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Future ministry opportunities for disgraced televangelists?

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  • Future ministry opportunities for disgraced televangelists?

    The other day I delivered a package from a ministry of a televangelist who was popular a couple decades ago but whose star had fallen after multiple sex scandals. I also heard recently about another televangelist who had also had a scandal who has set up shop again in my state, preaching a soon return of Jesus Christ. I had been unaware either of these guys were still in ministry.

    Obviously there is forgiveness of sins, but for the good of the image of Christianity, might it be better if people who so prominently and publicly tarnished the image of Christianity step out of public ministry in the future?
    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

  • #2
    The idea that this was so commonplace was exemplified by when Josh Duggar got caught on Ashley Madison and publicly assumed there would still be a place for him in Christian political lobbying, and was surprised to be told he would not have a job.
    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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    • #3
      Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
      Obviously there is forgiveness of sins, but for the good of the image of Christianity, might it be better if people who so prominently and publicly tarnished the image of Christianity step out of public ministry in the future?
      Yes but you're making the assumption that these people ever cared about the good of the image of Christianity in the first place. Rather than wait for them to step out Christians should simply reject them as spiritual leaders of any kind.
      "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12

      There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

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      • #4
        Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
        The other day I delivered a package from a ministry of a televangelist who was popular a couple decades ago but whose star had fallen after multiple sex scandals. I also heard recently about another televangelist who had also had a scandal who has set up shop again in my state, preaching a soon return of Jesus Christ. I had been unaware either of these guys were still in ministry.

        Obviously there is forgiveness of sins, but for the good of the image of Christianity, might it be better if people who so prominently and publicly tarnished the image of Christianity step out of public ministry in the future?
        You mean like Paul who denied the Lord three times?
        "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

        "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Darth Executor View Post
          Yes but you're making the assumption that these people ever cared about the good of the image of Christianity in the first place. Rather than wait for them to step out Christians should simply reject them as spiritual leaders of any kind.
          This, however, is a legitimate issue. The veracity of the ministry matters - a lot.
          "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

          "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

          My Personal Blog

          My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
            You mean like Paul who denied the Lord three times?
            You mean Peter?
            "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12

            There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
              You mean like Paul who denied the Lord three times?
              Peter, you mean? Peter wasn't even a Christian when that happened because Christianity didn't yet exist.
              "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Darth Executor View Post
                You mean Peter?
                Yes, thanks...
                "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                My Personal Blog

                My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                Quill Sword

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by KingsGambit View Post
                  Peter, you mean? Peter wasn't even a Christian when that happened because Christianity didn't yet exist.
                  Yes, yes, Peter. The Apostle - but the point would be equally true with Paul and the church did exist by then.
                  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                  "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                  My Personal Blog

                  My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                  Quill Sword

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
                    Yes, yes, Peter. The Apostle - but the point would be equally true with Paul and the church did exist by then.
                    Paul persecuted Christians out of conviction, before he became one. Once he converted he didn't act in a grossly amoral way or otherwise embarrass the church.

                    Peter denied Christ, under threat to his life. I've never met a televangelist who had to maintain sexual relations with prostitutes or snort coke under threat of life and/or well being.
                    "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12

                    There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Darth Executor View Post
                      Paul persecuted Christians out of conviction, before he became one. Once he converted he didn't act in a grossly amoral way or otherwise embarrass the church.

                      Peter denied Christ, under threat to his life. I've never met a televangelist who had to maintain sexual relations with prostitutes or snort coke under threat of life and/or well being.
                      I grant that when we are discussing questionable ministries, that becomes the issue - it might even be the real issue here. But that's not what KG asked - he effectively asked should we ever truly forgive theses guys? The answer is yes, we should, and IF they continue in true ministry, there's no issue with it. The church is greater for its forgiveness than for making sure its public image is squeaky clean.

                      Now, the real problem is discerning legitimate from illegitimate ministries.
                      "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                      "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                      My Personal Blog

                      My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                      Quill Sword

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
                        I grant that when we are discussing questionable ministries, that becomes the issue - it might even be the real issue here. But that's not what KG asked - he effectively asked should we ever truly forgive theses guys? The answer is yes, we should, and IF they continue in true ministry, there's no issue with it. The church is greater for its forgiveness than for making sure its public image is squeaky clean.

                        Now, the real problem is discerning legitimate from illegitimate ministries.
                        I don't think forgiveness implies you act like nothing ever happened. Christian leadership (and leadership in general) isn't a right and it should not be handed out lightly. And some mistakes should make you ineligible, period.
                        "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12

                        There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Darth Executor View Post
                          I don't think forgiveness implies you act like nothing ever happened. Christian leadership (and leadership in general) isn't a right and it should not be handed out lightly.
                          Agreed
                          Originally posted by DE
                          And some mistakes should make you ineligible, period.
                          This part is where I disagree. Some mistakes should require greater scrutiny to recover from, I grant - but if denying Jesus and running out on Him at the time of trial wasn't a disqualifier, I don't see where anything should be.
                          "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                          "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                          My Personal Blog

                          My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                          Quill Sword

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Teallaura View Post
                            Agreed
                            This part is where I disagree. Some mistakes should require greater scrutiny to recover from, I grant - but if denying Jesus and running out on Him at the time of trial wasn't a disqualifier, I don't see where anything should be.
                            The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit comes to mind as a disqualifier. Admittedly, none of these gentlemen are accused of that.
                            "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6

                            "Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
                              The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit comes to mind as a disqualifier. Admittedly, none of these gentlemen are accused of that.
                              That disqualifies you from something far more important than standing in a pulpit.
                              "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

                              "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

                              My Personal Blog

                              My Novella blog (Current Novella Begins on 7/25/14)

                              Quill Sword

                              Comment

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