Stories of Preacher Bakker
Jim Bakker, the evangelical television preacher, died in prison at the age of 86. Bakker rose to fame during the 1970s and 1980s alongside his first wife, Tammy, becoming one of the wealthiest figures of his era through his “prosperity gospel” preaching, which promised that true Christians would reap material rewards. Through his “Praise the Lord” appeals, personal charisma, sermons, songs, and emotional displays, Bakker and his wife attracted more than 13 million daily viewers to their program, praying with them and generating annual revenues of $129 million. They subsequently built a city resembling “Disneyland,” selling shares to their followers at high prices. The project included amusement rides, entertainment venues, ice-skating rinks, swimming pools, prayer sessions, and Bible studies.
Bakker was a gifted orator who never apologized for pursuing success and wealth in the name of the Lord. In 1985, he stated, “Excess and success go hand in hand; anyone who is successful must be excessive.” Consequently, the couple lived in extravagant luxury, justifying it by claiming they needed “good bait” to be “good fishers of men.” This “bait” included substantial salaries and bonuses for themselves, a beautiful floating home, a fleet of luxury cars, gold-plated bathroom fixtures, an air-conditioned doghouse, and much more.
The Bakkers’ world collapsed in 1987 after it emerged that he had an affair with a secretary half his age who worked for his organization, the PTL Club. He attempted to buy her silence with a large sum taken from “donation funds,” but failed to silence her. The scandal led to his ouster, but worse was yet to come for the preaching couple. Following continuous journalistic reports and a 16-month investigation, Bakker faced 24 counts of fraud and conspiracy in 1988. Six weeks into the trial, prosecutors described him as “a highly arrogant, skilled fraudster” who had swindled his followers out of $158 million in exchange for promises of lifetime vacation stays at his resort—promises that were impossible to fulfill—and embezzled millions more from his charity’s funds. He was convicted in 1994 on all charges and sentenced to 45 years in prison, but was released after five years.
He returned to his former ways, knowing from experience that there are always people easily deceived and manipulated in the name of religion, especially when he cites Bible verses to justify his behavior and cast doubt on his accusers. However, he ultimately admitted, in his book *I Was Wrong*, that his understanding of the scriptures was superficial and that he realized too late that Jesus “never said one positive thing about money.”
Nevertheless, Bakker reappeared in 2003 on his television program, which was broadcast on dozens of Christian stations. This new religious phase was marked by a modest and quiet demeanor compared to his days of glory and fame. He began preaching that the “end of the world” was imminent and offered viewers long-lasting food supplies, misleading them into believing these would help them survive the horrors of the “end times.” He sold the contents of the box for $60, plus shipping.
His activities expanded in 2016 when he became a supporter of Trump, whom he called “God’s anointed,” attacked Obama, and described Hillary Clinton as the “whore of Babylon.” He later became involved in marketing a “colloidal silver” dietary supplement, claimed to treat a range of ailments, including COVID-19.
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While reading Clyde Haberman’s account of Bakker, the preacher who traded in religion, I reviewed the stories of several “Kuwaiti figures” who deceived others, often in the name of religion, amassed millions, lived in obvious luxury, and perhaps escaped punishment by the skin of their teeth.
Ahmad Al-Sarraf
