Where is the line drawn on televangelists? How does someone discern the fake from the phony? If an evangelist is selling a book he wrote does that make the person a swindler or scoundrel? Is it unbiblical for an evangelist to earn a living? Do most folks that criticize televangelists have any understanding of the ministries beyond the generic objection posed or do they simply lump all ministers on television as crooks?
Me personally, I dislike the current "prosperity gospel" of a Creflo Dollar or Joel Osteen. I find Osteen's teachings to be heretical at best. The gospel is a not a pathway to lining your pockets.
If a televangelist doesn't align with scripture I don't listen to them. How do you determine that? You validate their teachings via scripture (provided they even utilize scripture.....I'm lookin at you Joel Osteen). You study independently and inconjunction with other believers. You hold your leaders accountable.
If a televangelist attempts to sell you a "special cross", "a scroll of blessings and prophecies" or a "blessed vile of holy water" I'm done with them.
If a televangelist stands opposed to the deity of Christ I'm instantly done with them.
Now, if a televangelist hosts a fundraiser or sells a book he wrote I have no problem with this provided their base teachings are scriptural and accurate.
To lump all televangelists into the same bucket of "charlatans" is just lazy and untrue. It's a generic copout for those who'd never waste more than a few seconds of googling to "make their case" against the whole of televangelism.
Now the lavish, ultra excess lifestyles of some televangelists is counter intuitive to the message of scripture, but the majority of time it's also aligned with a "prosperity gospel" ministry.
It's absolutely appropriate for a televangelist to earn a good living and even if some are blessed with a great deal of wealth I firmly believe that wealth should be keep quiet and out of the public eye. I think about Job, David and Solomon.....all amassed a ton of wealth and were blessed by God. Then I see the apostles and these were average Joes who had next to nothing and even gave up what little they had and eventually their lives in pursuit of the great commission of Christ.
Is Billy Graham a charlatan? Doubtful. Is the man perfect? No frickin way.
Is Charles Stanley a charlatan? Doubtful. is the man perfect? No frickin way. Endured a public divorce that rocked his ministry.
What about current evangelists like Tullian Tchividjian? This man is a tremendous orator and speaks passionately for God. He's also the grandson of Billy Graham. Although, he recently resigned from his ministry because of an adulterous relationship he had with a woman in his congregation. Does that make him a charlatan? The anti-Godders would immediately say "yes, there you go!" No, it makes him human and confirms he's fallible. Should he be allowed to preach again? Absolutely, but I believe he should be counciled and reviewed by the church first and slowly work his way back into a position of leadership and trust.
Everyone remembers Jimmy Swaggart crying out on tv in the 80s exclaiming "I have sinned!!" Tears and snot and all that mess. People aren't perfect, but if you're that high profile you need to lead by example every second of everyday.....sorry but you do IMHO. If you're a high-ranking, highly recognizable religious leader, a representative of Christ, then you need to be Christlike....that simple.
