Clarence E. McClendon
4
What I wrote below is not a rating but my personal feelings on the broad topic of television evangelism. I wrote them under the Clarence E. McClendon subtopic because it was the only one I had really read at the time. I happened across it and this site while running searches trying to find the Full Harvest International Church Website, which was offline for a while. I found that The Lord indeed blessed and gave me clear directions through messages I saw on the telecast.
I gave a four rating for the numerical reference only. I'm for inspired and prolific preaching. I'm far from a prude and I try to heed Davids example in not dealing in matters higher than myself. I believe anyone who heeds a divine calling and opens their lives and personal decision making to scrutiny from any and everyone, should be commended. Much of the good they do is so often overshadowed by reckless judgments and innuendos.
Aside - My view on tv evangelism in general... I do feel that celebrity, sometimes, has a tendency to cloud ones better judgment and ones soul adversary, of course, is not going to make hearing clear direction from The Lord any easier especially if you are a leader of Bible believers. One error I think some (a lot) of televangelists make is speaking definitively on matters (a disproportionate number of which are spiritual) when God only is infalable. With words resembling 'take my word for it' they give false hope and build upon a pedestal only The Lord Himself is exempt from falling from. Not only should we not lean to our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), we should not lean on theirs unless it is thoroughly rooted in scripture. We should trust and lean on The Lord and Him only. Paul encouraged us to follow him as he followed Christ. To me that means that at the exact point where the preachers actions or words deviate, there (and only there) should we. I wouldnt think a coup (or preacher bashing) would be in order, though. Prayer and rational judgment are far more fruitful than aggression or passivity. Samuel was still under the leadership of Eli even though he was obviously falling short of his high calling. (I don't know Bishop McClendon's personal decisions or situation. When I view telecasts I listen to hear what thus saith the Lord, to hear Scripture revelations. What do I or anyone else, except God, have to do with his personal life!) Samuel continued to be obedient to Eli but sought direction from God.
We tend to put too much of our faith in mere man and mere men sometimes accept far more homage than they can hold. And sadly the worst part of a scandal among believers (whether real or manufactured) is that it gives The Lords enemies opportunity to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14)...
Read more of these TV Evangelist ratings ... if you don't beleive me.
Webster could actually use some of these ratings to exemplify blasphemy.