We would love to see the gospel to be proclaimed in India in a big way. People are precious to God not mattering what culture or nation they are from.

Recently Benny Hinn has been asked to come back to India. The last time 4.3 million people showed up at his crusade, this time they expect near 10 million. In preparation for the Hinn’s coming crusade in India (Mumbai and Bangalore) businessman Gul Kripalani asked Hinn to come to New Delhi the end of September to speak for 1 day. This was a banquet organized by the Festival of Blessing committee. 350 government officials, church leaders and business leaders were invited, but almost 800 people showed up Taj palace hotel.

Attendees were members of Parliament, Cabinet level officials, Supreme Court justices, state government leaders. Also a various diversity of religions came--Christians, Hindus, Sikhs attended. While this would be a good opportunity to make the gospel clear to those of other religions,  this is not what took place.

Having Benny Hinn go to India to represent Christianity is not the right choice, its not even a good choice. Those who need the gospel the most are not going receive it. These two articles will point out what Hinn said and didn't say to make this clear.

Here is what he spoke to them (Based on what I saw on the program. October 8, 2004), “When I came to Mumbai I was deeply moved by the invisible presence of God that I felt and sensed and saw in action. And when I felt his presence as I did, I knew God had a plan for India. I’m here to tell you and tell all you wonderful men and women of God and you leaders in India and you that know his voice and touch. I’m here to tell you, God almighty has ordained to touch India and nothing on earth can stop it.” (clapping)

Hinn claims he knows what God’s plan is for a whole nation. All one has to do is look at his track record for what he has said for America and other nations and people to know his words vanish into the wind.

“Here’s why, we are very, very close to the coming of the Lord.”

Hinn then speaks about, leaders, world leaders, who are questioning the future. “What’s going to happen, for the first time in many years we are hearing again leader talk about the possibility of nuclear war…now terrorism is a big, big problem on earth.”

Where will all this lead? “The Bible tells us exactly what’s going to happen in the future.”

He then quotes Isaiah the prophet,  great darkness will cover the earth and the people. But then he said but the light and glory of God would shine at the same on his own people.  “Men and women around the globe today are looking for answers. And I believe in India men and women are looking for answers.”

 “There is only one answer his name is Jesus, the Son of God (weak clapping), there really is only one answer.” He explains how you can read the Bible and it is more up to date then any newspaper on earth.  

“This book tells us about a man that came to earth 2,000 years ago. The angel said, call his name Jesus. The name Jesus is a Hebrew word yeshua meaning salvation, deliverance.”

“This God, almighty, is so mighty that the heavens and the heavens of heavens cannot contain him…. As I share what I’m about to share with you, you are going to see why I’m here. And why God has planned what he planned for your nation India. The God of glory whom the heavens cannot contain sent his son and his son became a man like you or I, flesh and dwelt among us all because of his love. And he showed his love by healing the sick and raising the dead by cleansing lepers, he showed his love by dying on a cross the greatest act of love, his death. But ladies and gentleman I’m here to tell you that this Jesus I’m talking to you about did not stay on that cross. They took his body off that cross and laid it in a tomb three days and three nights. And the Bible tells me this Jesus rose from the dead and today he lives and he lives forever more. I tell you he lives not only because the scripture declares he lives but because I know he lives.” He’s changed my life He will change lives around the world if they will only simply call his name. 

I’m glad Hinn mentioned Jesus died and rose again but he is still watering down the message for India. He forgot to tell them why he died -- for their SIN. Why he rose from the dead-- to prove he is the one true God, there is not other. Unfortunately this kind of message seems adequate for evangelism today. While Hinn may proclaim Jesus as the answer, he is also weak in explaining whom the Son of God is to a culture who believes everyone is god or part of god, as India has millions of gods. This is not surprising as you are not allowed to proclaim the gospel in India. You can practice your religion but proselytizing with the intent to convert to any religion is against the law. Because of this, Hinn compromises on some very important elements in his message.

This Jesus visited India when I was in Mumbai, it wasn’t Benny Hinn who healed the sick - I could not heal a fly. It was Jesus Christ who healed the sick, who healed the blind and the lame and the deaf…”

So Jesus came to India when Benny came to India? Is He not there with all the Christian missionaries and what Hinn is proposing is that he left when Benny left, only to wait for Benny to return. One needs to question the validity of  Hinn's statement, if it was not Benny who healed the people then why did they need to wait for Benny to be present? 

“I understand that your great leader Mahatma Ghandi said ‘if the world would meet the Christ of the Christians they’d would accept him but sadly they have met the Christians of the Christ and rejected him” 

This is not a good thing to say to those of other religions when you are to explain and bring the gospel to them. He generalizes this as if he himself will rectify this problem. No one can deny that there are those who have done a bad job at presenting the real Jesus to Hindus or other religions, but there are are many who have done a good job as well, many who are sacrificing their lives on the mission field right now in India.

