Open Letter to a Televangelist

Perhaps televangelist is not the correct term. I am not writing to any pastor who has services that appear on television. It may be because of my generation that I call television preachers who preach what is called “the prosperity gospel” televangelists.

First of all, I respect the fact that you preach a message where your audience does not just listen but seeks a transformation. While the transformation you preach is in the area of health and wealth, at least your audience expects something to happen.

I have the most patience for your message of healing. I am no cessationist, I do believe that miracles still happen. Not only do I believe that God heals, I believe that God uses other people to bring healing. He may have even used you.

We are told to pray for those who are sick. But even within the Bible we have examples of people who are not healed. In 2 Corinthians, Paul acknowledges that one of his prayers for deliverance was not answered.

It is not just unbiblical to preach healing for all, it is dangerous. By saying that God will heal all who ask, there is a problem when the majority are not healed. The usual response is that the person does not have enough faith or has sin. That is condemnation and Christians are not to live in condemnation. Some Christians fall away because of what they hear about their lack of healing.

Then there is the money issue. I sometimes wonder if you have ever read the New Testament. You point to a few texts in Genesis where Abraham has some wealth but you seem to ignore the New Testament that almost universally speaks negatively about wealth. Read through the Gospels. Read through James. There is not even a hint that wealth is supposed to be a sign of blessedness. In fact, it could be argued that poverty is a sign of blessedness.

Speaking of wealth, you are doing pretty good yourself. There are plenty of harder working pastors that are barely getting by and you are rolling around in your millions. If you truly believe that God blessed you with that money, what do you think he wanted you to use it for? Do you think his main concern were mansions and expensive cars? You will be held accountable for your wealth. I am not condemning you for being rich. All of us will have to give answer to what we did with what we received.

Finally, have you ever watched yourself on television? You are kind of strange. I am trying to say this in the kindest way possible. Try to step out of your homogenous prosperity gospel crowd and look at your services as a “normal” person. There is some pretty weird things going on. Just sayin’.

Why do I write this letter to you? I don’t hate you. But I fear that you are leading many astray and that you yourself, if you consider yourself a believer, may be lead astray. My advice would be to sit down in a quiet room and read the entire New Testament. Write down everything that is said about health and wealth. Then reflect on how that fits with your ministry.