Being the nephew of famed prosperity preacher, Benny Hinn, Costi Hinn would be transformed from part of the supporting cast of Benny Hinn’s false gospel to a man of faith fighting the theology of his upbringing. Costi Hinn’s backstory is the backdrop for his apologetics and discernment ministry, For The Gospel. His ministry and backstory has earned him a spot in Big Eva, even writing articles in RNS and The Gospel Coalition.
Over the last couple of weeks, Costi Hinn has come out strong against Doug Wilson, a famous pastor out of Moscow, Idaho. Gathering his research from sources reliant on Exposing Moscow, a liberal group opposed to Doug Wilson. Costi Hinn would essentially argue that Doug Wilson is a heretic, spiritual abuser, and detriment to the cause of advancing Christ in the culture. Yet when confronted on his position he backpaddles on the heretic label he previously affirmed.
Doug Wilson has routinely been accused of being Federal Vision, a term he once embraced and now rejects. However, there does not exist a coherent definition of Federal Vision. The umbrella of beliefs that fall under Federal Vision range from heretical to repackaged orthodoxy. Therefore, this label has been lazily used to attack Doug Wilson, something Costi Hinn participated in. This is not to suggest that there is zero error in Doug Wilson’s views; however, the laziness of this attack amounts to a false objection. The real objection groups like Exposing Moscow had with Doug Wilson were on the basis of conservative masculine theology.
Additionally, Costi Hinn has come after Michael O’Fallon of Sovereign Nations for his partnership with James Lindsay. In the past, Evangelical Dark Web has called out the church associating with James Lindsay when there are plenty of Christian subject matter experts on Critical Race Theory. They just didn’t have the Twitter game of Lindsay. But the difference between Evangelical Dark Web leveling this criticism and Costi Hinn leveling this criticism is that Evangelical Dark Web was against Critical Race Theory before the rise of James Lindsay and Costi Hinn went a little woke in 2020 and wasn’t remotely solid on the issue until 2021. Michael O’Fallon called out Costi Hinn, putting him on the same level as Joe Carter, perhaps due to Costi Hinn promoting wearing a mask as loving your neighbor.
Jenna Ellis was involved with a regional G3 conference, prompting Costi Hinn to eventually tell her to “stay in her lane” in a bizarre attack. His issue with Jenna Ellis coincide with accusatory statements about G3 Ministries and Josh Buice from Costi Hinn’s since removed “Culture War” podcast series. Costi Hinn has taken exception to “unholy” alliances in the culture war. Yet Costi Hinn has unholy alliances of his own. In the past he wrote for the pagan RNS in an article which affirmatively cited noted heretic, Beth Moore. Additionally, he has written for The Gospel Coalition, which makes his criticism come across as Big Eva posturing.
Yet, in a surprising move, this skirmish ends with Costi Hinn deleting much of what instigated these internal hostilities and issuing a joint statement with G3 Ministries.
This statement comes from both personal and ministerial position. The purpose of this letter is aimed at addressing the accusations I made towards G3 Ministries. After meeting with my brothers from G3, along with church elders and For the Gospel leadership, it has become clear that I am wrong to involve G3 Ministries in accusations and inflammatory statements that center on a personal conflict between myself and another individual. Furthermore, it is always imperative to follow the biblical pattern in the midst of personal conflict with the central goal of restoration for the glory of God.
The G3 Ministries team are beloved brothers who have heard me, been gracious with me, and exercised restraint in this situation in ways that I cannot thank them enough for. We’ve agreed to both make statements to help mitigate confusion and maintain unity within the universal bride of Christ. I was blinded by personal frustrations and conflict, and thus, pursued justice rather than following the biblical pattern given to preserve unity, which is sinful.
I have apologized to Josh Buice and the G3 Ministries team, and they have granted me forgiveness for the sin of presumption, and the sin of false accusation. This was short-sighted, and exposes in my heart a zeal that needs to be tempered in the midst of the culture war we ought to be fighting side-by-side. I ask that everyone who reads this forgive me for involving G3. I will pursue private course of action should further conflict arise. This is important for me to learn from because the name of Christ, His mission for us on earth, and the biblical pattern for pastors and church leaders calls for that. As for the next steps, I have spoken with my elders and the For the Gospel leadership team regarding the following course of action:
- All posts from the culture war series have been removed.
- I have apologized and asked for forgiveness from the G3 team.
- I will trust the elders and leaders in my life more fully, looking to them in private counsel before making public statements or putting out resources. (Proverbs 11:14)
- I will consider the influence that God has given me, and use media platforms with wisdom and prudence, knowing that Twitter is not a place to flippantly engage in theological or methodological war.
- I will take the next few weeks to pray, seek wise counsel, and put out further pastoral reflections on the For the Gospel blog as I continue to learn from this mistake.
- I will place myself at the mercy of godly men who can direct me in whatever course of action they deem biblical, and best.
- I will seek to now pattern my entire life after the meekness that Christ models, knowing that true strength is strength under control.
I pray that in days and years ahead I can be a more humble, useful, and mature tool in the Master’s hand and will look back on this as a lesson in all the years the Lord may grant me.
Perhaps there is something that Costi Hinn is alluding to that is problematic and more personal/pastoral in nature. But the emotional social media outburst came across as unhinged rather than founded in genuine concern. This surrender in a ecclesiastical skirmish is a good outcome for all involved, minus the liberal hordes on social media.
3 Responses
While it’s encouraging that Costi is willing to accept correction and apologize both privately and publicly (unlike the boys at CrossPolitic), there are just too many red flags around this man. Warning signs all around.
What kind of red flags? Warning signs? Please explain.
I agree with 90% of what Doug Wilson says. He’s still a sleezeball and someone to be avoided. The real snowflakes are Wilsonites. They can’t bear to hear any criticism of their spiritual father.