Nairobi News

Benny Hinn is an Israeli-American televangelist with a global following.

According to Benny Hinn Ministries, the founder is also a teacher, author and television program host of This Is Your Day, a Christian program that can be watched daily across 200 countries.

The 71-year-old Hinn has been in ministry since 1972 to date and this will be his second time coming to Kenya. His first trip was in 2000 where he held a crusade at Uhuru Park. The crusade was not without its fair share of dramatics and the same is expected to be witnessed this coming weekend.

As Kenyan faithful anticipate his arrival in Nairobi, the debate has been rife about Benny Hinn’s preachings and personal life decisions with some weighing in that God uses whom He wants to spread the Gospel in spite of the person’s character.

Also read: Benny Hinn’s mega crusade is not funded by Kenyan taxes – Committee says

On the flip side, criticism of Hinn has been abundant, with many casting doubt and questioning his doctrines.

One such critic is former presidential aspirant and gospel musician Reuben Kigame, who claimed Hinn’s preaching was not based on the Bible.

In a statement on his official Facebook page, Mr Kigame first revealed the alleged reason for Benny Hinn’s return to Kenya.

“Another reason for his coming is given as the need to “unlock revival” and help clean up the image of the church following the last general elections. I don’t understand what that means, so I will let it pass, except to say that, if the Kenyan church messes, it should not ask Benny Hinn to clean up the mess for them,” began Mr Kigame.

He proceeded to share a snippet of a 28-page document in which he was accused of hate speech against Mr Hinn. It is in this document, authored by Kigame, that he disagreed with Hinn’s doctrine and practises.

“My task is to share a small portion of the 28-page document I have been accused of as hate speech against the man. Notably, he himself disowned what I am sharing below, saying he was mistaken; so I say, he is quite welcome to preach the Gospel, but should not return us back to 24 years ago,” added Mr Kigame.

Also read: How to get into Benny Hinn’s Nairobi mega crusade

He went on to reveal how he had great concern about Hinn’s teaching and overall ministry, and his unchecked influence over many countries in the world considering no one “stops to think about the relationship between what Benny Hinn teaches and what the scriptures teach.”

Mr Kigame went on to juxtapose Hinn’s teachings against the Bible and asked Christians to judge for themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit if what Hinn preaches is Biblical truth.

“The Bible in 1 John 4:1 asks us to “test the spirits to see if they are from God.” That is the least we can do. Only after looking closely at this teaching should you then take a step and encourage or discourage your members, friends and other Christians under your leadership to attend the coming crusade. I am, however, seriously convinced that a lot of what Benny Hinn teaches or propagates is unbiblical and out of keeping with the fundamental doctrines of our faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible,” continued Mr Kigame.

He also pointed out that Hinn’s “charisma, flashy lifestyle and oratory tends to stand in the way of the discernment of Biblical truth in the midst of doctrinal error.

“I am not against Christians being economically or socially successful in this regard. What I am talking about is the mistaken and predominant conviction in many believers that such affluence is the mark of doctrinal certitude. I am talking about Christians viewing affluence, fame and appeal as a mark of God’s blessing and approval. My focus is on believers viewing someone like Benny Hinn as possessing an express and unquestioned form of anointing that is vindicated by the fruit of his ministry rather than the truth of God’s Word,” explained Mr Kigame.

Also read: Pastor Ng’ang’a exposes request for Sh1m contribution to Benny Hinn crusade

He also pointed out Hinn’s unchallenged power and teaching creating deception regarding himself- that anything he says is “sound and acceptable Christian truth.”

“In the recent past, I have spoken to a number of people on the doctrinal concern I have with regard to the teaching of Benny Hinn. Some of the responses have been along the lines of, “What exactly has he taught that is wrong?” I have found this open and enhancing to discussion. But some of the responses have been harsh and condemning.

I have been told that I have absolutely no right to criticise or even talk negatively about anointed servants of God such as Benny Hinn. I have also been told that the power at work in Benny Hinn’s life is so great that it should not be put into question.

It is with the latter kind of response in mind that I ask: When a particular doctrine as taught by the preachers of today is in question, is it at all our concern to examine it or test it against the Biblical record?

Is it wrong to examine the teaching of certain individuals and/or even mention them by name? Benny Hinn believes that he should not be criticized for the reason that he is anointed (and the Lord’s anointed must not be touched and no harm should be done to them – 1 Chronicles 16:22). Many of his followers (including those in Kenya) believe exactly that,” said Mr Kigame.

Benny is set to be in Nairobi, Kenya on February 24 and 25, 2024, for a “miracles, healing and wonders’ crusade at the Nyayo National Stadium.