From the, "man are we worried about a lot of crap file," I present to you Ingrid of VCY radio and the Slice of Laodicea.
“Since 1979 VCY America has aired Insight For Living. Increasingly
over recent years, VCY has been concerned about the content and
direction of the IFL broadcasts with Chuck Swindoll. Through the years
we have had multiple conversations with IFL regarding objections to
content in their broadcasts. It is VCY’s position that certain language
and illustrations used have been crude, vulgar, and from the gutter and
have no place on Christian radio.
They are okay with lesser sins like slander and hatred of other believers.
While the listing below is not exhaustive, it does give a
representation of VCY’s objections that have resulted in the
termination of the broadcast.
But we are counting, you know!
The decision to bring termination to the IFL program arrived on
March 5, 2007. VCY and listeners were highly offended by Chuck
Swindoll’s use of crude and uncalled for language. His message was
entitled, “Male Leadership 101” which was a presentation given to men
at his church. Although a disclaimer was given at the beginning of the
program, Swindoll had a sustained laugh as he stated had he known this
would be on radio at the time of speaking he probably would have
changed things around because he tends to be “a little loose and a
little free.” But he says he found “people appreciate that”. The
specific area of offense came when Chuck stated:“The sons of Issachar understood their times, they were men who had
discernment and the sons of Issachar were men who had direction. They
could make decisions. They saw through all the fluff of that culture.
They stood strong when others were fading in the shadows. Patton would
say they had guts. You’d say at work, they had balls. Or maybe that’s a
Greek rendering of another verse.” (Laughter)It is VCY’s position that this language is gutter talk, is crude,
and vulgar. VCY stated to IFL that such language is uncalled for, is
unbecoming a pastor, and is inappropriate for our listeners.Within moments of this broadcast, a businessman contacted VCY who
uses this station as a witnessing tool. He keeps VCY playing in his
office so those who visit him will hear. He told VCY he was very upset
by this IFL program and if he wanted vulgar language he would put on
secular talk radio. VCY can only agree with this anger and frustration.
Why don’t you let your actions do more of the taking? Your radio just turns people off.
Knowing this was Part 1 of a message, VCY pre-listened to the March
6, 2007 broadcast. In this message Chuck Swindoll addressed
accountability, sensitivity, purity and integrity. These virtues were
compromised when he spoke the following:“The battle still goes on. It will never end. In fact I had
my physical the other day and Cooper who has a finger that long (pause
and lots of laughter), that long (continued laughter). And while he was
up in there said, ‘Now that’s your prostate.’ I said (Swindoll yells)
‘I know that’. Was this anatomy class? (Laughter). He’s a very sick
man. (Laughter). Got through prostate, checked out great. I bragged
about that to Cynthia about three hours. ‘I’ve got a great prostate.’
She said, ‘get a life, honey.’” (Laughter)VCY finds it unacceptable to broadcast Chuck Swindoll’s re-counting
of the length of the finger of his doctor and describing it in his body
while checking his prostate. This is both crude and offensive.
Didn’t Jesus once talk about a dog returning to its vomit? That was pretty crude and I am sure his audience was offended.
While the issues presented on the March 5th and 6th broadcast
brought the ultimate decision to terminate the program, these were not
the only concerns VCY has expressed to IFL. Beginning in the year 2000,
there was a national boycott of Disney led by the American Family
Association, Focus on the Family, Southern Baptist Convention, etc.
Christian broadcasters all over the country were giving warnings
regarding the homosexual promotion such as gay days, gay-friendly
issues and other depraved issues being promoted by Disney. While this
boycott was going on, Insight For Living took anotherposition. The
November 20, 2000 IFL program promoted “The Lion King” (produced by
Disney) using it as an illustration. Chuck Swindoll stated on this
broadcast,“Now I could ruin the rest of the story for you, but rather than
doing that, I’ll urge you to go down to your local video store and rent
for yourself, ‘The Lion King’”.At that time VCY addressed concern to IFL pointing out that
researchers who reviewed this movie stated that the one who anoints
Simba as king, was Rafiki, who happens to be a witch doctor. Rafiki
carries his magical pack on the top of his staff. Viewers are taught
throughout the movie that you can align yourself with witchcraft to
overcome evil. It is also pointed out that the movie promotes talking
to the dead (necromancy). VCY questioned IFL why they would be
promoting Disney when so many Christian ministries were warning against
it and were participating in a national boycott. No official response
came to VCY’s inquiry, only that “the comment would be passed on.”
Nothing communicates grace more than dissing on Disney, huh?
