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©FOUNDATION
A MAGAZINE OF BIBLICAL FUNDAMENTALISM
Dennis W. Costella, Editor; Karel Beyer, Production Manager; Matt
Costella,
Copy Editor
M.H. Reynolds, Jr. (1919-1997), Founding Editor
Pat Boone Answers His Metal Mood Critics
by M.H. Reynolds, Jr.
FOUNDATION Magazine, March-April 1997
The January/February 1997
issue of Foundation magazine contained an article with details from original sources
concerning the furor that arose when Pat Boone released his latest album in February
titled, "Pat Boone in a Metal Mood--No More Mr. Nice Guy."
The album contained jazzy, big band style versions of heavy-metal songs. On the album,
Boone sang the lyrics to songs written and/or performed by heavy metal bands and
individuals such as Metallica, Van Hal en, Guns N' Roses, Alice Cooper and Jimi Hendrix.
Since Boone's Gospel America program had been featured on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
(TBN) for many years, TBN was immediately deluged with phone calls from contributors
demanding the immediate cancellation of Boone's weekly program following the release of
his album and his appearance at the American Music Awards. Paul Crouch, always careful to
do everything possible to maintain and increase TBN support, removed the program from the
TBN lineup immediately.
As the controversy multiplied, individuals and organizations disagreed over what action
should be taken, if any. TBN announced that Boone would be given the opportunity to answer
his critics on TBN's Praise the Lord telecast on April 15, 1997. Some of Boone's critics
who watched the entire two hour telecast may have been persuaded to feel they had
misjudged his album, his publicity photos and his statements since Paul Crouch had put
together a finely crafted supporting cast designed to put the minds of critics at rest.
However, believers with spiritual discernment could not help but see through this major
attempt to promote worldliness and undercut biblical holiness.
Paul Crouch was hilariously forecasting a vindication both for himself and for Boone. We
quote his first words of the April 15 telecast as follows: "Welcome, welcome,
welcome. Hello everybody coast to coast, shore to shore, border to border, and around the
world. It is time to Praise the Lord ... We're going to give the devil a couple of black
eyes tonight in Jesus' Name--yes we are. If you tuned in thinking it was going to be a
knockdown, dragout brouhaha, you're going to be disappointed tonight. You're going to see
brothers and sisters come together in love tonight in Jesus' Name--I promise you--and the
precious Holy Spirit is already here pouring the oil and the wine and the healing if that
is needed and necessary." Later in the telecast, Crouch said, "You know, I wish
I had the Nielsen rating tonight. I bet we've got probably one of the largest audiences
that Trinity has ever had in the history of its existence. We'll be twenty-four years old
this May. Yes, happy birthday, TBN. We're almost at 600 television stations at home and
abroad."
Millions of people were undoubtedly influenced one way or another by this telecast.
Believers who are genuinely concerned about this whole situation and desire to exercise
spiritual discernment might want to obtain the tape for further analysis. Space
limitations make it impossible for us to point out the many faulty interpretations and
faulty applications of Scripture used by every one of TBN's especially selected defense
team. For a matter as serious as this, it was heartbreaking to see and hear the flippant
attitude and words of all concerned. The dictionary definition of flippant is,
"Treating lightly something serious or worthy of respect; impertinent, not restrained
within due or proper bounds." There was much jesting and joking which the Scriptures
forbid: "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting which are not
convenient [not fitting], but rather giving of thanks" (Eph. 5:4). Of course, Pat
Boone's glib attitude from start to finish made repeated references to his contention that
his heavy metal garb was just a joke and everyone should have treated it as such instead
of becoming upset. He claimed that people should realize that there was a "method in
his madness" and that God was using his unusual album and promotional attire to open
new doors of witness to heavy metal groups.
It is obvious that Boone himself had to twist the Scriptures to defend his words and
actions, but amazingly enough his pastor, Dr. Jack Hayford, not only allowed Boone to get
by with his frivolous statements, but in a May 1997 article, Hayford admitted that he knew
about Boone's album in advance and gave his general approval. On page 19 of the May/June
1997 issue of Ministries Today, in an article titled "Hasty Judgments," Hayford
wrote: "See, I knew about the album a long time before Pat's television appearance.
Pat Boone isn't a novice, either as a believer in Jesus or as an entertainer. He is a
mature believer, and he had initiated conversations with me and others before he set forth
on the 'heavy metal' project. He invited brothers to 'test his spirit' and to understand
his motives in doing the album. My frank response was supportive, though I did think--as
Pat fully realized in advance--that there would be some who wouldn't try to understand or
accept what he was really hoping to do." Hayford's article should not have been
titled "Hasty Judgment" but rather "No Judgment," a complete reversal
of what Jesus Christ Himself taught. John 7:24.
