Television as an evangelistic tool
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Authors
Weston, Owen Charles
Issue Date
1997-06
Type
Language
Keywords
Evangelism , Televangelism , Romania , Eastern Europe , Mass communication theory , Joseph Klapper , Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) , Campus Crusade for Christ International , Luis Palau Evangelistic Association , Romanian Eastern Orthodox Church , Persuasive communication , Discipleship , Follow-up
Alternative Title
Abstract
This thesis is the study of televangelism contextualized within the country of
Romania. It seeks to answer six main questions: I} When the Lord Jesus gave
Christendom the global, Gospel mandate, he forced his disciples into a two thousand year
struggle with, not only the message, but how to spread this message. Is the Gospel
message so powerful that it will penetrate through any method of delivery? Can a former
communist country be evangelized through television?
2) The next question asked in this thesis: is the message in and of itself, when conveyed
through this media, sufficient to accomplish its goals? Does the media encourage the
recipient to fulfill the desires of the message? What about Mass Communication Theory
which espouses that television is more likely to reinforce then transform a viewer's belief?
3) The third question wrestled with: would the former communistic country of Romania,
when turning to the ideals of the West, receive the Gospel message with greater or lesser
significance through the media of television, or would other forms of communication be
more desirable? Would television, in comparison to Crusade or Film Evangelism, be a
more ideal media for the Gospel at this juncture in Romania's history?
4) Television allows large audiences to be reached with staggering efficiency, but does the
medium itself impose limits on the kind of evangelism that can be done? What type of
church grows out of an electronic medium? Would television gather a church "unto
itself?"
5) In fulfilling the great commission, many organizations and mission groups have arisen
with the desire to carry the Gospel message to the ends of the earth with whatever means
available, including CBN, who uses television. Can television reach the masses, including
the poor, in Eastern block countries?
6) The final question addressed in this research: what are the long term effects of
televangelism in this former communistic country? Would a one time television program,
given in one week, yield results that can be determined two years later?
These questions were not only wrestled with, but conclusions were drawn to make
evangelism and particularly televangelism more efficacious.
Description
Citation
Weston, Owen Charles (1997) Television as an evangelistic tool, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/16467>