On the January 3, 2001 edition of IFL Chuck Swindoll used an
illustration of Art Linkletter talking to a boy whose father is a
police officer. Art asked if the boy’s mother was bothered by this, the
boy responded and Chuck emphasized, “Heck, No!”. A couple moments later
Chuck again made great emphasis, “Heck, No!”. VCY contacted IFL stating
“heck” is slang for “hell” and that listeners were offended by this.
The IFL representative assured VCY they’d pass our comment on.
You can’t say heck? Why the hell not?
Again VCY contacted IFL on February 5, 2001 regarding that day’s
program. Chuck used an illustration from a regular column he reads from
“Sports Illustrated” magazine written by Rick Riley. This particular
issue’s column was entitled, “Speaking of Class to the Class of ‘98”.
Chuck’s illustration dealt with the topic of “perspective”. Before he
read the quote he said, “I won’t read it all, but it’s really worth
these excerpts.” The offense came when Chuck quoted this portion of the
magazine,“Be careful with your money, write your own checks, none of
this power of attorney crap. Get an agent and a lawyer and tell each,
the other is a crook. (Laughter) That’s perspective.”VCY alerted IFL that day that the word, “crap” is crude, uncalled
for and offensive and should not to be used in a Christian’s
vocabulary, let alone come from a pulpit and broadcast all over the
country. VCY stated to IFL that this term Chuck used did not pass the
test of Ephesians 4:29.
Ingrid much prefers the proper term…poopie.
On February 11, 2001 a personal meeting was held between members of
VCY and those which represent IFL to review the various concerns
raised. This was followed up by a personal visit of an IFL
representative to VCY in late February of 2001.On August 23, 2001 again VCY brought to the attention of IFL an
offending illustration. On that program, Chuck told of the fun they
were having on Ben Yahuda Street in Israel and said,“One of our men said the funniest things that I heard on the
trip. He said, ‘I don’t know what the big deal is about all the clothes
people bring with them on a trip.’ He said, ‘I’ve solved the underwear
problem. In fact, I now carry 1/4th the underwear I used to carry.’ He
was telling us things we really didn’t need to know… He said, ‘Actually
you can get four times the wear out of every pair of underwear. So
simple.’ And, we of course were hanging on these words wondering what
he had in mind. He said, ‘Look, it’s simple: right side out, wrong side
out, frontward and backwards. You can just wear the same one for’-I
noticed toward the end of the second week, no one was sitting next to
this guy. (Laughter) There’s just something about it that turns you
off.”Chuck continued with his clothing illustration to bring the point
that “clothing polishes the image, but it doesn’t polish the
character.” It is VCY’s position that this illustration had no business
being on this national Bible teaching program.On September 5, 2001 VCY again contacted IFL regarding that day’s
program on which Chuck Swindoll calls into question a literal
interpretation of Genesis for a six day, 24-hour day creation. On that
program he stated,“On what day did He make the sun? It was the fourth day. So for
three full creative days or eras of days, however you might handle
that. For three solid periods of time there was light, but there was no
sun…But what’s interesting to me is that the light that came upon this
earth, for a period of who knows how long, did not come from the sun.
Where did it come from?”In this message IFL called into question a literal six-day, 24-hour
day creation. IFL responded that he wasn’t teaching on creation at this
point and that his “brief comments are to be taken in the context of an
illustration rather than a doctrinal teaching.”
I think Ingrid’s test to get into heaven has a few more questions than the one the rest of us will be taking.
On the May 6, 2002 IFL broadcast Chuck was speaking of his taking
pastoral interns on a tour visiting various churches, meeting with
pastors, etc. and they as a group had some extra time. Chuck related
the following in his message:“So, I thought, let’s go see a movie. And I thought about that great
theological work, ‘Unforgiven’. So I said to the guys, and we agreed,
that’s our kind of a film. It’s kind of a guy sort of thing…tough,
rugged, unshaven, spittin, cussin, you know, yellin, smoking, big stuff
like this. No Harley’s, but a lot of hard knockin stuff, bad stuff and
I thought that’s a great kind of thing to do, we ought to do that. So
we all agreed and I was filled with expectation, I thought this is
gonna be terrific. Well, I hated it. I hated it. In fact, I sat there
and I kept thinking this is the worst play, the worst screenplay I’ve
ever seen. These actors, this plan is empty. I mean the only people you
pull for is a room full of prostitutes. I mean, it’s terrible. And one
guy slices up one of these gals and another guy holds her while he’s
slicing her up and I’m going, ‘good night’. The language is worse than
raunchy and I’m looking around seeing if anyone is there. Cynthia knew
I was there and just watching. This terrible thing is breaking loose in
the film and I’m thinking, ‘O, man. Maybe it’s going to get better.’
