Part 3: Contemporary Manifestations, Critique, and Faithful Alternatives

Written By Pedro Israel Orta

“For you claim, ‘I’m rich and getting richer—I don’t need a thing.’ Yet you are clueless that you’re miserable, poor, blind, barren, and naked!” Revelation 3:17 TPT—the Laodicean Church.

The Babylonian system, characterized by materialism, pride, spiritual compromise, and exploitation, has deeply infiltrated modern Christian enterprises, as explored in Parts 1 and 2. This final part examines its contemporary manifestations in mega-churches, mega-ministries, mega-ministers, the Christian book and music industries, and the Christian movie industry, including examples of abusive ministers. It offers a theological critique, counters with examples of faithful ministries like Keith Moore’s Faith Life Church, and provides practical implications for resisting Babylonian influence, urging believers to align with God’s kingdom.

Evolution of the Babylonian System in Christian Enterprises (Continued) 

Contemporary Era: Mega-Churches, Commercial Industries, and Christian Movies (Late 20th–21st Centuries) 

Today, the Babylonian system is entrenched in mega-churches, mega-ministries, mega-ministers, Christian book and music industries, and the Christian movie industry, with abusive ministers exemplifying its traits:

  • Mega-Churches:

    • Materialism and Luxury: Lakewood Church (Joel Osteen) operates with $70 million budgets, its arena and Osteen’s $50-$100 million net worth reflecting Babylon’s opulence (Rev. 18:3) (Washington Post, 2021).

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Pastors like T.D. Jakes become brands, mirroring Tyre’s hubris (Ezek. 28:2) (The Gospel Coalition, 2017).

    • Spiritual Compromise: Seeker-sensitive models prioritize motivational messages, resembling Babylon’s deception (Rev. 18:3).

    • Exploitation: Tithing campaigns, as in Lakewood’s 2021 cash-in-wall scandal, exploit congregants (Rev. 18:13) (Washington Post, 2021).

  • Mega-Ministries:

    • Materialism and Luxury: Daystar, under Joni Lamb, generates millions, with Lamb’s $1 million salary and properties reflecting Babylon’s luxury (Rev. 18:3) (The Roys Report, 2025).

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Lamb’s leadership, accused of smear campaigns against her son Jonathan, fosters celebrity culture, akin to Tyre’s pride (Ezek. 28:2) (The Roys Report, 2024).

    • Spiritual Compromise: Alleged cover-ups of abuse dilute integrity, aligning with Babylon’s “sorcery” (Rev. 18:23) (The Roys Report, 2024).

    • Exploitation: Donor exploitation, as in Daystar’s refusal to refund misused funds, mirrors Babylon’s commodification (Rev. 18:13) (The Roys Report, 2025). 

  • Mega-Ministers: 

    • Materialism and Luxury: Extreme focus on wealth and the prosperity aspect of the Gospel echoes Babylon’s materialism (Rev. 18:3) (Washington Post, 2021). Coontz’s tax evasion funded a lavish lifestyle, reflecting similar excess (Trinity Foundation, 2021).

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Unaccountable leadership, like Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill, mirrors Tyre’s hubris (Ezek. 28:2) (The Atlantic, 2019).

    • Spiritual Compromise: Scandals like Carl Lentz’s harm the church, resembling Babylon’s fornication (Rev. 18:3) (Christianity Today, 2020).

    • Exploitation: Authoritarian tactics exploit followers (Rev. 18:13).

  • Christian Book Industry:

    • Materialism and Luxury: The $1.4 billion industry promotes celebrity authors like Beth Moore, with conferences driving profit, mirroring Babylon’s economy (Rev. 18:3) (Publishers Weekly, 2020).

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Authors as authorities foster pride, akin to Tyre’s hubris (Ezek. 28:2).

    • Spiritual Compromise: Self-help books like The Shack dilute truth, resembling Babylon’s deception (Rev. 18:23) (The Gospel Coalition, 2018).

    • Exploitation: Shallow content exploits spiritual hunger (Rev. 18:13).

  • Christian Music Industry:

    • Materialism and Luxury: The $500 million industry profits from tours, with Hillsong United’s arena shows reflecting Babylon’s luxury (Rev. 18:3) (Billboard, 2021).

