Hinn to carry out supernatural acts. At his Miracle Crusades, he has allegedly healed attendees of blindness, [[deafness]], cancer, AIDS,<ref name="ApologeticIndex">{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h04.html|title=Benny Hinn – Truth or Consequences? (Part 3)|author=Let Us Reason Ministries|access-date=27 August 2024 |website=Apologetics Index}}</ref> and severe physical injuries. However, investigative reports by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', [[NBC]]'s ''[[Dateline NBC|Dateline]]'', [[CBC Television|CBC]]'s ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'', and the [[Nine Network]]'s ''[[60 Minutes (Australian TV program)|60 Minutes]]'' have called these claims into question.<ref name="Heretic"/>

Hinn has also caused controversy for theological remarks and claims he has made during TV appearances. In 1999, he appeared on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]] claiming that God had given him a vision predicting the resurrection of thousands of dead people after watching the network—laying out a scenario of people placing their dead loved ones' hands on TV screens tuned into the station—and suggesting that TBN would be "an extension of [[Heaven]] to [[Earth]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_out/benny-hinns-false-prophecies/ |title=Benny Hinn's False Prophecies |date=2009-06-12 |website=equip.org |access-date=2019-03-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblelight.net/Hinn-Dead-Raised.htm |title=The Dead Resurrected By TVs Tuned To TBN! |website=biblelight.net |access-date=2019-03-11 |archive-date=3 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303171148/http://www.biblelight.net/Hinn-Dead-Raised.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://joelx.com/benny-hinn-scandal-fake-scam-artist-fraud/6956/ |title=Benny Hinn – Scandal, Fake, Scam Artist & Fraud |last=Gross |first=Joel |date=2013-01-27 |website=joelx.com |access-date=2019-03-11 }}</ref>

In July 2024, the [[Trinity Foundation (Dallas)|Trinity Foundation]] expressed skepticism about Hinn's actual net worth, which various websites have alleged to be $60 million, noting the large drop in ratings for his TV viewership.<ref name=hinntv />

===''A Question of Miracles''===

In April 2001, [[HBO]] aired a documentary entitled ''A Question of Miracles'' that focused on Hinn and a well-documented fellow Word-of-Faith German minister based in Africa, [[Reinhard Bonnke]].<ref>{{IMDb title|0447686|A Question of Miracles}}</ref> Both Hinn and Bonnke offered full access to their events to the documentary crew, and the documentary team followed seven cases of reputed miracle healings from Hinn's crusade over the next year. The film's director, [[Antony Thomas]], told [[CNN]]'s [[Kyra Phillips]] that they did not find any cases where people were actually healed by Hinn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/15/sm.13.html |title=Do Miracles Actually Occur?] |website=[[CNN.com]] transcripts |date=2001-04-15 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> Thomas said in a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' interview that "If I had seen miracles [from Hinn's ministry], I would have been happy to trumpet it ... but in retrospect, I think they do more damage to Christianity than the most committed atheist."<ref>{{cite web |author=Finn, Robin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/04/15/tv/cover-story-want-pathos-pain-and-courage-get-real.html |title=COVER STORY; Want Pathos, Pain and Courage? Get Real |work=The New York Times |date=2001-04-15 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

==="Do You Believe in Miracles"===

In November 2004, the [[CBC Television]] show ''[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]'' did a special titled "Do You Believe in Miracles" on the apparent transgressions committed by Hinn's ministry.<ref name="FifthEstate">{{cite news 
  | last = McKeown
  | first = Bob 
  | title = Do You Believe in Miracles?
  |author-link = Bob McKeown
  | work = [[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]
  | publisher = [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]
  |date=December 2004
  | url = http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130810164015/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/main_miracles.html
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-date = 2013-08-10
  | access-date =2013-10-29
}}</ref>

With the aid of hidden cameras and crusade witnesses, the producers of the show demonstrated Hinn's apparent misappropriation of funds, his fabrication of the truth, and the way in which his staff chose crusade audience members to come on stage to proclaim their miracle healings.<ref name="FifthEstate"/> In particular, the investigation highlighted the fact that the most desperate miracle seekers who attend a Hinn crusade—the quadriplegics, the brain-damaged, virtually anyone with a visibly obvious physical condition—are never allowed on stage; those who attempt to be in the line of possible healings are intercepted and directed to return to their seats.