When Paul Crouch introduced those he had chosen to participate in this defense of Pat
Boone, he said, "So we are going to have church in the TV studio, are we not, Jeffrey
Fenholt? Would you come, please, and be my affable co-host tonight
How are you doing?" Jeff responds, "I'm doing great, but you got a wild crowd
here tonight, don't you?" Why such a question? Was a wild crowd present? Yes, and
throughout the entire telecast, raucous, rude cheers and applause rang forth from what
Paul Crouch calls his 'Amen corner'--a live studio audience. Crouch would later introduce
Phil Aguilar, founder and leader of what he calls "The Set Free Ministry,"
consisting mainly of those who were formerly part of the "motorcycle gang, heavy
metal music, drug scene" but who claim a special mission from the Lord to reach
others for Christ. Actually Aguilar's ministry from its inception has involved
brainwashing and other psychological techniques which make it dangerous to the cause of
Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Having formerly lived in Anaheim for several years, we have
personal knowledge of a considerable number of young people who were snatched away from
their godly parents and, instead of being set free, were actually placed in bondage. Those
who know the facts of Aguilar's past and present ministry in Anaheim and elsewhere
consider it to be a dangerous cult. Why do Paul and Jan Crouch maintain such an attachment
to him? They should be called upon to answer. Note carefully the following interchanges
between Paul Crouch and Jack Hayford:
Crouch: Well, let's get underway and let me introduce next my
wonderful pastor, also Pat Boone's wonderful pastor, Jack Hayford, pastor of the historic
Church on the Way. How's my pastor tonight?
Hayford: Pretty good.
Crouch: Are you, going to sort of referee this tonight? Is that right?
Hayford: I tell you, I walked in the door and felt like this was a no-win situation,
especially in the hearts of some people who would like to hear something about the full
dimension of God's love and grace and how it works in the tough subjects. And, we're going
to deal with one tonight.
Crouch: You will have a word of wisdom, will you not, dear pastor?
Hayford: Praise to God, I hope one of us do.
Crouch: (laughing) I have never seen Jack Hayford nervous on TV before.
Throughout most of the telecast, Hayford maintained a restrained silence as Boone,
often at the coaxing of Crouch, twisted and misapplied Scripture to justify his album,
photos and performances--and his subsequent contacts with and praise for heavy metal
performers. Concerning these supposed new openings to witness for Christ, Boone reminded
his audience that how he looked and what he said at the American Music Awards was at the
suggestion of Dick Clark who correctly surmised that it would prove to be a great
promotional tool for Boone's album.
On the TBN telecast, Boone said: "I thought I was just doing a joke that Dick Clark
suggested and it would be gone and forgotten. But when a lot of stuff happened after that,
I began to see a purpose in it. I began to see at least an opportunity. And I just read
again today, and I wish I had marked it in my Bible where Paul said (I think) to Timothy:
'A new door of opportunity is opened to me and I have many adversaries.' And I see now an
opportunity to have communication that I never had before with people who are talented,
who are world-famous, who are really nice people but I get to meet them in person. And, we
have some common ground on now to share ideas and thoughts and ..." Boone, Crouch,
Hayford and all those on TBN's telecast twisted one scripture after another--a shameful
performance before the millions who watched.
Explaining how the idea for his heavy metal album originated, he told about his musical
conductor saying, "We're doing all of these oldies of yours, all these gold record
songs that are 20,30,40 years old. Can we go in and do something new, something
different?" Boone said, "Guys, I'd love to. I'll pay for it, but what do you
think we can do that I haven't already done ten times? I've done forty gospel albums, I've
done pop albums, folk and country, and every kind of thing. And they said, 'You never did
any heavy metal.' Well, we laughed because it was ludicrous, it was a joke. But then Dave
Seeble said, 'You know, there are some really good songs hidden under all that noise and
all that anger and all that distortion."' Good songs? Any believer with even a small
amount of spiritual discernment would identify them as evil and filthy!
When Hayford finally spoke, acting as a "referee" in this controversy, it was
obvious that, while he was uneasy throughout Boone's lengthy explanations, he was either
unwilling or unable to deal with the real issues involved. He was willing to keep Boone on
his deacon/elder council although Boone was certainly no example to any believer. Crouch
demonstrated once again his willingness to mix truth and error and, despite his denials,
made it crystal clear that TBN values numbers and finances above purity of doctrine and
life.
The final half-hour of the TBN telecast was filled with twisted Scriptures, blasphemous
statements concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, and the ridiculing of all who stand for truth
and against error. Not one of those participating in the TBN telecast made any protest;
instead, all appeared to enjoy poking fun at those who are preachers of the Word rather
than worldly entertainers.
Pat Boone, the entertainer, appeared to win handily but the rest of the story is yet to be
heard. God willing, we plan to provide Foundation readers with additional documentation as
soon as possible. Meanwhile, we close this report with an amazing statement by Paul Crouch
which appeared in the TBN Praise the Lord publication for May 1997.
He wrote: "Ah, dear Partners, while we rejoice at the many victories, we are seeing
at home and abroad, it has not been without a price. Jan and I, with all of your dedicated
workers at TBN, are faced with a serious decision. The enemies of TBN are legion! We are
fighting battles behind the scenes that only God knows, some I am not at liberty to
discuss with you openly just yet. One of these battles is, literally, a life or death one.
Powerful forces are at work that would desire to silence this great Voice for God called
TBN. Yes, the time will come when I will be able to share with you this deepest of all
valleys that we have walked through. In fact, I expect to write a very special and
personal letter to YOU, my faithful Partners, and share with you a mind-boggling need that
will determine the very future of Christian Television."
It is not surprising that Crouch is hurting. More and more leaders are exposing the
charismatic deceivers whom he is defending. Millions of TBN viewers were subjected to an
unparalleled barrage of false claims and false promises made to gain pledges during TBN's
April fund raising marathon. Anyone who continues to support TBN is being deceived.
M.H. Reynolds, Jr.
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