Dear friends:
 
I’ve been mugged!  No kidding.
 
In cyberspace, that is.  I am blooded, battered and bruised, but no broken bones.  And I am in the victory!
 
It started after I sent the message out yesterday about TBN and Hal Lindsey.  Thankfully, a number of you voiced approval and support.  Unfortunately, a tiny few of you became unhinged. The ferocity of some was jolting.
 
All I did was to suggest that TBN not be prejudged and condemned (a Christian idea?), and I emphasized the importance of reaching Muslims with the gospel, which will take much wisdom to overcome the tough cultural barriers.  I also expressed uncertainty about the real situation vis-à-vis TBN and Hal Lindsey.  Yes, I had read the WorldNetDaily articles, but no one really knows the behind-the-scenes story until it fully unfolds.  So all of our speculation may be for naught.
 
Apparently, some on this list care less about reaching Muslims, or wisdom, and believe that any outreach to the Muslims that does not also proclaim Israel to be “compromise.”  In effect, they would combine a plea for Muslims to “accept Jesus” with the added message, “accept Israel.”  Any thinking, Spirit-led person would know that such a meat-ax, culturally insensitive approach to Muslim evangelism would not be godly wisdom.  I say to those folks, “Get real. You are in a fantasy world.”
 
One large evangelistic organization I know of purposely does not take a public pro-Israel stance so as not to jeopardize the effectiveness of their missionary staffs in Muslim countries, where multitudes are quietly being led to Christ.  That is an example of godly wisdom that produces  fruit.  Some of my detractors would condemn this practice and put a shame on those wonderful, dedicated missionaries for “compromising.”  I call that stupidity.
 
I was shocked at the pent-up hostility towards TBN that was released by my message, probably by people who never even watch Hal Lindsey.  I suspect most of it was driven by the false anti-charismatic teachings in their cessationist churches.  But I thank God for my Pentecostal brethren.  I had rather be around shoutin’, jumpin’ and dancin’ Pentecostals who are not ashamed about being excited about Jesus any day than the spiritually dead in many mainline denominational churches.  They believe Jesus and His grace are something to should about.  (Thinking about Jesus and His love, the late Dr. Bill Bright once said, "If I were not a Presbyterian, I'd shout 'hallelujah.'")
 
Two people admonished, “Shame on you.”  The dictionary defines shame as “A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace.”  Is that what they want for me?  God bless them too.  Thankfully, Jesus took my shame, guilt, and all that other ugly stuff.  I don’t have it any more.  You can't give it to me.  Give it to my Savior.
 
Another person thought I was saying that TBN is anti-Israel and pro-Arab!  I was shocked at what some read into my short message.
 
Still another said that proclaiming Israel as the apple of God’s eye is more important that the Great Commission!  Can you believe that?  But Jesus did not say, “Go into all the world and proclaim that Israel is the apple of my eye.”  You know what He said.
 
Just to criticize and to try to demonstrate heresy, someone even went so far as to dig up and send me a lot of old TBN quotes, most of which were out of context and some even true.  Another blasted some of the doctrine preached by some (not all) of the ministers on TBN, without really understanding in depth what they are really saying or what the Bible says about it all.
 
Please know that I am not a TBN supporter, but I maybe should be, as I am blessed by many, but not all, of their programs.  In fact, some of their stuff turns me off, such as Jan’s goofy wig, but so do some mainline churches.  But I am blessed by the powerful and bold witness for Jesus on TBN, and I thank God for them.  I was thinking about that last night as I watching Latino evangelist Luis Palau and the powerful testimonies of several who had come to Christ.
 
“Thank you, Jesus, for TBN and Hal Lindsey.  Use them both for your purposes, in your own way.  Give them both wisdom.  Where either may be in error, correct them.  Keep them centered on you and your Word.  Protect them from your enemies and false accusations.  Help TBN reach the Muslims of the world, and all nations, with the gospel in power, and with the mighty medium of television you have given them.  Amen.”

(Please do not reply to this email.  I cannot handle the volume.)
 
Jim