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Christianity Today, July (Web-only), 2007 |

Speaking Out

Resurrecting the Public Death

Tammy Faye reminded us how to die.

Rob Moll | posted 7/27/2007 08:53AM

I paid little attention to Tammy Faye Bakker during her PTL days. But I gave her close scrutiny the day before she died, when she appeared on Larry King Live. Her eyes, which formerly sparkled with an ...

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Sharon

Posted: August 01, 2007 1:07 PM


Because the Lord loves Tammy Faye, she will go straight to heaven, not by any virtue of her own. (PS I tried to click 4 stars, not just one :).

Sheila

Posted: August 01, 2007 8:37 AM


You are spreading lies about Tammy Faye Messner and the truth WILL come out. You will be exposed for what you are. Shame on you for infiltrating Christian sites and spreading lies. You should have written about obedience to G-d in all things.

Besty

Posted: July 31, 2007 1:51 PM


Death is transition, transitions are diffcult and irksome. Tammy, knew where she was going. She was a living witness of her faith.

DW	Posted: July 31, 2007 9:54 AM

I'm curious about our need to offer opinion on everything (including this opinion). Tammy Faye Baker died and shared part of the process with the public. Some find that courageous, others are repulsed. Perhaps, if nothing else, her death can help all of us prepare for our deaths. I was not a big fan of Tammy Faye. I know that she probably did a great deal more good than harm. She also died "In Christ". That fact points us to the redemption of the cross. For that, I thank Tammy Faye.

Julie

Posted: July 30, 2007 11:27 PM


Flamboyant, yes! One of a kind - definitely!! But who said that Christians all have to be alike? It would be pretty boring if we were. I believe she marched to her own tune. And in her last appearance, I believe from my heart that she was purposely giving her last witness as a believer in Christ, so others could believe. That took courage!

Mattdon7

Posted: July 30, 2007 12:23 PM

John 8:7 Jesus said, "...He who is without sin cast the first stone at her." Tammy Faye may have made some big mistakes but that is God's department not yours or mine. I was not a fan or hers but I will tell you that I Admire her for uplifting our Jesus and wanting others to know how He gave her strenght even in the last moments. Praise the Lord ! She still stood UP for the Blessed HOPE Jesus has given all Unperfect Belivers. I would want to die the same way, pointing up to Jesus and our Heavenly Father. She fought the good fight as the Apostle Paul said we must do. Luke 15 tells us of a Fathers child getting onto the wrong path but when He returned the Fathers arms were wide open. Whether that applies to Tammy or not, doesn't matter. What matters is that she loves Jesus and is at Home which is where I look forward to . Mattdon7 God's Grace is a wonderful gift.

Gaynor Smith

Posted: July 30, 2007 10:16 AM

I find it hard to think that Tammy Faye was attempting to get some publicity...I think that it took a lot of courage to appear publicly in such a condition. Her answers were clear and concise and the name of Jesus was exalted. If Jesus forgives people for their sins... who are we to say that she does not have a genuine relationship with Jesus...Praise God because Jesus paid the price for us and as Jesus told the disciples...the motives might even be wrong (who are we to judge) but if the Message is being preached then praise God. She was indeed dignified and firm in her trust of Our Saviour. Good words.May God bring His comfort to those who mourn her...

Thomas R. Qualls

Posted: July 30, 2007 9:08 AM

As a hospice chaplain I was intrigued by the well-written article, not because it was about Tammy F., but because it addressed the complex issues of dying and how we have tried to distance ourselves from death. In the 12c St Anselm wrote, "There is nothing more certain than death, nothing more uncertain than its hour." No one wants to die, but everyone wants to die well. Whatever one feels about Tammy, we should appreciate that she exhibited grace while facing death and showed us how to die well. Life and death are not about winning or losing...life is not a contest! Death is not the end! Because of Christ our victory is sealed. In daily encounters with my dying patients, those who are at peace with God, others and self are able to face death, even after having been ravaged by terrible illness, and still find meaning in their lives lived and eternity with their Savior. Tammy F. didn't lose her battle with cancer, she's at home with her Lord. Psalm 116:15

jay	Posted: July 29, 2007 5:56 PM


Thank you for the 'different perspective'. Surely everyone was 'touched' by either the spirit or the appearance of Tammy Faye. Few probably connected the two, let alone gave them such anthropological importance. Kudos!

m	Posted: July 29, 2007 12:01 AM


My take on the article is that it was a blessed article that helps us observe the study of the way we deal with death and dying and I am not for name-calling of those who have passed on...but I think that Tammy Faye's faith and death were honorable and sincere.

