Posted on 11/29/2001 7:38:54 AM PST by hsmomx3
HATERS UNITE!
I have never seen this rule followed. As a matter of fact, I have never seen or heard an interpreter.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-000089003nov07.story
I wish I could post it all, but in order to comply with the restriction on posting complete LATIMES articles, I'll post just a bit of what I'd call, a serious hit piece.
".... At a time when growing numbers of Orange County residents are without health insurance and an estimated 1 million Los Angeles County children live in poverty, it's reassuring to know that not everyone is reaching for a life preserver in the current economic washout.
I learned from The Times' Hot Property column on Sunday that Costa Mesa-based televangelists Jan and Paul Crouch have purchased a $5-million "palatial estate" with nine bathrooms, a climate-controlled wine cellar, an elevator, six-car garage and tennis court...."
...".....And, hallelujah, do these folks raise money. The Crouches sit atop a $100-million-a-year operation, thanks to Jerry Lewis-like wingdings such as the Praise-a-thon that's scheduled to begin later this week.
What could possibly bring them closer to God...."
"......Sure, the federal government has begun a Holiday Campaign Fund of its own. But that giveaway, in the form of bailouts and tax cuts, funnels proceeds directly into corporate coffers and the deepest pockets in the land...."
....".....[TBN Attorney]Colby May claims we had it wrong. The Crouches didn't buy the $5-million house, the ministry did. And the Crouches don't intend to move into it, May insists. It's for use by overseas guests who visit the ministry...."
I'm glad you told me the original LATIMES article could be found in their archives. The sarcastic tone of the piece, especially the slam he reserves for the Bush Administration, speaks volumes.
spectre, whether one equates the Crouches with the Bakkers or not, I'm sure you agree healthy skeptiscm is in order when the liberal media launches an attack on someone in the Christian commnity, even someone with pink hair.
My pastor is always making fun of televangelists, (especially their hair) but these guys still sell him TV time. You must admit that they are pretty good business people.
This is clearly predicted in the pastoral epistles. False teachers will come and teach people what their itching ears want to hear. They are "belly-servers."
yet they are horrified when ANY minister has more than one suite...and a vehicle better than a used Rambler
The difference is, with the Hollywood "ministers" you know what you are giving your money too...But the TBN folks are saying this money is going to spread God's word and then turn around and use it to buy a $5 million home...if you can't see the difference then open your eyes, there is a difference.
I am a born-again Christian and I don't see how any "minister" can justify paying $5 million dollars for a home...If they need money so bad they have to ask for donations to spread the word then they shouldn't have enough to purchase this house. In the bible, Jesus's "purse" of money was never empty, but he never went out and bought a new robe or new sandals with it...He used it to spread the Gospel of his father by giving to the needy and furthering his ministry...all for the glorifying of his father...Not to make his life better, not so he could live in luxury.
How many bibles could that money have bought? How many poor family's could it have feed, housed, or clothed? I don't see how anyone with their heart truly focused on God's word and the furthering of his kingdom could spend money in this magnitude on themselves...I am not here to judge these peoples heart for God for that is not my job, but the fruits they have born are not of a good tree...
I also know in the bible it says that if a brother(or sister) should stumble, it is up to their brothers(and sisters) in Christ to point this out and help them repent...usually this would be done by your pastor or some elder in your church that knows you and understands your walk with God...your walk isn't supposed to be a secret from all others..God says to correct your brothers mistakes...this isn't judging his relationship with Christ, but it is correcting a mistake, and we all make them...
Hey, if you people out there don't like TBN, then don't watch it and don't support it. But unless YOU give to them, you really have no cause to complain about how they spend their money.
These people's theology may really be stupid, but IMHO they are sincere, even if they are sincerely wrong. TBN is their baby. If anyone here thinks they can do a better job of spreading the Gospel on TV, then they should start their own network.
Jesus had some special words for people who gossiped and couldn't mind their own business, busily judging others and spreading rumours. He put them in the SINNERS column.
I try to be a little more merciful than some and will give someone the benefit of the doubt. I don't have proof that this WAS a dishonest purchase and neither do you or anyone else. Until I do I will reserve my right to pass judgement. Speculation and appearances are NOT enough to say that someone is doing wrong. At least I thought that was the way it was supposed to be in this country.
It is really a shame that we are so judgemental of others based on his/her appearance.
That's a pretty important point IMHO. It's amazing how judgemental many Christians are, and so unwilling to accept that someone else has been blessed, without them personally approving that blessing, as if their approval was needed. Their own ENVY and insistance on their right to JUDGE others is so overpowering they quickly & confidently veer down the wrong path.
They sit in those chairs like a self-appointed king and queen.
I can't stand Jan's little girl voice and her turn-on-at-will tears.
I agree, these people may have turned a $50,000 investment in the beef market into $5,000,000.
I know that Paul Crouch has negotiated many cable contracts worldwide and that he is a sucessful author ( his last Megiddo movie was actually from a book that he wrote ). That movie did well from what I gather. BTW, many churches and youth groups got to see the movie at NO CHARGE.
I also believe that he has negotiated Christian programming in areas that were hostile to such. If his network reaches souls that is the bottom line not his or his wife's appearance. If enough people are concerned then get together with someone and have him audited. If he's clean leave him alone. If not demand that he step down and return the $$$$. It is as simple as that.
Crouch is no more a minister of the gospel than is Clinton.
Crouch, and 95% of the religious kooks on TBN teach heresy and aberrance. They get away with it because the average dolt who tunes in and sends his money, wouldn't even BEGIN to be able to list the cardinal doctrines of the historic, Scriptural Christian religion. Nor would he know that if one steps OUTSIDE of those salvational doctrines, one is no longer talking about the "Christian" religion.
nd I'm a right-wing extremist who is a christian.
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