Archive Entry #25: January 14, 1987

For the fourth time in the first three months of this archive, I turn to the year 1987 for an entry (don’t worry, ‘87 fans; there’s one more from your favorite year coming next May). Today’s column actually introduced my fascination with television evangelists to which I would return two months later (click HERE for archive entry #20).

Today’s entry is on point in our modern era as so-called “seed faith” or “word of faith” pastors are prevalent on religious television and radio networks. Their premise hasn’t changed in the nearly 28 years since we published this column: Plant a seed (i.e. give a significant gift to their ministry) so that God will bless your life.

I hope I will one day find the courage to call one of their 800 numbers to say this: “I have been inspired by your message about planting a $1,000 seed today. So inspired am I by your message that I am mailing a $1,000 check to my church tomorrow. Thank you and praise God!”

I can’t imagine that the operator would match my enthusiasm.

COMING NEXT: From October 1995, a reaction to the O.J. Simpson murder verdict is an entree to a commentary about racism. Nineteen years later, a racial divide still haunts us as a nation. This year’s community praise worship in November will call the church to take a stand against our racial divide, in part by expressing the essential unity of the Body of Christ. The next archive entry will demonstrate that my passions about the issue have not waned. Find it HERE.