Just curious???

I don't know if this is proper or not so you Mods feel free to delete if out of order.... I am wondering how many folk here listen to Bro. Jimmy Swaggart and an opinion on the gospel he propigates.

SI, funny you brought that video up. I have listened to it and it struck a chord with me also. Leonard Ravenhill was a great man of God. I love to hear him and read his lit.........but I just can't see rejecting him (Swaggart)and his teachings for a past sin(s), especially if it's under the blood. I can't see rejecting him or his message unless he/it's in error.

I haven't keep up with Jimmy Swaggart for a number of years since the incident back in 1988. The day after his confession Pastor David (Wilkerson) preached a message available on SI entitled "Wild Donkey." It's an incredible message primarily on not having a proper fear of the Lord.When you read through Acts you find that Mark (also referred to as John Mark) apparently abandoned Paul on one of his missionary journies and was subsequently restored. If I'm remembering correctly it resulted in Paul and Barnabus parting ways, although Mark later ministered with Paul.I believe there's full restoration through the blood of Jesus but whether or not someone is fully restored to what their particular ministry was is a bit of a different question.One thing that terrifies me though is that the Bible does not say that forgiveness is always available when we choose to repent. Remember the story of Simon the sorceror. It's a terrifying thought that Jesus doesn't have to forgive us. This is what Peter told Simon "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. .Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. As to Jimmy Swaggart, I'll join you in prayer and the Lord will tell you what to do.

Hi lamuskrat...I have no problem with listening to preachers who have fallen and picked themselves back up. The Word of God is full of such men. David, Solomon, Samson, Moses, and even Abraham are great examples of men who have demonstrated flawed humanity in living color. And if we are really honest, the Church is filled with such men. I am more than willing to listen to men who failed -- as long as they fell upon the Rock of Christ Jesus.However, the reason that I do not listen to Jimmy Swaggert has nothing to do with his numerous encounters with prostitutes. It has more to do with his doctrinal beliefs. Jimmy Swaggert, while not as blatant as the more famous prosperity preachers, is an advocate of the "mega-church" movement. Why can't such men understand that church attendance and "public confessions of faith" do not necessarily amount to true conversion? :-)

I have no problem with listening to preachers who have fallen and picked themselves back up. The Word of God is full of such men. David, Solomon, Samson, Moses, and even Abraham are great examples of men who have demonstrated flawed humanity in living color. And if we are really honest, the Church is filled with such men. I am more than willing to listen to men who failed -- as long as they fell upon the Rock of Christ Jesus. This is how I feel!One thing that terrifies me though is that the Bible does not say that forgiveness is always available when we choose to repent. Remember the story of Simon the sorceror. It's a terrifying thought that Jesus doesn't have to forgive us.That reply scares me too, I didn't think we could exhaust the grace/mercy of God. (scratches his head and delves into the word.)

No, I do not listen to Jimmy Swaggart. I enjoy Ravi Zacharias. When I am close to the computer, I will go online to listen to him. ginnyrose

I listen to Jimmy Swaggart sometimes and also to his son Donny sometimes.David repented of his adultery yet had to pay back four-fold. Repentance doesn't necessarily keep us from reaping what we have sown. I doubt if Jimmy will ever come near reaching the following that he once had. For a season he was used by the Lord in a big way, many would deny this, but it is true. At the same time, the price for his fall will most likely keep him from being used anywhere near what he had been.Greg has a good point about listening to those who haven't disgraced themselves. Many of the sermons on Sermon Index are as good or better than what I usually hear on Son Life Radio. Also, the average Times Square Church sermons that are current can't be beat for a fresh Word.Only what is done for Christ will last.In Christ,GaryE

Hi GaryE...Greg has a good point about listening to those who haven't disgraced themselves. Many of the sermons on Sermon Index are as good or better than what I usually hear on Son Life Radio. Also, the average Times Square Church sermons that are current can't be beat for a fresh Word.It is interesting that you say this. However, don't forget that David Wilkerson's testimony includes times that some may consider a "fall" -- although he never actually committed a physical act of adultery. He spoke about how God used Brother Ravenhill to point his finger at him and tell him, "Thou art the man!" At one point, David Wilkerson even came close to leaving his wife (while she was recovering from one of her cancer surgeries). He thought that he could find a younger wife and move to somewhere else and serve God there quietly (like as a missionary in Mexico). It took the Lord shaking him to wake him up. The Lord spoke to him as he was driving. "If you go, David..." the Lord said, "...you will go without me."This admission of his flawed humanity does not make me think any less of Brother David. In fact, it allows me to marvel at the work of the Lord in his life! I am so glad that the Lord uses flawed human beings. In fact, it seems that the people that God seemed to use the most in the Word were also the ones who had the most flaws. I am glad that such stories were included in the Word. It gives us all hope. As I said before, I have no problem listening to a man that made a mistake -- even one so publically humiliated as Jimmy Swaggart. However, I don't listen to Jimmy Swaggart because of doctrinal reasons. He was one of the first major players in the "mega-church" movement. Even though his messages may have been more spiritually sound than, say, the modern prosperity preachers -- the messages were still based upon the notion of "corporation church growth." I believe that gives way to many false conversions. :-)