Hinn continues saying, “The Real Jesus is not religion; The Real Jesus is not a warrior; The Real Jesus is not one who condemns and rebukes; The Real Jesus is not one who hates; The Real Jesus is love, pure love, how can reject love how can you say no to real pure love. When you look at Christianity much of it does not represent the real Jesus, cause you have religions and divisions, and theology and arguments and throughout history wars and bloodshed. But the real Jesus is love, plain pure eternal love.”

“ I want you to know something about the master, Jesus Christ is a healing master… not only is he a saving master but a healing master. ”

This is more than disturbing; does Hinn think he is not part of the problem? He is certainly not part of the solution telling people the false doctrines and prophecies he has spoken over the years; and what about this message he is bringing to those who know little or nothing about Jesus. Where is the mention of sin or to repent in Hinn’s message? It is missing, and yet this is what was preached and taught by the apostles from Acts 2 onward.

Look at what he has just stated about our Lord; it is fully inaccurate Stating that Jesus is a healing master makes Jesus into a guru like figure to India whose land is filled with gurus. In my opinion he is pandering to their culture to be allowed to have future crusades.

Though we can agree Jesus is not religion why does he say Christianity is religions as well as denominations?  What he stated is not at all what the Bible says about God or Jesus Christ. Jesus is more than Love.

Hinn said The Real Jesus is love, pure love.

This is why Hinn said what he did, to have them believe Jesus is the same concept as their God. It is not as much what Hinn says but what he didn’t say, what he left out. In India they gladly accept Jesus and add him to the pantheon of gods; they are willing to be blessed by another God. But tell them their gods are false and Jesus is the one and true God and see what takes place. 

Is Jesus is plain pure eternal love! God is love is mentioned by John twice in one letter in the New Testament (1 Jn.4:8,16). John says in 3:16 God sent his son into the world because he loves us but this is not some undirected warm feeling or acceptance toward us. God is not pure love; he is righteous and holy and just, and jealous. For John also writes “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (I Jn. 2:5).

We are told that God is light (I Jn. 1:5) “God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29). “God is faithful” (1 Cor. 10:13) our God is merciful” (Ps 116:5) “for the LORD our God is holy” (Ps. 99:9) “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him” (Ps. 89:7).

Hinn says, The Real Jesus is not a warrior

Exod. 15:3 “The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name.”

“the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (Col 3:6)

Does not Jesus come back as a lion and treads out the winepress....  under the Instruction of Jesus? “So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God” (Rev. 14:19).  

Rev. 19:15: “ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.”

Rom. 1:18: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.”

It is the New Age Movements position that states God is within: claiming: God is pure love; God has no wrath; God is pure love and consciousness. Pure love is also mimicked by the Universal churches groups that believe God is male and female energy, pure light.    

The Bible says in John 4:24: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him (not an it, an energy, consciousness or a she) must worship in spirit and truth.” 

 Almost unanimously those who hold this view of God believe in many paths (just punch in the phrase in Google search engine to see what I mean. There were so many websites it would be fruitless to discuss in detail. Statements like ' God is pure love and mercy;' he holds no ill feelings towards His creatures. He cannot be angered, He already has forgiven us are all the position of the new age and universalists. Something to consider in light of what Hinn is saying.

God is truth not just pure love. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked” (Gal 6:7)

These statements gives us insight into what Hinn really thinks about God and his relationship with mankind. To say God is only love without condemning or rebuking; or hates sin is misrepresenting God and holding the truth in unrighteousness (Rom.1)

Hinn stated, “The Real Jesus is not one who condemns and rebukes.”

Prov. 12:2: “A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.”

John 3:17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “But it goes on to say for those who do not accept the message John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Nahum 1:2: “God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies”

Jer 7:29: “for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.”

Exod 15:7: “you have overthrown those who rose against You; you sent forth Your wrath; it consumed them like stubble.”

Deut 9:8: “Also in Horeb you provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry enough with you to have destroyed you. “

Ps 21:8-9: “Your hand will find all Your enemies; your right hand will find those who hate You. You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; the LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, and the fire shall devour them.”

Rom 2:7-8: “[E]ternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-- indignation and wrath”

Rev 6:16-17: “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Col. 3:6 and Eph 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Rev. 16:1: Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

The Lord certainly rebukes condemns and takes out wrath against sin ands wickedness; so why would Hinn say he does not?

Prov. 1:25: Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke”

What happens at the Lord's second coming that Hinn mentioned

Isa 2:4: He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. “

Also Micah 4:3: “He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off.”

