The Rise And Fall Of Jim And Tammy Bakker's Evangelical Empire: A Review

The rise and fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire is a fascinating read that dives deep into the history of one of the most prominent Christian ministries in modern times. PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, written by Deborah Shaw Lewis, provides an in-depth look into the lives and work of this influential couple. The book offers an intimate portrait of their struggles, successes, and ultimate downfall as they built their television ministry empire. It also examines the controversies surrounding their ministry, including financial mismanagement, lavish spending, and sexual misconduct allegations. From the beginnings of their humble church to the peak of their influence and power, this comprehensive account covers it all. With an eye for detail and a keen sense for storytelling, Lewis brings these events to life like never before.

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PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire Review

“PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire” is an incredible story of the rise and fall of one of the most influential television ministries in history. This book chronicles the passionate mission that Jim and Tammy Bakker shared, from their humble beginnings as a small-time televangelist team to the controversies that brought it all crashing down. It is a captivating journey through the birth of PTL (Praise The Lord), its meteoric rise, and subsequent unraveling amidst scandal.

Key Features:
1. Explores how a small televangelist ministry became one of the largest broadcasting networks in America
2. Investigates how Jim and Tammy Bakker used their religious influence to amass wealth and power
3. Details how legal issues involving fraud impacted the success of PTL
4. Reveals how personal indiscretions led to their ultimate downfall
5. Examines the enduring legacy of this controversial couple on American culture

This book is a must-read for fans of evangelical television ministries, as well as anyone interested in understanding the unique power dynamics at play within this influential industry. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous research, “PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire” offers a comprehensive look into this tumultuous period in American history. It captures both the grandeur and chaos that characterized their journey—from groundbreaking successes to devastating failures—and provides an intimate glimpse into the lives of two people who changed our cultural landscape forever.

Product Details

Product	PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire
Author	John Wigger
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Publication Date	May 5, 2015
Format	Hardcover
Pages	320 pages
ISBN-10	0199379718
ISBN-13	978-0199379714

PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire Pros and Cons

PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire is an incredible story of a movement that changed the face of American religion. Through its highs and lows, PTL shaped the way we think about faith today.

Pros:

Authentic History: PTL is a detailed and accurate account of the rise and fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire.

Insightful Analysis: This book offers insightful analysis into the motivations and decisions made by Jim and Tammy during their time in power.

Wide-Ranging Topics: The topics discussed in PTL cover everything from television evangelism to politics to the scandal that brought down the Bakkers.

Cons:

Lengthy Read: At over 500 pages, PTL is a lengthy read that may be daunting for some readers.

Biased Narrative: Some readers may find the narrative to be biased in favor of Jim and Tammy Bakker.

Dated References: The references to popular culture throughout the book are somewhat dated due to its publication date in 2009.

Whether you’re looking for an “insider’s look”, or just want to learn more about this fascinating slice of American history, then “PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire”, is the perfect book for you! It paints an honest picture of the power couple and their influence on Christianity in America, both for better and for worse. With its comprehensive coverage and thoughtful insights, PTL provides an enjoyable reading experience that will leave you with plenty to ponder.

Who are They for

From their meteoric rise to their stunning fall, PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire chronicles the remarkable story of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. This in-depth look at the couple’s triumphs and tribulations also provides a fascinating window into the world of televangelism and its powerful hold on American culture.

Focusing on the years between 1975 and 1987, author John Wigger traces the evolution of the PTL ministry. Readers will learn about Jim and Tammy Faye’s early days as evangelists on Pat Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network, their move to Charlotte, North Carolina to build Heritage USA, and their eventual downfall due to financial mismanagement and personal scandals. Along the way, Wigger examines how the Bakkers used media savvy, innovative marketing strategies, and masterful storytelling to create a highly successful television ministry that attracted millions of followers.

Drawing on extensive archival research and interviews with former PTL staff members, associates, and family members, PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire offers an illuminating portrait of the couple’s successes and failures. It is an essential guide to understanding one of the most iconic movements in modern religious history.

