The Problems with Modern Day Televangelism

    There are several major problems with the televangelists, besides their lifestyle, which seem to dominate the news these days.

    They make little or nothing of the local church. God never intended for us to follow national personalities nor worship around a television set. He has established in all places his local assembly of believers under the leadership of a pastor and teacher. The local church is of major importance in worship, in the preaching of the gospel, in the fellowship of God’s people, in training preachers, in sending out missionaries, and in administering the ordinances. That which minimizes the local church (or all but does away with it) is not of God.

    They minimize the preaching of the word and specialize in music, entertainment, and set decorations that appeal to the flesh. If there are any words in a song that would glorify Christ, they are lost in the glare of lights, the accompaniment of the big band, the showmanship of the singer, and camera shots of the surroundings. But little or no preaching of the word is done; for the time must be given to raising money, lauding personalities, and promoting the leader, whose name and image must be constantly before us.

    They do not preach Christ! His name may be mentioned, but he is not their message. Their message is not the inability of man but the importance of men. Their message is not the glory and sovereignty of God but helplessness of their god without the cooperation of the human will. Their message is not how can God be just and justifier in Christ Jesus but how can we use God to promote our health, wealth, and happiness.

    The spirit they talk about is not the Holy Spirit, for the Holy Spirit of God does not call attention to himself and his gifts; he glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. “He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it to you” (Jn. 16:14).

    I strongly oppose all of these merchandizers of souls and pray for the day when they shall be exposed for what they are—enemies of the cross!