The Brief Writer

Since the break of the story of Senator Grassley's investigation of several prominent Christian ministers, many Christian publications, blogs, and other media have written about the story. While much of the media has focused on the theology of the ministers, Christianity Today has published an article that raises the question of the propriety of the investigation in light of our First Amendment jurisprudence. To read, click on Praise and Dismay for Senate Scrutiny of Ministries' Finances.

The Christianity Today article quotes Richard John Neuhaus, the editor of the journal First Things as saying:

This is cause for alarm that a Senate committee would presume to directly exercise financial oversight of religious ministries.

The Senator's request for financial documentation is extensive.  Senator Grassley has posted PDFs of the letters that he sent to the ministries on his website. Click here to go to that page.

CBS News is reporting that six prominent television preachers are being investigated for possible financial improprieties by the Senate Finance Committee. The preachers have been identified as:

1. Joyce Meyer
2. Kenneth Copeland
3. Paula White
4. Benny Hinn
5. Eddie Long
6. Creflo Dollar

The investigation apparently was initiated, in part, by the complaints of Ole Anthony of the Trinity Foundation located in Dallas, Texas. Anthony says, "What we hope is that this will lead to reform in religious nonprofits."

You can read the CBS story here.

As the particular ministries named operate as churches, Iowa Senator Grassley's request for financial documents from them raises many First Amendment concerns. And if the ministries oblige the senator by producing the requested documents, that action, in itself, could set a dangerous precedent for governmental intrusion of church affairs.