THE NOBLE BEREAN: Volume Six February 2006

“TBN – The “Talent” Broadcasting Network?”

By Michael C. Gaudiosi - The Noble Berean

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I’VE SEEN IT ALL I am what as known as a morning person. One particular morning, very early, I happened to flip through the channels and came upon TBN. I could not believe what I saw, although it did not surprise me, after all, I should have seen it coming! We have seen the popularity of the hit TV show “American Idol”. This show has become so big that it has spawned a great number of these “reality talent” shows: “Dancing with the Stars”, “Celebrity Skating”, and so on and so on, so it was no wonder that this popular brand of programming would find it’s way into the Church via way of TBN, mostly because there is this mentality to take things from the world and turn it around for the glory of God. Now, I thought that it could not get any worse with the Praise-A-Thon’s, until I saw TBN’s latest and greatest show “Exalting Him”.

The way this show works is that unknown Christian singers, musicians and worship leaders from all over the country compete to win a “Christian” recording contract with a “Christian” record label. They start with a large number of contestants, not certain as to the exact numbers, and then those with the most talent work their way to the finals, all the while singing, or should I say, performing, before three judges and an audience, sort of like a “Christian” version of “American Idol”. Now just so we are clear, I am not criticizing or judging any individual personally, or am I against using your gifts and/or abilities in service to the Lord and to His Church. I am speaking out against the concept of just such a program being aired on what is supposed to be a “Christian” Television Network. The title of this show is what is so ironic, the audacity to actually call it “Exalting Him”. Is it really Him this show is exalting, or is it something else?

I can’t help but ask the question, is this what Psalm 150 is talking about? Psalm 150 - Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Is this what “Exalting Him” is all about? Is it really the worship of our Lord? Are the contestants on the show doing this for the worship and adoration of the Lord alone WITH NO EXPECTATION OF A REWARD, OR GETTING SOMETHING BACK IN RETURN? Does Jesus get any ounce of glory from this? Now the most important question, is this what Jesus bought and paid for with His own blood? If you answered YES to any of these questions, I would seriously suggest that you re-consider your Christian walk and get back to the Bible! These contestants are out to win a “Christian record deal” and all the accolades that come with it! It’s just that simple! I know this may sound harsh, but think about it! Can you really call a “Christian talent show” worship of the Almighty God, Creator of ALL the universe, Savior of our souls? Well, then, what is worship? What constitutes true worship of the Lord? Let’s see from the Scripture.

SOLA SCRIPTURA – THE SCRIPTURE ALONE!

Worship means to “kiss” to do homage, reverence and to adore. This does not mean that worship is to close your eyes and wave your hands during the music service in church, because all you’re doing is closing your eyes and waving your hands! No, worship is a LIFESTYLE! This reverence, adoration and homage are something we must do 24/7/365! Let’s look at Jesus and His conversation with the widow woman in the Gospel of John, chapter 4. In verse 20, the woman says to Jesus - Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. To this Jesus replies in verses 21-23 - Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Notice in verse 22 Jesus stated that “Ye worship ye know not what”. This describes the “worship” in most churches today, especially on this “Christian talent show”. What is true worship? According to Jesus in verse 23, true worshippers are those that worship the Father in spirit and in truth. This CANNOT be accomplished on a TV show, or a church music service, but in a Godly lifestyle where the Lord is exalted not just on Sunday morning, but all through the week, 24/7/365 in every area of our lives!

Again, I am not judging the people who have appeared on this program, which is not for me to do. However, it is for me, and all believers, to examine ALL things and to hold fast to what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Meaning we are to judge what is taught, or what is going on in the Church that would lead to error and to expose and to correct the error. This TBN program is steeped in error! This is not how we are to exalt Him. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are to be in competition with our brothers and sisters, and this is what this program is, a competition, friendly as it may be, but it is still a competition. The goal is not to glorify the Lord, but rather it is to win a record deal so that the winner will achieve fame and wealth, and make no mistake about it, these Christian artists are wealthy. The “Christian” recording industry works no different than the secular. The more record and concert sales, the more money the artist and the record label makes.

