Session 3 - Heretical Heroes

Questions from the Q&A during this session include the following:

1. Do you have any church recommendations in Tuscon?
2. How far away is Mark Driscoll from you, and how much influence does he have in your area?
3. Could you explain briefly what the "Apostololic Word" is?
4. Do you see any decline in the Prosperity Gospel's influence at all?
5. Has your uncle's ministry declined because he's getting older, or because a new generation has come in and doing newer, more modern things?
6. What kind of money comes into a crusade when you were working with your uncle?
7. In terms of money that comes in, is it large donations by celebrities or high-profile individuals, or smaller donations by the average person?
8. As a cessationist, how do you support a phrase like "Clear-thinking charismatic?" How does one not negate the other?
9. Is there any correlation fo the prosperity gospel movement and the correlation between the Jewish nation and the structure of giving financially to support the priesthood?
10. Is the YouVersion Bible App bad?
11. Luke 18:42 - Does faith heal?
12. Can you talk about the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit?" Why do Pentecostals talk about this?
13. Mark 9:38-41 - is a common argument against calling out false teachers. What do you say?
14. In your opinion, is it ok to stay in a church if a handful of people within the church are hyper-charismatic?
15. How might I approach communicating with friends who have left the truth behind and gone to Bethel School of Ministry?
16. What did the process of grief look like when you were dealing with the loss of community with your family and loved ones?
17. How do you personally teach rightly about "conviction" and "illumination" while at the same time rejecting "God told me." 
18. Do you think most of these prosperity preachers genuinely believe what they preach, or are they doing it just for the money?
19. Have you seen any fabricated healings at any of these events?
20. In all your time in that movement, did you ever see any legitimate healings or miracles?
21. What other "faith teachers" have you met?
22. Do you know of anybody else that is like you that has come out of that movement and is now saved and sound in doctrine?

Three particular truths, the gospel is powerful, the gospel is propitiation, and the gospel is proclaimed.

1. The Gospel is powerful - It should be trusted to do its job. (Eph. 2:10)
2. The Gospel is propitiation - Christ brought reconciliation and paid the penalty for your sin. (Rom.3:23-25; 2Cor.5:21)
3. The Gospel is proclaimed - The gospel must be shared which is why we are here on this earth. (Acts 16:25)

“In-reach” - Seeking those who think they’re in; they’re a part of the church already, but are instead perishing. There are the doubters, the deceived, and the dangerous.

1. You need to remember the truth. v. 17-19
2. You need to grow in the truth. v. 20-21
3. You need to share the truth. v. 22-23

If you are a church standing firm, you need to be wise to Satan’s strategies. A look at reckless doctrine and our response of relentless devotion. As believers, we should…

1. Pray for the lost
2. Protect the standard for elders
3. Pay attention to sound doctrine
4. Provide care for the hurting
5. Put an emphasis on the eternal
6. Prepare to suffer for the gospel
7. Point out dangers
8. Preach the Word
9. Pass the torch

1. The prosperity gospel distorts the biblical gospel.
2. …insults God’s nature.
3. …confuses the atonement.
4. …demeans Jesus Christ.
5. …twists Scripture.
6. …is motivated by the love of money.
7. …produces false converts.
8. …overcomplicates faith
9. …ruins Christianity’s witness.
10. …abuses vulnerable people.

The NAR/WOF trace their roots to three particular historical heroes or “generals” of the faith: Kathryn Kuhlman (faith healer), Oral Roberts (prosperity preacher), and Kenneth Hagin (crazy word of faith). This session is an overview of each of these historical figures and their contribution to the prosperity gospel/word of faith movement.

Questions from the Q&A during this session include the following:

1. Would you say that you were saved at your study desk reading John 5, or at another point in your life?
2. Did you have a fake conversion experience when you were younger?
3. As a Hinn, did you have exposure to non-prosperity gospel preaching from MacArthur, Begg, Sprout, etc? 
4. How close are you to your Uncle Benny and your parents?
5. Have your family members read any of your books?
6. The God, Greed, and the Prosperity Gospel book, have you had any conversation with your parents about that?
7. Do your dad and your Uncle Benny still talk?
8. How many siblings do you have? And have you had any conversations with them?
9. How much speaking and preaching do you do outside of your church?
10. How many children do you have and their ages?
11. Homeschool? Christian School?
12. Does one of your children have an illness?
13. Have you had discussions with your parents from a theological standpoint regarding the healing of your son?
14. What are your hobbies and non-ministry interests?
15. After John MacArthur's John 1-11 Commentary and Chuck Swindoll's The Church Awakening, what are the 5 books that have radically shaped your life/theology?
16. Have you ever gone back and reconnected with your baseball coach?
17. You mentioned praying for celebrities and athletes during your family vacations. Who are some of them?
18. How did your immediate family become rich? Was it because of your Uncle Benny's ministry or from your dad's ministry?
19. In your book, you talked about your Uncle George dying of cancer. Was there a similar theological crisis for him not being healed?
20. After you came out of the prosperity gospel movement how long did it take you to get over the fear of speaking against your uncle Benny in the sense that it would cause a curse over you or your family?

How the Lord brought Costi Hinn out of the depths of the prosperity gospel working with his uncle Benny Hinn to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

Q&A with Lisa Hughes

As we face a future that is uncertain, we can become overwhelmed. Trusting in the sovereignty of God as the foundation of our hope, and knowing that He will equip us, strengthen us, and will lead us to a closer walk with Him.