>The Washington Post is reporting that the wife of televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce. The following is an excerpt from the article published by The Washington Post:
ORANGE, Calif. — The wife of televangelist Benny Hinn has filed for divorce from the high-profile pastor, whose reputation as an advocate of prosperity gospel has attracted millions of followers and criticism from lawmakers and watchdog groups over his lavish lifestyle.
Suzanne Hinn filed the papers in Orange County Superior Court on Feb. 1, citing irreconcilable differences, after more than 30 years of marriage. The papers note the two separated on Jan. 26 and that Hinn has been living in Dana Point, a wealthy coastal community in southern Orange County.
“Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice,” Benny Hinn Ministries said Thursday in a statement. “Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”
Read the article in its entirety here.
The news report does not provide a reason for the divorce. The divorce of Benny Hinn is very sad because thousands of people have supported his ministry over the years. Benny Hinn’s divorce and the embarrassing situation caused by Ted Haggard in 2006 bring a lot of shame to Christianity and to the cause of Christ around the world.
This is a sad time for the church. As someone once said, “at times, Christ’s worse enemies are his own friends.”
UPDATE:
Read Benny Hinn’s letter about his divorce here.
Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary
Tag: Benny Hinn
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Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament 
>"The divorce of Benny Hinn is very sad because thousands of people have supported his ministry over the years. Benny Hinn’s divorce and the embarrassing situation caused by Ted Haggard in 2006 bring a lot of shame to Christianity and to the cause of Christ around the world."One might consider it sad for lots of reasons, but for this one? Someone can really think, "I am sad because I supported him and he is now getting divorced" and you see nothing wrong with that scenario?And, Claude, do you really think it brings shame to "Christianity and to the cause of Christ around the world"? A divorce? Personally I find Hinn's antics a greater cause for shame. His domestic situation, however, merely mirrors that of millions of Americans, the majority of whom would presumably lay claim to the title of Christian. Only Hinn's celebrity raises it above their level, and seeing that as a cause of greater shame shows only that one has fully bought into modern celebrity culture. As much of Christianity has. Now that is shaming!
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>John,I know that divorce affects many lives in America, but I still believe that Hinn's divorce and every divorce is a sad situation.Maybe it is because Hinn is a famous evangelist, but a minister who has been married for 30 years should set be able to keep his marriage alive. When the wife leaves him for irreconcilable differences that says a lot.I believe that divorce is a tragedy; divorce of Christians is a greater tragedy.I know that no human being is perfect and that divorce happens. However, if we are Christians and if we seek to live according to the teachings of Christ, I believe that any problem in marriage can be solved. They are not solved because one or both partners do not apply God's Word to their relationship. This is the reason I say it is a shame.Claude Mariottini
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>GOOD. Let him lose millions of dollars. He's a wolf in sheepskin clothing.
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>Dear Friend,You are right. He may lose a lot of money and he may be a wolf in sheepskin clothing. However, no one should rejoice when Christians get divorced. Divorce is a painful experience for anyone, especially for Christians.Claude Mariottini
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>The Grapes of ImmaturityBy Robert Winkler BurkeOf inthatdayteachings.comCopyright 1/10/09Latin saying from the novel Lonesome Dove:“Uva uvam vivendo varia fit”A grape turns color and matures, Upon seeing statured others,So also proud broadcast preachers, After meeting humble betters. Until that day of humility, Comes indwelt of God,The proud, false shepherds, Think brokenness odd.And will avoid most personal tribulation, By personal wealth guarantees,Extracted by pandering their own fear, Emotion, excitement or greed.With emotion it’s prophetic or, Intellectual jabberwocky,With greed prosperity, with fear, Rapture-dispensation malarkey.The grapes of immaturity, Broadcasting fear, emotion or greed,Think manifesting Christ, The very last thing on earth we need.The grapes of immaturity, Won’t honor their betters,Their trollop doxies make them, Hellfire selfish go getters.The grapes of immaturity, Do not fear God’s wrath,Ignoring every grow chance, Before they are smashed.Thus the grapes of immaturity, Have not grown for thirty years,Ignoring all people their betters, To tickle their own deaf ears.The grapes of immaturity, Broadcasting self best,Woe is us, woe is them, For spoiling God’s nest.God’s nest of inhabitation, Is ourselves to indwell,Proud broadcasting preachers, Can’t do this for God well.The grapes of immaturity, Believe their perfection a bastion,When will they see betters, And repent of smug inaction?
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>Thanks for posting this. It is a grave situation that makes me search internally to ensure that I am not harboring unforgiveness, hatred or whatever emotional issues that tend to be lurking around when a divorce occurs. Despite my personal opinion about Benny Hinn's ministry, I grieve for him. Why? The moment that he healed the first person, in the name of Jesus, he became a moving target. Satan's goal is to kill, steal and destroy and will put whatever it takes in your face to get you to fall. I pray for our ministers in the public eye each and every day. We do not know the cost of ministry on that magnitude. I pray that the Hinn's find a renewed love for one another and that forgiveness abounds in their hearts. Please join me in prayer to save their marriage. I would want someone to do the same for me.
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>Sherrice,Thank you for your thoughtful comment. No one should rejoice about Benny Hinn's divorce. Christians should pray for him and his family at this time, even when they disagree with his theology.Claude Mariottini
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>Yes, so I’ve heard. But while I don’t really know the guy I think he deserves public scrutiny. Fair scrutiny.
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>well i personally have been watching his programs on TV since 1999-2000 but what he is going through is really a shock for me…. & all of us.As believers its our duty to pray for any one in this world for his problems….. he faces in life that's all i have to sayThe world is always ready to make fun & make big news out of nothing.. that's what they are after most of the time because they can do nothing….. but only point fingers at others
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>Dear Anonymous,I agree with you. Christians should pray for him and his family. This is not the time to attack or point fingers. Divorce is never a pleasant situation. It is worse when a divorce happens in the marriage of a preacher.Claude Mariottini
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>Jesus paid it all .no matter how bad the situation.Be true to yourself repent repent and repent i.e do no tread that route again and then forgive forgive and forgive.there is a true need to take time off and address the situation with God. money is not all Jesus owns the sheep and has already given his life.avoid the wrath of God save your life and marriage.i love you both with the love of christ.THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
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>Dear Dr and All,I think that we should all pray for Benny Hinn and His wife and Family. As we may all know the devil is always looking to a hint of a space and one who looks after others can bearly look every were around him. That is why Jesus says that we should pray for one another.Also, we need to read this book from Rick Waren "final quest" to understand that each negatif statment from us toward one each other gives more power to satan and weakens us. Like Jesus said: when we speack evil of other we kill them.Let us pray for thoses who lead us because they are at greater risks…..Sister Love
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>Sister Love,Thank you for your comment. My heart breaks for Benny Hinn and his wife. I have prayed for both of them because no one who is in the ministry wants this to happen with a fellow minister.One may not agree with everything Benny Hinn teaches, but we all agree that divorce is a tragedy in any marriage, but especially in a Christian marriage.Claude Mariottini
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