Posted on 04/14/2005 2:46:44 PM PDT by metalmanx2j
PITTSBURGH -- An evangelical Christian talk show host who questioned the beliefs of the Catholic church and entertained a caller's question about whether the late Pope John Paul II would go to heaven has been fired.
Marty Minto, 39, a senior pastor at a New Castle church, was fired Friday after three years as a host on WORD-FM in Pittsburgh. He said he was told that he was alienating listeners.
"As far as I'm concerned, I was doing what I've always done on the radio -- look at events around the world from a biblical perspective. I've always been willing to talk about controversial subjects," said Minto, who has had shows in Albany, N.Y., Denver and Phoenix.
Last week, Minto questioned some of the Catholic church's beliefs, such as purgatory, and fielded a question from a caller who asked whether the pope would go to heaven. Many evangelical Christians believe that someone must be a "born-again" believer to enter heaven.
Minto, who is also senior pastor of the 100-member Turning Point Community Church, said he told the caller that whether someone was born-again was personal and "between an individual and the Creator."
Chuck Gratner, general manager of WORD-FM, didn't dispute Minto's description and said he was let go because of differences in how he conducted his show.
"WORD-FM needs to function in this city in support of the entire church -- that means everybody -- and not focus on denominational issues," Gratner said.
Tell your Catholic friend to educate himself before he leads others astray.
History instructor should stick to history. However, there's now no doubt as to why he's teaching at a JUCO.
Evangelicals would do well to first clean up the money-grubbing televangelist charlatans.
The host should not have lost his job. If anything, his ignorance gave the Catholics a good laugh at his expense.
All evangelical folks are not responsible for the televangelists. Those televangelists are pretty much on their own I think.
The article makes no sense. There has to be more to the story. Once again, the author didn't report the 6 W's he should have learned in Journalism 101.
I would find it very hard to believe that Catholics don't believe this as well.
Catholic believe their Baptism puts them in the 'born-again' category, though we also believe you must mature in your faith through the other Sacraments of Eucharist, Penance (Reconciliation), and Confirmation.
"...“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
Well, there's that.
Meanwhile, it was interesting that the class was probably 60% Mexican (or descendants) and presumably some had to be Catholic (of familiar with Catholicism) and nobody pretended to be surprised or seemed to think the statement was out of line or untrue.
I can pretty much guarantee that had she suggested that Baptists preferred sprinkling over immersion someone would have spoken up. Me, for one, because I know a bunch of people that are Baptist and think no such thing.
It is very difficult to be a Christian commentator. People have differing, strongly held opinions and sponsors and community members take offense easily. In general, controversy does not blend well with the Christian Radio format or culture, unless you have some really enlightened management.
But then someone would have the right to argue that there are some christians who say catholics aren't saved, at least according to their bible. There are many facets this debate could take, unfortunately they all will end up in is arguments and a lot of mud slinging.
Evangelicals would do well to first clean up the money-grubbing televangelist charlatans
Too true, too true. Being a protestant myself I cringe every time I flip by one of them on the TV. They are a stain upon true christianity.
Ditto! That's my whole point. Rather than quarrelling with our Catholic brothers, we Protestants/Evangelicals would do better to clean up our own house (and TV screens) first.
All we get is this little tidbit:
"Chuck Gratner, general manager of WORD-FM, didn't dispute Minto's description and said he was let go because of differences in how he conducted his show."
Once again, the author didn't report the 6 W's he should have learned in Journalism 101.
Maybe he flunked out.
I agree with you 100%. There are only two preachers/teachers I will watch on TV, and that's if I can find them; Charles Stanley and John Ankerberg. Even Hal Lindsey has been sucked into the "blab it and grab it" types.
I have never been a fan of Lindsey's brand of theology. I would add James Kennedy to your list of watchable TV preachers.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
Evangelicals would do well to first clean up the money-grubbing televangelist charlatans.
All error should be refuted, whatever its source.
The worst one I have seen is Robert Tilton. I get so mad when I see that slimeball on TV.
Oh and the Trinity channel sets me off too.
Ping.
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