By Rick Pearcey
A OneNewsNow report on divorcing televangelists makes clear that bad things happen when certain Christian leaders begin believing their own press releases.
Of course, many people secular or otherwise achieve great heights (thinking of "greatness" superficially) by methods less than honest. So practiced are these personalities, so successful, so rewarded in this life, that it comes as a great shock to them and their enablers when reality hits, the fruit is examined, and they are exposed as frauds.
One can almost imagine some of these movers-and-shakers first in line on Judgment Day, telling the Lord, "Did we not cast out demons in your name, hug AIDS victims, and author awarding-winning best-sellers setting the Christian world on fire?" (see Matt. 7:22,23)
Jesus answers: "That may work on the ga-ga crowd. But No. The exorcisms were faked, the hugs were for PR, and the books where ghosted. I don't know you."
"But Lord, we took you at your word when you said, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, except of course in matters regarding PR, book sales, image creation, legacy enhancement, damage control, and marketing.'" (quote from The Celebrity-Driven Bible)
"Depart from me, you worker of lawlessness." (see Matt. 7:23)
The report in OneNewsNow is titled "TV Ministry Watchdog Calls Televangelists' Divorce Terrible Testimony." It's here.
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Rick Pearcey is editor and publisher of The Pearcey Report (archives).
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3 comments:
Just a quick note to thank you for the excellent article, "If Diversity Is King." I have recommended it to visitors at Vital Signs Blog (http://vitalsignsblog.blogspot.com/2007/08/rick-pearcey-on-religion-of-diversity.html) and hope it enlarges the readership of your timely and important essay. Again, good job!
Denny Hartford
Director, Vital Signs Ministries
Omaha, Nebraska
Thanks for the link!
Jeff Johnson - Editor
OneNewsow.com
Jeff -- Welcome. Let me add: One would think that if "their own press releases" are true, believing them would not be a problem.
Of course, if the press releases are false, believing them would be not an insignificant problem for any person, group, or organization.
To the original deception of putting out information that is false would be added the dimension of deceit compounded by self-delusion.
Take it as a general rule: Want to grow a new generation of secularists and atheists or "walking wounded for Jesus"? Let the methods of organizations reflect a shoddy regard for the practice of truth.
Put differently, "Love thy neighbor" lives, moves, and has its fulfillment within the circle of truth. It's hard to go wrong if you "market" the truth truthfully.
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