Posted by Hemant Mehta on: 02.25.2006 /
I don’t know which church (if any) does it in Chicago, I am curious about attending a church that does “faith-healing.” Whenever I watch some of these preachers on TV (e.g. Benny Hinn), I don’t know how to interpret it. I obviously think he’s not really doing anything.
But I don’t know what the preacher and the audience think. Does the preacher really believe he is working a miracle? Do the people who are “healed” really believe themselves to be cured?
It just makes me sad because I think the “healed” often do believe they are cured and they stop taking medication/seeing a doctor. But without proper medical attention, they are seriously harming themselves. The faith-healers are doing a disservice to the people they are trying to help.
A lot of articles online talking about Hinn have mentioned how the medical records of the “healed” are either never released or just plain wrong. It reminds me of the quotation: “There are no miracles, only misdiagnoses.”
Do these churches exist in Chicago? How do religious people feel when they see this happening on TV?
Comment by: Lucas
1‘How do religous people feel when they see this happening on TV?’
I guess that’s me ;)
I dislike all of the televangelists who go around healing everybody with a touch of their hand. However, I’m even more concerned about the implications of their actions, or the message behind their TV program. Benny Hinn and others like him do their faith-healing thing because their message is based on what Christians call ‘health and wealth gospel’. If you have real faith, then God will bless you materially. If you truly love God, then you will be rich. If you’re truly a believer in Jesus, you will not be sick. In an interview on Hinn’s show, one of his associates said, ‘God cares about the car you drive and the clothes your kids wear to school.’ It doesn’t take a scholar to see the biblical inaccuracy of that statement.
As far as Hinn’s audience is concerned, they’re a mixed bunch. I saw a CBC news piece about Benny Hinn when his crusade came to Canada, and among their interviewees was a former employee of Hinn. He said that they were very restrictive of the people they allowed onstage for healing. Then he said that at the end of the night, the first question everyone asked was, ‘How much did we make?’ I don’t know how much footage you’ve seen of those crusades, but they pass buckets through the crowds for donations, and at the end of the night it’s in the fifty- to two-hundred-thousand range. Part of that money goes to Benny’s Benzes.
Comment by: Dean
2I am sickened by him and others like him. If I go on any further I’ll get myself all pissed off, so I’ll stop there.
Comment by: Mark
3Don’t all Christian Scientists(the sect of xianity) not believe in medical technology/pharmacology? I don’t think they believe in using doctors at all and rely on prayer.
Hinn is bad but Peter Popoff has been caught getting information from victims prior to his sermon, utilizing a ear receiver to be fed information orally during the sermon and calling on those same people and “somehow” diagnose the victim and then go through the process of allegelly healing them. Scam and been busted but he continues to this day.
Kevin Trudeau is a bad human being.
Comment by: Peter in Pennsylvania
4I am a Christ follower, a pastor, and I believe that God still heals today.
But, I also think Benny Hinn and his ilk are shams. Here’s an analogy that might help shed light on this subject for you, Hemant. If you wanted to understand what your neighbors were like, you’d get to know them. You wouldn’t sit at home and watch reality TV and just assume that your neighbors must be like those people.
The TV preacher is merely another kind of Reality TV star. I would not assume or expect to find many (if any) churches in your area with pastors like that. And I would humbly suggest that you NOT consider them any kind of representation of pastors in America or your area.
One other thought… the “impression” that you will get of the local churches you visit could possibly end up as skewed a bit based on the methods that OTM and you have implemented. What I mean is this. “Visiting” a church for a single service will not give you NEARLY the impression that multiple trips gives. For instance, we know that visitors to our church rarely decide to make us their church home until they have visited at least 3 or 4 times.
I’m not suggesting you chnage your methodolgy. It is still pretty valuable (especially the earlier experiences you have) to us in the church. And forgive me if I pray that God blesses you in your endeavor.
