From: rpitts@darth.gatech.edu (Richard Pitts)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Christian Research Institute (CRI)
Date: 26 Jan 93 08:51:07 GMT
Organization: Georgia Tech CERL/EE, Atlanta, Ga

In article <Jan.24.23.46.54.1993.2998@athos.rutgers.edu> jprzybyl@skidmore.edu (jennifer przybylinski) writes:
>I am also in the Assemblies of God (Calvary Lighthouse, NJ) and have
>never heard of CRI.  I, too, would appreciate any more comments on
>this organization.  Does anyone know what exactly are the
>organization's qualms with Benny Hinn and or Kenneth Copeland?  I must
>admit that I was surprised to read CRI is "against" (for lack of a

Hopefully, I didn't word it that CRI is "against" these people, but
against their teachings.  CRI is very careful about this distinction.  
I might not have been as careful.  Note also, that the Apostle Paul
called people by name as ones who lead people astray and/or who are
teaching error.  Warnings against error are throughout the Bible
most all of the NT books address some form of problem/error/hersy
in the church.  When was the last time you ever heard anyone in
you church teach about what error was and that we should be careful?
[Some teach that 'teaching againts error' is the error, for surely
we can't touch God's annoited, but yet we are to test everything
by the Scritpure.]

>better word) such people...I've never had a problem with their
>programs/ministries.

I don't have a lot on Copeland, but to my knowledge Copeland has
threatened to sue CRI or at least its President (Hank Hennegraff),
if they say anything that is not correct.  Some of the things I
can remember are the Copeland teaches that Jesus became the sign
of Satan on the cross (as the snake was lifted up by Moses) and that
Jesus suffered under Satan in Hell and that Jesus was born again.
Copeland also, I believe, teaches that we have missed the mark on
our relationship (our nature) - He says that we don't just have
God in us, but we are God (god).  (I've heard both of these via
tape.)

Here is the info I have on Benny Hinn:

In the October 28, 1991, Christianity Today Magazine, Hinn states that he
rejects the "faith message."  However, his actions have shown little if
any change.  (e.g., During the December 26, 1991, "Praise the Lord" program 
from Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Hinn elaborates on Adam flying to 
the Moon, among other things.)  [TBN is a Christian TV network out of 
California.]

Hinn said that Adam was a super being and that he could or did fly to 
the moon, for he had dominion over the birds and thus he (Adam) could fly.

In Hinn's _Good Moring Holy Spirit_ book, which was published by Thomas 
Nelson, Hinn strongly leans toward tri-theism.  The book has been revised 
and he removed some of the more explicit statments on this, but it still 
has a tri-theistic theme.  He also preached in a sermon that each of the 
Godhead has a body, soul, and spirit - (i.e., there were nine of them.)  
He in the above CT interview said that he took this statment back the very 
next week, for he had just read it the week before and repeated it without 
thinking.

CRI may can send you their review on Hinn's book _Good Morning Holy Spirit_
and maybe on the _Anointing_ via US mail.  They've even got Thomas Nelson's
response and CRI's response to that.  They may have the Christianity Today
article, too.

Additionally, CRI has been trying to work with Hinn to resolve any
questions and He supposedly has responsed, but the response wasn't
worth much.  CRI asked for support for some of the healings and Hinn
responded with four cases and to my understanding, they all were 
weak at best.  In fact one of them claimed a healing, but the man
actual had the tumor (I think) surgically removed.  You would think
that Hinn would send the cream of the crop.

>Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only that word
>which is good for edification according to the need of the momement,
>that it give grace to all who hear.....(Eph. 4:29)

    Titus 2:15 (NIV)   These, then, are the things you should teach. 
    Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone 
    despise you. 

Galatians 1:8,9

	But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you
	besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

	As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a
	gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.

Titus 3:10,11

	A man that is a heretic, after the first and second admonition,
	avoid.

	Knowing that he, that is such a one, is subverted, and sinneth,
	being condemned by his own judgement.

2 John 1:9-11

	Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ,
	hath not God.  He that continueth in the doctrine, that same hath
	both the Father and the Son.

	If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
	not into the house, nor say to him, God speed you.

	For he that saith unto him, God speed you, communicateth with his
	wicked works.

1 Corinthians 11:19

	For there must be also heresies, that they also, who are approved,
	may be made manifest among you.

1 Timothy 4 1

	Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times some shall
	depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error, and
	doctrines of devils ...

2 Timothy 4:3-4

	For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound
	doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to
	themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn
	away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

2 Peter 2:1

	But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there
	shall be among you lying teachers, who shall bring in sects of
	perdition, and deny the Lord who bought them: bringing upon
	themselves swift destruction.  And many shall follow their
	riotousness, through whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken
	of.

For Christ and His Kingdom,
Richard Pitts
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