He called in to TBN and told his wife Jan that he was giving the money to the
station. However, the announcement that was made on the air was ìA man that
loves Christian television has pledged $20,000 to the station if others will match
it.î The phone lines lit up and the money poured in, hand over fist! 2
The question is ñ if God did indeed tell Paul Crouch to give the money, why did
he try to make a deal? Why was the stipulation if others will match it made part
of the presentation to the audience?
Thus began the all too typical gospel presented on TBN, a little truth was
twisted and then mixed with lies in order to get others to give them money.
One of the reasons given for the asking of donations on any Praise-a-thon, is
getting enough money to keep the TBN satellites orbiting in space. TBN does not
own these satellites ñ they merely buy the use of the signal. Paul Crouch is very
enthusiastic when he tells the audience that using satellite technology to spread
the gospel of TBN over the whole earth is the fulfillment of the prophecy
recorded in Zechariah chapter 5.
ìThen I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and
behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou?
And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty
cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.î Zechariah 5:1-2
Paul holds up a model of one of the satellites that is used to broadcast the TBN
signal, and shows that, indeed, it does look like a scroll. The actual satellite is
also very close in size to the scroll mentioned in that scripture. (20 cubits by 10
cubits equal approximately 30 feet by 15 feet).
However, the next passage in Zechariah chapter 5 takes an interesting curve
according to the Paul Crouch translation.
ìThen said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over
the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be
cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth
shall be cut off as on that side according to it.
Zechariah 5:3 (emphasis mine)
Paul Crouch claims that this scripture refers to the Word of God. However there
is not one translation that converts the phrase the curse into the Word of God.
This is an attempt by Paul Crouch to justify how much money he asks for and
receives to keep TBN in business.
When Moses stood before the children of Israel, he spoke to them about a
blessing and a curse.