About 99% of Christians I know think Benny Hinn is way over the top. In the past couple of years he’s received a lot of attention by various television programs for his outrageous ministry and very non-transparent financial records. Having gone through a hyper-charismatic phase early in my Christian walk I saw a lot of the things that ol’ Benny does quite a bit. The most common ‘expression of the spirit’ is called, being “Slain in the Spirit” and is very common at his rallies. Although found nowhere in the Bible, at hyper-charismatic churches around the country this expression along with others, is pretty standard. There are a few things that rub me wrong about this.
1. Who wants to be killed in the Spirit? That’s what being slain means. Why would I want to be killed (for pretend) in my spirit? Some people would say that it’s a joyful, happy experience. Why not call it being “knocked on my ass by joy” then?
2. What’s the point? You’ve just been knocked down, now what? I’ve asked people what they’ve experienced while laying there on the floor and most of them tell me things that God speaks to me when I’m not on the floor.
3. Where’s the fruit? After a wave of these kind of expressions swept through our area some years ago the church was the same size and the community was unchanged. In fact, a lot of people got so wrapped up in the emotion of the experience that their spiritual growth was actually stunted. What do I mean? Imagine if my relationship with my wife were based purely on emotions. It would last a few years at most, and fade away. This is the danger of being so focused on the emotional and quasi supernatural in our relationship with God.
Now, do I believe that God can and does work through extraordinary circumstances. Of course, the Bible is full of them. I’ve also experienced them. Can being “knocked on your ass by joy” be legitimately caused by God? You bet. But with God, there’s always a reason for it. If you’re shaking, laughing, falling, or speaking “in the spirit” there will always be a clear reason for it in the end or fruit as we call it. If not, it was probably just you, not God.
Christian or not I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also check out this ridiculous Benny Hinn video. I had to add this more humorus one too.
His Kung Fu’s the best! I think you’re on the right track in looking for the fruit of whatever’s going down. That tends to be the question I ask.
Comment by Airman — January 28, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
He pretty much freaks me the hell out. I don’t know much about how he explains what he does, but just watching those silent clips of him reminds me of Tai Chi, in a weird way. I understand why people want to have a big emotional response to God/Christianity, but pushing people onto the floor doesn’t seem to really do much in terms of helping the Kingdom to come, as it were.
Comment by Joel — January 28, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
Firstly… that video creeped me out… no wonder no one wants to go to church that doesn’t already go.
Secondly… “I like to imagine Jesus like some long haired hippy singing lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd and I’m in the front row completely hammered…”
Comment by mike — January 29, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Wow so I watched the video without sound and I for sure got the gift of hysterical laughter. After people get through the “slain in the spirit” line they jump in the “need healing for my neck and head” line. The problem is its not about Jesus its about Benny Hinn slaying people. It shouldn’t take any hand motions or pushing. God is enough he doesn’t need help. He asks us to take part in what hes doing.
Comment by Jen — January 29, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
That gave me goosebumps, and not in a good way.
Freaky.
Comment by Momski — January 30, 2007 @ 1:39 pm