Opinion on Swaggart

[RDKirk]

His popularity and influence have decreased since his debacle. I have diminished respect for him because when the going got tough and he had to face the A/G leadership to step down he refused. So that means HE can preach submission to godly correction but HE doesn't have to. Respect and a good reputation are needed to the call to be pastor. He's lost that.

"What are your opinions on the great Jimmy Swaggart?"

I never bother with him, or his ministry.

It appears that HE HAS been "Clean" for some years though - which is a good thing. Back in the '70s he used to be called "the sheriff of the kingdom" for his judgemental attitude against other ministries. And then HIS "Feet of clay" got spotlighted.

Getting knocked off his "Pedestal" appears to have been good for him.

I don't disagree with the comments above. I'd note, though, that Swaggart once said he was an evangelist and not cut out to be a pastor (elder/bishop/overseer)...and he was right about that.

I hadn't heard from him since his Great Fall, but last year I was motoring through Oklahoma one Sunday and caught him on the radio. I had to marvel--he still had the gift of preaching the gospel.

 

[ltwin]

I seem to recall-- somebody here can correct me if I'm wrong-- that Jim Bakker did go through the Assemblies of God procedures for restoration after his fall. Jimmy Swaggart never did, after he fell he rejected church discipline/restoration and is, last I knew, pretty much running his own show.

Yes, Swaggart refused to go through the AG's rehabilitation plan (which was very generous--1 year suspension from the pulpit). Today, he and his church have no affiliation with the AG. I can't speak of Jim Bakker as to whether he went through with his rehabilitation. I do know that Bakker is no longer credentialed with the AG, but I'm not sure if he was dismissed or if he voluntarily left the AG.

 

[dragongunner]

Leaving his past moral failure out of it, to say that the man wasn't called to preach just reveals your total ignorance on the matter of the call to preach.

This is what was told to me by preachers who had met and knew him. Lots of preachers out there preaching that have never been called. Obviously these preachers must of saw something or knew something because looked what happened. But go ahead and school me on your knowledge of when someone is called to preach. Just because someone says they are called don't make it so. But please go ahead an school me, always looking to learn.

 

[Purge187]

I see him on television once in a while with those three other guys, and it sounds like he still has it.

Unlike other screw-ups, he at least admitted it.

 

[iLove]

I enjoy his teaching on the message of the Cross.

 

[TaylorSexton]

I have always been leery of two things:

1) Televangelists
2) Televangelist/Pastor Worship

I understand and appreciate the good the television has had on the Christian community. However, I must warn you against these two things I mentioned above.

I am not saying you are doing this, but people tend to flock to certain preachers because of how good they are at public speaking. The Bible instructs us to do one thing regarding preaching–or anyone's teaching, for that matter:

"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11)

"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

As for Swaggart's theology, in adherence to the forum rules, I choose to withhold comment. Just be careful about any preacher you listen to. Thunderbyrd said it best when he said, "Let the Holy Spirit teach you, not a man."

 

[ToBeBlessed]

1 Timothy 3:2-7 gives the biblical qualifications for elders:

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

The truth is, Swaggart is not above reproach or well thought of by outsiders. He's also proven himself to be quarrelsome with other ministers.

EXACTLY!

We are given guidance in the Word about this type of situation, so I do not consider it my 'personal' judgement, but a biblical truth.

1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)
"If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Others have also discussed how Jimmy Swaggart brought down other ministries, did not seek forgiveness from the AOG and has shown his character in many different tragic stages of his ministry, faith and personal judgement.

 

[FriendOfJesus916]

I love how there are all of these judges on here that don't understand that nobody is perfect.

 

[ltwin]

I love how there are all of these judges on here that don't understand that nobody is perfect.

And I don't understand why you feel that everyone on this forum should agree with you about how great Jimmy Swaggart is. I'm sorry this is so hard for you to understand or accept, but many of us reserve the right to decide for ourselves (in the light of God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit) which TV preacher we will listen to. Many of us prefer not to listen to Jimmy Swaggart for various reasons, many of which are good reasons given his past actions and a pattern of fleeing from biblical authority and accountability.

You are free to disagree. But please don't come on here with a "holier than thou" attitude just because many of us are wary of a man who has given us many warning signs to stay away.

Jimmy Swaggart is a TV preacher. He does pastor a church---a church that I'm not a member of. If I attended Swaggart's church, I would probably actually care about what he preached. But he's not my pastor, so there is nothing that he can say to me that I can't find in the word of God. I already have a pastor who knows me personally and who's number I can call when I'm in trouble. I don't need another pastor, especially one on TV.

Jimmy Swaggart is a brother in Christ who I have no ill will against. I simply prefer not to listen to his preaching or donate to his ministry.

 

[mjmcmillan]

I love how there are all of these judges on here that don't understand that nobody is perfect.

I love how you came on here asking for opinions, but instead you really wanted "yes-men" to nod their heads in agreement with you. When you got actual opinions, based on personal experience in some cases and what people have heard about the guy in other cases, you then assumed that we are all improperly judging your "hero".

I think you'll find that "yes-men" are in short supply, especially when you ask for opinion about a controversial figure such as Swaggart. There is still considerable controversy, and if you do a Google search on him you'll find that there seems to be still considerable reason why this should be so.

I can only state that for my part, having the past experience with his ministry that I've had, I am personally unwilling to get behind him and support him again. The very idea of possibly opening that flood-gate of mailings again---- nope, not gonna happen. I have no doubt he can preach it--- no doubt at all-- it's all the other things that go with supporting his ministry that make me say "not again".

 

[ToBeBlessed]

I love how there are all of these judges on here that don't understand that nobody is perfect.

How are we 'judging' Jimmy Swaggart? We are having a discussion about him, which you originated, and talking about a REAL situation, that a REAL man responded to, and that REAL facts about the situation that occurred.


We are also quoting what the bible has to say about elders/leaders.

You really need to stop making this about us, I think that your lack of discernment and bias that you enjoy his preaching has clouded your judgement. I hope that you go back and re-read this thread looking at the facts of the situation.

The bible warns us that false prophets are VERY GOOD at what they do.

Put your trust in the Lord and His Word. Many times when we seek our own understanding it leads us astray. See what the Word has to say about 'fruits'. It is very specific.

God bless