Ask a Televangelist?

[Lone Wolfe]

Has anyone ever tried to ask a serious question to one of the many televangelists on TV? When you go to their websites in order to ask what you feel is an important question about faith, or something you don't understand in the Bible or pretty much any other question dealing with being a Christian... it can't be done!!!???

Why? Because they ALL seem to have only 3 categories of contact? 1. Prayer Request 2. Testimony 3. Donate Money and that's it? I don't want to do any of the three, I have a serious question I need an answer to and none of these televangelists can help? What's wrong with this picture???

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well many years ago, I was struggling with finances even then, and John Avanzini with the Debt Free Army was on TV alot then and I had some of his materials. I wrote to him about questions I had and ended up getting a very generic response back which just told me that, he didn't even see the letter, and whoever did see it, really didn't read it, so........

To ME, I don't care how big a ministry gets, they should have enough people under them (if they are that big) to help out and help manage questions etc.

I will say this though, when my husband was sick, I had called Kenneth Copeland ministries by my husband's request, and to my surprise, someone from the ministry called me back. They didn't ask for any money, they prayed with me on the phone, and then sent a bunch of materials free to my husband and myself. I no longer agree with alot of things they teach, but I have to give credit for them calling when my husband was literally dying.

And TBN has people on the phone 24/7. They are there for prayer and support, but maybe they could answer your questions? You could also pose them here. I'm sure we would try to help you best we can.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

OK, here's my question that I seriously struggle with!

How does a true Christian keep the 4th Commandment and obey the Sabbath when you can't find a Christian Church that holds services on Saturday???

The Sabbath is the 7th day which is Saturday and sometime many, many years ago, the Pope changed something that church is on Sundays (the 1st day) in most religions in this country and that is NOT obeying the Sabbath!

I do my utmost best to follow God's Laws (the Ten Commandments) and I have always felt that I have not followed that commandment because I cannot find a Christian Church that holds service on Saturdays???

The best I can do at present is to not do any work on Saturday and watch church on Saturday but, it doesn't feel right to me for some reason?

 

[dayhiker]

Your are right, Wolfe, the Sabbath is Saturday.

I think the early church went to the synagogue on Sat and held a church service on Sunday the day Jesus arose. So I think Sunday was important to the church before there were popes. But I know there are differing views.

Also I don't think Christians have to obey OT rules/laws. We aren't told in the NT that we have to obey that one of the 10 commandments. Jesus fulfilled the law and was the telos (end/goal) of the law.

I think we consider the 7th day Adventist Christians, tho they tend to be legalistic from what I've heard.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Your are right, Wolfe, the Sabbath is Saturday.

I think the early church went to the synagogue on Sat and held a church service on Sunday the day Jesus arose. So I think Sunday was important to the church before there were popes. But I know there are differing views.

Also I don't think Christians have to obey OT rules/laws. We aren't told in the NT that we have to obey that one of the 10 commandments. Jesus fulfilled the law and was the telos (end/goal) of the law.

I think we consider the 7th day Adventist Christians, tho they tend to be legalistic from what I've heard.

Yes, it's my understanding that 7th Day Adventists are Christian too however, I've been told you can only attend their church if you are a member (7th Day Adventist)??? I have no desire to be 7th D.A. though!

 

[dayhiker]

I don't know if that is true or not ... but it would seem like a unintelligent rule. I didn't want to call them ignorant! lol

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

This link will help answer it for you Bo. But also in Mark 2:24-27 Jesus himself when the Pharisees said to Him, "Look why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" replied in verse 27-28 "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.

But also read this link it really answers alot.

What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians have to observe the Sabbath day?

 

[Lone Wolfe]

This link will help answer it for you Bo. But also in Mark 2:24-27 Jesus himself when the Pharisees said to Him, "Look why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" replied in verse 27-28 "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.

But also read this link it really answers alot.

What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians have to observe the Sabbath day?

