Tammy Faye – A Season We Will Always Remember

CrossActionNews ^ | 7/22/07 | Rev Michael Bresciani

[Victory111]

Although her life was always controversial hardly any American would dare not to say that she kept her faith in Christ through it all. It is that fact that does more to encourage people than all the negative ramifications of all that has gone on in her early days of evangelistic work.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The BBC wrote a pretty scathing obit: link.

Though the Brits seem to be by and large an atheistic race.

[BipolarBob]

I didn’t see it as scathing. I doubt that they meant it that way.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The BBC sometimes reveals a pro-atheist/anti-non-atheist religion streak. And although it tends to be more level and balanced than the viewership contributors on their Have Your Say fora, it seems that the article tries to point to American Christian hypocrisy, greed, and shallow, even pretend, religiosity on the part of Americans.

[MindBender26]

>>>>”her faith in Christ”

Complete bull.

She was nothing but a two bit scammer who wrapped herself and her former husband in the shroud of Christianity so she would have some semblance of respectability.

True Christians lead a Christian life. They do not go around spouting their piety while at the same time stealing from those who can least afford it. The idiocy that we should only listen to what supposed Christians say, not watch what they do is complete BS.

"TV Ministers" rip off poor people every day, and she was among the worst. The only ones who are worse are the ones who claim to be able to heal sick people.... for a price.

I am a Christian, and when someone tells me “I am a Christian businessman”, I grab my wallet and hold on tight.

Not to speak ill of the dead, but she was never a Christian, just a con artist.

[TexasCajun]

I saw her on Larry King this week and CNN had to advise the audience beforehand that images "might be disturbing" to some.

And they were. She was horrific looking.

I hope the scamming stealing evangelical has asked and received forgiveness.

[TexasCajun]

I am a Christian, and when someone tells me “I am a Christian businessman”, I grab my wallet and hold on tight.

You sound like my father. I've heard that line a thousand times.

[MindBender26]

>>>>You sound like my father. I’ve heard that line a thousand times.

My son,,,,,

Seriosly, I’ve paid the price for ignoring it.

Be well.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

Only God can tell who is a Christian.

And all Christians (unless Christ is considered a Christian--in that case all Christians except for one Christian) have flaws, for some it could even be greed and stealing gullible people's money.

[Coldwater Creek]

Absolutely! I am truly sorry for Tammy’s illness and death, but these people have done more harm to the cause of Christ than any non Christian group.

[Coldwater Creek]

You are right, all Christians have flaws, but it is just plain wrong to gloss over the Bakkers and other so called Christian leaders disregard for the scriptures. It was always all about them.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

The Bakkers (and others) shouldn't be glossed over--they did take lots of money from people--but they could still be Christians.

[mefistofelerevised]

That’s the impressioon I had of her too.

[Coldwater Creek]

I have no way of knowing if the Bakker's have given their hearts to Jesus, but it was very oblivious that they were only thimble deep in their spiritual growth.

[peteram]

I am a Christian, and when someone tells me “I am a Christian businessman”, I grab my wallet and hold on tight.

I know lots of "Christian Businessmen", some of them very affluent. These people are philanthropic and give unceasingly to worthy charities.

You see, money is a tool. Something that can be used for good or not. Sometimes professed Christians who suddenly generate large amounts of money can get caught up in the materialism of it all. It's a test. God gives us the ability to generate it, then He sees how good stewards we can (or can not) be with it.

Jim & Tammy had an opportunity that not many Christians have - that is, to teach the Good News via the TV medium and generate large amounts of money to return to the people of God.

But they failed.

It doesn't mean that they were any less Christian. But because they rose to lofty levels, their transgressions caused them to fall to mighty depths. And the saddest part of it all is that many innocent people were victims of their transgressions.

If they had only used the tool (money) for the purpose for which God gave them the ability to generate it - that is, for His people - they wouldn't have been in the mess they were in and the ministry would have thrived and all those "partners" who donated would have seen a return on their donations.

Money in the hands of good people will do good things.

[Wilhelm Tell]

A lot of televangelism is, as you say, hypocrisy, greed, shallow, etc. They promise you will have an “abundant life” if you only give to this or that preacher. A particularly cruel aspect of it is that they promise you will get rich, be healed of illness, etc. if you give money to them. When some poor person does not get rich and does not get healed, they say the person didn’t have enough faith. They reduce Christianity to a sort of magic trick where one gives money and the shaman casts a spell.

[Wilhelm Tell]

I have no way of knowing if the Bakker's have given their hearts to Jesus, but it was very oblivious that they were only thimble deep in their spiritual growth.

I cannot judge although I am tempted to. One thing Tammy Faye said in her last interview that disturbed me was she said something like she knew she was going to heaven because she loves Jesus. I would have felt better had she claimed Jesus' death and resurrection. A lot of American evangelicalism is stuck in the subjective feelings of the believer -- this "I think I feel like I have faith" mentality. While this is better than the liberal churches that seem to say, "I know I have doubts and I celebrate those doubts because they give me license to sin", this is very shaky ground.

[The Lumster]

she said something like she knew she was going to heaven because she loves Jesus.

One slight correction - she said she was going to heaven because she loved the lord - the name of Jesus was never mentioned during the entire interview - not by her- not by her husband - not by her son the "Rev" Jay Bakker.

In the end Deepak Chopra was allowed to spew his Hindu doctrine unchallenged saying that in death our cosmic consciousness creates our own reality

The entire interview was a great deception - just like her life has been

[fkabuckeyesrule]

“I am a Christian businessman”,

As Ronald Reagan said, trust but verify. LOL!

[mkjessup]

Only God can tell who is a Christian. And all Christians (unless Christ is considered a Christian--in that case all Christians except for one Christian) have flaws, for some it could even be greed and stealing gullible people's money.

Or, perhaps indulging their lust for illicit sex with hookers and so forth. Jimmy Swaggert comes to mind, but he confessed his sin (a confession that was and is still mocked to this day) and continues to preach a Bible-based message of salvation, and continues to make an impact for the Cause of Christ.

As for Tammy Faye, you spoke wise words: Only God can tell what is within a person's heart. Jesus Christ said that He is the 'Way, the Truth, and the Life', that no-one comes to the Father except by Him, and to me that says that Jesus is the sole arbiter of who does and who does not, enter into the Kingdom of God.

If someone doesn't like His Decisions?

Too bad.