I misunderstood BEP's post, that's why I said I wouldn't comment on this topic again.
ALLINALL---I hope you're feeling a little better today.
Reba-------I didn't understand your post about Paul C. "paying off" his accuser. I've never heard anything about this. The statement about Sandi Patti-------I don't know if this is true, either. All I know is we are all sinners. But, WE tend to decide one sin is worse than another. If someone calls themselves a Christian, and chooses to live in adultery, then I wonder how they can call themselves a Christian. God will judge them. If this one should be a Pastor, then I believe he isn't fit to pastor according to the Word of God. If he won't step down, then the elders must make him step down.
I don't think ALL history is gossip. I don't think all of it's true either. Ouch, was that a rock that just hit me in the head?
MALKYEL---------I don't think the Apostle Paul was a gossip. Others were accountable to him, and on and on. TRUST is the word here. One has to "earn" trust. If I repeat what I hear, or what is written without knowing and trusting, then I'm guilty of gossiping. Even if I repeat what someone tells me about another, whether true or untrue, I'm considered a gossip. It seems to me the "accusers" should be using the same platform. Why don't they have TV ministries? Some level ground is needed here. It also seems to me they would be a lot more effective in proving their case if they were willing to expose their own lives across the TV screen.
I don't know for how long these accusers have been rebuking those TV ministries whom they think are sinning, but I'm assuming it's been a long time. What good has it done in reference to "so the rest also may fear?" Before I'd ever expose and/or accuse anyone, I'd have to "know" they were guilty, and not guilty because I took what they said out of context. Then, with the bible and prayer, ask God what he'd have me do. The biblical mandate to bring those in opposition to the "truth" as enemies of the Gospel was local. EVERYONE'S life was exposed for EVERYONE to see. The bible isn't gossip and what Paul told others to do wasn't gossip, either. We need to compare apples with apples.
From what I've seen, every denomination has their interpretation and they think their interpretation is the correct one. There wouldn't be all these different denominations if this wasn't true. Is somebody right and somebody wrong? Is everybody right? Is everybody wrong? All I can offer anyone, is to let them know Jesus loves them, and died for them. I also let them know I'm willing to help them. I know lots of Christians who would walk past someone (even someone they know from the same church) who needed help and say, "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I'll be praying for you." They don't offer any help, when they could. I know first hand because it's happened to me. And, they've been from different denominations. Before someone tears down a TV ministry, let them take a good look at what's going on locally. Reba mentioned this, too. I'd say the local church needs to get itself in order. TBN probably wouldn't have been on the air as long as it has, if the local church was doing its job. So,TBN is doing God's work, too. Many, who otherwise would never have heard of the gospel, heard, and were saved because of TBN.
Oh, the baby and the bathwater---------I cannot imagine a mom or dad (Victorian or not) putting a baby into filthy water. Common sense says one would bathe the baby first, for many different reasons. I dunno, maybe the only people who have common sense are us comtemporary ones. Actually, I'm surprised any of us made it this far, considering all the bacteria in our ancestors bathwater.
