Why We Watch. Why We Shouldn't.
by Michael Spencer
Dear friends,
Over the years, many of you have talked with me about the preachers and teachers you watch on TBN, the ironically named Trinity Broadcasting Network. Some of you tell me about the ministries you like, and you assume that I will like them too. You've been a little surprised that I don't like Joyce or T.D. or Jesse or Paul or Rod or Benny, and maybe you've concluded I am too narrow or too Baptist or too Calvinistic. I want you to know that my problem with TBN is more substantial than jealousy.
Some of you know that I worshiped with the charismatics when I was a much younger Christian, and that I am not at all opposed to a lot about charismatic worship. You know that I encourage raising hands, and that I've been seen with mine up in the air a few times. You know that I have tremendous respect for some Pentecostal ministers, particularly Jack Hayford and many of the Vineyard churches, even though I disagree with them on some important doctrinal matters. I love my Pentecostal and charismatic brothers and sisters. So you may be surprised that I view most of the TBN family quite negatively. In fact, I believe many of them are as dangerously cultic as the Mormons or the JWs.
Frequently, many of you will ask me what I think about someone you are watching on TBN, and you have noticed my lack of enthusiasm. Some of you are may be uneasy about what you've seen and heard as well, while others have obviously wondered if I have a lack of love for people who are anointed with the Spirit and obviously gifted with ministries that help people. You clearly wonder why I can't see that God is blessing these ministries, and using them in powerful ways. It's not that you don't see or hear some of what bothers me, it's simply that- on balance- you see and hear mostly things that you agree with. You have possibly concluded that I am too denominational, and not open to what the Holy Spirit is doing through those with whom I might disagree.
I think these are important matters. TBN is the largest religious broadcasting medium in the world. When I was growing up, Billy Graham Crusades appeared on television a couple of times a year. TBN reaches as many people as those Graham Crusades every minute. Years ago, when it was 700 Club, PTL and TBN, I would have laughed out loud to be told that the Paul and Jan's little operation would one day overwhelm every other religious broadcaster on the planet. I would never have believed that Jan's hair would outlast Tammy Faye's mascara, but that is what has happened. To be on TBN is to be at the pinnacle of religious broadcasting success, and to be guaranteed millions- maybe billions- of viewers and potential supporters. To be on TBN is to appear to be approved by God because you are as successful as you can be in the evangelical world.
Now, could we think about that for a moment? Think about the assumptions we make about what we see and hear on the major television networks and major cable channels. We are socialized as post-modern Americans to believe that, if it's on TV and it looks genuine, it's true, and legitimate. We need to admit that we think this way. Let me use a couple of illustrations. Which looks more impressive to most people: a baseball team playing right of front of them, or the same baseball team playing on television? Why? See what I mean? Which preacher is more impressive: the preacher at the church down the street or the often less capable preacher on TV? Do you think the camera shots, the production, the music, the stage settings have anything to do with that? Do you think the assumptions we make about television have anything to do with that? (Is Billy Graham really a better preacher than thousands of local church pastors? Was Johnny Carson really funnier than the guy at work? Is Pam Anderson really prettier than the girls you see at the mall?)
When you turn on TBN and Rod Parsley comes on, it is impressive. The music, the visuals, the graphics, the edited shots, the sweeping camera movement, the organ, the band, the choir, the overall production. If you take all that away from Parsley, and put him in the little church on the corner to do his thing.....well, he's not the same. There are a number of words we could pick from here- overdone, over the top, freaky, scary, overdramatic, nuts, in need of medication- but I will let you supply the term. I'll just say it would bring Rod down to size. On TV he is fun to watch. If he showed up at our church, he would scare my dog and kids.
I am not the least bit afraid to say that television preachers are overrated and produced in a way that is designed to suck you right in. If I could be introduced to my church with professional-quality intro music; have all my gaffs, mistakes, and quirks edited out; be electronically forced to preach for 25 minutes and then my sermon be offered in book and tape form in a great commercial, I would be more successful too. That's why every preacher in America will do anything to be able to say he or she is on TV or radio. People automatically see being on TV or radio as success and superiority, whether it is the local religious cable channel or TBN's worldwide network.