At one Canadian service, hidden cameras showed a mother who was carrying her [[muscular dystrophy]]-afflicted daughter, Grace, being stopped by two screeners when they attempted to get into the line for a possible blessing from Hinn. The screeners asked the mother if Grace had been healed, and when the mother replied in the negative, they were told to return to their seats; the pair got out of line, but Grace, wanting "Pastor Benny to pray for [her]", asked her mother to support her as she tried to walk as a show of "her faith in action", according to the mother. After several unsuccessful attempts at walking, the pair left the arena in tears, both mother and daughter visibly upset at being turned aside and crying as they explained to the undercover reporters that all Grace had wanted was for Hinn to pray for her, but the staffers rushed them out of the line when they found out Grace had not been healed.<ref name="FifthEstate" /> A week later at a service in Toronto, Baptist evangelist Justin Peters who wrote his Masters in Divinity thesis on Hinn<ref name="JustinPetersThesis">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810184800/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/thesis.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-08-10|title=Benny Hinn and Healing|author=Peters, Justin|access-date=2013-10-29 | work=CBC News}}</ref> and has attended numerous Hinn crusades since 2000 as part of his research for his thesis and for a seminar he developed about the Word of Faith movement entitled ''A Call for Discernment'',<ref name="ACallForDiscernment">{{cite web|url=http://justinpeters.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5|title=Seminar overview for ''A Call for Discernment''|author=Peters, Justin|access-date=2010-07-14 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100806071018/http://justinpeters.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=5 |archive-date=2010-08-06}}</ref> also demonstrated to the hidden cameras that "people who look like me"—Peters has [[cerebral palsy]], walks with arm-crutches, and is obviously and visibly disabled—"are ''never'' allowed on stage ... it's always somebody who has some disability or disease that cannot be readily seen." Like Grace and her mother, Peters was quickly intercepted as he came out of the wheelchair section (there is one at every crusade, situated at the back of the audience far away from the stage and never filmed for Hinn's TV show) in an attempt to join the line of those waiting to go onstage, and was told to take a seat.<ref name="FifthEstate" />

===Ministry Watch issues "Donor Alert"===

In March 2005, [[Ministry Watch]] issued a Donor Alert against the ministry citing a lack of financial transparency among other possible problems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf |title=MinistryWatch.com Recommends that Donors Withhold Giving to Benny Hinn Ministries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070222161206/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/pdf/MWDA_053105_BennyHinn.pdf |archive-date=22 February 2007 |website=[[Ministry Watch]]|date= May 2005}}</ref> Benny Hinn Ministries is not a member of the [[Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apologeticsindex.org/h01.html|title=Benny Hinn & Benny Hinn Ministries |website=Apologetics Index|date=January 2017 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