Ken	Posted: July 28, 2007 9:03 PM

I was not a great fan of Tammy Faye's ministry in times past. However, I her willingness to face the world as she was so near death and give testimony of her faith was, in my estimation, was a great service to the Kingdom. I pray that through such encounters Larry King will come to faith in Christ and that the watching world will consider anew the eternal life that Jesus offers. May the Lord give us all her courage in our last days.

Tom Wadsworth

Posted: July 28, 2007 4:40 PM


Nice story, but ... Is it a slow news day at CT? Friends, Tammy Faye deserves a polite obituary, but let's not glorify someone who caused hundreds of thousands of unbelievers to scoff at the blatant materialism and mindlessness of evangelicals. Please promise that Billy Graham's passing will get as much ink from CT.

chugga

Posted: July 28, 2007 2:59 PM


When I heard the broadcast, Tammy Faye said "NOT for myself ... I know where I am going" She certainly didn't seem scared - though her body full of pain - she was upbeat about her future with the Lord.

Dick	Posted: July 28, 2007 10:27 AM

Rob Moll's take on the dying of TF is a cute teaser ad for the upcoming book of a favorite CT son. His thoughts on death are interesting to consider but his "insights" into TF are way off target. TF's life was emblematic of the hedonistic culture that seems to be sought and glorified by some fundamental/evangelicals of recent years. Media attention grabbing, "me" focused and and a motivating emphasis on owing all the "toys" that supposedly spell success in this life do not seem to be in anyway consistent with the life of those Jesus calls to "hunger and thrist for righteousness."

ines	Posted: July 28, 2007 10:22 AM


Death is never dignified, its sad for us who watch our loved one pass away often times in great pain. Her public display of herself should be seen as more a public service than a publicity stunt. My sympathy goes out to her an her family.

Tony	Posted: July 28, 2007 2:39 AM

Countercultural .. COUNTERcultural??? Rob - unbow your head for a minute and look around .. This was 'reality' TV (sorry, Rob, but very 'cultural') only contributing its latest hideous episode! Look for the series soon - "Final Goodbye TV", or "Deathbed TV" - presented with the utmost 'dignity', of course, out of 'respect' for those wishing to finally get their Warhol minutes. Tammy Faye was far more countercultural (and in fact ahead of her time) during the PTL roll - anticipating the happy time mega-church phenomenon by two decades. The 'regular church' wasn't ready for her then (as you reveal, Rob), but has since realized that Christianity benefits from over-the-top advertising just like any other consumer product. Greg has it right - TF was a showbiz freakshow right to the end.

Irene

Posted: July 27, 2007 9:34 PM


Bob, your article spoke just what I felt and thought about Tammy Faye. I didn't think much of her during her earlier years, but found the heart of a true believer in her as she was dying. What greater test could there be for us to see her real side? It was a true test of where her heart is - with the Lord before death and in death.

Jennifer Smith

Posted: July 27, 2007 6:38 PM

This is a wonderful and powerful piece of writing, and a good reminder that we must always put our trust in God. Tammy Faye's faith in God reminds me of how little we know about our own suffering and circumstances. God is always there for us, whether we are going through a joyful time or a time of intense suffering. The victory is in our response to our circumstances and our faith in God. not in whether we live or die. Tammy Faye obviously knew this, and reminds us to keep our eyes fixed on our savior!

Bill Bray

Posted: July 27, 2007 6:32 PM


Great insight. Very timely and well written.

Agnieszka Tennant

Posted: July 27, 2007 3:08 PM


Great reminder, Rob. To see the endearing humanity of Tammy Faye, I recommend the documentary "The Eyes of Tammy Faye."

Stan Baldwin

Posted: July 27, 2007 1:16 PM

The article merits 4 stars for quality of writing but fewer for content. It would be OK to point out "another side" to dying, but Rob Moll chooses to oppose the biblical view that death is an enemy we must resist. To battle our enemy is right, biblical, and natural. To win, though its always temporary, is a victory, both for the individual and the health profession. Dying is, also, contrary to this article, a solitary experience, regardless of how it is viewed and regardless of how much or little human support one has. Only One actually goes with us through the Valley, and that is the Lord himself.

Greg	Posted: July 27, 2007 12:51 PM


When my pooch was ready to die she just crawled away up the hill and died. She died with great dignity. Tammy Faye was a publicity hound until the end and I found her display undignified.

Diane

Posted: July 27, 2007 12:26 PM


Good article. However when Larry King asked Tammy Faye if she was still a little scared she replied, "For my Children." At least that is what I heard.

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