Examination of Texts of Televangelists by ViewersLA VONDA JAMES

ABSTRACT

Televangelism had its beginnings in 1940 but has now developed into a burgeoning institution throughout the United States and other countries, gaining millions in revenue for televangelists. Televangelists have been successful in retaining consistent viewer support even when the media have revealed that they have engaged in practices contrary to Christianity such as adultery and the misappropriation of ministry funds. This presentation will focus on the level of motivation of viewers to research the Christian text for the purpose of discovering whether televangelists’ messages synchronize with the Christian text. In this way, it seeks to explore one of the factors that may explain the fidelity of viewers towards their respective televangelists.

WHAT TRULY IS A TELEVANGELIST?

*Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Tele-:

television

Evangelize:

to preach the gospel to

To convert to Christianity

Gospel:

the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation

BEGINNINGS OF TELEVANGELISM

1940: ROMAN CATHOLIC

ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN

CASE MODELS

JIM BAKKER

1988

ADULTERY MAIL AND WIRE FRAUD

JIMMY SWAGGART

1988 ADULTERY WITH

PROSTITUTE

1991 ADULTERY WITH

PROSTITUTE

AMERICAN CONFIDENCE IN ORGANIZED RELIGION

VIEWER EXPRESSION OF APPROVAL

MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS SUPPORT

RESEARCH QUESTIONS PART 1

R1: If a televangelist confesses to allegations of misconduct via media, will the confession cause an increase in the solidarity (contributions and support) of his/her most committed viewers, will the confession cause a decrease in the solidarity, or will it remain the same?

R2: If a televangelist denies allegations of misconduct via media, will this denial cause a decrease in the solidarity (contributions and support) of his/her most committed viewers, will the denial cause an increase in the solidarity, or will it remain the same?

R3: If a televangelist denies allegations of misconduct via media that are subsequently confirmed by the media, will the media confirmation cause a decrease in the solidarity (contributions and support) of his/her most committed viewers, will the media confirmation cause an increase in the solidarity or will it remain the same?

PSYCHOLOGICAL MODELS

A PSYCHOLOGICAL MODEL OF TELEVISION EFFECT

 

salience act = salience / repertoire X arousal

SALIENCE EQUATION

salience =

past consequences + (perceived consequences X perceived reality)

A PSYCHOLOGICAL MODEL OF TELEVISION EFFECT

 

salience act = salience / repertoire X arousal

RESEARCH QUESTIONS PART 2

R3: How often do committed viewers of televangelists read the bible after viewing televangelists?

R4: How often do committed viewers of televangelists refer to the bible in connection with the respective televangelist’s messages to confirm that the encouraged action is congruous with the text and in context?

RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS

WILL BENEFIT RESEARCHERS INCREASED UNDERSTANDING AND INCREASED BREADTH OF

STUDY

WILL BENEFIT TELEVANGELISTS EFFECTIVE MINISTERS

WILL BENEFIT VIEWERS WISE AND EDUCATED

WORKS CITED

 

Horsfield, P. (1984). Religious Television: The American Experience . New York: Longman.

Hughey, M. W. (1990, Autumn). Internal Contradictions of Televangelism: Ethical Quandaries of That Old Time Religion in a Brave New World. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society , pp. 31-47.

Korpi, Michael F. et al (1986, December). The Uses and Effects of Televangelism: A Factorial Model of Support and Contribution. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion Vol. 25 No. 4 , pp. 410-423

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). "evangelize" "gospel" "tele". Retrieved December 12, 2014, from Merriam-Webster: http://www.Meriam-Webster.com

Saad, L. (2012, July 12). U.S. Confidence in Organized Religion at Low Point: Catholics' confidence remains significantly lower than Protestants. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from Gallup: http://www.gallup.com/poll/155690/confidence-organized-religion-low-point.aspx 

Skill, T. (1994, Spring). The Image of Christian Leaders in Fictional Television Programs. Sociology of Religion , pp. 75-84.