Friday Feature -- "Star Wars" Edition of a Benny Hinn Crusade

This was on the Daily Show a while back.

Comments

[Brian Davilla]

Priceless!

[Dave Van]

Send him to Iraq to fight ISIS. Obama would surely like to know about this!

[Jacques Schoeman]

Go figure! (although Charismatics still haven't !!)

[reg]

This is great!

[DB]

Years ago I was flipping through the channels and saw a Benny Hinn program. You have to admit he knows how to put on a circus side show. He was "ministering" his Holy Ghost pistol power to his victims (uh.. congregants). He would shoot and they would fall over backwards. At one point he aimed at a place on the stage were there was no one but one of this stage crew, a guy in headphones. The guy saw what Hinn and done. He quickly looked left and right to see if there were any audience members nearby - there were none - so he promptly fell over backwards! I guess "the show must go on".

[roger olson]

This is crazy , and for Jacques. I have a question since i am a "charismatic". Do you believe the Kingdom of God is now or in the future? and do you believe that Spiritual Gifts are for today or just for the 1st century?

[Robin]

Greetings Roger . . .forgive me for butting in. ?

As a former charismatic (John Wimber) who is now Reformed, under the care of Kim Riddlebarger, I hear your questions posed frequently. Please allow me to clarify some things.

(I assume Jacques might agree?)

1. The Kingdom of God is not of this world but reigns in the hearts of Christ's people - as they are "governed" by His Spirit. It cannot be grasped, built or manipulated by men. It is bestowed to lost souls amidst the preaching of the Holy Gospel, to grant eternal life to those dead in trespasses and sins (a down payment) as we struggle in this present evil age that is passing away. Then at the Second Advent, King Jesus will fully consummate His Kingdom, the Age to Come = heaven, the home of righteousness.

2. RE: Spiritual Gifts. Don't ask IF the gifts are for today. Ask WHAT are they (in Scripture) and the purpose they're given. Of course, the Holy Spirit empowers each saint to build up the local church body in everyday life. However gifts never draw attention to the person blessed with them. The gifts truly serve, preserve, uplift and strengthen the whole body of Christ, collectively. There's no link to personal (selfish?) desires. Each gift is measurable by Scripture and not left up to opinion or personal claims that are not accountable to God's Word. Gifts are not taught - so forget those "spiritual formation" classes. They are given by God as gifts.

By biblical definition, all true believers, who trust in Christ alone for their salvation, are "charismatic" because the Holy Spirit lives in them. Nobody has to do something loud, flamboyant or embarrassing to prove it. And more importantly, we don't have to take our "spiritual temperature" constantly, by obsessing on what gifts we have or if we are good at using them.

It is a relief to simply live quietly, contentedly, looking to Christ, rather than fussing over my status with him.

This is the foundation of the Reformed Confessions (3 Forms of Unity) which outlines Scripture.

[roger olson]

Robin. forgive me for being not smart enough. I agree with your point , mostly i think, #1. Jesus brought the Kingdom of God, He demonstrated the Kingdom of God, and so the Church is to also demonstrate the Kingdom of God today, and at the last day when Lord Jesus returns He will fully bring in the Kingdom. the Home of Righteousness.

Number 2 is that i have not gone to any spiritual gifts classes in years. and i believe that every Christian can have spiritual gifts as again it is a Gifts of the Spirit. and you have to take in context 1st Corinthians passage on spiritual gifts. the context is from chapter 11:17 to 14:40, as see how many times throughout Paul is addressing when the church comes together.