"All of You are One in Christ " Messages of Unity in the Ministry of Benny Hinn

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Hite, Gregory

Keywords

Pentecostal, Pentecostalism, Evangelical, Evangelicalism, New Testament � Pauline Epistles

Area of Concentration

Religion

Abstract

Benny Hinn, a successful evangelist, expounds messages of unity in his ministry that are reminiscent of the goals of Joseph Seymour, progenitor of the Azusa Street Revival. These parallels are not coincidental, nor are they causal; rather, a common reading of the life and works of Paul and the particular circumstances both the early Pentecostal leader and Hinn faced while trying to carve a niche for themselves in American society created the similarities. I define Hinn as an extra-denominational Pentecostal, associating loosely with the Assemblies of God but viewing himself and his followers not as Pentecostals but as Christians who are fortunate enough to be sanctified and anointed in the Holy Spirit. Chapter One is an account of what I deem the golden age of Pentecostalism, from 1906-1911. Understanding Seymour�s initial understanding of anointing in the Holy Spirit is crucial to understanding Hinn�s ministry. Chapter Two differs methodologically because of Hinn�s tightly controlled image. Aside from his a tobiography, there is very little published information about his life. The parallels Hinn draws between himself and Paul are striking yet subtle. Chapter Three situates Hinn as an extra-denominational Pentecostal trying to create another version of the Azusa Street Revival.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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