The Scripture does talk about winning a prize, but there is no need for friendly competition. 1 Corinthians 9:24 - Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Although Paul uses the analogy of a race, he is not talking about competing with our brothers and sisters; he is talking about perseverance in the faith. This is shown in Philippians 3:14 - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This TV program is all about self. It should be titled “Exalting Me”. There is nothing of self-denial, and it does not matter how nice and sincere the person is. It is all about the performance of the artist. When I watched the show, there was a woman interviewing the artists after they went on stage and kept asking them how they thought of their “performance”. I must have heard the word “performance” more that a dozen times. They even showed behind the scenes where each “performer” was coached by a stage manager on how to capture the attention of the audience. So this has NOTHING to do with capturing the attention of the Lord.

Why am I even talking about this? Because it saddens me to see the state of the Church today, especially in America. Instead of a Church that is separate and set apart from this sin-sick world, and standing on sound biblical doctrine, the Church has now taken on the character traits of this sin-sick world by becoming: a feel good about ourselves, pop-psychology, seeker-sensitive, mega-church oriented, Hollywood box-office evangelistic, watered down, positive messages, let us entertain you, relaxed atmosphere, don’t mention hell or judgment, fast-food franchise, don’t offend anyone, can’t we all just get along, judge-not, touch not the Lord’s anointed, name it and claim it, doctrine is irrelevant, signs and wonders, feelings, experiences and emotions, tongue talking, spirit slaying, TBN focused Church.

It is pathetic to say the least, considering there are missionaries and pastors, and believers around the world who are suffering true persecution, imprisoned and even put to death for the cause of Christ, and what are we doing in our churches here in America? We are holding “talent” shows to win a record deal claiming we will use this for the glory of God! Please, grow up! God does not need for you to win some kind of record deal to go out and to preach the Gospel! He has given you everything you need! He has given you His Word. He has given you His Spirit, and He has given you Jesus! What more do you want?

Why isn’t it enough to simply use the gifts and abilities the Lord has given to serve in His Church, meaning the local Church? Why isn’t that good enough for mainstream Christianity? In my local church, our choir sings hymns and spiritual songs, with biblical depth and truth, and we also have those that sing solo. Not once do we applaud for them, because it is not about them, or how good they sing (and they do sing very well!) It is about using the gift that the Lord has given them to truly exalt Him! They do not need to go on some “Christian talent show” to glorify the Lord, as they do so already in spirit and in truth! That is good enough for them, and it is good enough for me!

I know I will not make any friends in the liberal, ecumenical crowd, but then again that is not what I am looking to do! I just can’t believe what Christianity today has become! It’s not going to go away brothers and sisters, it will only get worse. The apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 4:1 - Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. He also gives this encouragement in verse 16 - Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. The Church today has all but abandoned sound doctrine and is giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrine of devils. TBN and “Exalting Him” are prime examples of this warning from Paul coming to pass, and we are seeing it happen before our very eyes!

This is not what Jesus meant when He said in Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Whether you agree with me on this, or not, ask yourself these questions: is this the Church that Jesus is building? Is He building a Church of “performers”? Is He building a Church of high and mighty TV evangelists who are above accountability? Is He building a Church where doctrine is irrelevant but signs, wonders and experiences are king? Is He building a Church where it is wrong to offend someone by telling him or her they need salvation or face eternal judgment separate from God? Seriously consider these questions and then take a long hard look at post-modern Christianity today, compare it by the light of Scripture, and then tell me that this is the kind of Church Jesus is building!

Here’s what the apostle Paul states in Ephesians 2:19-22 - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Can modern-day Christianity say this? Don’t just take my word for it…Search the Scripture for yourself!

SOLA SCRIPTURA! The Scripture ALONE! May the Lord bless you!

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