Jimmy Swaggart was an American Pentecostal televangelist, pastor, author, and gospel music artist who became one of the most well-known religious figures in the United States during the 1980s. Born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, he was ordained by the Assemblies of God and founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which operates the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN) and the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he served as senior pastor. He also founded the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and was a prolific author and musician, selling over 15 million gospel records and receiving multiple award nominations, including a Grammy.
Swaggart gained national prominence through his televised crusades and religious broadcasts, which reached millions of viewers weekly at their peak. By 1987, his estimated U.S. audience was 2.1 million viewers, and his ministry expanded internationally with programming translated into numerous languages. He was known for his passionate preaching style and was described as a leading figure in the political rise of the Christian Right, even having access to the Reagan White House.
However, his reputation was severely damaged by a series of scandals. In 1988, he was photographed with a prostitute, leading to a public confession famously known as the “I have sinned” speech, and was subsequently defrocked by the Assemblies of God. A second prostitution scandal emerged in 1991, further diminishing his influence and ministry size. Despite these setbacks, he continued preaching as a non-denominational minister and remained active in ministry until his death.
Swaggart was also controversial for his alleged support of RENAMO, a Mozambican rebel group accused of war crimes, with reports indicating his ministry provided material and moral support during the 1980s. He passed away on July 1, 2025, in Baton Rouge at the age of 90.
A Gospel of Self-Righteousness and Performance
One of the most problematic aspects of Jimmy Swaggart’s teaching is his emphasis on self-effort and personal performance, which contradicts the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone. Swaggart frequently promotes a form of legalism that leads people to believe that their standing before God is based on their ability to live up to certain standards, often emphasizing outward actions, such as dress codes, speaking in tongues, or other charismatic practices, as markers of genuine faith and spirituality. This approach is in direct conflict with the clear teaching of Scripture that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works, “so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible teaches that it is only through the perfect, finished work of Christ on the cross that sinners are justified and made right with God (Romans 3:21-26). Swaggart’s emphasis on self-effort and performance not only undermines the gospel of grace but also promotes a works-based mindset that leads to pride, guilt, or despair. This kind of legalistic approach places burdens on believers that God never intended, similar to the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked for placing heavy loads on others without lifting a finger to help (Matthew 23:4).
A Distorted View of the Atonement: “The Message of the Cross”
Swaggart is known for promoting his teaching called “The Message of the Cross,” which he claims is a unique revelation given to him and the foundation of all Christian living. While he correctly emphasizes the centrality of the cross, Swaggart’s version of this doctrine is distorted and often misapplied. He teaches that believers must continually confess and focus on the cross to the point where it becomes a formulaic solution for every spiritual problem, almost as if saying or thinking about “the cross” in a particular way will bring victory over sin.
While the Bible teaches that the death and resurrection of Christ are central to the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:3-4), Swaggart’s overemphasis and formulaic approach distort the biblical teaching on sanctification. Instead of trusting in the Holy Spirit’s work to transform believers from within (2 Corinthians 3:18), Swaggart’s teaching reduces the Christian life to a repetitive ritual of confessing the cross, which borders on a “name it and claim it” methodology. This robs believers of the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s role in their lives and puts undue emphasis on Swaggart’s particular interpretation of the cross.
Scandal and Lack of Repentance
Jimmy Swaggart’s ministry has been marked by multiple public scandals involving sexual immorality. In 1988 and again in 1991, Swaggart was caught in compromising situations involving prostitutes, which led to his temporary removal from ministry by the Assemblies of God. However, he quickly returned to ministry without demonstrating genuine repentance or accountability. This lack of true repentance and humility is a mark of false teaching and spiritual pride.
The Bible warns that a leader’s character is crucial for those who would teach and shepherd God’s people (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). Swaggart’s repeated moral failures, coupled with his refusal to submit to church discipline and genuine accountability, demonstrate that he is not qualified to lead or teach. Jesus said that “every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17), and Paul warned that unrepentant sin disqualifies a person from spiritual leadership (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). Swaggart’s moral failures are not just isolated incidents; they are indicative of a deeper spiritual problem that reveals the falseness of his ministry.
A Misleading Focus on Financial Prosperity and Manipulative Tactics
Swaggart’s ministry is often characterized by a heavy emphasis on financial giving and support, with appeals that border on manipulation and coercion. This focus on money is inconsistent with biblical principles of giving, which teach that offerings should be given willingly, not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus warned against those who would exploit religion for financial gain, stating, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). Paul similarly warned against those who view godliness as a means of financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5).
By using manipulative tactics and focusing on material wealth, Swaggart distorts the gospel’s message and shifts the emphasis away from Christ’s sufficiency, drawing people’s attention toward earthly wealth instead. This kind of behavior is characteristic of a false teacher who preys on people’s vulnerabilities and fears rather than shepherding them toward Christ.
Conclusion: Why Jimmy Swaggart Should Be Avoided
Jimmy Swaggart is a false teacher because his ministry promotes a distorted gospel centered on self-effort, legalism, and a manipulative approach to the Christian faith. The apostle Paul warned in Galatians 1:6-9 that anyone preaching a gospel contrary to the one he proclaimed should be “accursed.” Swaggart’s teachings contradict the gospel of grace, shift the focus away from the sufficiency of Christ, and lead people into a works-based mindset that undermines the assurance and freedom found in the true gospel.
Moreover, Swaggart’s repeated moral failures, lack of repentance, and failure to submit to biblical standards of accountability disqualify him from being a trustworthy teacher. Scripture calls us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1) and to “avoid such people” who distort the gospel and lead others astray (Romans 16:17-18).
Swaggart’s ministry is an example of the kind of false teaching that Paul warned about in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” As believers who seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must reject false teachers like Jimmy Swaggart, who distort the gospel and fail to live in accordance with God’s truth. Instead, we must cling to the pure and unchanging message of the gospel that offers true freedom, grace, and salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