So, how about considering for a moment that Benny Hinn, Kim Clement, Creflo Dollar, Jesse Duplantis and company might be no better- and maybe a lot worse- than Joe Average Regular Guy Preacher down at the church on the corner. And, maybe, just maybe, by letting these characters take center stage and dominate American Christianity, we are making a terrible mistake. It could be that the presentation of these people of television has obscured things you would notice- and be really turned off by- if you spent real time in their presence.
Fortunately, there are people out there who make it their business to listen and read and look into the TBN gang. Now you may think it is a lack of love to have someone check out your friends, but if you are a responsible adult, you know that there is nothing at all unloving about asking what has Joyce Meyer written in all her books. What does Jesse really believe? What is Paul's attitude towards the Bible? What does T.D. really say? Some of these observers are hostile, you say. They can't be trusted because they are biased. When Bill Clinton was having sex with an intern, did it matter whether a Republican pundit or a Democrat partisan gave us the news? Facts are stubborn things. If Parsley says he is dispensing an end-time financial blessing, if Jesse says he has been given personal visits to heaven, if Joyce says Jesus was reborn in hell, if Benny says Jesus will appear on his stage (all actual claims btw), then it's either in the record or its not.
I'll admit that some of the critics of TBN won't win any merit badges for being nice, but in all honesty, if we are talking about important matters of Christian belief, it doesn't matter who pulls the alarm. (In particular, I have in mind Cornerstone Magazine and CRI, both of who have done the body of Christ a true service by pointing out just how far astray many of the TBN crew have wandered from mainstream Christianity.) And that brings me to the primary mistakes people often make regarding many of the TBN ministries. I'll call it, "The things/people I like make up for the things/people I don't like or don't understand" problem.
Jesse Duplantis is funny. Joyce Meyer is straightforward and practical. Rod Parsley can be a powerful speaker. Paul and Jan are very sincere. The chicks love T.D. in a sweat. Many TBN worship services are exciting and the music is well done. Most of us like Hayford and Hagee. You even see D. James Kennedy and my hero Ravi Zacharias on TBN occasionally. Boar's Head Tavern member Rob Ray appeared on TBN. Shouldn't all this be taken into consideration? Can't the average person filter out the problems and be edified by the good teaching and the good people? Does one bad apple have to spoil the whole bunch?
This is pretty persuasive. I know most of my friends take this approach. They turn off Benny when he starts knocking them over. They turn off Kim Clement when he gets off the piano and starts talking like the 67th book of the Bible. They forgive Jesse and Copeland and Freddie Price for the Word Faith stuff. A lot of TBN they avoid entirely. I would be a fool to say that a person can't sort through the bad and find a lot of good.
You could do the same over at EWTN, the Roman Catholic Channel. You could do the same at most Mormon worship services. OR the New Age Bookstore. You could listen to T.D. Jakes for months and never guess he doesn't believe in the classic doctrine of the Trinity. You could listen to Kenneth Copeland for months and never guess that he doesn't believe the Nicene Creed. But let me ask you a question: Do you think that is what you should be doing? Is it God's plan that you, as a Christian, sort through the cyanide to get to the salad? Is it the Bible's teaching that a false teacher can be forgiven much as long as they give some practical guidelines on parenting or dealing with anger? You see, the fruit on the TBN tree in not entirely unattractive, but if you examine the roots, you will see major problems. Problems that scripture speaks to over and over. Problems that would have gotten you stoned to death in the Old Testament and excommunicated in the early church.
Paul Crouch has plainly said that he has no interest in doctrine, but only in Jesus. He's spoken about God sending vengeance on anyone who dared question the teachings of anyone on TBN. That non-interest in doctrine probably explains why the Jesus of TBN is dispensing instant faith healing, hundredfold financial returns, visions, prophecies, personal appearances, gold teeth fillings, hit movies, record contracts, new cars, and more along with the message of forgiveness. Crouch has created a network where anyone who calls himself a Christian is one, no matter what he believes or practices. Kenneth Hagin is as welcome as Franklin Graham. James Kennedy is on an equal footing with Mike Warnke. Jack Hayford and Kim Clement are interchangeable on TBN. And millions of TBN viewers buy this view of the body of Christ.
