Benny Hinn is a well-known televangelist who claims to perform miracles and healings through the power of the Holy Spirit. He has a global ministry that reaches millions of people through his TV program, This Is Your Day, and his crusades in stadiums and arenas around the world. But who is Costi Hinn, and what is his relationship to Benny Hinn?
Contents
Costi Hinn: The Nephew Who Left the Prosperity Gospel
Costi Hinn is the nephew of Benny Hinn, and the son of Henry Hinn, Benny’s older brother. He grew up in a wealthy and privileged lifestyle, enjoying the benefits of his uncle’s fame and fortune. He traveled with Benny Hinn’s ministry, witnessed the supposed miracles and healings, and even preached on stage with him. He also lived extravagantly, spending money on luxury cars, clothes, and vacations.
However, Costi Hinn’s life changed when he met his wife, Christyne, and moved to the United States. He began to question the teachings and practices of his uncle’s ministry, especially the prosperity gospel, which teaches that God rewards faith with health and wealth. He realized that many of the people who followed Benny Hinn were poor, sick, and desperate, and that his uncle was exploiting them for personal gain.
Costi Hinn decided to leave his uncle’s ministry and pursue a biblical education. He enrolled in a seminary and became a pastor at a local church. He also wrote several books exposing the errors and dangers of the prosperity gospel, such as God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel, Defining Deception, and More Than a Healer. He also founded For the Gospel, a ministry that equips Christians with sound doctrine and biblical resources.
The Rift Between Costi Hinn and Benny Hinn
Costi Hinn’s departure from his uncle’s ministry caused a rift in their family. Benny Hinn was angry and hurt by Costi’s decision, and accused him of being rebellious and ungrateful. He also warned him that he would lose God’s blessing and protection if he continued to criticize his ministry. Costi Hinn tried to reach out to his uncle and explain his reasons for leaving, but Benny Hinn refused to listen or dialogue with him.
The relationship between Costi Hinn and Benny Hinn became even more strained when Benny Hinn divorced his wife, Suzanne, in 2010. Costi Hinn was shocked and saddened by his uncle’s marital failure, which contradicted his teachings on family values and covenant relationships. He also felt betrayed by his uncle’s hypocrisy, as Benny Hinn had an affair with another televangelist, Paula White, while he was still married to Suzanne.
Costi Hinn prayed for his uncle’s repentance and restoration, but he also spoke out against his false teachings and practices. He warned other Christians not to be deceived by Benny Hinn’s claims of miracles and healings, which he said were staged or exaggerated. He also challenged Benny Hinn to provide evidence of his financial accountability and transparency, as he was under investigation by the IRS for tax evasion.
The Hope for Reconciliation Between Costi Hinn and Benny Hinn
Despite their differences and conflicts, Costi Hinn still loves his uncle and hopes for their reconciliation. He said that he does not hate or resent Benny Hinn, but rather grieves for him and prays for him. He said that he wants to see Benny Hinn come to a genuine faith in Jesus Christ, and renounce the prosperity gospel that has corrupted his ministry.
Costi Hinn also expressed some optimism when Benny Hinn made a surprising announcement in 2019. In a live broadcast on Facebook, Benny Hinn declared that he was rejecting the prosperity gospel, saying that it was an offense to God and the Holy Spirit. He said that he was tired of manipulating people for money, and that he wanted to preach the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith.
However, Costi Hinn was cautious about his uncle’s statement, saying that he needed to see more evidence of his repentance and change. He said that Benny Hinn had made similar statements before, but then reverted back to his old ways. He said that he hoped that this time was different, but that he would wait and see if Benny Hinn would follow through with his words.
Costi Hinn said that he would welcome his uncle back into his life if he truly repented of his false teachings and practices. He said that he would forgive him for all the hurt he had caused him and his family. He said that he would rejoice if Benny Hinn became a faithful servant of God who preached the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Costi Hinn and Benny Hinn are related by blood, but they are divided by theology. Costi Hinn left his uncle’s ministry and exposed the errors and dangers of the prosperity gospel, while Benny Hinn continued to defend and promote it. Their relationship became strained and broken, but there is still hope for their reconciliation. Costi Hinn loves his uncle and prays for his repentance and restoration, while Benny Hinn claims to have rejected the prosperity gospel and embraced the true gospel. Only time will tell if their relationship will be healed and restored, but for now, they remain apart.