Well it gets worse after that. And so the plan then is for all these
women, these prostitutes to gang up on the two guys that sliced up
their lady friend and they got a hold of Clint Eastwood and he comes
back into his gun slinging life and he blows these people away. I mean
that’s the plot. He even shoots a guy on a 2-holer in an outhouse.
(Boom) That’s a major part of the film. And, I’m thinking ‘this is the
worst thing’. I thought, ‘maybe it will end well…maybe if he married
the prostitute it would at least end better’, but he didn’t even do
that…I’m thinking, ‘I want my money back. This is the worst thing.’…And
if you have been in the Christian life so long that you’ve forgotten
what life is like when it has no hope. You need to see the film. It is
as pointless and meaningless and empty and torturous as you can imagine
and then some because you get to a grave and even that is futile and
the credits roll.”Again VCY raised objection to IFL stating this illustration was
uncalled for and highly inappropriate. This movie carried an “R”
Rating. Upon conducting some research, VCY learned this film was filled
with vulgarities, took God’s name in vain repeatedly, and had explicit
vulgar sexual references. (The scripting is so vile that VCY cannot put
it into print.) VCY also learned later that the original script title
for this movie was, “The Cut Whore Killings”. We asked ourselves the
question, why are Chuck and his interns there to begin with? According
to his own words in his illustration, Chuck went to see this movie
understanding this would be a “cussin” film. When he stated all that
happened in this film that was dishonoring to the Lord (swearing,
prostitution, slicing a body, etc) VCY asked why did he stay there?
especially with those he was training in the ministry. VCY further
asked why would Chuck recommend at the end of his illustration that
people need to go see the movie?
I really liked the movie Good Will Hunting. Is my salvation at risk?
The initial response we had from an IFL representative was that
VCY’s concerns are more than valid. As a matter of fact while this IFL
representative drove to work that day and heard this broadcast she
asked the same questions VCY asked. We were assured that our concerns
would be relayed to Cynthia Swindoll.It took over two months later, but in a letter dated July 11, 2002
Cynthia Swindoll, President of IFL responded in a three and a half-page
letter. Her letter is excerpted as follows:“Now concerning the broadcast in question (May 6, 2002), I first
want you to know how much I genuinely value your position and honor
your right to choose the programming you feel best suits your network.
However, upon receipt of your comments, I thought it might be helpful
to share Chuck’s and my perspective on the ministry of Insight for
Living, which is totally passionate about ‘communicating the truths of
Scripture in a practical manner.’…“Chuck feels that we must be real, in order to meet real
people in their real world. In other words, if people won’t come to the
sanctuary because ‘it’s not relevant to my life these days,’ then we
must make it relevant by delivering a message with which they can
identify. Whether they live in the mansion on the hill or the inner
city, the message must be capable of reaching BOTH or it misses the
very souls who have the greatest needs.In our opinion that is exactly what Jesus did. He ate with
the publicans and sinners, in which events, I feel he was probably
compelling in His persona and He charmed them into righteousness
(meaning He extended grace to them). He repeatedly told stories
illustrating an understanding of their real world. I sometimes ponder
how He could have been so compelling that twelve totally different
personalities would leave everything to follow Him. For this lifestyle,
Jesus received much criticism from the Pharisees and others, but it did
not deter His obedient pursuit to ‘do the Father’s will.’…If this message reached the life of just one person that
might have been flipping the radio dial that day and, therefore, for
the first time, he or she heard the Gospel, we feel it would have been
worth it. In a day that is ‘ripe for harvest,’ we feel compelled and
passionate to do what we can to reach the lost even though it means
‘eating with the sinners.’…We do not at all advocate a believer’s doing something that
is scripturally wrong in their efforts to reach the lost and do not
feel that this is a case in point. It’s true that Chuck went to a movie
with an “R” rating. This is very unusual; in fact, I cannot remember
another similar occasion….It is also true that Chuck walks on the edge at times in
passionately communicating God’s truth. He always has. He always will.
Admittedly, this is risky, but that does not mean this is wrong. This
has enabled him to connect with far more people-literally thousands who
have said this is what has made the difference in their even ‘listening
to a preacher.’ This will not change. He will never be a ‘safe’
communicator. Jesus wasn’t ‘safe’ either. Chuck will never go out of
his way to be offensive, but we know some will be offended. So be it.
