God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies

What an incredible story! Like a mob boss' son who decides to become a cop, Costi Hinn shares his story of being born into prosperity gospel royal and eventually turning away from that false gospel. Through God's use of several Christians in Costi's life, he left the lavish lifestyle of the prosperity movement and turned to what really matters, the gospel of Jesus Christ . Costi speaks with an authority and knowledge on the subject that few other possess. When reading about Costi's redemption, I though of John 10:27 : "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." May God use this book bring His sheep to Him.God, Greed and the (Prosperity) Gospel is largely autobiographical, as Costi Hinn shares his life story of growing up in his father's and "Uncle Benny's" ministry. The book could be broken into three parts. First, Costi discusses the excesses of the celebrity preacher lifestyle that he grew up in. His story includes some humorous anecdotes as well as difficult life events that made him question the theology he was preaching. In the second act, Costi tells how God used several faithful Christians in his life to wake him up to the profound errors that his family taught. Despite being a pastor, Costi realized that his understanding of God and the Bible was woefully insufficient. So, he stepped down as pastor, went to seminary and eventually returned to ministry preaching the hard truth of the true gospel The last part of the book transitions into a more theological discussion of the prosperity gospel, why it is erroneous and dangerous.I had read Defining Deception and some of Costi's interviews, so I had heard some these stories before. However, it was edifying to hear them again, as Costi adds more stories and shares his personal testimony in greater detail. The narrative style of the book serves to point to the propositional truths of the gospel, no distract from it. Costi speaks with a heart to heart style, like a father talking to his son about his own past failings.If you are looking for tell-all exposé or a exegetical refutation of prosperity theology, this book isn't it. At about 200 pages, it is an easy read and does not bog itself down in trying to address every false teaching in the movement. Hinn does provide references for future reading at the end of the book. There are so many resources on the subject (i.e. MacArthur's Strange Fire, Justin Peter's Clouds Without Water) that Hinn was wise not to try to outdo what has already been done well.This would be a great addition to any church library or personal bookshelf. Virtually every church in America has been influenced by the prosperity 'gospel,' and every Christian now has one more resource to combat it.

The Truth About The False GospelOne of the first papers I wrote in Bible college in 1985 was a critique on the so-called "Prosperity Gospel." At the time, the big name prosperity preacher in America was Robert Schuller. As I compared his teaching with the Bible it was very clear that what's been come to be known as the "prosperity gospel" is clearly a false or non-gospel. It's not good news because it's not the biblical gospel - it's a mirage that is synonymous with the so-called "American Dream."As I did my research for my paper on Schuller, something really caught my attention. One, I realized that nobody in the Bible lived with total health, wealth, and prosperity. Pick just about anyone from the Old Testament or New Testament. What they all had in common wasn't health, wealth, and prosperity, but suffering, pain, and ultimately death - many of them martyrs deaths for the sake of the real gospel. Compare the American dream with the life of Joseph, Job, Paul, Peter, and Jesus - and you have a clear bifurcation of the real and unreal gospel.Another thing that stood out to me was how Schuller's "Hour of Power" (his TV show watched by millions of people around the world) couldn't get traction in communist Russia. I talked with a Russian evangelical pastor and he told me that Schuller couldn't get traction in Russia because what he was teaching didn't work in Russia. He wasn't preaching the gospel because the gospel works everywhere: among the poor and rich, free and suppressed; educated and uneducated; every language; every ethnic group, etc. The gospel has never changed. The reality of the gospel is it works everywhere because it's true and has the power of God behind it (Romans 1:16). If it can't be preached everywhere and to everyone than its simply NOT the biblical gospel!Unfortunately, the false gospel known as the "Prosperity-Gospel" continues to be propounded world-wide. Among the most famous proponents of this false gospel has been Benny Hinn - the uncle of the author, Costi W. Hinn. First of all, kudos to Costi for his courage in writing this book. Costi understands that people's eternal lives and earthly lives are at stake as to how we understand and what we believe about the gospel. It's essential that we get the gospel right.Who should read this book? Everyone! I have been an evangelical pastor for over 30 years and it never ceases to amaze me how many church going people don't read their Bibles, don't understand the gospel, and are prone to believe in deceptive lies of the enemy that are proclaimed by wolves in sheep's clothing.Costi does a wonderful job of bringing the reader into the world view of prosperity gospel ministries. He gives an honest assessment of its strengths and weaknesses and testifies to how he was deceived growing up in this movement. He then goes on to compare prosperity theology with biblical theology. He compares false teaching and doctrine with biblical doctrine and teaching.He has some very helpful sections in the book that help you biblically detect false teachers and false doctrines; shows how the prosperity gospel contradicts the real gospel; and gives a balanced view of healing, health, and wealth that is truly biblically based. He also has a great section on helps to reach those who are lost and caught up in false religions and cults.By God's grace Costi has been spared from a life apart from truth and the genuine gospel. Now he proclaims God's grace and the genuine gospel as a pastor and writer. May our Lord use this book to help many flee from the darkness and run to the light of the gospel: That Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures, and that those who repent of their sins and trust in Him may have eternal life. May all those who are deceived have the blinders taken off and may God use this great book to help us in reaching those who were once like Costi - who was once dead spiritually and is now alive spiritually because of the mercy of God delineated by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 & Ephesians 2:1-10.

