I still think this is overreach and the ministers should tell Grassley that it's to be expected that a name and claim it pastor has to spend money to attract followers.They preach that God blesses the believer with material wealth, so shouldn't the pastor who spreads this gospel be blessed abundantly? How are you going to convince others that your gospel is true if you don't have a big car, fancy house and you're not flashing the bling?
Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is preparing another round of letters to Christian television ministries, prodding them to answer questions about their spending and the way they are governed, a spokeswoman said Thursday.(via)At the same time, an aide to the committee's Democratic chairman indicated it would be in the ministries' best interest to cooperate with the Iowa Republican's investigation.
Grassley started his probe of the ministries in early November but has met resistance from some of the six ministries he has questioned.
The senator's latest attempt to get answers from the holdouts comes as criticism of his probe is mounting within the evangelical establishment. The flagship magazine of the movement, Christianity Today, editorialized this month that the Grassley probe amounted to "oversight overstep" that risked delving improperly into theology.
[...]
The targeted ministries have gotten advice from Jay Sekulow, a well-connected Washington lawyer in evangelical and Republican circles, according to two sources with knowledge of the talks who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about them. Sekulow heads the American Center for Law and Justice, founded by televangelist Pat Robertson.
[...]
Jill Gerber, Grassley's finance committee spokeswoman, said the the follow-up letters would go out in the next few weeks to ministries that have raised concerns or not responded. Gerber said the letters will describe Congress' authority and duty to investigate and evaluate laws over which it has legislative authority — in this case, tax-exempt policy.
Yeah, I pretty much have an ulterior motive, I want them to say they preach a different gospel so their followers know they are not preaching Christ and him crucified.
Related Posts:
Sen. Charles Grassley Asks Ministries To Turn Over Financial Records
Evangelical groups are worried about the Grassley inquiry
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"I want them to say they preach a different gospel so their followers know they are not preaching Christ and him crucified."
Never happen but maybe all this negative publicity will drive them to their knees.
At the same time, an aide to the committee's Democratic chairman indicated it would be in the ministries' best interest to cooperate with the Iowa Republican's investigation.
It is hard to think of a more despised institution in America than Congress. This investigation will not help matters - especially if no evidence of legal wrongdoing is uncovered.
And I wonder what the aide was suggesting here. Will the prosperity gospel ministers wake up one morning with a horse's head in their beds?
That's exactly what I thought as well! They sound like the mafia -- way too much power and it's gone to their heads.
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