rmation was a major development in Western history in its own right, and second, it has often been linked closely to the printing press. The reasons for that linkage will be discussed below; suffice it for now to note that while there had been turmoil, heresy, and calls for Church reform for centuries, the Reformation broke out in full force about half a century after the development of printing.
At first glance, television would seem to be highly favorable to the Protestant movement, with its emphasis on preaching by charismatic ministers. We are today familiar with television evangelists, several of whom have built media "empires" and even political movements centered upon their ability to reach through the tube to arouse and inspire their followers. The Electronic Church, as it is sometimes called, has become a distinctive and prominent feature of contemporary American society. We might well imagine that the media effectiveness of a Robert Schuler or a Pat Robertson would pale before the thunderings of Martin Luther, John Calvin, or John Knox.
On closer examination, however, we may begin to question the inherent effectiveness of the Electronic Church as an application of the television medium. The centerpiece of the television evang
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