I can understand why people take issue with the God channel, but much of the time I think Rory and Wendy, and the others on the show are misunderstood.
There are some excellent programmes on GOD TV (Chuck Missler Through the Bible, Andrew Warmack, IHOP, Conferences from Newfrontiers, Hillsong, Soul Survivor and Audiacious) and there are others which are very brash, eccentric, stylistically bad and too political. And yet I can see God working through every single one of those shows, even Benny Hinn!!
God TV and its people have been accused of all kinds of things (including fraud) and yet i believe that they are honest and sincere people who love God. i dont believe that their appeals for money are scams, but they certainly could do more to avoid accusations of them doing so.
God TV proves that God works through the most crazy, imperfect of people. But remember the bible says that Gods people will be accused of being crazy, stupid and evil! which have all been criticisms labelled at that channel.
They promote WoF (word of faith) heresy and are always appealing for money. So they show occasional "sound" teachings, that in no way justifies their money grabbing tactics.
I avoid and would urge others to do likewise. It has nothing to do with God using imperfect people and everything to do with people like Jakes, Dollar, Hinn, Meyer, Copeland et al promoting a doctrine that is very dangerous.
I too am aware of the Prosperity gospel, but the difficulty is that there is a grain of truth in it. there is a scriptural precedent for 'if you sow you will reap' and the principle of tithing outlined in Hakkabuk. in a more general sense if we show kindness to others it opens the door for God to show kindness to us in the future. i also know that ministries need finances in order to survive.
this can sound similar to the Prosperity gospel, but it isnt the same. the P gospel is selfish, soulish and materialistic. the reap what you sow teaching simply recognises God as a God of blessing and if you honour Him He will honour you.
this is where discernment is required. GOD TV really needs to let people look more deeply at these ministries and make them more open and accoutable.
i see too much of genuine Christian faith in Rory and Wendy to believe that they themselves are scammers
Not all of the religious channels are the same .. some, whatever other flaws they may have, do not promise things which may not be quite what God meant... I can think of a particular British one on Sky which (even if not evryone would agree with all their views), is very open to different viewpoints (and though they are now under British law, allowed to ask for money), they do not do so in "tacky" ways, and they also say what they are using the money for, and always say how grateful they are for the donatuons...they always seem quite open to me, and don't promise the earth.
Unfortunately on digital, you only seem to be able to get a few, or even only one, God type channel..and it's not the one I generally like to watch..I can only watch any others when I'm ayt my son's or daughter's house who have Sky
[Bonhoffer]I too am aware of the Prosperity gospel, but the difficulty is that there is a grain of truth in it. there is a scriptural precedent for 'if you sow you will reap' and the principle of tithing outlined in Hakkabuk. in a more general sense if we show kindness to others it opens the door for God to show kindness to us in the future. i also know that ministries need finances in order to survive.
this can sound similar to the Prosperity gospel, but it isnt the same. the P gospel is selfish, soulish and materialistic. the reap what you sow teaching simply recognises God as a God of blessing and if you honour Him He will honour you.
this is where discernment is required. GOD TV really needs to let people look more deeply at these ministries and make them more open and accoutable.
i see too much of genuine Christian faith in Rory and Wendy to believe that they themselves are scammers
I'm not going to take this discussion down the road of tithing becos I strongly believe that it is not a NT requirement. Nor am I going to criticise Rory and Wendy, but I do have grave concerns re their constant need to raise money and their obvious WoF tendencies. Jesus did not go to the cross so that we can be wealthy. If sowing money was so successful then Christendom would be full of wealthy people, it obviously isn't.
In re to discernment, I do wish people would exercise it a bit more because they are being lied to by those people I listed. Any station that hires the likes of Munsey, Ashimolowa and Hinn to persuade people to sow £1000s is a station that should be avoided by any intelligent Christian. They are literally mugging people on air.....
Last edited by non-religious; 27th July 2009 at 10:09 AM.
their lack of accountability and transparency is the main reason i have never given to the God Channel and will never do so until they show finance reports of what they spend the money on and start including disclaimers and explanations when they give appeals. They should say things like "We have found from both scripture and experience that there is a principle in reaping and sowing. We are wanting people to sow into Project X. Ask God in prayer whether this is something He wants you to sow into."
Got to admit though that Revelation and UCB are better!
[Bonhoffer]their lack of accountability and transparency is the main reason i have never given to the God Channel and will never do so until they show finance reports of what they spend the money on and start including disclaimers and explanations when they give appeals.
Will never happen.
They should say things like "We have found from both scripture and experience that there is a principle in reaping and sowing. We are wanting people to sow into Project X. Ask God in prayer whether this is something He wants you to sow into."
They already do, that is why people are giving so much. Some believe they will get rich if they sow into this ministry.
Got to admit though that Revelation and UCB are better!
I upgraded my VirginMedia telly the other week and got GodTV. I watch some psychobabble purporting to be preaching for 10 mins and haven't bothered with it since. Any kind of version of the 700 club is to be avoided imho.
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