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Founder of EndTime Ministries and host of End of the Age, Irvin Baxter is yet another minister in the growing list who has been silenced by the largest Christian network on TV.
In his January 21st announcement, Baxter declared:
"You probably have heard by now about the passing of Paul Crouch, founder and President of TBN. Paul believed strongly in EndTime Ministries and was a great friend of our program. With his departure, his wife Jan has assumed the management of TBN. I have never met Jan but apparently she does not have a strong interest in Bible prophecy. As a result, our program, as well as several other prophecy programs on TBN, has been discontinued. Wednesday, January 15th was our last time to air. I wanted you to know because many of you watch our program, “End of the Age”, on TBN. We can continue to be viewed on the Church Channel, which belongs to TBN, the Daystar Network, TCT and on other venues." EndTime Ministries
It began with Hal Lindsey in January of 2006, when the International Intelligence Briefing notified TBN that he would not return due to, what he considered to be, 'efforts to muzzle his opinions about radical Islam.'
Lindsey, best selling Christian end times author, had anchored the program for 12 years on the world’s largest Christian network.
Then, in August of that same year, Zola Levitt Presents, a long-running, weekly TV program often critical of the jihadist principles within Islam, was also canceled by Trinity Broadcasting Network. TBN producers claimed it was due to their efforts to gratify its growing audience in the Arab world.
A few years later, in 2011, well known prophecy teacher, Jack Van Impe, was discharged over his criticism of Christian leaders Rick Warren of “The Purpose Driven Life” fame, and Robert Schuller from the now defunct Crystal Cathedral after they adopted a policy often referred to as "Chrislam" - which involves finding common ground between Islam and Christianity.
In most cases those efforts to “reach out” to Muslims involves incorporating the beliefs or practices of Islam into their Christian organizations. Several churches have allowed Muslim Imams to pray and preach from the pulpit to their congregations with Brian McLaren of the emerging church movement even taking part in the Islamic Ramadan celebration.
When TBN refused to run a program where Van Impe highly criticized leaders like Rick Warren and Robert Schuller for their Chrislam efforts, he announced, “I Will Not Be Silenced! I will not allow anyone to tell me what I can and cannot preach.”
He added, “When I see heretical teaching leading to apostasy, I will speak out. The Bible says ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:’ (II Timothy 3:16).
The Apostle Paul also gives instructions in Titus 1:9-11, 13 ‘Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers … Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake…Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.’”
Although Islam was not listed in the reasons given for Irvin Baxter's recent departure from TBN, it is noteworthy to mention that he too spoke out often against Islam in his programs.
Has TBN become fearful of end times prophecy teachings? Or, are they more concerned with political correctness, afraid they might offend Muslims and pro-Muslim/Chrislam advocates?
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