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Benny Hinn reveals his ‘2 biggest regrets’ from ministry, apologizes for false prophecy
Controversial televangelist Benny Hinn said his two “biggest regrets” in his decades-long ministry include promoting prophecies he now admits “were not accurate or from the Lord” and pushing “prosperity theology.”
“The two things I regret most in ministry: I was not too wise a number of times with prophecy,” the 71-year-old charismatic preacher told Stephen Strang, host of The Strang Report, in a recent interview.
“I had guests come to the crusades that I think brought harm to not only people’s lives but also to my reputation because their prophecies were not really prophecy. They went outside the borders of redemption.”
“And then there were times when I thought God had showed me something that He wasn’t showing me. And I spoke it out,” Hinn said. “But in 1 Corinthians 13, we clearly see that we all prophesy in part. That means we don’t see the full picture. And sadly — and I wish I could go back and fix it — but sadly, there were some prophecies I gave that were not accurate or from the Lord.”
“But who’s perfect?” he added.
“And for that, of course, I ask people to forgive me,” Hinn said. “I’m just human and made mistakes like that. And I’ll probably make them again, I suppose, down the road, because I’m not perfect.”
“But you know, it’s sad when people focus on the times you missed it. But that’s just, you know, the way it is. Yet there were times when I did not miss it,” Hinn claimed.
Hinn said his other greatest regret in ministry is his teachings on prosperity theology. Since the 1980s, the Israeli-born American-Canadian has been one of the most notorious purveyors of the prosperity gospel, which teaches that God rewards active faith and faithful payments of tithes and offerings with health and wealth.
“And that’s been a very difficult one for me,” he said. “When I started in ministry, it was simple. And then the ministry grew. … I think that’s when my troubles began. I don’t blame anyone, but sadly you get kind of in a place [where] it becomes difficult. You don’t know what to do and how to get out of it.”
“So I came to the conclusion in 2019 that I don’t want to be part of the gimmickry of it, and I still stand by that. But sadly, I let pressure get to me, and because of that pressure, I said things and did things that I should not have done,” Hinn said. “And for that, really, I am sorry, and I ask the dear people watching us to really forgive me for that. And I’m striving with all my heart to be as biblical as possible with that.”
“Right now, my focus is the Lord and only the Lord,” Hinn said. “And if, of course, there will be the time when I may have to raise funds for our ministry, I will do it as biblically as I know how — and balanced.”
This is not the first time Hinn has claimed to publicly renounce his past teachings; in September 2019, he admitted his teachings on prosperity “got out of hand” and “damaged a lot of people” and said he wants the remaining years of his ministry to focus on evangelism and the Gospel — not the “health and wealth” theology that made him millions.
“How long do I have on this Earth? What am I going to do in the next 20 years? That is for me to decide,” he said at the time. “I want to make sure that for the next 15-20 years of my life, that my message is the Cross. The real call on my life.”
“I want to be known for that,” Hinn continued. “I don’t want to be known as the prosperity teacher. Prosperity is one thing in the Bible, there’s a whole lot more in the Word of God than prosperity, but it’s become a major issue now because of the gimmickry involved in it. That needs to stop.”
At the time, Hinn also hit back at reports of his tremendous wealth, including a net worth of $60 million and multiple private jets, stating, “If I had that kind of money, I would give it to God. It’s madness … that’s ludicrous. I don’t know how, even, that started.”
Biblical prosperity, he said, is “God blessing His people, taking care of His people. Jesus made it very clear, if God cares for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, will He not care for us? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things you need will not only come, but they’ll also be added to you.
Hinn’s nephew, Costi Hinn, who has openly criticized his uncle and the prosperity gospel, told Christian News that he hopes for genuine repentance — not simply remorse — on his uncle’s part. However, he pointed out that Hinn has previously expressed regret for his past teachings only to resume his behavior.
“Genuine repentance in the Bible is always accompanied by actions that prove that it’s really repentance,” he stated, explaining that repentance would look similar to that of the account of Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector who returned money to those he had swindled out of his love for Jesus.
“Jesus saves him and goes to his house that day and is willing to eat a meal with him and show him love and grace in the midst of his past and his sin,” he recalled. “And Zacchaeus is jumping for joy, excited to pay people back, excited to do whatever it takes to follow Jesus and show his genuine repentance through his actions.”
