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:

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.