The Benny Hinn and Paula White affair rumour story is starting to move slowly in the media.

If you came here through a Google search, by the way, I suggest that you please scroll back a couple of days and read Bene D’s fine posts since Friday when the story broke. I also tried to quickly analyze the actual National Enquirer story, hard copy at hand, on Saturday.

The Toronto Star, which might have pipped the Enqurier at the post to break the story in the secular media, followed it up with a little joke at the evangelist’s expense.

About an hour ago, the Christian Broadcasting Network reported on the story, with the lede that Hinn and White were denying the rumoured affair. (I predict that the denial of the affair will give the media the newspeg that they need to back into reporting the story. Expect more stories now.)

Bene D helpfully prints Benny Hinn and Paula White’s full staments on the National Enquirer allegations in this post here.

Newspapers in Sweden, according to Google Sweden, have not picked up on the Hinn-White story. In something of more concrete significance in the long term, they have picked up on a theological critique of Hinn at the conference he is attending, which Bene D explains quite well in this post from earlier today. Hopefully the whirlwind from the affair will pick up this sort of thing too.

My guess…reporters learned of this this morning, are working their phones today, and we’ll start seeing stories on Tuesday.

My second guess…Oprah will “libel chill” the current top National Enquirer story and the tabloid’s editors are now beating in the bushes in an attempt to make Hinn and White a top story for their next issue.

To My Friends, Partners & Ministry Colleagues,

I want to speak with you frankly and from my heart.

Last Friday, the National Enquirer released a dishonest and misleading article which falsely characterized my friendship with Pastor Benny Hinn. The publication, which is known for its bias and slanting of the truth, tries to mislead readers regarding the ministerial relationship and friendship I have had with Pastor Benny for over 20 years.

Specifically, the National Enquirer released the misguided and untruthful article, which falsely characterized my friendship with Pastor Benny as being something that is morally and spiritually inappropriate. The article goes on to suggest that we were having an improper intimate relationship, which is categorically false.

In late May of this year, I went to tape a “This Is Your Day” broadcast with Pastor Hinn. Although I had not seen him in years, the taping gave us the opportunity to catch up on what has transpired in both of our lives. As someone who also endured a painful and public divorce, I was able to offer him insight and spiritual encouragement. Since that time we have continued to talk and our friendship has grown stronger but has remained morally and spiritually pure.

I publicly profess and forcefully renounce assertions that the recent trip to Italy to meet with Vatican officials suggests that the friendship is in any way improper or morally impure .We traveled independently to the region for respective ministry duties and, while there, spent time together along with others. We were never alone and were in the constant company of staff and other associates.

I value my friendship with Pastor Benny and remain supportive with a deep respect of him, his family and his ministry. My relationship with Pastor Benny is genuine and pure and should not be taken out of context.

I value most of all, the call of God on my life and am forever grateful for the opportunities He has given me to proclaim this great gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. To those who would try to thwart those opportunities in any way by shedding false light, I will by all means protect the call of God on my life and hold accountable their malicious actions in every way possible.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the outpouring of your love and support and for allowing me to share my heart with you. I am forever grateful that you have stood with me for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to proclaim His good news. You have always been a strength and encouragement to me as we have continued to advance His kingdom together for His glory.

I love you and value your prayers as we stand together transforming lives, healing hearts and winning souls.

Love,

PAULA

Here is what Benny Hinn has to say about his appearance with Paula White in The National Enquirer.

To my precious partner,

As you may be aware, the National Enquirer recently released a dishonest and misleading article which falsely characterized my friendship with Paula White. The publication, which is known for its bias against religious figures, misleads readers regarding the ministerial friendship I have had with Paula White for over 20 years.

As you know, my wife, Suzanne, filed for divorce at the beginning of this year. If it were not for the comfort of the precious Holy Spirit and the Word of God to give me encouragement throughout this process, I cannot imagine how I could have survived the past five months. Throughout this season, your love and prayers have helped strengthen me to continue ministering around the world. Were it not for your faithfulness and the presence of my wonderful Lord Jesus, the loneliness of carrying this burden by myself would have been unbearable.

In late May of this year, Paula White came to tape a This Is Your Day broadcast with me. Although I had not seen her for years, she was an encouragement to me and shared helpful advice out of her own painful experience. As a result, I will not deny that the friendship has strengthened, and, while it has remained morally pure at all times, I have enjoyed the company of someone who has also gone through the trauma of a painful and public divorce.

But most of you know me personally and know that I have faithfully preached the Gospel for over 35 years. I have never failed my marriage vows and would never dishonor the precious name of Jesus, whom I adore with all my being…and I never will! As I have often said, I would rather die than bring dishonor to His name.