===Senate investigation===

[[File:Gulfstream G-400.jpg|thumbnail|right|Critics accuse Hinn of using the ministry's [[Gulfstream IV|Gulfstream G4SP]] jet for personal vacations funded by tax-free donations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Ministry-solicits-to-pay-for-jet-1849427.php|title=Ministry solicits to pay for jet|date=16 December 2006 |website=Houston Chronicle |first=Mark |last=Babineck |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|tVG1x-rh6FE|Benny Hinn Exposed by nbc dateline}}</ref>]]
{{main|United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations}}
In 2007, [[United States Senate|United States Senator]] [[Chuck Grassley]] announced [[United States Senate inquiry into the tax-exempt status of religious organizations|an investigation]] of Hinn's ministry by the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance]]. In a letter to BHM,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | title=Letter to Pastor Hinn |first=Chuck |last=Grassley | via=[[npr.org]] | date=5 November 2007 | access-date=27 August 2024 | url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130810214446/http://media.npr.org/documents/2007/nov/grassley/hinn.pdf | archive-date=10 August 2013}}</ref> Grassley asked for the ministry to divulge financial information<ref name=Lohr>{{cite news | 
url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16860611|
title=Senator Probes Megachurches' Finances |first=Kathy |last=Lohr | publisher=[[National Public Radio]] | date=4 December 2007 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref> to the Senate Committee on Finance to determine if Hinn made any personal profit from financial donations, and requested that Hinn's ministry make the information available. The investigation also scrutinized five other televangelists: [[Paula White]], [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Eddie L. Long]], [[Joyce Meyer]], and [[Creflo Dollar]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/televangelists-living-like-kings/ | title=Televangelists Living Like Kings? | work=[[CBS News]] |date= 6 November 2007 | access-date =2007-09-17 | url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20071109112841/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/06/cbsnews_investigates/main3462147.shtml |archive-date=2007-11-09}}</ref><ref name=Lohr/> In December 2007, Hinn said he would not respond to the inquiry until 2008.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071206_1__Aseco62017 | title=Hinn joins Dollar in refusing to answer questions in Senate investigation| newspaper=[[Tulsa World]] |date= 6 December 2007| access-date =2007-12-06 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20071207204644/https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071206_1__Aseco62017 |archive-date=2007-12-07 |first1=Eric |last1=Gorski |first2=Rachel |last2=Zoll}}</ref> The ministry subsequently responded to the inquiry, and Grassley said that "... Benny Hinn [has] engaged in open and honest dialogue with committee staff. They have not only provided responses to every question but, in the spirit of true cooperation, also have provided information over and above what was requested."<ref>
{{cite press release
  | title = Grassley Update on Ministry Responses, Background Questions and Answers
  | publisher = Senator [[Chuck Grassley]]
  | date = 7 July 2008
  | url = http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
  | access-date = 2008-07-29
  | url-status = dead
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080730222121/http://grassley.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=fe9bb4ff-e266-e111-a62f-f246986f15ce&Month=7&Year=2008
  | archive-date = 30 July 2008  }}</ref>

The investigation concluded in 2011 with no penalties or findings of wrongdoing. The final report raised questions about personal use of church-owned luxury goods and a lack of financial oversight on the ministries' boards, which are often populated with family and friends of the televangelist. Hinn's group reported to the committee that it complied with tax regulations and had made changes in compensation and governance procedures.<ref name="msnbc1">{{Cite web| title=Televangelists escape penalty in Senate inquiry |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna40960871 |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date= 27 August 2024 |author=Rachel Zoll |date=7 January 2011}}</ref><ref name='2011-01-07 CBN'>{{cite news | title = Probe of Televangelists Finds 'No Wrongdoing' | date = 7 January 2011 | url = http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/January/Probe-of-Televangelists-Finds-No-Wrongdoing/ | work = Christian Broadcasting Network | access-date = 2013-05-14 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20110109050458/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/January/Probe-of-Televangelists-Finds-No-Wrongdoing/ |archive-date=2011-01-09}}</ref>

===Prosperity theology===
In 2017, pastor [[Costi Hinn]], a nephew of Hinn, came forward with a testimony of his time spent in Hinn's ministry and what made him leave.<ref name="christianity-today-costi">{{cite news |last=Hinn |first=Costi |author-link=Costi Hinn|date=20 September 2017 |title=Benny Hinn Is My Uncle, but Prosperity Preaching Isn't for Me |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/october/benny-hinn-costi-uncle-prosperity-preaching-testimony.html |work=Christianity Today |access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leWioCpGZRw|title = The Ugly Truth About the Prosperity Gospel|website = [[YouTube]]| date=10 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |people=Hinn, Costi |date=26 October 2017 |title=Televangelist's nephew criticizes uncle |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2017/10/26/costi-hinn-carol-costello-intv.hln |access-date=2020-04-10 |publisher=CNN }}</ref> In the testimony, Costi Hinn described the expensive cars and lavish houses that he and his family members owned, and the luxury that surrounded their travel. Costi Hinn criticized the prosperity gospel and teachings of his uncle, writing among other things that healings only seemed to work in the crusades, where music created an atmosphere, and that many of their prophecies contradicted the Bible.<ref name="christianity-today-costi" /> He has since written a book on the topic titled ''God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel''.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.zondervan.com/9780310355274/god-greed-and-the-prosperity-gospel/ |title=God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies |publisher=Zondervan |access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref> In the book, Costi Hinn calls the prosperity gospel "damning and abusive", exploitative of the poor and vulnerable, and "arguably the most hateful and abusive kind of false teaching plaguing the church today".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/tgc-podcast/costi-hinn-exposes-abusive-kind-false-teaching-today/ |title=Costi Hinn Exposes the Most Abusive Kind of False Teaching Today |date=27 August 2019 |publisher=The Gospel Coalition |access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref>