We are passionately pursuing obeying what we believe to be the will of
God for our ministries.”On another matter, VCY has had concerns as to the meaning Chuck
Swindoll has given to “grace” and “judging”. On the February 21, 2005
IFL broadcast were heard these words,“No person is qualified to judge another. Extending grace means we
refuse to play God in anyone else’s life…So, rather than judge others,
it’s our duty to give them room to be who they are.”This is the very argument people make to stay in homosexuality or to
indulge in alcoholic beverage, or to swear…”This is who I am”. In this
message “Grace in Action” Chuck speaks on Christian liberty, judging,
etc. He states:“But let me go to drinking wine for supper, or you know, or a glass
of wine for lunch. Some of you have an absolute abhorrence for the
thought. And, that’s your conviction. I’m not talking about drinking
too much. I’m not talking about out of moderation. I’m talking about a
glass of wine every once and a while. If you do not have a problem with
that you’re not free to bring a big bag of booze and set it on the
table when you eat at Bob’s Steakhouse. Okay? That’s unwise especially
if you’ve got a couple of brand new Christians with you, or if you’ve
got them sitting nearby. If you want to drink a little wine, drink it
in your house. Keep it to yourself because that’s love. Now, I know
I’ll get mail on this, but I don’t care (laughter). I’m trying to make
a point and I could have chosen another, but I know that would make you
think. So, I thought I’ll use this one and let you think whatever you
wish. When I come to your house I do not check your refrigerator to see
what’s in there…And when I have you in my home and you look in my
refrigerator, it’s none of your business (Laughter). It works both
ways….I want to say to you who are strong, lighten up, lighten up….I
want to say to you who are weak, grow up. Quit judging people who have
liberty that you don’t feel you have.”
You know, Jesus did turn water into grape juice for his first miracle.
It is VCY’s position that God calls believers to lead a life of
separation from worldly practices and amusements and that the life of
one who is saved should demonstrate that he is a child of God,
surrendered to do the will of God. The child of God is not to do those
things which will cause a brother to stumble or be made weak, but
affirms II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is
a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are
become new.”VCY again expressed concern to IFL upon hearing the July 22, 2005
broadcast in which Chuck Swindoll quotes from Ken Medema, a keynote
speaker for Evangelicals Concerned, “a nationwide ministry which
affirms lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians in their
faith.” It is a group that believes that it is God who gives them a
homosexual orientation. Further, on their website they have stated that
Ken Medema has endorsed monogamous gay relationships. We presented IFL
with a website and requested a response to our concern. IFL asked for a
few days to respond to us. One month later VCY still did not hear back,
so again contacted IFL. We were told they were still working on it.
Finally on October 6, 2005 (two and a half months after the incident),
VCY received a phone call from RJ Alvarez, Vice President at IFL
stating they needed more definitive material regarding Ken Medema. On
October 20, 2005, VCY sent to RJ Alvarez a volume of documented
material. VCY never did receive any further response from IFL on this
matter.On the December 27, 2005 IFL program, Chuck stated in his message,
“Get your buns in gear and turn to…(gave passage of Scripture). It is
VCY’s position that this is not appropriate language from the pulpit
nor on this Christian radio ministry.On other occasions, VCY has had to pre-empt programs or air special
programs due to the inclusion of certain types of music inconsistent
with VCY’s format. Further, concerns have come from listeners regarding
the promotion of self-esteem, his teachings on legalism, quotes taken
from Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and frequently from “The Message”.
But thank God he never used the TNIV. Not even he would stoop that low.
The final issue which ultimately led to the termination of IFL on
VCY were the references stated at the beginning of this paper
pertaining to his slang used for a man’s testicles and his recounting
of the length of the finger of his doctor and describing it in his body
while checking his prostate.As a result of these issues, cancellation notice was provided IFL on
March 5, 2007 with the final broadcast airing March 30, 2007.In that VCY is accountable before the Lord in what is broadcast, VCY
cannot condone nor support the types of issues presented above.James 3:10-11 states, “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and
cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain
send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”. Ephesians 4:29
states, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers.” Philippians 1:27a states, “Only let your
conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ;”. And, in Titus
2:7-8 it states, “In all thing shewing thyself a pattern of good works:
in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech
that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be
ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”While the above listing is not exhaustive, it is certainly
representative of the decision that led to VCY’s letter of termination
to IFL. VCY does not rejoice in taking this step, rather the decision
has been made with a grieving heart. This decision is not a knee jerk
reaction, but one that has arrived after following Matthew 18 in
communicating multiple times with IFL pertaining to offensive program
content. It is VCY’s prayer that IFL will refrain from such practices
as listed and that the Lord would grant IFL wisdom, discernment and
discretion in their future programming.
Source: http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com/?p=159
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