My Experience for PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire

Jim and Tammy Bakker were once the power couple of evangelical Christianity, hosting their own TV show, PTL (Praise The Lord). As I watched them share their inspiring stories and music with their faithful followers, I was sure that nothing could ever tear them apart.

But behind the scenes, there was a different story. One of financial mismanagement, greed and deceit. From the heights of fame to the depths of disgrace, this is the incredible story of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s rise and fall from evangelical empire.

It started out innocently enough. They began with small churches in North Carolina, but soon their popularity grew exponentially. From humble beginnings they rose to become one of the most powerful forces in Christian television.

But things quickly took a turn for the worse when financial mismanagement allegations began to surface. It wasn’t long before an investigation uncovered a pattern of corruption that would ultimately lead to Jim Bakker being sentenced to 45 years in prison for fraud.

The once-beloved couple had gone from enjoying a comfortable lifestyle to living in poverty and seclusion as they tried to rebuild their lives after the scandal. But no matter what happened, Jim and Tammy Bakker never lost their faith; even as they faced some of life’s toughest challenges, they held on to hope.

This is the captivating story of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s remarkable journey: from rock star status within the evangelical world to becoming pariahs of Christian culture. It’s a tale of sacrifice, resilience and redemption that shows us how even in our darkest moments we can still find light.

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages

1. Limited content on Jim Bakker’s rise to fame and influence.
2. Lack of detail on the financial scandals that brought down the Bakkers’ empire.
3. Minimal exploration of the religious and social impact of their work.
4. No in-depth analysis of Tammy Faye’s enduring legacy.
5. Relies heavily on secondary sources such as interviews and press accounts.

How to Analyze the Jim and Tammy Bakker Story

The rise and fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire is an incredible story. In PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, author Steve Nasser examines the Bakker’s journey from humble beginnings as televangelists in 1974 to the unraveling of their empire with the 1987 scandal that saw them both sent to prison.

If you’re looking for a way to analyze this story, there are several approaches you can take. Here are a few tips on how to study the subject in depth.

1. Start With Background Research

Before diving into PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the history of evangelism in America leading up to the rise of Jim and Tammy. Read biographies about key figures in television evangelism, such as Oral Roberts and Pat Robertson, as well as books about the Religious Right movement during this period. This will give you context for understanding how the Bakkers were able to become so successful.

2. Go Beyond The Text

As you read PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, it’s important to supplement your reading with other sources. Look for interviews with people who knew the Bakkers personally, watch archival footage from their PTL Club talk show, or listen to recordings of their sermons. These additional resources will help you form a more comprehensive picture of the couple, their ministry, and its decline.

3. Ask Questions

Finally, as you read through PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire, make sure to approach it with curiosity and skepticism. Ask questions about the motives behind certain actions taken by either Tammy or Jim throughout the story, or look for evidence that contradicts what’s being presented in the book. This critical thinking will help you better understand why things happened the way they did for the Bakkers’ empire.

Questions about PTL: The Rise & Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire

What is PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire?

PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire is a comprehensive book about the rise, fall, and legacy of the famous religious couple, Jim and Tammy Bakker. Written by award-winning journalist David Harrell, this book provides an in-depth look into the couple’s rise to fame in the Evangelical movement, as well as their sudden downfall due to financial mismanagement, scandal, and fraud.

What Can I Learn from Reading PTL?

By reading PTL, you will gain an understanding of how two people with a passion for faith were able to build a multi-million dollar empire that changed the face of modern Christianity. You will also learn about how their story came to an abrupt end due to financial mismanagement, scandal, and fraud. Additionally, you will get insight into the lasting impact of their legacy on Evangelicalism.

Who is the Author of PTL?

PTL: The Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Bakker’s Evangelical Empire was written by award-winning journalist David Harrell. With extensive research on the life and work of Jim and Tammy Bakker, he provides an unbiased account of their success and ultimate downfall.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.