Benny Hinn's Pastor Nephew Slams Prosperity Gospel, Urges 'Real Churches' to Say 'That is Not Christianity'

Benny Hinn
Benny Hinn, 64, is the author of a number of inspirational Christian books, and his thirty-minute TV program This Is Your Day is among the world's most-watched Christian programs.  Benny Hinn Ministries

The pastor nephew of televangelist Benny Hinn has slammed his uncle's promotion of the "prosperity gospel" and urged "real pastors and real churches" to "stand up and say 'No, that is not Christianity."

In an HLN exclusive interview with Carol Costello, Costi Hinn, executive pastor at The Mission Bible Church in Orange County, California, called his uncle's theology "twisted."

"If you take the Bible and you take what Jesus taught and you take some of the promises of heaven and the riches of heaven and the wonderful glories of heaven and you make them a now thing, then you really have a model for your best life now."

"That's really not the heartbeat of Christianity," he continued, "the heartbeat of Christianity is, if you have wealth, you want to be generous and rich in good works. If God has blessed you with a lot, you have a great responsibility."

Prosperity gospel, as defined by the Lausanne Theology Working Group, is the teaching that "believers have a right to the blessings of health and wealth and that they can obtain these blessings through positive confessions of faith and the 'sowing of seeds' through the faithful payments of tithes and offerings."

The prosperity gospel, Hinn said, is particularly dangerous to those living in impoverished nations who give the last of their money to prosperity preachers in hopes that they will receive material blessings.

"You put a guy on a platform in a real nice suit in a very beautiful auditorium and he'll tell a whole bunch of Americans, 'if you do this, and do this, and do this, you'll get this.' And God is like your magic genie," Hinn said.

"If you rub Him right and do all the right things, your bank's going to grow, you're going to get that promotion, you're going to get that woman that you want to marry, that perfect man, your life is going to be perfect, because that's what God wants for you."

Hinn urged "feal pastors and real churches" to "stand up and say 'No, that is not Christianity. That's not what the Bible teaches.'"

Hinn emphasized that the Gospel includes the good news of hope and the bad news of the reality of sin for people in all walks of life.

"Our job as preachers and pastors is to give the whole story," Hinn said, admitting that growing up, he was "greedy" and "very ambitious for all the wrong things." He shared how his family was "living the dream," with flights on a G4 or G5 private gulfstream airliners, layovers in Monte Carlo, and stays in hotel suites that cost $25,000 per night.

"We were teaching things that were wrong. We were taking advantage of [people], exploiting the poor, using our greed, squeezing every last dollar out of people so we could live the way they could never," while using Jesus to do that, he explained.

Thankfully, Jesus has forgiven him of his sins.

"Jesus died to forgive my sins. He loves me just the way I am in all my mess and all my greed. And if I commit to a change He'll meet me right where I am. And He did. He changed my heart and I just had no taste for it anymore. I did not want that life."

Benny Hinn, 64, is the author of a number of inspirational Christian books, and his thirty-minute TV program This Is Your Day is among the world's most-watched Christian programs.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.