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Artists like Lauren Daigle become celebrities, echoing Tyre’s pride (Ezek. 28:2).

    • Spiritual Compromise: Vague songs and crossover artists like Amy Grant dilute the gospel, akin to Babylon’s fornication (Rev. 18:3) (Relevant Magazine, 2022).

    • Exploitation: High ticket prices exploit fans (Rev. 18:13).

  • Christian Movie Entertainment Industry: The Christian movie industry, encompassing studios like Pure Flix, Affirm Films, and Kendrick Brothers Productions, has grown since the early 2000s, generating hundreds of millions. Films like The Passion of the Christ (2004), God’s Not Dead (2014), and War Room (2015) draw audiences, but the industry can reflect Babylonian traits:

    • Materialism and Luxury: Films like The Passion grossed over $600 million, with high-budget marketing mirroring Babylon’s wealth-driven economy (Rev. 18:3) (Box Office Mojo, 2023). Pure Flix’s streaming platform prioritizes profit, fostering opulence.

    • Pride and Self-Glorification: Filmmakers like the Kendrick Brothers become brands, with their names driving sales, akin to Tyre’s hubris (Ezek. 28:2). Awards like the Christian Film Festival’s promote competition.

    • Spiritual Compromise: Films prioritize emotional impact over theology, as in God’s Not Dead’s simplistic faith portrayal, resembling Babylon’s “sorcery” (Rev. 18:23). Secular partnerships, like Sony’s Affirm Films, risk gospel dilution (The Gospel Coalition, 2017).

    • Exploitation: Formulaic, low-budget films exploit spiritual hunger, with high ticket prices and subscriptions limiting accessibility, akin to Babylon’s commodification (Rev. 18:13).

    • Historical Development: Emerging with church films, the industry boomed with The Passion’s success, adopting Hollywood models that blend faith and commerce (Christianity Today, 2019).

    • Case Study: God’s Not Dead’s $60 million box office on a $2 million budget highlights commercial success but drew criticism for shallow theology, reflecting Babylonian deception (The Atlantic, 2014).

Theological Insight: The contemporary era’s consumerist culture has entrenched Babylonian values, as Christian enterprises, led by abusive ministers like Lamb and Coontz, adopt corporate models, celebrity culture, and prosperity theology.

Theological and Biblical Critique

The Babylonian system’s infiltration violates biblical principles:

  • Materialism: Jesus warns against earthly treasures (Matt. 6:19-21), and Paul condemns greed (1 Tim. 6:10). The wealth of mega-churches, ministries, and industries contrasts with Christ’s simplicity (Luke 12:33).

  • Pride: Humility is commanded (Phil. 2:3-8), but celebrity culture echoes Tyre’s hubris (Ezek. 28:2). Leaders must serve, not dominate (Mark 10:42-45).

  • Compromise: The church must be holy (2 Cor. 6:14-18), but secular models risk spiritual fornication (Rev. 18:3). The gospel must remain pure (Gal. 1:6-9).

  • Exploitation: Exploiting the poor is condemned (James 5:1-5), yet fundraising and commercial tactics mirror Babylon’s commodification (Rev. 18:13). 

The call to “come out of her, my people” (Rev. 18:4) urges believers to reject worldly systems, aligning with God’s kingdom.

Counterarguments and Nuances

Not all Christian enterprises are Babylonian. Some serve faithfully, demonstrating that large-scale operations are not inherently sinful. However, adopting profit-driven, prideful models risks Babylonian alignment. Discernment distinguishes faithful stewardship from corruption (1 Thess. 5:21).

Commendation: Faithful Ministries Resisting Babylonian Influence

While many Christian enterprises succumb to Babylonian tendencies, some exemplify biblical fidelity by prioritizing accessibility, humility, and spiritual integrity over profit and self-glorification:

  • Saddleback Church: Known for its global missions, Saddleback, under Rick Warren, has impacted millions through initiatives like the PEACE Plan, focusing on serving the marginalized rather than amassing wealth.

  • Samaritan’s Purse: Led by Franklin Graham, this ministry delivers aid transparently, reflecting Christ’s call to serve the poor (Matt. 25:40) without exploiting donors.

