Time for me to detonate a megaton nuclear bomb in the blogsphere. This is sure to rile some folks - I’ve long believed that one of the best things that could happen with respect to the health of the contemporary church and the spread of the true gospel, is for the FCC to suddenly ban all religious programming on television. While there are a few worthwhile programs on the air that seek to truly supplement the local church, the vast majority do far more harm than good. Televangelist con artists abound fleecing the poor and widows out of their social security. Theological anarchy is rampant. Virtual congregations are nothing more than an excuse for believers to skip the local church with their time and contributions. “Christian” television shows are mostly meaningless entertainment with no real challenges for growth.

Eliminating this electronic refuse would put responsibility for the gospel back where it belongs - in the the local church and with the local Christian.

One might argue such programming fulfills a valid need of ministering to shut-ins unable to get out to the local church. Perhaps. But, is it not better (and Biblical!) that the church visit them instead of beaming electrons into their home?

It’s an arrogant fallacy to think that the gospel “needs” television or the modern media. The gospel in the early church exploded across the known world without the boob tube. While television can certainly be a powerful asset, for the most part it’s now lethal to real faith. Watch a few minutes of TBN’s (now the world’s largest “Christian” television ministry) semi-annual fund raising circus and you’ll hang your head in shame. The arrogance, greed and heresy are appalling. And yet, sadly, so many around the world view it (and its’ toxic cousins) as the gospel. God help us.

I’m heading down into my bomb shelter now to evade the missiles sure to come my way for espousing such blasphemy as to think that television is now largely irrelevant and even a hindrance to the spread of the true gospel …

Bob
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
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Bob Pratico
Fides Quaerens Intellectum
(my Sojourn blog)