In September 2019, he said that Benny Hinn no longer believed in [[prosperity theology]] and decided to stop teaching it.<ref>{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Silliman |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/september/benny-hinn-renounces-prosperity-gospel.html |title=Benny Hinn Renounces His Selling of God's Blessings. Critics Want More |website=Christianity Today |date=7 September 2019 |access-date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Hinn married Suzanne Harthern on 4 August 1979.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm |title=Finding His Life Partner, Suzanne Hinn |website=BennyHinnBiography.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206031940/http://www.bennyhinnbiography.com/meet-suzanne.htm |archive-date=6 December 2009 |access-date=18 February 2010}}</ref> The couple have four children.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce.html|title=Wife of televangelist Benny Hinn files for divorce|author=Robert J. Lopez|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=18 February 2010|access-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100221065424/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/02/wife-of-televangelist-benny-hinn-files-for-divorce.html |archive-date=2010-02-21}}</ref> She filed divorce papers in California's [[Orange County, California|Orange County]] Superior Court on 1 February 2010, citing "irreconcilable differences".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/benny-hinn-divorce-wife-s_n_468296.html |title=Benny Hinn Divorce: Wife Suzanne Hinn Files For Divorce From Televangelist |website=Huffington Post |date=18 February 2010 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100220191539/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/18/benny-hinn-divorce-wife-s_n_468296.html |archive-date=2010-02-20 |first=Gillian |last=Flaccus}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/February/Hinn-Speaks-Out-about-Divorce-Announcement/|title=Hinn Breaks Silence on Divorce Announcement |website=Christian Broadcasting News |date=27 February 2010 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100228163603/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/February/Hinn-Speaks-Out-about-Divorce-Announcement/ |archive-date=2010-02-28}}</ref>

In July 2010, Hinn and fellow televangelist [[Paula White]] were photographed leaving a hotel in Rome holding hands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/570-news/featured-news/11683-benny-hinn-admits-friendship-with-paula-white-but-tells-tv-audience-its-over|title=Benny Hinn Admits 'Friendship' With Paula White But Tells TV Audience It's Over|last=Gaines|first=Adrienne S.|work=Charisma Magazine|access-date=September 26, 2018|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105063839/https://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/570-news/featured-news/11683-benny-hinn-admits-friendship-with-paula-white-but-tells-tv-audience-its-over|url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Hinn and White denied allegations in the ''[[National Enquirer]]'' that the two were engaged in an affair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Evangelists-Hinn-White-Deny-Affair-Allegations/ |title=Evangelists Hinn, White Deny Affair Allegations |website=Christian Broadcasting Network |date=26 July 2010 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100729140058/http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2010/July/Evangelists-Hinn-White-Deny-Affair-Allegations/ |archive-date=2010-07-29}}</ref> Hinn was sued in February 2011 by the Christian publishing house Strang Communications, which claimed that a relationship with White did occur and that Hinn had violated the morality clause of his contract with the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html |title=Benny Hinn Sued by Strang Co. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224032714/http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2011/02/benny_hinn_sued.html |archive-date=24 February 2011 |website=Christianity Today |date=21 February 2011 |first=Sarah |last=Pulliam Bailey}}</ref>