  • C.S. Lewis’s Works: Lewis’s books, like Mere Christianity, offer theological depth, prioritizing truth over commercial trends, resisting Babylon’s deception (Rev. 18:23).

  • The Chosen: This crowdfunded series about Jesus’s life balances high production with biblical fidelity, avoiding the shallow emotionalism of some Christian films.

  • Faith Life Church and Moore Life Ministries (Keith Moore): Led by Pastor Keith Moore, Faith Life Church in Branson, Missouri, and Sarasota, Florida, and Moore Life Ministries stand out for their commitment to freely sharing resources. Despite owning three jets—a Dassault Falcon 7X, Falcon 900 EX, and Raytheon 390, which have raised concerns about luxury (Christian Post, 2024)—the ministry provides all teaching materials, including books, CDs, DVDs, and MP3 files, free of charge. This includes series like God’s Will to Heal and Precious in His Sight, available through their “Word Supply” or by contacting the churches directly (Faith Trainers, 2017). Moore’s emphasis on the written Word and being led by the Spirit, coupled with free distribution, counters Babylon’s commodification (Rev. 18:13) and reflects Christ’s command to “freely give” (Matt. 10:8). While the jets, funded by a $10 million campaign, suggest potential Babylonian excess, Moore’s transparency as a licensed pilot and the ministry’s focus on accessibility mitigate concerns, aligning with biblical generosity over exploitation (Faith Trainers, 2017; Christian Post, 2024).

These examples demonstrate that Christian enterprises can resist Babylonian values by prioritizing service, transparency, and truth, offering models for believers to emulate.

Practical Implications

 Believers can resist the Babylonian system by:

  • Seeking biblical teaching (2 Tim. 4:2).

  • Supporting transparent ministries (2 Cor. 8:20-21).

  • Evaluating media, including films, critically (Acts 17:11).

  • Encouraging servant-leadership (1 Pet. 5:2-3).

  • Prioritizing the simplicity of the Gospel. (Galatians 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4).

Conclusion

The Babylonian system, defined by pride, materialism, compromise, and exploitation, has evolved from early church compromises to modern Christian enterprises’ commercial excesses. From medieval indulgences to contemporary mega-churches, media empires, and the Christian movie industry, its infiltration, exemplified by abusive ministers, reflects a gradual adoption of worldly values. Yet, ministries like Keith Moore’s Faith Life Church and Moore Life Ministries, which freely share resources despite owning jets, offer a countercultural model of generosity and fidelity. Believers must heed Revelation 18:4, rejecting Babylonian tendencies and embracing Christ’s humility and truth to live as faithful witnesses. 

References for Part 3:

Pedro Israel Orta

Pedro Israel Orta is a Miami-born son of Cuban exiles who fled the tyranny of Fidel Castro’s communism. An 18-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, and as an Inspector General for the Intelligence Community. Orta’s whistleblowing led to reprisals and termination, despite earning eight Exceptional Performance Awards for his contributions to U.S. national security, primarily in counterterrorism operations. Before the CIA, he served in the U.S. Army with an honorable discharge and worked 14 years in the business world, mostly in perishable commodity sales.


Orta earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Political Science and International Relations from Florida International University, graduating summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University, specializing in defense policy, transnational security issues, and political psychology.


A licensed minister with the Evangelical Church Alliance since 1991, Orta is deeply rooted in the Word of God, trained through teachings by Kenneth E. Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Keith Moore. He was ordained in 1994 by Buddy and Pat Harrison with Faith Christian Fellowship and later by Christ for All Nations (CfaN). In June 2021, he graduated from CfaN’s Evangelism Bootcamp and served in the Mbeya, Tanzania Decapolis Crusade. Additionally, he earned a diploma in Itinerant Ministry from Rhema Bible Training College in May 2023.


Now calling Tulsa, Oklahoma, home, Orta dedicates his time to writing, filmmaking, speaking, Christian ministry, and photography, advocating for integrity, honor, and respect in government and society.

https://www.pedroisraelorta.com
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The Babylonian Deception: Straying from the Gospel’s Simplicity
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Part 2: The Babylonian System’s Growth Through Reformation, Revivalism, and Media