Armstrong isn’t shy about taking on some mega churches and their leaders.
Do church leaders such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Bishop Eddie Long, Dr. Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen, or reported homosexual Pastor Ted Haggard truly understand God's Word? If so, why have they become corporate CEO's, allowing money, greed, and materialism to take over their souls? These leaders are whoring God's people from the pulpit, while teaching legions of pimps, crooks, liars, and homosexuals, who pose as pastors, to follow in their footsteps.
In an interview with Channel 5 in Alexandria provided by wesawthat, Armstrong discusses churches in
In
Armstrong’s books are available at Books A Million and on Amazon.
Hey, didn’t that anchor used to be on one of the Shreveport stations? OK, now down to it, I will have to agree with his assessment about some of those who fill the pulpits today. I do have a problem with the title and some of the language used. As we talked about tonight in class, we are to confront these things, but our language should not reflect that of the world. There is a problem among all denominations. I only know of a couple pastors who might fit into the category of pastoring as a way to make money instead of it being a calling. But I do hear stories rather frequently about seminary students who look at it this way. Most pastors that I have known consider it a calling and only talk about the salary after God has called them to a particular church. Of course I am Southern Baptist and know mostly about this. I know when I have a chance to fill in and preach, I would not ask for money and if they didn’t already have a check made out and insisting I would walk out and do it for free and be glad to come back and do it again for free. Preaching is a privilege. I do believe pastors (especially full time pastors) should be paid well. They should not be kept as paupers by the congregation. As far as the other corruption in the church pulpits, I can’t remember the stats I heard one time, but there was a very large amount of pastors who had a problem with pornography. This has become a big problem over the past few years. Sexual scandals may be less than that in the real world, but always make the bigger headline and hurt the witness of the church more. We have seen pastors over the years come and go because of corruption and this will continue until the end. The Bible tells us this is so. Many of these pastors will put forth the idea that you can be good enough to get to heaven. Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father except through me. This is an exclusive statement. This means no other way. Being good enough is considered works. If works was good enough then Jesus died foolishly and He is also a liar because he said He was the only way. I could give a whole sermon on that topic and have done so. I could go on, but the bottom line is, the congregation needs to be wary, they need to be reading and studying their own Bible so they won’t be deceived by sheep in wolves clothing.
ReplyDeleteDarrell, I was hoping you would comment on this. I agree with you that on a local basis, this isn't as much a problem. I can think of a couple of cases, but will keep those to myself.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the 'TV' ministers, the Bible says that by their fruits you will know them.
I do think it is good for people to seriously consider this.
OK, now that it is not midnight and my head is clear, let me add something to this.What was Jesus' mission? To seek and to save the lost. I heard Ravi Zacharius say, "Jesus did not come to make bad people good, but to make dead people live." Without Christ we are spiritually dead and headed for an eternal hell. If we make peoples lives here on earth better, but not lead them to salvation, have we done them any favors. No, because now they spend eternity in hell. If the church is growing in numbers but there are no salvations going along with it because salvation is not being preached, a red flag should go up. Haggard could fill the pulpit again, but he cannot be openly practicing sin and should be openly repentant and denouncing of that sin. However his ministry has been ruined. God is a God of second chances though. Homosexuality is a sin that can be forgiven, ust like any other sin.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame, but most churches of today have a goal that is mainly building fund and salary's. Nothing more. They constantly preach that they need funds to do God's work. What work?
ReplyDeleteAlex
I grew up Baptist and tend to be friendly towards religion in general, but I have a real problem with the greedy approach a lot of the religious people are taking today. All those shows and books talking about how if you pray right, God will reward you materially beyond your wildest dreams. It is getting to where poverty is seen as a sin and a judgment from God.
ReplyDeleteNow I am aware that America has a long history of that through the Puritans and Calvinists, but the extreme emphasis on material wealth and consumption makes me want to gag. I feel that we are losing our way and our ideals are being tarnished greatly. Religion should stand for something, but not as a way to wealth (oh and one of my favorite sayings is that God will provide and I believe that to the bottom of my heart).
There needs to be more emphasis on service to others, not the kind that feeds people at the missions once a year and then pats itself on the back for the rest of the year either, but ongoing in real life living to make a difference. I have known wonderful people in many religions from all over the world who also believe this and who have to work harder against the cynicism such behavior engenders. Our young people see the hypocrisy and are rightfully turned off by it. I feel we all have to set a better example than that.