In May 2012, Hinn announced that he and Suzanne had begun reconciliation during the Christmas season of 2011,<ref>{{cite news|title=Benny Hinn Announces Reconciliation With Former Wife|url=http://global.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-announces-reconciliation-with-wife-75733/|newspaper=[[The Christian Post]]|date=29 May 2012|access-date=25 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120530173210/http://global.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-announces-reconciliation-with-wife-75733/|archive-date=30 May 2012|url-status=dead |first=Stoyan |last=Zaimov}}</ref> stating that the split had been caused by her addiction to prescription drugs and antidepressants and citing his busy schedule and lack of time for his wife and children.<ref>{{cite news|title=Benny Hinn Says Wife's Drug Problems Led to Divorce, Praises God's Reconciling Power|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/benny-hinn-says-wifes-drug-problems-led-to-divorce-praises-gods-reconciling-power-76585/|date=13 June 2012|access-date=27 August 2024|newspaper=The Christian Post|first= Stoyan |last=Zaimov}}</ref> Benny and Suzanne remarried on 3 March 2013, at the [[Holy Land Experience]] theme park, in a traditional ceremony lasting over two hours and attended by approximately 1,000 well-wishers, including many visiting Christian leaders. [[Jack Hayford]] referred to the remarriage as "a miracle of God's grace".<ref name="OS wedding">{{cite news|last=Kunerth|first=Jeff|title=Televangelist Benny Hinn remarries ex-wife at Holy Land Experience|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/religion-world/os-benny-hinn-remarries-exwife-at-holyland-experience-20130404,0,6455504.post|access-date=17 June 2013|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=4 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508044815/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/religion-world/os-benny-hinn-remarries-exwife-at-holyland-experience-20130404,0,6455504.post|archive-date=8 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, in July 2024, Suzanne would once again file for divorce, this time in the [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] Court in [[Tampa, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/televangelist-benny-hinns-wife-suzanne-files-for-divorce.html|title=Televangelist Benny Hinn's wife files for divorce, again|first=Leonardo|last=Blair|publisher=Christian Post|date=July 30, 2024|accessdate=July 31, 2024}}</ref><ref name=hinntv />

== Published works ==

*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Kathryn Kuhlman: Her Spiritual Legacy and Its Impact on My Life |year=1999 |publisher=W Pub Group |isbn=0-7852-7888-5 |url=https://archive.org/details/kathrynkuhlman00benn }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title= [[Good Morning, Holy Spirit]] |year= 1991 | publisher=Word Pub.|isbn= 9780850092295}}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=He Touched Me: an Autobiography |date=April 2000 |publisher=Nelson Books |isbn=0-7852-7887-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/hetouchedmeautob00hinn }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Anointing |year=1997 |publisher=Nelson Books |isbn=0-7852-7168-6 }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Welcome, Holy Spirit: How You Can Experience the Dynamic Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life |year=1997 |publisher=Nelson Books |isbn=0-7852-7169-4 }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=This Is Your Day for a Miracle |year=1996 |publisher=Creation House |location=Orlando, FL |isbn=0-88419-391-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/thisisyourdayfor00hinn }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Biblical Road to Blessing |date=October 1996 |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-7852-7517-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/biblicalroadtobl00hinn }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Miracle of Healing |year=1998 |publisher=J. Countryman |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8499-5399-5 }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=The Blood |year=2001 |publisher=Charisma House |location=Lake Mary, FL |isbn=0-88419-763-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/blood0000hinn }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Going Deeper with the Holy Spirit |year=2002 |publisher=Benny Hinn Ministries |isbn=1-59024-039-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/goingdeeperwithh00ben_2og }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Lord, I Need a Miracle |year=1993 |publisher=Thomas Nelson Inc |location=Nashville, Tenn |isbn=0-8407-6251-8 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780840762511 }}
*{{cite book |author=Benny Hinn |title=Total Recovery: Supernatural Restoration and Release
|date=6 July 2005
|publisher=Clarion Call Marketing, Inc |location=Dallas, Texas |isbn=1-59574-038-4 }}

==See also==
* [[Charismatic movement]]
* [[Kathryn Kuhlman]]
* [[List of television evangelists]]
* [[Prosperity Gospel]]
* [[Televangelism]]
* [[Word of Faith]]

==References==
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==External links==
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* {{Official website|http://www.bennyhinn.org}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080526060741/http://ministrywatch.com/mw2.1/F_SumRpt.asp?EIN=591245704 Ministry Watch Report on Benny Hinn]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120926041348/http://www.daystar.com/shows/this-is-your-day-with-benny-hinn/ This is Your Day with Benny Hinn – Daystar Television] – Benny Hinn on Daystar Television
* RICHES Podcast Documentaries: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2466 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205052943/https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2466 |date=5 February 2016 }}
* RICHES Podcast Documentaires: [https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2467 Calvary Assembly and Benny Hinn, Part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205050511/https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka2/items/show/2467 |date=5 February 2016 }}

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