“My desire is that Uncle Benny’s statement is not merely public remorse to save face or protect his ministry from decline,” he stated, “but rather that it is genuine repentance and that he would be willing to forsake everything if it means gaining Christ and the full Gospel.”
Sources:Christian Post
world news
Muslim vigilantes colluding with authorities to entrap Christians in blasphemy charges
Pakistan — Muslim vigilante groups are working with federal authorities to lure young people into sharing blasphemous content on social media in order to put them behind bars, according to an investigation by Pakistan’s National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).
A steep increase in blasphemy cases this year, many of them filed against Christians and other religious minorities, is tied to collusion between Muslim vigilantes and federal investigators, according to the NCHR report. Pakistan saw three times as many blasphemy cases in the first seven month of this year compared with all of last year, according to the NCHR investigation.
As of July 25, there were 767 people accused of blasphemy languishing in jails across Pakistan, whereas in 2023 there were 213 suspects incarcerated for blasphemy, 64 in 2022, nine in 2021 and 11 in 2020, according to the data gathered by the NCHR.
“Most of the blasphemy cases were registered with the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cybercrime Unit in collaboration with a private entity,” the NCHR noted, adding that young men were targeted through entrapment tactics involving females using pseudonyms to lure them into blasphemous activities online.
At least 594 blasphemy suspects were imprisoned in Punjab Province alone, followed by 120 in Sindh Province, 64 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and two in Balochistan Province, the NCHR added.
The report follows a study by the Special Branch of the Punjab Police released in January, which for the first time revealed the presence of a “blasphemy business” that exploits the controversial blasphemy laws to entrap victims for extortion.
According to the Special Branch report, a majority of the cases were being brought to trial by private “vigilante groups” led by lawyers and supported by volunteers who scour the internet for offenders.
One such group was responsible for the conviction of 27 people who have been sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty over the past three years, the report revealed. It recommended the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launch a thorough inquiry to determine the source of the vigilante groups’ funding, but the agency’s response was unknown.
The most active vigilante group is the Legal Commission on Blasphemy Pakistan, which is prosecuting more than 300 cases, led by Shiraz Ahmad Farooqi, the complainant in the blasphemy conviction of a 40-year-old Christian woman, Shagufta Kiran. Kiran was handed the death sentence by a special judge in Islamabad on Sept. 18.
The NCHR’s report called for “a comprehensive review” of the roles and accountability of both government and private entities. It also noted the inhumane conditions of blasphemy suspects in jails.
“Individuals accused of blasphemy are housed together in single, severely overcrowded barracks to protect them from potential harm by other inmates who may attack or threaten them,” the NCHR reported. “However, this arrangement results in inhumane living conditions, as the barracks lack adequate facilities and are grossly overcrowded.”
Detainees also face coercion, extortion and pressure from the vigilantes involved in their entrapment, “who sometimes encourage them to engage in further criminal activities within the prison,” according to the report.
The NCHR recommended engaging the highest levels of government and judiciary to address the FIA’s involvement with Muslim individuals and vigilante groups entrapping people. It also urged constituting a Joint Investigation Team comprising officials from the Special Branch of the Intelligence Bureau, the ministries of Law and the Interior, the FIA, and other relevant departments to investigate blasphemy cases.
Mere allegations of blasphemy in Muslim-majority Pakistan can ignite public outrage and sometimes result in mob violence. Hundreds of people have been accused and jailed for alleged blasphemy, and some were handed the death penalty, though none has been executed so far.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Oct. 17 observed that Pakistani authorities have failed to curb a range of human rights violations, including a sharp increase in blasphemy-related violence. Expressing serious concern over frequent attacks against religious minorities, including accusations of blasphemy, targeted killings, lynchings, mob violence, forced conversions, and desecration of places of worship, the committee stated that Pakistani society has become increasingly intolerant of religious diversity.
“Religious minorities are facing a constant threat of persecution and discrimination amid the rise of religious radicalism,” the committee stated.
Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
Sources:Christian Post
world news
Persecuted Christians in Nigeria Observe Global Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Nigeria — On the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Sunday, persecuted Christians in Nigeria gathered to pray for the church in their country and their persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide.
Pastor Gah Yohanna Sunday, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and a dedicated leader from the Irigwe community in Bassa, Plateau state, shared his remarkable journey of faith and resilience.
He entered the ministry in 2005 after he became a Christian. Though he initially pursued a career in accounting, the pastor said God had other plans for him.