Isa. 17:13: “The nations will rush like the rushing of many waters; but God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, and be chased like the chaff of the mountains before the wind, like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.”

Love also chasten us not just accepts us with no qualifications.

What Kind of God is Hinn presenting to the precious people of India? 

This is what is so concerning!

Isa. 66:15: “For behold, the LORD will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.”

Ps. 38:1: “O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! “

 Egypt that was against God Ps. 78:49-50: “He cast on them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, indignation, and trouble, by sending angels of destruction among them. He made a path for His anger; he did not spare their soul from death, but gave their life over to the plague.”

And specifically in the New Testament;  Matt. 11:20-24: “Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. “But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day “But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you. “

Hinn said, The Real Jesus is not one who hates 

Jesus is God and it is this reason he judges the earth and its people for not repenting and turning from their false gods. This is what it says in the Bible:

Ps. 7:11: “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day”

Ps. 5:5: “The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; you hate all workers of iniquity.” 

Jer. 44:4-6: 'However I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, “Oh, do not do this abominable thing that I hate!” 'But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other god 'So My fury and My anger were poured out and kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as it is this day.” 

Rev. 2:6  “But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”  Rev. 2:15: “Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” 

God is righteous and holy and not like man or made in mans image of what man thinks God should be. 

“I believe this same Jesus will heal you tonight” Hinn asks them to stand. “No matter what position you have, you're a child of God… If you are a government official, parliament member business leader, religious leaders you're a child of god”

If they are a child of God already then what do they have to do? Not one thing.  God did not send his Son to love us the way we are but to change us.  This message is like false prophets in Israel who did not preach repentance from sin. Hinn's statement  of being a child of god is like what presidential candidate John Kerry said in his 3rd debate saying, “we are all children of God.” 

Among the many people who hold this universal position are: Mel Gibson said, “We are all children of God, doesn’t matter what you are… we are all children of God” (Diane Sawyer interview, Primetime Feb.16, 2004)

Mother Teresa said, “We are all children of God” (film entitled 'Mother Teresa', world première at the United Nations 40th Anniversary celebration 11/11/1985).

“We are all children of God (Call to Renewal Evangelical Environmental Network, Frank Dino Buismato)

“ We all have the ONE and SAME God, no matter how we name her/him” (Call to Renewal Evangelical Environmental Network, Sister Margaret Irene Johnson. OSU)

These are people whose intention is an interfaith alliance.

Again the Bible does not teach this, we are sons of disobedience until we repent and are adopted into God's family. Gal 4:4-6: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

John 1:12: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”

Rom 8:14-15: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

God is not a Father to you unless you come through the Son by his gospel, as the only way.

We are instructed “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living.” (2 Cor. 6:14-16).

Does God love them the way they are or for who they are, people who are made in his image. Num. 23:19: “God is not a man, that He should lie.”

Hinn has said everyone is already a child and Jesus  accepts them all.

How well does Hinn know the Bible? I think he knows better but he has held back the truth from these dear people so he can get his ministry into their country.

Jesus never turned anyone away.

No, but he certainly spoke some hard sayings that made people who were half hearted to leave (John 6); unlike Hinn who has made it as easy as possible.

Hinn states, “There is a marvelous scripture in Rom .8 it says who is he who condemns it was Christ that died and yea has risen. In other words there is no condemnation.”

The Scripture actually says, Rom. 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” No condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, not just no condemnation to all.

Again, God does condemn those who refuse to accept his Son. Hinn is leaning toward universalism which is not surprising. This is how so many decisions are made; the Gospel is watered down to the bare minimum.

“He shed his blood on that cross he died for you and I that you might have life.

Its good that he mentioned his blood on the cross, but what happened to the reason--he died for your sins (1 Cor.15:3).

“If you are asking today for healing I want to remind you. He gave you his Son already. Healing is yours if his son is yours, surely healing is yours.  You want peace of mind? It's yours already, he gave you the greatest everything else is yours, you want life its yours you want joy its yours.” 

Now they can be healed and receive the benefits of the atonement and being in the new covenant  without believing Jesus is the Messiah, the only Son of God in the flesh, the only way to God and follow him. This is a travesty not to explain their sinful condition and what they must forsake to receive the Messiah.

Hinn also said “About what is happening in Mumbai it’s the Lords doing and it’s marvelous in my eyes.”

Wow, a quote right out of the Bible about the chief cornerstone that was rejected. Except he applies it to Mumbai. 

He prays to bless the nation mightily; he blesses the nation; blessings will touch this land, blessings untold. Prosperity; basically a prayer of blessing over all of India.

These Scriptures are particularly applicable to India's situation.