Even when TBN ministers don't explicitly deny the Gospel, many of them foster an atmosphere that majors on a constant menu of the next new thing. A new word. A new prophecy. A new product. A new blessing. The glory of the Gospel, the Bible and the drama of redemption are eclipsed by the next big thing coming down the pipeline from the Almighty. The Spirit always has a "Last Days" move on, or an "End Times" blessing happening or some major ministry event debuting that will change America and the world. It is like a huge soap opera or the continuing story line on wrestling. Yet no one ever says, "Too much drama, not enough Gospel!" You have to thank God for the Charles Stanleys and the David Jeremiahs who faithfully preach and teach without distraction or new story lines.
A few months ago, Christian radio personality Harold Camping made news when he announced that God had ended the church age and believers now only needed to listen to Camping's radio network for all their spiritual needs. I was surprised that Camping was kicked so hard for saying what TBN has been selling for years. TV preachers- both good and bad- have been replacing the local church for the entire existence of TBN. Religious television started out as a supplement to the church for shut-ins and night-shifters. Now it thinks it is the church, and TBN clearly thinks that it is the major instrument God is using to spread the Gospel in the world. Evangelicals now judge their churches and their pastors by comparison to Joyce Meyer or T.D. Jakes, not vice versa.
Aren't there good programs on TBN? Programs even I would recommend? Absolutely, and I hope they take over the network. But they won't. Crouch uses men like Kennedy or Greg Laurie or Adrian Rogers to achieve legitimacy. With a buffet that includes something for everyone, no one is willing to condemn the whole restaurant. So what should we do? I'm glad you asked.
1. TBN shouldn't be your whole spiritual meal. In fact, it shouldn't be the main course. Find the solid stuff. Watch it and turn off the rest quickly.
2. If they don't hold to the teaching of the Bible on the essentials- and most of them don't- don't watch them at all. The poison is there, even when you think it's not. Read Jude and 2 Peter on false teachers. We aren't supposed to tolerate them 95% of the time. I know that may be hard for you to face, but it's the truth. A false teacher who is right about some things and tells great stories and really preaches practical principles is still going to hell and taking busfulls with him/her.
3. If you don't know what they believe, find out. If they said or wrote something seriously unacceptable- and most of them have- then do the right thing. I have a library full of people who believe different things, so I think diversity is great. But not the health/wealth gospel. Not spiritual warfare fanaticism. Not the Word Faith mess. Not denying the Trinity and the incarnation. Not replacing the Bible with prophetic words. No, no, no.
4. Read. OK. Read. Good solid books. Go to Discerning Reader or Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service and get some decent books. This whole Christian media mess is because we have quit reading or decided to read nothing more substantial than "Jabez." The reformation couldn't happen today because no one would read Luther's stuff.
5. Make your pastor into a better preacher. Pray for him. Give him some book money. Send him to some conferences. Tell the crowd that wants more music and less preaching to button up or go to another church. Your pastor is intimidated and discouraged most of the time. If he works hard, he is a million times more important to you than a Joyce Meyer or Kim Clement or T.D. Jakes.
6. "But God uses those people." Maybe. But if they are preaching a false Gospel, or elements of a false Gospel, I think you may need to face an unpleasant truth: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false.
7. Remember that we are to separate from error and it is not unloving to do so. Charles Spurgeon withdrew from the Baptist Union of England rather than be associated with its soft stand on the Bible. They weren't denying the Trinity or saying Jesus was born again in hell or offering an end times financial blessing to all contributors. They were just soft on the doctrine of verbal inspiration. Spurgeon took a walk. It broke his heart. He openly wept. He was criticized at the time. Today, we know what happened. The Baptist Union went down the commode and Spurgeon is a giant among preachers. He was right and you will be, too.
Well friends, I hope we are still friends. I know most of you will not pay that much attention to what I've said, but perhaps someone will. My concern is for your soul, your walk with Christ, and your ministry in your family, your church, and in the world. It is my hope that you become so grounded in the Word that listening to Rod Parsley makes your hair stand on end. I hope you become such a supporter of your church and your pastor that you don't have enough time to watch TBN. It's my prayer that you become an annoying person giving books by Puritans away to all your friends.
Your friend and brother in Christ, Michael Spencer