Sorry… one last thing, many (if not most) orthodox Christians* would not consider Christian Scientism orthodox. (*-MY definition of that, by the way, is simple: acceptance of the NIcene Creed as the norm of faith.) I get sick… and I pray for healing… on the way to the doctor! ;-)
Comment by: Beka
5First posting. Hemant and OTM: really excited about what you all are doing. Second, I know I don’t enjoy seeing or hearing of the frenzy that surrounds “healers.” I believe the transaction between God/man takes place privately. Jesus never made a big deal about healing–He just did it. I also think people choose to get medical care or not based on their own private beliefs: Christian or otherwis.
Comment by: Mark
6Peter,
I’ve heard that many times. Mormons aren’t christian, JW’s aren’t christian. Orthodox or not is challenging when there are over 1000 sects all claiming to be the true one in xianity. Sorry, I was told I wasn’t a true atheist last week for the first time so I have that issue on my mind. I think the Orthodox Church has bigger issues.
Accusations of Misused Money Roil Orthodox Church
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/25/AR2006022501266.html?sub=AR
Comment by: Rick L in TX
7couple comments…
*Peter - great analogy. Christians and Pastors you actually encounter (like Jim, or like Ron) are likely better people by whom to evaluate the faith than some TV produced image.
*Mark - in my experience, most denominations or groups within Xianity with which I am familiar do not think they are “*the* true xianity” with a corollary that the rest are wrong or deceived. It’s more a case of “in our family we do things this way. hmmm, that’s different from your way” - liking their way, perhaps not understanding the way your family does sit, but usually not considering those of other traditions outside of “true xianity”.
*(sidebar - I hope people will understand the shorthand “xianity” - X is the greek letter Chi, the first letter of the name “Christ”, so “xianity” is shorthand for “Chrisianity”)
* Lastly - Mark - while you probably know this, your link to a story about the OCA prompts me to make sure others understand that Peter’s use of the term “orthodox” was not a reference to the denominations that go by that name, but a broader term simply meaning “a faithful representation of biblical Xianity as it has been understood by believers throughout history”. I hope that makes sense. Have a great day everyone. -Rick L in TX
Comment by: Ir
8Hemant,
I don’t know of anyone quite like Benny Hinn in the Chicago area. I suspect it’s…just too Midwestern for someone that flamboyant. :) These days, anyway. In its history it has been home to a few rather colorful Christian leaders (so I’ve read) but you’re too late to see them!
You could ask Jim about Vineyard Churches — there are a number of them in the Chicago area. Their documents state “A Vineyard experience typically includes [...] physical healing with emphasis on signs and wonders as seen in the book of Acts.” and “We practice the laying on of hands for [...] healing”. (Although that doesn’t necessarily mean you’d see this happening if you visited one service).
For what it’s worth, the churches you’ve already been to probably all believe that God sometimes performs miraculous physical healings today. Their church leaders might practice the laying on of hands for healing upon request and by appointment and in a relatively private setting. They tend to be believe miraculous physical healing is quite rare, whereas, Vineyard Churches, say, expect to see it regularly.
There are probably a number of people at the churches you’ve already attended who believe they or a friend or relative has been miraculously physically healed by God.
Comment by: Mark
9Rick,
We will have to agree to disagree. The Catholic Church has one sacrement that goes” The one true apostolic church…”. The mormons have restored JC’s true meaning and go by The Church. The JW’s have The Truth. While I’ll admit the difference between Lutheran and Methodist may be little I personally find them less dogmatic also. I understood what he meant by orthodox but what church is orthodox. They’ve all changed and hence my reference to 1000 sects who all think they are the right way. I understand what you mean but there is no consensus on what christianity is about, imo.
Comment by: skikid
10Just for the sake of my own clairifcation does xianity = christianity or am I missing something?
Comment by: Ir
11I think it’s just easier to type xianity than christianity, skikid :)
Comment by: Bruce Lofland
12Mark, most Christian denominational differences are subtle, so it becomes a matter of what issues are important to you. On the really important issues they more or less agree. Most protestant churches accept that the Catholic Church is Christian even though they disagree with them on many theological issues. Some churches like the Mormons or JWs do not accept the divinity of Jesus and thus are rejected by most other Christian denominations as being Christian.
