RSS FeedThe “gospel” on TV?!
Written by Peter Youngren on May 30th 2008In his book, Whistling In The Dark, Frederick Buechner writes, “There is perhaps no better proof of the existence of God, than the fact that year after year he survives the way his professional friends promote Him. If there are people who remain unconvinced let them tune into their TV’s for almost any of the big time pulpit pounders almost any Sunday morning of the year.“
Evidently Mr. Buechner has a problem with television preachers. I need to be careful since I am one myself. Honestly though I agree with the above quote. Program after program produced in the name of Christian television portrays God as judgmental, narrow minded, petulant, condemning, and angry. Once in awhile there is a program, which like a ray of sunshine on a dark day, reveals the beauty of Jesus. Here are my three top concerns in reference to Christian television.
1. Little or no revelation of the New Covenant. It seems almost across the board that preachers lack understanding that God’s justified wrath over human sin has fallen on Jesus. Misfortunes whether strokes, heart attacks, tsunamis, cyclones or hurricanes are attributed to a God who is angry with the particular sins of an individual or a whole nation. Yes the case can be made that this is how God dealt with the people under the Mosaic Covenant, but we live under the Covenant of the grace of Jesus Christ, who said, “For the Son of Man did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.“ [John 3:17].
It baffles the imagination how we Christians could be come such champions at condemnation when our Savior is a non-condemner. Do we really think that harsh judgmental sermons are going to bring our nation back to God? Love not fearful manipulation is what changes lives.
2. Little mention of Jesus. Subjects range from Apostolic Ministry, Prophetic Ministry, Angels, Prosperity, Wisdom and Anointing, and these subjects are somehow viewed as entities to themselves. From a scriptural perspective, real apostles don’t teach apostolic ministry; they teach Jesus. Real prophets don’t teach about prophetic ministry; they teach about Jesus. He is our wisdom and there is no wisdom outside of Him. Why is there so little relationship between topics of teaching and the person of Jesus? Possibly those doing the teaching have very little Jesus awareness. Often a half hour program goes by and the only time Jesus’ name is mentioned is at the end of the closing prayer with the mandatory “In the name of Jesus, Amen”
3. Prophetic fulfillment for money. This is how Christian television is paid for. It goes something like this, “I’ve been fasting for seven days and God showed me that there is an anointing for family salvation {or whatever area the preacher chooses to focus on} to be released on everyone, who will plant a seed offering of $300 today. Your seed gift will bring you into a season of deliverance and victory. You will be going to the next level, please call the number on your screen now.“ A preacher friend of mine was recently a guest on a telethon on a Christina station and he found it difficult to participate with this line of thought. When the host asked him to speak he asked if he could make a simple Gospel presentation and ask people to support the cause of the gospel with their finances. The host gave his okay and my friend proceeded. When he sat down, after encouraging the people to get on the phones and call in their donation, the host pointed to the telephones, “Look the lines are dead, no one is calling.“
Yes it seems we have conditioned the Christian audience to tie donations to a specific prophetic work for their lives instead of giving out of love for Jesus and faith in His gospel and a vision for the world. I encourage Christian preachers to not get caught up in the “snake-oil-salesman-syndrome”. I also have a word for believers who want to support the cause of Christ. Every time you respond to a prophecy tied to your financial seed appeal, you are saying to those who perpetuate this, keep it up this is what makes me give.
Do I believe in Christian television? I sure do. Let’s keep it gospel focused, and let’s give Jesus and His finished work at Calvary more time on television.
Your thoughts?
theblessed of the lord
Pastor Peter if every preacher in north america presents the gospel the way you present it we would have seen great result.
Christianity by its nature is very attractive However, in north America the way it has been presented by some preachers as well as some So called ‘ Christians’, Christianity lost its attractiveness.
In my opinion most Christians in North America they are not competent to present the gospel to their neighbours friends, family as well as Co-workers etc etc
One of the reason is due to the fact the way it has been presented to them by some ‘ Christan leaders’.
