I have studied and observed the impact of television evangelism on the church and its followers – and it tends to be a disaster. While there are certainly some positive aspects of this medium, such as the ability to reach a wide audience with the gospel message, there are also significant drawbacks that must be considered.
One of the most concerning issues with television evangelism is the promotion of faulty theological doctrine.
Many of these programs rely on sensationalism and emotional appeals, rather than a careful and nuanced understanding of scripture. This can lead to a shallow understanding of the faith, and even outright heresy.
One of the best ways to stop people from using their heads is to get them to start using their feelings instead. And most people will gladly replace logical reasoning with emotionalism.
Who wants to sit around using their minds? Not many.
And when people are knee-deep in an emotional appeal, they are not in the frame of mind to question what they are being fed. they will swallow any idea hook line and sinker if a charismatic “theologian” presents it in an emotionally compelling way.
Furthermore, television evangelism often promotes a weak mindset among its followers.
It can give the impression that faith is something that can be easily gained through a simple prayer or momentary emotional experience, rather than a lifelong process of spiritual growth and discipline. This can lead to a lack of commitment and a superficial faith that is easily swayed by cultural trends and pressures.
People always want their lives to be changed in an instant.
But we know through the teachings found in the Bible that change is a slow process like a slow-growing tree. This is perhaps one of the reasons we find so many agricultural analogies in the bible. Not just because Christ was teaching an agrarian society, but also because Christ loves things that grow, even when they grow slowly.
If you cannot take a diet pill and lose 50 pounds in a month, you likely cannot change your spiritual state in an instant. Also because your spiritual state is dependent on your physical actions. It is through our physical actions that we demonstrate our spiritual state. We will never have actions that oppose who we are on the inside. Our actions are a reflection of our hearts [Matt 15].
Additionally, television evangelism can promote a liberal philosophy that undermines the seriousness of religion.
By reducing faith to a mere feel-good experience, these programs fail to address the complexities and challenges of the Christian life. This can lead to a distorted view of religion that is out of touch with reality, and ultimately undermines the credibility of the church.
Liberalism, when it is radical, or even when it is just a sapling, is a philosophy that is in opposition to God. It promotes the idea that your feelings are all that matter. Liberalism is the “Planet Fitness of Faith“. It says, “It does not matter if your lifestyle is incongruent with your Bible. Just live sincerely and God will accept you”. Who would be so bold to speak for God than those who bow to the altar of religious liberalism?
While television evangelism has the potential to reach a wide audience with the gospel message, it can also promote faulty theological doctrine, weak mindsets, liberal philosophy, and commercialization of religion.
The emotions in the heart are not all that matter. In fact, I continue to argue that they play a minor role in religion. Because you can have all the right emotions while having none of the right actions and be far removed from where you need to be as a person claiming to follow God.
First and foremost focus on action, then your desired emotions will follow you later.
As followers of Christ, we must be discerning in our consumption of media and seek out sources that promote a deep, thoughtful, and faithful engagement with the Christian faith. We must resist the temptation to reduce religion to a mere commodity or entertainment, and instead prioritize spiritual growth and discipleship.
