PTL and Pride

It’s a cycle that is almost inevitable if you don’t realize it. We remember Jim Bakker and his scandal in the 80's. He built an empire claiming God as his benefactor but ended up ripping off grandmothers who sent him the money they should have spent on medicine. His senior vice-president, Richard Dortch, said pride, arrogance and secrets led to the PTL scandal. While most people never face temptations on the same scale, the ingredients for seemingly smaller failures are the same, he said. Dortch said the men in PTL's leadership felt they were above accountability. They felt specially called by God and accountable only to Him. He said they didn't plan the scandal; instead, it was the natural result of living for oneself, rather than for God.