What is sensationalism?

Answer

Sensationalism is the use of the astonishing, the lurid, or the shocking to generate interest or evoke a strong reaction. A sensationalist is someone who aims to excite, startle, or entertain through exaggerated language or flamboyant style. Supermarket tabloids heavily rely on sensationalism in their headlines and cover photos to boost sales of their publications. Unfortunately, religious sensationalism also exists. Sensationalism in religious circles involves melodramatic, over-the-top theatrical methods in a religious service or extravagant, unbelievable claims in religious literature. A religious sensationalist can be either someone who manipulates others through such methods or an enthusiastic participant captivated by the excitement of it all.

When Jesus Christ was on earth, He performed astonishing miracles that amazed people. One example is Jesus’ healing of a paralytic. The Gospel accounts mention that the people were “amazed” «And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. », (Mark 2:12), “filled with fear” «And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day. », (Luke 5:26), and “moved to glorify God” «But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. », (Matthew 9:8). It is no surprise that witnesses to the miracle were amazed at the astounding healing. They had never before seen such power. Jesus’ many sensational miracles had similar effects on their observers.

Yet Jesus

He was no sensationalist. He did not perform miracles to please euphoric crowds or enhance His own reputation. In reality, He often retreated to solitary places to pray, sometimes leaving many sick individuals behind (see Mark 1:35-38). He was not focused on thrilling people but on saving them. His priority was fulfilling God’s will, not eliciting gasps of amazement from people. Jesus’ approach to those seeking sensationalism was to rebuke them: “As the crowds increased, Jesus said, ‘This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah’” «And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. », (Luke 11:29).

Sensationalism is not overly concerned with truth. The sensationalists of Jesus’ time desired to witness miracles, yet most of them did not develop faith in God. Although momentarily awed by God’s mighty works, they were not persuaded or transformed. In John 6, large crowds followed Jesus due to His numerous miracles. Even after He miraculously fed thousands with a few fish and barley loaves, they still requested another miraculous sign (verse 30). However, when He began teaching the challenging truths of the gospel, they abandoned Him: “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him” «From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. », (John 6:66).

That is the essence of sensationalism. It must continually produce more spectacular events and evoke more emotional responses to sustain the interest of sensationalists. However, genuine faith is not based on sight «(for we walk by faith, not by sight:) », (2 Corinthians 5:7). Miracles and emotional experiences do not create faith. God must call a person, opening his mind to truth «No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. », (John 6:44). Too often, religious leaders believe that sensationalism will convert sinners, and they design their services to impress people and increase followers by sensational messages and methods, rather than relying on the Holy Spirit to give new life.