And so I am writing to tell you today that I forcefully, categorically, and absolutely renounce the lies that have been spread about me and want to set the record straight with you. There is nothing inappropriate or morally improper about my friendship with Paula White.

There has been no immorality whatsoever!

The article also indicated that on a recent trip to Italy we met secretly and stayed together. This could not be further from the truth and is absolutely false! The truth is that we traveled independently to the region for respective ministry duties. I was invited by Vatican officials to visit the Vatican to discuss future ministry opportunities there. Paula was likewise invited to have meetings in the region, and, although we spent time together, we were never alone and were in the constant company of staff and family members.

That notwithstanding, I have become increasingly aware that the optics of this friendship have caused others to draw conclusions that are incomplete and unfounded. And because of my preeminent priority to my ministry and calling, Paula and I have concluded that we should avoid the appearance that our friendship is biblically impure or violates Scripture in any way. Paula and I also recognize that being seen in such settings is unwise, and we have independently determined that we will have no further social relationship until such time as my divorce has concluded and only if we feel direction from the Lord to do so.

I am using this season to seek the Lord and His Word as my Counselor and Guide as my family and I recover from the pain and disappointment of the loss of my marriage of over 30 years. My commitment to preaching the Gospel, as I have done for over 35 years, has only intensified through this experience; and the precious Lord Jesus I adore is the true love of my life and my unfailing companion for all eternity.

Thank you for your prayers, your love, and all your support for me and my family. You are precious to me and I will not fail you; but most of all I will never fail the wonderful Lord Jesus who is life and breath to me.

Benny Hinn

Update: Benny Hinn Ministries have either taken his statement down or have buried it because it is no longer at the link provided. The URL redirects to the front page and a search for article 7088 comes up empty. People noticed the White and Hinn statements were written by the same copy-writer; why Hinn’s statement has been moved or removed is unknown.

Update: July 30 Paula White seems to have disappeared her similarly worded statement from her website today.  Why?

I went by a newsstand during my lunch today and picked up the National Enquirer, with their two page story which alleges “TV EVANGELIST BENNY HINN CAUGHT IN TORRID AFFAIR” with fellow TV evangelist Paula White. You’ll remember that Bene D first mentioned the rumour story in his post yesterday.

Like Bene, I am not a habitual reader of tabloids due to the nature of their reporting. But even a stopped clock can be right twice a day, and I think that a little analysis of the story can be helpful in deciding whether there is something valid happening, or whether things are being blown out of proportion. In a week where a media frenzy needed to be undone, we need to be cautious while we have our eyes open.

As Aimee Semple McPherson and Kenneth Ormiston could have told you, the media has a long history of trying to cite sexual misconduct by ministers.

I am thinking that the Enquirer may have learned of this late in their production cucle, as the story is only promoted in a small box at the bottom of the front page, with a photo of “Benny Hinn”: “TV PREACHER CAUGHT WITH MISTRESS–she’s an evangelist too!”

If we turn to the actual story–”TV EVANGELIST BENNY HINN CAUGHT IN TORRID AFFAIR!”–near the middle of the tabloid, we see two photos of Hinn and White, where they are holding hands. One shows them from the back and the other from the front. The photo is captioned: “Rome Italy July 13, 2010 Benny Hinn and Paula Hinn hold hands as they leave Rome’s Hotel Hassler during their romantic getaway.”

Something that is odd about the photos as they were printed in my copy. The photo showing a front view of the pair has the lady with blonde hair. However, in the rear view of the pair, the lady seems to have white hair. Is that due to the shadows in the second, from the rear shot? Perhaps a photography expert can help…

What struck me about the story is how much it resembles, in some ways, the Toronto Star story, reporting on background such as details of Hinn and White’s ministries, the Grassley probe, and how Hinn is getting a divorce from his wife, which is not final yet.

All the Enquirer sources are anonymous, which is never a good sign.

One tabloid trick that the Enquirer uses are quoting “insiders” who do a colour commentary on what is going on. This could easily be the Enquirer editors themselves.

The “insider”, by the way, says that Hinn has been a “mentor and father figure” to White. I’ll return to this later.

Given the splash and emphasis the National Enquirer is giving to the story, the details of the “juicy parts” are thin.

Here they are, from the story:

“….We caught the couple walking hand-in hand out of the Hotel Hassler, where Pastor Hinn was booked into the preidential suite under a false name, on July 13….
….
….Hinn and White spent three nights at the ritzy Rome hotel, where Hinn chceked in as David Salomon.
….
(and in the next to last paragraph)
….While in Rome recently, Hinn was not wearing his wedding ring. One observer said he “acted affectionately” toward White, taking her hand as they strolled through thye streets. Hinn “seemed very happy, at one point wearing a big grin as he left the hotel” where he and White were staying, the eyewitness added….