BINGO!!! Thanks Michelle! That link just answered all my questions about the Sabbath and now I can attend church on Sunday with no more worries in my mind & heart!!! I knew someone would have the answer here so, why didn't I just ask here and save myself all that distress in trying to contact CBN/TBN? LOL.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

I don't know if that is true or not ... but it would seem like a unintelligent rule. I didn't want to call them ignorant! lol

I think you may be correct Dayhiker! I was thinking the Mormon church is the one you must be a Mormon to attend and not the 7th D.A. folks?

My bad!!!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I do not agree with many of the teachings of Seventh day Adventist although there are many variations. I just don't really agree with organized religion in general. My opinion is that "religion" is man's way of trying to reach God. I just believe the Bible and I am a Christ follower and that's why I go to a non-denominational church. BUT that being said, I do not think they are all bad or cultish, just some.

Another link

What is Seventh-day Adventism (SDA), and what do Seventh-day Adventists believe?

 

[Lone Wolfe]

I do not agree with many of the teachings of Seventh day Adventist although there are many variations. I just don't really agree with organized religion in general. My opinion is that "religion" is man's way of trying to reach God. I just believe the Bible and I am a Christ follower and that's why I go to a non-denominational church. BUT that being said, I do not think they are all bad or cultish, just some.

Another link

What is Seventh-day Adventism (SDA), and what do Seventh-day Adventists believe?

Well, that's kind of always been my way of looking at religion also? It's man-made and therefore has to be bad for you, lol. It's funny how we (everyone) look at certain religions and react to them, simply because of the type of religion or their beliefs?

An example would be; there is this program that I use to watch all the time and I loved it (Amazing Facts) but, as soon as I discovered it was part of the 7th Day Adventist Church... I stopped watching it completely. Now, it doesn't change the program and what it teaches about the NT but, because it had an affiliation with that religion, it all of a sudden wasn't so interesting to me because I thought they would throw in little secret messages, lol? Do you know what I mean? And btw, I am not bashing 7th Day Adventists by any means, it's just not for me.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well, that's kind of always been my way of looking at religion also? It's man-made and therefore has to be bad for you, lol. It's funny how we (everyone) look at certain religions and react to them, simply because of the type of religion or their beliefs?

An example would be; there is this program that I use to watch all the time and I loved it (Amazing Facts) but, as soon as I discovered it was part of the 7th Day Adventist Church... I stopped watching it completely. Now, it doesn't change the program and what it teaches about the NT but, because it had an affiliation with that religion, it all of a sudden wasn't so interesting to me because I thought they would throw in little secret messages, lol? Do you know what I mean? And btw, I am not bashing 7th Day Adventists by any means, it's just not for me.

I'm right there with ya! I used to love that program too. There are others that I used to watch but can no longer watch because of their view on the rapture. My view changed when I just read what Jesus told the disciples when they asked what would be the sign of his coming and the end of the age. So whenever they teach something and then they will say, "oh but we won't be here for that!" I can't watch it anymore. But I used to agree with that view so it is kind of funny but at the same time, even the well learned can be mislead, so I don't need to take any more chances, especially since I am not that smart or studied as some who have been led astray IMO.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

I guess the one thing that troubles me most about these televangelists (most, not all) is, they are always pushing to buy this or buy that and you NEED this or, if you really want to know the answer, we would like to give you this DVD for a gift of $125 and that blows me away! $125??? Most folks who watch these programs don't have $125 for food each month, alone buy one set of DVD's because they try to make you feel you need them to survive or God will be angry with you if you don't? They work on the "guilt" thing and that really troubles my soul.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Why do they always say; "We would like to give you this"... and then add the "for a gift of only $35"? First off, that's not wanting to give you anything and I really dislike the way they use the word "gift" when they want your money!

I do like the way TBN will offer something and then say; "We will send you this for a gift of any amount" and to me that's when the money is NOT an issue and if all you have is one dollar, they will send it out to you for that simple one dollar! That to me is the proper way to do things?

