This is Part Two of: An Urgent Call To Christian News Publishers
Another Christian News website publishing ads that dishonor and profane the holy name of God is ChristianHeadlines.com. This website is published by the Salem Web Network and here is a statement from their corporate website:
“Salem Web Network’s mission is to connect with Christians through emerging technologies. Whether it’s on the web or mobile computing, a dedication to our users, ministries and the Gospel is at the heart of everything we do.”
I want to reiterate why I am writing this article. My motive is glorify Jesus Christ and to love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am writing to confront, not condemn, online publishers identifying themselves as “Christian,” who use ad networks like Taboola, RevContent, and OutBrain, that they may be convicted and repent. Again, this is a plea to “Christian” news publishers to examine and re-think their strategies to monetize content. I believe Christian news publishers have an incredible opportunity to share the gospel; to write truth in love to the glory of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
Below are recent screenshots taken this month (November, 2017).
1. The first series of screenshots is from an article on ChristianHeadlines.com titled “Georgia School District Bans Coach from Praying with Football Team” (the link is a screen shot capturing the full article). As you scroll down to the bottom of the story, before the comments, there is a section of ads by Revcontent, with the title, “Promoted Stories:”
When you click on the ad titled “Sandra Bullock’s Son Used to Be Adorable, but Today He Looks Insane,” you are taken to this web page:
In addition to the implication that television personalities Sara Gilbert and Ty Pennington are dead, this page invites the visitor to view tragic images. Should these ads be linked with Jesus Christ?
2. The second series of screenshots is from another ChristianHeadlines.com article by Al Mohler, titled “Tragedy in Texas: Christian Testimony in the Face of Evil.” As you scroll down to the bottom of the story, before the comments, there is a section of ads by Revcontent, with the title, “Promoted Stories:”
When you click on the ad titled “Robin Williams Final Net Worth Stuns His Family,” you are taken to this web page:
Nothing in this screenshot edifies but only threatens to tempt. And, when you click on the ad titled “Howard Stern Speaks Out 100% Uncensored,” there is just more of the same.
This is an urgent call to repentance. Change your mind about publishing any content that does not honor God, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 7:24-27 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
Jeremiah 18:7-10 “If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.”
Jonah 3:8-10 “‘Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9 Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.’ 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.”
Psalm 34:14-18 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Lamentations 3:22-26 “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