I am so glad that the Lord uses flawed human beings. In fact, it seems that the people that God seemed to use the most in the Word were also the ones who had the most flaws. I am glad that such stories were included in the Word. It gives us all hope. Amen. There goes I but for the grace of God.

Sir:I appreciate your kind words concerning my good friend and former boss, Jimmy Swaggart. I have just one comment however. By your words concerning Jimmy Swaggart, it is obvious you do not really know or understand him or his foundation nor the entirety of the situation, history of him, etc. I do. I was very close to him for over ten years, through it all. Jimmy never, in any way, ascribed to what you classify as "corporation church growth."Doxa

I believe those who fall from grace under the new covenant shall suffer very severe consequences. Because you have …1. God living in you.2. The scripture as an example.3. Christ as your teacher.Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses and David had nothing other than the Holy Spirit on them. I think you’re all looking for an excuse to cover up your wickedness by referring to these men failure. Jesus is LOVE. Do you really "Love" Jesus?Love

Hello doxa...Thank you for your reply. It is very interesting that you worked with Brother Swaggart. There is a wonderful professor at the University that I attend who actually worked with him in some capacity as well. Even though he admits that the ordeal was quite troublesome to many at the time, he still holds Brother Swaggart with a great deal of sympathy.Jimmy never, in any way, ascribed to what you classify as "corporation church growth."I suppose that I should have been a little more precise in what I meant by "corporation church growth." You're right. Those words do not seem to specifically apply to his ministry (at least to my knowledge). However, I have watched or listened to many messages of Brother Swaggart, and his messages often seem like a pentecostal version of Billy Graham -- often asking for "instant decisions" about surrendering to Christ. I have always had doubts about the true results of such "altar calls." However, I do know some individuals that have come to the Lord at Church meetings where believers were asked to make an immediate public decision. Unfortunately, it seems that many of these "decisions for Christ" come as a result of individuals being "talked into" coming to Christ. It is my own personal observation (at the Assembly of God church that I attended) that many of those immediate decisions are reneged or even made in haste. Various evangelistic campaigns were held by well-known ministers or ministry teams (like the Power Team) where literally thousands of individuals "went forward" to "accept Christ." Yet after months (and even years) of "follow up," few (if any) began or continued to seek God. Ray Comfort's message, Hell's Best Kept Secret, captures this concept brilliantly. On a side note, I still remember Brother Swaggart in my prayers from time to time. His public ordeals over the years happened B.C. (before I knew the Lord). However, I have read several books, journal articles, and heard the opinions of many older believers on the matter. While Jimmy Swaggart is still mocked and belittled by people around the world -- it is not outside of the Lord's power to use him. After all, the last chapter of his life is yet to be written. And there are a few "failures" in the Bible whose lives ended with great and wonderful ending chapters! :-)

It's not about the messenger, it's about the message...Christ and Him crucified. As an x JSBC and FWC member and student, I guess you can say I know about this ministry somewhat, but my eyes and ears were on the Gospel and not certain people. I did not leave because of any of the Sin that was exposed, I left because of Sin in my own life. We men put our pants on the same way, and their isn't a man here on this forum that hasn't lusted or desired a woman. So why expect a man of the gospel to be any different.

I believe Swaggart's message is the best ever. It's simple: The Cross. i have never lived a victorious life until I had listened and apply this message. Its so simple....Just keep the Cross as the Object of your faith, realizing Christ is the Source, and the Cross is the means.

The cross is a pagan symbol. It represnts the Zodiac. Constantine is a fraud, and his mother Helena A butcherer of Jews!

I have heard another say that Taw said: "O Lord of the world! May it be Thy will to create Thy world through me, seeing that it is through me that Thou wilt give the Torah to Israel by the hand of Moses, as it is written, 'Moses commanded us the Torah.' " The Holy One, blessed be He, made reply, and said, "No!" Taw asked, "Why not?" and God answered: "Because in days to come I shall place thee as a sign of death upon the foreheads of men Taw is a "t."

Mabe its just me, those crosses look a lot like t's

I'd watch what I said, friend. It's not about the "wooden beam". It is about what Christ there accomplished. I don't really understand what you are trying to say concerning the Cross though. We shouldn't worship the beam, but the man who paid for our sins on the beam.