The "heresy" of televangelists
Four of the six US televangelist ministries have submitted accounts and other documents. Yesterday was the deadline for compliance set by the committee. The evangelists under investigation include Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer, who recently brought their crusades to Belfast. I've just recorded an interview with Justin Webb, the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s North America Editor, and Olé Anthony, whose Trinity Foundation has provided the Senate investogators with detailed information about the allegedly "opulent" lifestyles of some of America's most famous evangelists.
Olé Anthony claims the evangelists are guilty of one of the oldest "heresies" in the history of the church:
They say 'Write a hot check. God will fill your checkbook. Take out a loan. God will pay your loan. Pay your tithe and offering before the baby is fed -- as a show of faith. That's heresy.
According to Justin Webb, this Senate investigation has been rather buried in the media -- the sub-prime crisis, the presidential election, Iran's nuclear programme, and a host of other domestic political issues have nudged the investiigation off the radar screen. But Olé Anthony, a seasoned investigator himself, is convinced that the net is closing in.
I'm fascinated by the theological justifications offered by some American evangelists to defend what looks to some people like a money-making enterprise. Some quote Deuteronomy 8:18: "But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." Does this text mean that God has promised to bless his followers with material wealth? This is one of the texts we'll debate on Sunday morning when we examine the alleged "heresy" of US televangelists and their controversial influence in Britain and Ireland.
Incidentally, Benny Hinn (pictured) is on record placing a "curse" from God against anyone "who dares to speak a word against this ministry". Would you be nervous ?
Comments
Since when has religion not been about money and power? Catholic clerics use fear, fear of eternal hell and damnation. Jewish clerics use guilt and fear. Moslem clerics use a combinaton of fear and pride. Televangelist clerics use laziness. They convince their audience that they can buy their way into heaven. When did you ever hear a televangelist say that a rich man can no more enter heaven than a camel can pass through the eye of a needle? Never! That would certainly keep them out. What would you call someone who solicits money from old people who are so poor they have to choose between paying for their medications and paying to heat their homes in the winter and the money winds up getting used to pay for air conditioned dog houses? (Jim and and Tammy Fay Baker. Now didn't they get what they deserved? Almost makes me want to become a believer :-)
If the gods really wanted to interface with humans, they would not be so stupid as to use religion as their conduit.
Never trust an Elmer Gantry type who would charge you to hear the Free Offer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached, that’s my advice to anyone who would pay or even buy a ticket to hear someone preach,. I was appalled to hear that a well known American, who uses the feel good psychobabble technique of preaching, was charging the gullible in Northern Ireland £11 last July in Belfast to hear the Word of Faith gospel.
As for Cecil Stewart he was far from being forthright in answering William’s questions, he was a bit hedgy on some and a bit over political on the others covertly supporting the he didn’t want to offend the followers of this movement.
As for Prof Gibson, his church the Presbyterian Church in Ireland hire’s out the auditorium of the Spire’s Centre in Belfast to organisations that charge the gullible to hear the Word preached, rather than collect a F.W.O..
I agreed with the theologian drew gibson on the programme that it is wrong for evangelists to pass the hat around during their missions. Cecil Stewart should cease that practice immediately. And why does cecil stewart have such a ridiculous american accent? He's from Belfast!
by all means pick of any crooks using the name of Christ and you will do us all a favour.
But any other religions (Islam?) or humanists fit for exposes or is only the oul saft Christians?
;-)
PB
its very sad to see at times(actually most of the time) that christians are just fighting and criticising each other for their believes. we have to understand that we are not the judge, i am totally against any illegal act of people abusing their authority in the name of Jesus, and becoming rich through mishandling of money given through innocent people being mislead. we have to understand that God is the judge and he will judge each one of us for our own accounts of what we have done for and against him. lets not get into criticising people for even the way people speak (ref: cecil stewart with an american accent) we need to grow up and get our minds on reaching the lost people and seeing them come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Lets take the a stand and believe that every illegal act thats going on within the church will be exposed and removed. Together we can see this world won for Jesus Christ. 2 chronicles 7 : 14