“I prayed for God to reveal my purpose and role in His kingdom,” Pastor Sunday said. “That’s when I understood my calling as a pastor.” Since that transformative moment, Sunday has committed himself to mentoring, evangelizing, and providing spiritual guidance in his community — all in the face of persecution.
Today, Pastor Sunday’s community faces significant challenges as Irigwe Christians have recently endured attacks.
“They killed four people recently, grazed cattle on our farms, and burned homes — including mine,” the pastor said.
This violence has forced many families to grapple with poverty, hunger, and trauma and has driven them from their homes. Despite all he’s lost, Pastor Sunday remains hopeful. He draws strength from Scripture, citing Romans 8:27-39, Philippians 4:12-13, and Ephesians 6:10-18, reassuring his congregation that their struggles are consistent with the challenges and persecution foretold in the Bible.
“God is good, even when I don’t fully understand,” he shared.
Pastor Sunday said the attacks appear systematic and aimed at Christians. With churches destroyed and access to resources severely affected, the community often relies on external support. Organizations like the Stefanos Foundation, the Red Cross, and the Norwegian Refugee Council are providing essential food, trauma care, and financial assistance. Unfortunately, the need far exceeds available resources.
In honor of the International Day of Prayer, the Stefanos Foundation organized a prayer session in Jos. 2 Chronicles 7:14 resonated deeply: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray … I will hear from heaven …”
Pastor Sunday also prayed with 23 widows who lost their husbands to Islamic Fulani extremists, encouraging them to stay strong in their faith. He called on the international community to assist persecuted Christians in Nigeria and urged Christians worldwide to pray and advocate for persecuted Christians.
Despite the ongoing persecution, Pastor Sunday remains focused on his mission. “This attack will eventually end — whether in this life or the next,” he said. “I will continue to proclaim the gospel, regardless of the circumstances.”
Sources:persecution
world news
നോഹയുടെ പെട്ടകത്തിലേക്കുള്ള വഴി; 3000 വർഷം പഴക്കമുള്ള മാപ്പിന്റെ വിവരങ്ങൾ പ്രസിദ്ധപ്പെടുത്തി
ലോകത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും പഴയ ഭൂപടത്തിന്റെ രഹസ്യങ്ങൾ വെളിപ്പെടുത്തി ശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞർ. ഇമാഗോ മുണ്ടി എന്നറിയപ്പെടുന്ന 3,000 വർഷം പഴക്കമുള്ള ഈ കളിമൺ ഫലകം നോഹയുടെ പെട്ടകത്തിന്റെ സ്ഥാനം സംബന്ധിച്ച വിവരങ്ങൾ നൽകുന്നതായി കരുതപ്പെടുന്നു.
വെഡ്ജ് ആകൃതിയിലുള്ള ചിഹ്നങ്ങൾ ഉപയോഗിച്ചുള്ള ഒരു ലിപിയായ ക്യൂണിഫോം ആലേഖനം ചെയ്ത പുരാതന ബാബിലോണിയൻ കരകൗശലവസ്തുക്കൾ നൂറ്റാണ്ടുകളായി പുരാവസ്തുഗവേഷകരെ ആശയക്കുഴപ്പത്തിലാക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. 1882 ൽ, ഇന്നത്തെ ഇറാഖിൽ കണ്ടെത്തിയ ഈ ടാബ്ലെറ്റ് ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് മ്യൂസിയത്തിലാണ് ഇന്ന് സൂക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. അവിടെ ഇത് അതിന്റെ പ്രശസ്തമായ ശേഖരങ്ങളിലൊന്നാണ്.
ലോകസൃഷ്ടിയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ആദ്യകാല ബാബിലോണിയൻ ആശയങ്ങൾ ചിത്രീകരിക്കുന്ന വൃത്താകൃതിയിലുള്ള ഒരു ലോകഭൂപടമാണ് ഇമാഗോ മുണ്ടി. ഈ ഭൂപടം അക്കാലത്ത്, അറിയപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന ലോകത്തെ മുഴുവൻ കാണിക്കുമെന്ന് കരുതപ്പെടുന്നു. ഇതിൽ, താഴെ കേന്ദ്രഭാഗത്തായി മെസൊപ്പൊട്ടേമിയ കാണാൻ കഴിയും. അക്കാലത്ത് ലോകം മുഴുവൻ വ്യാപിച്ചുകിടന്നിരുന്നു എന്നു വിശ്വസിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരുന്ന ഒരു നദിയാൽ മെസപ്പൊട്ടോമിയ ചുറ്റപ്പെട്ടിരുന്നു.മാപ്പിന്റെ പിൻവശത്ത് ‘ഉറാർട്ടുവിലേക്കുള്ള’ പാതയും അവിടെ എങ്ങനെ എത്തിച്ചേരാമെന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള നിർദിഷ്ട നിർദേശങ്ങളും ഉൾപ്പെടെ ഒരു യാത്രക്കാരൻ അവരുടെ യാത്രയിൽ എന്താണ് അഭിമുഖീകരിക്കേണ്ടതെന്നു വിവരിക്കുന്നു. ഈ വിവരണത്തിൽ ‘പാർസിക്ടു’ എന്ന പേടകത്തെക്കുറിച്ചും പറയുന്നുണ്ട്.