This books lays out the reality when it comes to the behind the scenes of prosperity preachers, and theology. I would highly recommend it as it is faithful to the text, and God honoring and glorifying! We all need to be aware of false teachers. All you need is to simply read the book of Jude! May the gospel go forth boldly unashamedly. 🙏❤️

A riveting expose and a captivating story about Benny Hinn's multimillion dollar empire. While Hinn doesn't go into great detail in repudiating many of the standard arguments that are foundational to the Word Faith Movement and the TBN brand of prosperity gospel like what D.R. McConnell (A Different Gospel), Hank Hanegraaff (Christianity in Crisis), Dave Hunt (Seduction of Christianity and Beyond Seduction) and Charles Farah (From the Pinnacle of the Temple) did, he gives his readership an inside look into the Hinn ministry, which is simply stunning. As a one time adherent of the Word Faith Movement and a Hinn junkie, I had no idea that it was that bad. This is a very good volume that gives us some very interesting biographical information on the Hinn clan -- purportedly the most anointed family on earth.

5 stars because Costi was so indepth with his own testimony & scripture. I really enjoyed the balance of the book, the scripture references and the wisdom and insight he gained to help people understand the realities of this Prosperity Gospel, Name and Claim it, Faith Healing issues that have spread in many churches. Its a very sad reality but its the truth. I am so grateful this book was written not only to expose the evil in t but how to approach those who are lost too! Amazing read, definitely recommend it.

Costa Hinn tells his story of struggling with the deceptive money -making machinery of the prosperity gospel. He also shares how he found the true gospel.

... Hard to put down... This book comes from someone who has truly been there.. Will help to confront with love, examine oneself and others, judge to warn and help..

Over half of the book is a biography written about Costi's growing up in the prosperity gospel where he lived a very rich lifestyle from donations. He subsequently fell in love and started questioning what he was told. Despite being saturated by prosperity doctrine and the leadership ties, it led him out. It severely harmed his relationship with his family and he lost significant wealth. He subsequently presents scripture and well-organised 'tools' for reaching those stuck in the health and wealth movement.The biography part is written like fiction narrative and love story, though is in that sense merely average. It does provide some interesting, though few, facts about growing up in the movement that you will not find elsewhere. The timing of events is confusing and some trails are not finished off.If anything I felt the book too short and left me wanting more. More explanation of the issues in terms misused bible verses - some is there but I felt it needed more. The biography dominates and that's a shame. The recommended resources are there though.I do recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest in how big, wealthy and modern churches that claim to heal and make you rich are run, where your money goes, and how to reach those stuck in such movements. It's certainly unique and an easy read.There is a question and answer section at the end and organised recommended resources.

Visually perfect book! Without any damage. Just read few pages and feel excited! Will see what this book is all about. Thanks and God bless you!