Update 8/2018: Chuck Smith, Paul Crouch, and Jim Spencer are no longer living.
9/1/2003
A number of circumstances are causing me to re-evaluate how I speak about my concerns with Paul & Jan Crouch and Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). A few weeks ago I was blessed of the Lord to get to know Jim Spencer of Boise, Idaho. Jim is a former Mormon who became a follower of Jesus Christ, pastored a church, and now ministers through authoring books, speaking, and his web sites, including Mazeministry.com. Jim is licensed in the Foursquare denomination (which I do not endorse, but I love and appreciate Jim). Jim Spencer wrote a book in 1993 called, Heresy Hunters: Character Assassination in the Church, in which he calls into question the tactics of some “cult busters”. Jim was invited to speak on TBN about this book and then later about his ministry to Mormons. He is supportive of Paul and Jan Crouch and TBN, though I doubt he endorses everything on TBN. I continue to have serious concerns about TBN as described below. My original commentary item on “Chuck Smith on TBN” is at the bottom of this page.
Please write with your comments on any of these people or issues.
On TBN, are there promoted the false gospels of “Positive Confession”, “Health and Wealth”, “Prosperity Doctrine”? Are these teachings false gospels?
On TBN, are there promoted the false gospels of psychology and self-esteem ?
On TBN is there promoted the yoking with Roman Catholicism? Is the Roman Catholic gospel the same as the gospel Paul and Jan Crouch preach?
The below item was written 1/2/00. [Modified 3/21/04]
Why was Chuck Smith on the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s “Praise the Lord” program on December 27th, 1999?
TBN is one of the most widely viewed sources of false teaching in the country, if not the world.
Chuck Smith is founder of mega-church, Calvary Chapel, in Costa Mesa, California and the leader of a global system of affiliated clergymen.
Does Chuck Smith justify it as “making the most of an opportunity”? Does he consider TBN to be a neutral medium of television apart from the views taught by the TBN founders? Does he warn against the false teaching of TBN and Paul and Jan Crouch? Do Paul and Jan Crouch consider their gospel to be the same as Roman Catholicism? Does Chuck Smith consider that Paul and Jan Crouch preach the same Gospel as he does? Let me know what you think of this situation.
Four Ways Christians Are Deceived
Calvary Chapel Clergy & Moses Authoritarianism
The False Gospel of Self Esteem
Commentary on Current Events – Index
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