‘പാർസിക്ടു’ എന്ന പദം മറ്റ് പുരാതന ബാബിലോണിയൻ ഫലകങ്ങളിൽ കാണപ്പെടുന്നു. ഇത് ഐതിഹാസികമായ മഹാപ്രളയം നേരിടാൻ ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചുള്ള ഒരു കപ്പലിന്റെ അളവിനെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. അരരാത്ത് എന്നും അറിയപ്പെടുന്ന യുറാർട്ടു, നോഹയെപ്പോലെ 150 ദിവസത്തെ വെള്ളപ്പൊക്കത്തെത്തുടർന്ന് ജീവൻ സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിനായി പേടകം തയ്യാറാക്കിയ ഒരു കുടുംബത്തിന്റെ കഥ പറയുന്ന മെസപ്പൊട്ടോമിയൻ കവിതയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു എന്ന് ഗവേഷകർ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു. വെള്ളപ്പൊക്കം അവസാനിച്ചപ്പോൾ, വെള്ളപ്പൊക്കത്തിനുശേഷം നോഹയുടെ പെട്ടകം വിശ്രമിച്ചതായി പറയപ്പെടുന്ന പർവതത്തിന്റെ ഹീബ്രു പദമായ ‘അരരാത്ത്’ എന്ന പദവുമായി യോജിക്കുന്ന ഉറാർട്ടുവിന്റെ കൊടുമുടികളിലൊന്നിൽ അവർ സുരക്ഷിതമായി നിലയുറപ്പിച്ചു എന്നും രേഖപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു.
മെസപ്പൊട്ടാമിയൻ കവിതയും ബൈബിളിലെ നോഹയുടെ പേടകത്തിന്റെ സംഭവവും ഒന്നുതന്നെയാണെന്ന് ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് മ്യൂസിയം ക്യൂറേറ്ററും ക്യൂണിഫോം വിദഗ്ദ്ധനുമായ ഡോ. ഇർവിംഗ് ഫിങ്കൽ വിശദീകരിച്ചു. ഒപ്പം ഈ വിശദാംശങ്ങൾക്കു പിന്നാലെ പോയാൽ ഈ ചരിത്രബോട്ടിന്റെ അവശിഷ്ടങ്ങൾ കണ്ടത്താൻ കഴിയുമെന്നും അദ്ദേഹം കൂട്ടിച്ചേർക്കുന്നു.ടാബ്ലെറ്റിന്റെ പിൻഭാഗത്തും മാപ്പ് ഡയഗ്രാമിന് മുകളിലും ക്യൂണിഫോമിന്റെ നിരവധി ഖണ്ഡികകളുണ്ട്. അത് ഭൂമിയുടെ സൃഷ്ടിയെക്കുറിച്ചും അതിനപ്പുറം നിലനിന്നിരുന്നതിനെക്കുറിച്ചും വിവരിക്കുന്നു. മാപ്പിന്റെ പിൻഭാഗം യാത്രക്കാർക്ക്, അവർ പോകുന്ന വഴിയും വഴിയിൽ എന്താണ് ശ്രദ്ധിക്കേണ്ടതെന്നും കാണിക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള രഹസ്യതാക്കോലായി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് ഗവേഷകർ അവകാശപ്പെടുന്നു. ഈ ടാബ്ലെറ്റിൽ ഒരിക്കൽ എട്ട് ത്രികോണങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. അവ പിന്നിൽ വിവരണങ്ങളുമായി പൊരുത്തപ്പെടുന്ന പർവതങ്ങളെ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് ഗവേഷകർ നിർണയിച്ചു.
Sources:azchavattomonline.com
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