Comment by: Tom in Sacramento
13Back to the original question; as a Christian I am skeptical of “faith healers” in the extreme. I see stark contrasts between the nature of the healings of Jesus and the disciples in scripture. I see stark contrasts between the purpose of the healings of Jesus and the disciples in scripture. And I see stark contrasts between the results (broadly defined) of the healings of Jesus and the disciples in scripture.
I would not rule out the possibility of miraculous healing in our world today. By definition it can happen at any time. But I think the bar is far higher than anyone I’ve seen can clear. If someone is going to claim to be capable of miraculous healing I’d like to see it pass scientific scrutiny and I’d like to see that person standing at the entrance to the local hospital.
Tom in Sacramento
Comment by: Jim Henderson
14Hemant
We’ll find you a healing practicing church in Chicago to attend before this is all over
Comment by: Siamang
15About the abbreviations xtian, xmas, xtianity.
These are used a lot on atheist bulletin boards, meant to be abbreviations for christian.
Often they are taken to be derogatory, which is why I do not use them myself. I’d rather be clear and understood than thought to be “taking the Christ out of Christmas” or whatever.
But the abbreviation X for Christ comes from the greek letter chi.
The abbreviations xmas, xtian and xtianity predate the King James Bible, according to wikipedia.
So although it wasn’t the atheists who created the abbreviations, and although a case could be made that those who understand the root of the abbreviation, the letter X or chi which is how early christians symbolized Christ, is a respectful abbreviation..
I still don’t use it, because I don’t want to create the impression that there is a language barrier between myself and the christians I discuss this stuff with.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
16Siamang
I didn’t know that - but I still am unable to do the Xian thing - Probably just too much religion
Comment by: Paul
17One of the things that has struck me was a question someone asked a denomination leader when all sorts of healings/manifestations were happening which were being attributed to God. An interviewer asked this guy, “So John, what do you think, is it really God, is it the devil or is it just the flesh (people doing it for attention/fit in or whatever).” And he answered “yes.”
I only know a fraction about Benny Hinn and have no idea whether he is the real deal or not… guess no one but him and God can really know that. if he helps some people, whilst invoking Jesus, excellent stuff, i’m all for people getting healed whether thru medicine or miracles.
I’ve been healed from things myself, its a most excellent thang, on the other hand there are quite a few things where I haven’t… Maybe that’s cos the rubric i’ve been used to his praying all or nothing - either you’re out of the wheel chair and running down the aisle or there’s some excuse like not enough faith or hidden sin or whatever… (ouch not loving folks!). Perhaps the way I need to see it is more/less healing - praying for more and seeing God work either in a minute or a decade. Certainly if i look back over the last 10 yrs i can see some major things healed in me that i’ve wrestled/struggled/prayed about - that’s all goood :)
And please, no one should stop taking any meds until they’ve been checked out by their doc!!
Comment by: KSG
18Thanks Paul (I like your blog) for your comments. I think balance is the issue.
As a Xian (sorry Jim) who believes in divine healing, I get creeped out by flashy “blow in, blow up, blow out” preachers, when it seems to me that all the “laying on of hands, heal the sick, cast out demons” stuff should be the work of the common joe Xian. And it should happen in the backyard, or at the coffee house on the corner, but without all the fanfare that accompanies big meetings.
Paul said… One of the things that has struck me was a question someone asked a denomination leader when all sorts of healings/manifestations were happening which were being attributed to God. An interviewer asked this guy, “So John, what do you think, is it really God, is it the devil or is it just the flesh (people doing it for attention/fit in or whatever).” And he answered “yes.”
I would agree, “yes”. But I’d rather have a fire with some wildfire than no fire. I’ve seen and been a part of both, and a fire with some wildfire is a lot more fun than no fire (most churches). Sorry if that comes across as mean. I say it without malice, just as a point of fact.
Comment by: fran
19I think the problem with science is they don’t have an adequate marketing scheme . People for the most part have difficulty seeing the benefits coming down the road . New advances are slowly being marketed, but they are being carefully monitored by the right wing fanatics. That needs to change . Education campaigns need to be launched so that the scientific community can gain the respect it so righteously deserves ,lest progression will be horribly slow and painful leaving humans to suffer at the hands of religious tyranny