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I guess the one thing that troubles me most about these televangelists (most, not all) is, they are always pushing to buy this or buy that and you NEED this or, if you really want to know the answer, we would like to give you this DVD for a gift of $125 and that blows me away! $125??? Most folks who watch these programs don't have $125 for food each month, alone buy one set of DVD's because they try to make you feel you need them to survive or God will be angry with you if you don't? They work on the "guilt" thing and that really troubles my soul.

Yep, that's why it's hard for me to watch "christian" television. My personal feeling is that IF God is behind something HE will bless it, you don't need to beg and plead for money. Also the bible in Proverbs 23:23 says "to buy truth and do not sell it" so why are they SELLING it then? and YES they DO prey on peoples ignorance and guilt them into "needing" what they are "selling".
I also have a problem with some churches being all about the numbers. Just because alot of people go to your church does NOT mean GOD is blessing the church! It's like that old saying "if 50,000 people do a wrong thing, it's STILL a wrong thing!" Yet so many pastors get hung up on growing their church instead of teaching a simple repent and be baptised message. IMO THAT is the message that grows the church. That's what happened in Acts.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

There's an old saying; "If you build it, they will come" and that means the Word that you teach, not just the building itself. If you're teaching the right Word and that Word gets out, that church will grow until you have the need for a larger building simply because the current building will not hold the congregation. I know because I watched this with my own eyes at a church that I use to attend.

And, the simpler the church the better I like it! Who needs all that fancy fake gold, shiny brass and all the other bells & whistles that they don't need to be a church??? That's the first thing I look for when I walk into a church.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I know! I used to go to this church and they met in a relatively nice building but it was not over the top. Then they moved and I was so excited because they moved closer to my house, but they went the TBN route and first of all the outside is these two domes and my SIL and family started calling it the boob church cuz to them that's what the outside looked like. But then you walk inside and there is this BIG hallway or whatever you would call it outside where they have the service (which is in the dome) and it's all marble floors and columns. IDK if it's real marble and I don't care. I felt so uncomfortable I had to stop going there.

I am a firm believer that alot of things, like love for example, there is a fine line between love and hate as you can see when two people are SO in love and then they get divorced and they seethe with hatred toward each other. The same with our faith. I think it is relatively easy to get off track, but still think you are on the "right" track. So we must be diligent and study and not just take these "teacher's" or "preacher's" words for it. JMHO

 

[Lone Wolfe]

I'm currently watching a program on TBN that is John Hagee playing music in this special and I had no idea the man could sing or play the sax as beatifully as he does? What a true blessing this program is! They just played my favorite gospel tune too... "Just a Closer Walk with Thee".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiJ_MsLphYw

 

[Rememberme]

OK, here's my question that I seriously struggle with!

How does a true Christian keep the 4th Commandment and obey the Sabbath when you can't find a Christian Church that holds services on Saturday???

The Sabbath is the 7th day which is Saturday and sometime many, many years ago, the Pope changed something that church is on Sundays (the 1st day) in most religions in this country and that is NOT obeying the Sabbath!

I do my utmost best to follow God's Laws (the Ten Commandments) and I have always felt that I have not followed that commandment because I cannot find a Christian Church that holds service on Saturdays???

The best I can do at present is to not do any work on Saturday and watch church on Saturday but, it doesn't feel right to me for some reason?

You will never be more righteous than you are right now.Jesus paid that for you and I.

 

[Rememberme]

I'm currently watching a program on TBN that is John Hagee playing music in this special and I had no idea the man could sing or play the sax as beatifully as he does? What a true blessing this program is! They just played my favorite gospel tune too... "Just a Closer Walk with Thee".

John Hagee & Canton Junction: Just A Closer Walk With Thee (Difference Media) - YouTube

My husband always wanted to learn how to play the sax.he loved that instrument.Way cool