Question: I know that every time I have stayed in a hotel, especially post 9-11, I have had to provide photo ID such as a passport. Isn’t it now impossible to follow the lead of old black-and-white gangster movies and sign in under a fake name?

And does the Enquirer know that Hinn usually wore a wedding ring?

You could look at this story two ways.

We know about Hinn’s long history of bad theology, abberant stewardship of finances and such. We could guess that he has the sort of character that could lead to an extramarital affair.

It certainly does look suspicious to stay with another woman in your hotel when you are still married, and walk around holding hands with her.

But let’s look at the other point of view. As Hinn is a “mentor” of White’s, as the Enquirer admits, it would certainly be the case that Hinn and White are friends.

Hinn is now 57, and comes from a middle eastern heritage. It would perhaps be natural for him, as a somewhat old fashioned person, to hold hands with close female friends and to smilingly enjoy their company. Although Billy Graham reportedly has a rule that he is never alone with a female that isn’t his wife, is it fair to assume that if Hinn doesn’t observe the rule that something is amiss?

From what I understand, from various documetaries, Hinn usually travels with an affair-complicating entourage. The Enquirer doesn’t know this, or won’t report it.

I’m also wondering about the “eyewitness” cited late in the story. I am thinking that he is the paparazzi who took the two “smoking gun” photos. Surely a major potential terrorist target such as Rome wouldn’t have hotels that allow people to sign in as “Mr. Fake Name.” My guess is that Mr. Photographer might recognize Hinn, observed what happened in public areas on the hotel, took a couple pictures and sent them to the National Enquirer, whose editors then figured out that the mystery lady was Paula White.

Am I taking Hinn’s side? No, and I would say that given Hinn’s past, you could very well reasonably assume that something fishy is going on between the pair. He ceratinly has a backstory. But, the Biblical advice to “Test all things. Hold on to what is good” should apply to the National Enquirer if it applies to any paper, right?

Let’s see what regular papers do, and how the story plays out.

Whatever happens, though, appearances can take a toll on a person’s reputation, which reminds me of the last time that I know that I bought the National Enquirer.

Back in 1987, U.S. Senator Gary Hart was the frontrunner to be the next Democratic nominee for president. That year, the National Enquirer ran a story quoting Rice as saying “Gary Hart Asked Me to Marry Him” with a picture of Rice cuddling with Hart on the cover. The resulting scandal torpedoed his efforts to become president.

Will the photos of Hinn holding hands with White–assuming no photoshopping and correct identification–topple Hinn? Will the National Enquirer topple Hinn? Who knows…

BD here… Would it come as any surprise that Benny Hinn has released a statement to his partners regarding the National Enquirer story?  Offered without comment.

Benny Hinn Ministry statement on National Enquirer report of affair

To my precious partner,

As you may be aware, the National Enquirer recently released a dishonest and misleading article which falsely characterized my friendship with Paula White. The publication, which is known for its bias against religious figures, misleads readers regarding the ministerial friendship I have had with Paula White for over 20 years.

As you know, my wife, Suzanne, filed for divorce at the beginning of this year. If it were not for the comfort of the precious Holy Spirit and the Word of God to give me encouragement throughout this process, I cannot imagine how I could have survived the past five months. Throughout this season, your love and prayers have helped strengthen me to continue ministering around the world. Were it not for your faithfulness and the presence of my wonderful Lord Jesus, the loneliness of carrying this burden by myself would have been unbearable.

In late May of this year, Paula White came to tape a This Is Your Day broadcast with me. Although I had not seen her for years, she was an encouragement to me and shared helpful advice out of her own painful experience. As a result, I will not deny that the friendship has strengthened, and, while it has remained morally pure at all times, I have enjoyed the company of someone who has also gone through the trauma of a painful and public divorce.

But most of you know me personally and know that I have faithfully preached the Gospel for over 35 years. I have never failed my marriage vows and would never dishonor the precious name of Jesus, whom I adore with all my being…and I never will! As I have often said, I would rather die than bring dishonor to His name.

And so I am writing to tell you today that I forcefully, categorically, and absolutely renounce the lies that have been spread about me and want to set the record straight with you. There is nothing inappropriate or morally improper about my friendship with Paula White.

There has been no immorality whatsoever!

The article also indicated that on a recent trip to Italy we met secretly and stayed together. This could not be further from the truth and is absolutely false! The truth is that we traveled independently to the region for respective ministry duties. I was invited by Vatican officials to visit the Vatican to discuss future ministry opportunities there. Paula was likewise invited to have meetings in the region, and, although we spent time together, we were never alone and were in the constant company of staff and family members.