There are some Christians that I work with I tell them all the time Please do not embarrass the cause and keep your mouth shut if you don’t know how to present this such incredible, indescribable, unfathomable good news.I understand the eagerness to share their faith, However, they need to be properly informed to present this wonderfull good news.
We would have seen great result in this if we have presented Christianity ( the gospel) the way the Apostle Paul himself presented.
With that said… There is is hope for all of us!
Have a great day!
Stephen Cook
Amen.
I find it hard to watch Christian television with a very few exceptions. After having attended TICC for 2 years the message of God’s grace jumps out of the Bible every morning. How can people not see how awesome God is? Thank you for putting the light on Jesus. We need to lift him up to a lost world. Let’s seek him first and let God add all these other things to us. I thank God for your heart for Jesus and the message of ‘no condemnation’ that is the foundation of the new covenant.
God bless everyone who reads your writings.
Steve Cook
Jill Goku
But what about the day of judgment, is not this a day of God’s wrath, how then was ‘ALL’ of God wrath then poured on Jesus??
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
Reach people. Teach people. The Love of God is 100% PURE
Hendrik
Thank you for Pastor Peter for your three top concerns in reference to Christian television. I am sure that not only on Christian television, but among the ministers and pastors we have to more carefully and really understand waht motive and how we encauriage our Christian brothers and sisters to give/to plant the seeds for the Gospel, espcially by using prophetic words that might not really come from the Lord, but as to manipulate it to get what they want. Thanks for such a good teaching and remining for me. God bless you! Hendrik (Papua)
Guillermo Amador Jr
To Andrew Oliver Satchell
I encourage you to read 1 john 4:17
Or re-read
This is how love has been perfected among us: we will have confidence on the day of judgment because, during our time in this world, we are just like him.
New American Standard Bible
God bless.
faith
As christians we must try as much as possible to stick to the bible. every individual has their own way of interpreting it(hence the many many different churches). we are asked to pray for guidance from God as we read it so that we understand it(the gospel)....we may have eyes but may not see what it written…
we are answerable to what we do and say not a person who has interpreted that to us.
May God bless us all as we thirst for his word.
Evelyn Olsen
It grosses me out so much when they get into that ‘schpeal’. It embarasses me and makes me think of that non-believers as well must be thinking, ‘Oh, so then I can buy the blessing of God’ It reminds me of the selling of indulgences in the R.C. church which was so proprigated in years past. I love the ministers and so much, so very much of what they are teaching is so right on with the Word, but I haven’t found in the Bible where Jesus did this stuff to the people that were attending his sermons. It’s just such a guilt trip. On one hand (I will not mention the minister, but he has a great teaching on fasting and prayer and the importance of it) the preacher is talking about not feeling guilty and then he starts dumping this guilt trip. It is so wierd. I pray that their eyes will be open and that the ones participating in anything that is not ‘of God’ will be humble enough to admit it and confess it and change their M.O. for obtaining funds to support the station.
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
My lifestyle is exemplary of my experience with the Lord.
ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
~ ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL
I AM ANDREW OLIVER SATCHELL DO NOT ADVERTISE ON MY COPYRIGHT FREQUENCY CODE POLICE 800 394 2074 ICS 89792022 ICS TELEPHONE 888 427 1000 LICENCE S0791 04276 61031
Wendy
Wow what a right on message Peter. Profiting the prophets. Emma the revival angel. God is judging America. Pretty scary out there. It is so hard to NOT get caught up in the hoopla. The fireworks are flashing, the cotton candy words are tasty and the tingling and tickling of the ears appeals to the flesh. We can fast and pray for days, fly off with the angels to get more spiritual insight and market the message till the cows come home and there’s Jesus, our best friend, Master and Savior ready and willing to pour out his wonderful, powerful GRACE upon us once again. WHAT A LOVE!!!