August 17, 2007

Entertainment Driven Christianity

Ingrid opened this edition of Crosstalk discussing a prisoner in the Texas prison system and the beautiful, Scripture laden letter he sent. The letter is a testimony to the power of the Gospel spread via Christian radio, that outlet that can pierce even the thickest walls of isolation.

Ingrid then presented news of an outreach effort by Southeast Christian Church in Kentucky. What began 14 years ago with 100 volunteers and a budget of $100,000 has become a pageant that in 2008 will involve an estimated 1,300 people and cost 1.75 million dollars. The film of this alone will cost $400,000.

Callers then share their views regarding the use of such large sums of time, talent, and money to produce these extravaganzas; all in contrast to the historical simplicity of preaching the Gospel, a method that has been effective for centuries.