That notwithstanding, I have become increasingly aware that the optics of this friendship have caused others to draw conclusions that are incomplete and unfounded. And because of my preeminent priority to my ministry and calling, Paula and I have concluded that we should avoid the appearance that our friendship is biblically impure or violates Scripture in any way. Paula and I also recognize that being seen in such settings is unwise, and we have independently determined that we will have no further social relationship until such time as my divorce has concluded and only if we feel direction from the Lord to do so.

I am using this season to seek the Lord and His Word as my Counselor and Guide as my family and I recover from the pain and disappointment of the loss of my marriage of over 30 years. My commitment to preaching the Gospel, as I have done for over 35 years, has only intensified through this experience; and the precious Lord Jesus I adore is the true love of my life and my unfailing companion for all eternity.

Thank you for your prayers, your love, and all your support for me and my family. You are precious to me and I will not fail you; but most of all I will never fail the wonderful Lord Jesus who is life and breath to me.

Benny Hinn

I’ve created a post in case there are any updates on the Benny Hinn and Paul White rumour that Bene D reported on earlier today.

As Bene D reported, The Toronto Star was first off the mark about an hour ago, in writing a story alluding to the rumour. They are assuming the National Enquirer is right and their very careful story treats the matter in this way:

Reports this week suggest a still-married Benny Hinn is now romantically involved with Paula White, another television preacher with a colourful past..

It then goes onto reporting the background on the two evangelists. No sources are cited.

(The hotel in Italy details come from the National Enquirer.)

Speaking of The National Enquirer, the next, August 2, issue of the tabloid, will tag Hinn and White on the cover. a fellow on Twitter has taken a photograph of the story, which he has put on Twitter. Their online teaser may be correct, as they do have a picture of Hinn and White holding hands, which the paper captions as bering taken in Rome on July 13.

There is swedish talk about Benny Hinn on Twitter, but so far it seems to be talk about his crusade in that country, except for one tweeter who can apparently read English and tweeted about the affair in Swedish.

Hinn had better hope that the story broke too late for the English tabloid press. I assume they are working like crazy at this moment, and Sunday is their biggest day of the week.

UPDATE: (Saturday evening). The Toronto Star story is up in a new version that apparently adds no new information. No other periodicals are picking the story up yet…

Swedish news outlets are reporting on Benny Hinn, but not also on “Paula White”, so the stories are probably about his ongoing crusade there.

Update: Benny Hinn statement on his relationship with Paula White

Of the about 10 bloggers that have picked up on this, one writes in Italian. This could be interesting…but he links to the TorStar story, so my guess is that he’s not someone at the Rome hotel, say.

Right on cue The National Enquirer, the grand-daddy of US gossip magazines releases an on-line teaser. The expectation is a whole new audience is going to rush out and buy the tabloid to learn who the Enquirer says Benny Hinn is having an affair with.

Classic lurid words – shocking, (twice) caught, secret, steamy, beautiful blond evangelist, tryst…it is a specialized form of writing.

No, I’m not heading out to buy a National Enquirer, there may well be public mud-slinging and payback in the days and weeks to come between all kinds of people circling around the Hinns.
This story sells because inquiring minds want to know. Many people were saddened to read a marriage of over 30 years was ending when Suzanne Hinn filed for divorce on February 1st and want to know what happened.

The Enquirer has a circulation of about 790 thousand readers.
The TV preacher is known for his aberrant and sometimes heretical theology, false prophecies, bizarre behavior, and financial practises.
Now, more than those 790 thousand readers are going to find out who the Enquirer says Hinn is hanging out with.

Update: For those who don’t want to wait for other sources, a reader writes to say the blond evangelist is Paula White of the Florida church Without Walls International. (A lot of religious media outlets are not going to want to report this given where it was broken)
White is a prosperity gospel celebrity in her own right, on her 3rd marriage and she had reported earnings of 39.9 million in 2006 before her second divorce.

White was one of the TV evangelists named in the Grassley investigation.
She owns a large home in San Antonia which sits on 3.7 acres, appraised at about 700 thousand.
Hinns ministry headquarters are in Irving. The Whites were divorced in 2007.
According to a 2009 Tampa Bay Tribune series – her church has an 11.2 million dollar bill due this month.
This story is starting to gain traction.

Benny Hinn is currently in Sweden at the European Conference of Words of Life according to a Norwegian magazine. His meetings are being broadcast by Vision Heaven TV out of Norway. The conference tag is “With great expectations for what the Lord is going to do”
Hmmm.  Wonder what the National Enquirer story is going to do to the conference?

The Twitter tag for the conference is #hinn10 and the tweets are in Swedish. I’ve been watching (with the help of Google translate) to see when wind of The Enquirer story filters to attendees in Uppsula.

Is it just me or does Mrs. White look like the transformed Mrs. Hinn?