How the fall of Jimmy Swaggart shaped the presidential run of Pat Robertson
Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a major controversy in the late 1980s. It involved the famous American televangelist, who was a leading figure in Pentecostal Christianity. In 1988, Swaggart publicly admitted to “moral failure” after reports surfaced that he had been involved with a prostitute, behavior that directly contradicted the strict moral standards he preached. The revelation led to his suspension by the Assemblies of God, his church denomination, and caused significant damage to his reputation and ministry. Swaggart delivered a widely televised, tearful confession, which became one of the most memorable moments in religious broadcasting, symbolizing broader concerns at the time about hypocrisy, accountability, and power among high-profile televangelists.
When Pat Robertson’s run for president failed, he kept going
This proved to be a problem for Pat Robertson, who was running for president. Just as he needed his conservative brothers and sisters on his side… they disappeared or chose another politician.
When he lost the race, he continued his streak of being shelved by politicians. He and other evangelicals with large followings placed their hope in politicians to save them. Only to find disappointment.
Sources:
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
Andrews, T. M. (2017). The Rev. Marvin Gorman, who prompted Jimmy Swaggart’s downfall in the ’80s, dies at 83
Art Harris, W. P. (1988, Feb 26). Jimmy Swaggart’s secret life in the world of no-tell motels ‘shouting, weeping’ Preacher was just another man on prowl. Toronto Star
RNC National Convention speeches 1988, around 2:35:00
God’s Own Party by Daniel K Williams
PETER STEINFELS (1989, Jun 12). Moral majority to dissolve; says mission accomplished. New York Times
Rolling Stone Magazine article on Jay Sekulow. By Andrew Perez, January 3, 2024
Christians were involved with many forms of media from their inception. They were there at the dawn of radio, with the first commercial broadcast of music being played around Christmas in 1906, and the gospel of Luke was read.
A similar story is true for television. Evangelists loved the new medium, with preachers like Oral Roberts using it to spread their brand of Pentecostalism. Pentecostalism was made for television. Where many denominations featured calm worship services, it seemed like anything could happen with Oral Roberts’ brand of Pentecostalism. He healed, he made big claims, and he made a lot of money. Roberts’ format was followed by people like Jim Bakker and Pat Robertson.
The founding of the Christian Broadcast Network
Pat Robertson created the Christian Broadcasting Network, which later functioned as his platform for launching the political careers of politicians and, eventually, himself. Robertson’s influence is all over evangelicalism, from the ubiquity of consumerism and prosperity ideology to our involvement in political movements. He formed the Christian Coalition and was a leader in the Council for National Policy. Robertson attended many of the seminal meetings of the Religious Right. And his message was amplified by his powerful television platform.
Sources:
Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker’s Evangelical Empire by John Wigger
Oral Roberts and the Rise of the Prosperity Gospel by Jonathan Root
Jesse Eisinger on why the ultra-wealthy barely pay any tax at all
How do ultra-wealthy people avoid paying taxes? It seems like a strange subject to bring up when discussing why some evangelicals are drawn to the Republican Party. But many of the ties between evangelicals and the GOP have to do with money. So, let’s take a little side trip and explore the tax loopholes of today. More importantly, let’s try to understand why so many Americans are tax-averse. Could it possibly be because we, deep down, know that someone else is getting a better deal than us?
Buy, Borrow, Die
One tactic used by the ultra-wealthy is “buy, borrow, die”. They avoid “income”, instead opting for assets like stock and real estate they can borrow against. Borrowed money is not taxed. Then they either pay back those loans with other loans (often with interest rates that are much lower than their tax rates would be) or they fail to pay back the loans. Then… they die.
Jesse Eisinger is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter with Pro Publica. Chris first heard about him from his book (pardon the language) The Chickenshit Club and met him when he appeared at a live event in Jackson, WY hosted by the Teton County Library, the Center for the Arts, and the Jackson Hole News and Guide.
The Cask of Amontillado: Edgar Allan Poe’s Classic Story
In the Kanawha County Textbook War episode, Chris shared that the people of that county fought against some textbooks and stories being read in classrooms and as homework. Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado is one of the texts that was contested.
So Chris decided to read it here as a bonus episode at the end of October. Enjoy!
Between 1910 and 1915 a collection of 90 essays was distributed by two wealthy oil magnates. These essays attempted to nail down the basics of the Christian faith and counteract the growing modernist movement. “The Fundamentals” is often mentioned in history books about Christian fundamentalism, but it is rare for anyone to discuss the essays themselves. So I thought we should break down at least 6 of them together!
I’m joined this episode by some good friends to introduce you to “The Fundamentals”. This influential time capsule document takes us inside the proto-fundamentalist movement, just before it really took off.
Discussion Questions:
What would you include in your own list of fundamentals?
Is creationism fundamental? What is the role of evolution in our modern theology?
The fear of evolution wasn’t just about people thinking we’d come from chimps. It also revolved around concerns of people applying evolution to other areas of life. How have you seen evolution applied to other studies?
Is the Bible inerrant? What does that mean?
Have you read the full Bible yourself? Why or why not?
Essays we read:
“My Experience With the Higher Criticism” by JJ Reeve
“The Deity of Christ” by BB Warfield
“The Certainty and Importance of the Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead” by Reuben Torrey
“Science and Christian Faith” by James Orr
“Evolutionism in the Pulpit” by “An Occupant of the Pew”
