Posted on 01/11/2014 7:05:20 PM PST by Graybeard58
DALLAS (BP)-- Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress defended statements he made in his forthcoming book charging President Barack Obama's policies have "paved the way" for the coming usurpation of religious liberties and moral law by the Antichrist.
Critics balked at naming Obama and the Antichrist in the same sentence. But noted theologians said Jeffress' example, when read in context, properly frames end-time prophecies in light of current events.
"I don't sit around in my office thinking up controversies. But I do use controversy to shine the light on Jesus Christ," Jeffress, the pastor of the 11,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, said Thursday (Jan. 9).
Jeffress knew the quotes issued by the publishing company for his new book, "Perfect Ending: Why your eternal future matters today," would be provocative, but he approved their use in the press release. No stranger to controversy, Jeffress drew attention during the 2012 presidential elections when he referred to Mormonism as a cult. And, on the eve of the election, he warned his congregation against voting for Obama. Jeffress stands by his comments, arguing each ensuing media eruption allowed him to share the Gospel from a national platform.
With the Jan. 6 release of a press statement by Worthy Publishing, Jeffress has come under fire yet again. Using current events to illustrate how a future world ruler could easily subvert moral law, Jeffress named names.
"Although President Obama is certainly not the Antichrist, his policies are paving the way for the Antichrist," Jeffress stated in the book.
President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Paige Patterson said, "I understand what Jeffress is saying."
Agreeing with the overall message, Patterson said he would have couched it in broader terms. As Western governments grow in power and influence -- beyond the limited authority intended by God -- there is a corresponding decrease in individual freedom.
"To exceed that has always been dangerous and portends a day when government will be irresistible and totally corrupt," Patterson said. "Is the Obama administration guilty? Yes, and so are almost all Western governments."
Craig Blaising, a Southwestern Seminary professor of eschatology and theology and member of First Baptist Dallas, said the pastor's comments are nothing new or out of character. Jeffress preached a similar sermon series in 2013.
"Dr. Jeffress was not identifying the Antichrist and he emphatically said so," Blaising said.
In the book and from the pulpit Jeffress revealed a pattern of influence that allows a leader to overturn religious and moral laws. Using a current president as an example is acceptable and prudent, Blaising said.
Patterson said, "If mentioning present sitting politicians in an effort to identify them with someone in Scripture, that is a failed policy and a hermeneutical mistake.... But as I understand it, Pastor Jeffress did not make that mistake. He simply pointed out that some of the policies of the Obama administration were clearly [contrary to] the Bible and set the stage for the coming of a world ruler."
In researching the book Jeffress questioned how the Antichrist would be able to thwart political and personal resolve, forcing people to subjugate their will to the collective will of government with so little opposition. He found the answers in recent U.S. legislation.
"Jeffress describes how our current political leaders are enacting laws and issuing court orders that offend or trespass against God's Law as shown in the Book of Daniel -- such as the baker in Colorado who was ordered, against his religious convictions, to create a cake for a gay wedding or face punitive fines," the press release stated.
Jeffress told Baptist Press that for too long pastors have neglected to speak authoritatively and accurately about biblical eschatology. Failed attempts by end-time prognosticators in the 1970s and 1980s to name names and predict the coming of Christ embarrassed many pastors and theologians into silence. But in that void has risen more false teachings, Jeffress said.
The pastor said he wanted to enlighten and engage Christians, not forecast the coming apocalypse.
"I am not Harold Camping reincarnated," Jeffress quipped, referring to the widely popular radio Bible teacher who predicted the world would end May 21, 2011. Camping died last year on Dec. 15.
Blaising said, "There are a whole lot of people saying a lot of things that are not supported by the Bible. They may have a little bit of truth with a lot of imagination."
Pastors need to speak the truth about end times and can do so as an effective apologetic approach to witnessing. But Blaising said there will be increasing pushback from an increasingly secular society.
"There is a great effort underway to control public discourse and silence Christians," he said.
The only "acceptable" speech is that which gives recognition to select groups the society deems worthy of promotion. Christians are not among that group and so their speech is disallowed regardless of the truth or merit of its content, Blaising said. And it is that context into which Jeffress' statements were cast.
But that reality should not stymie Christians, Jeffress said.
"The truth is always provocative," he added. "The desire for political correctness should not trump the message of truth."
Patterson concluded, "To single out the leader of the Western World and call attention to the unbiblical policies of his administration is certainly no different than what biblical prophets did including John the Baptist. Policies have promoters and simply to act as though this were not the case is also a mistake."
WOW! Where did you get that from the title?
The article itself ... slightly different.
Big time different that your imaginary title and what is 'clear' to you alone!
I agree although it’s the first time I heard of him. He’s right on, nonetheless. Nice to chat with one who had him as a pastor. NOTHING beats The Truth being spoken in the midst of an overload of deception and PC.
I learned something - Camping died - I didn’t know that.
Your comment deserves a major truth bump!
Anyone who does not understand that Obama seeks to destroy Christianity in America isn’t really trying...............
Well said!
I clicked on the link expecting to read about some “pastor” defending the indefensible.
The Islamic messiah - biblical Christians would know him as the Anti-Christ
He is half black, half white. He is tall and strides with a lope. He possesses dead eyes and prominent ears. His background is both obscure and exotic. He is persuasively eloquent and is adept at saying one thing while doing another. His head swivels from side to side when addressing the multitudes, as if reading from prepared texts no doubt lowered from on high and inscribed by the Lord or one of his angels. He gives the distinct impression of being a man-child. He is supremely confident and exudes a certain boyish charm many find irresistible. He is devoted to popular sports involving holes and nets as emblems of ensnaring. He bows frequently in false humility, cajoling the high and mighty of the earth, yet brooks no objection to his will when dissent is offered. He is to be found in many different places from one day to another. He is surrounded by loyal minions, many of whom appear to be imbeciles, who do his bidding without question or scruple. He occupies the seat of power.
...All his actions are directed toward igniting the flames that wait to engulf the world. He diligently undermines the laws, security and prosperity of the people he ostensibly represents, and turns one against the other, sowing discord among the populace. He betrays his friends and allies and renders them vulnerable to international predators. He sponsors and supports warlike groups and aggressive regimes that seek world hegemony. He is an undeclared enemy of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. He is a great friend to Islam in its march toward imposing a caliphate upon unsuspecting nations. He welcomes the black flag and the yellow flag into the sanctum of domestic authority, distributing office among his Muslim acolytes. He smiles upon the ayatollahs and signs agreements that facilitate their holy designs to kindle universal violence and establish God’s kingdom on earth.
He has been schooled at the feet of prophets and sages and learned from the masters of canon and creed. He is the repository of sacred teachings and potent incantations, and is adept at uttering sonorous phrases that please as they befuddle. He is the embodiment of consecrated, numinous and venerable doctrine. He is no longer Hidden but exults among us in all his glory. He is the bringer of chaos and the last days. He will inaugurate a new world order.
That is understandable but not this...The headline is clear: The pastor likes Obama, defends the president, and hopes for a third term. That is reading into something that simply is not there!
I can understand the objection. Can you imagine how the Prince of Darkness must feel? Satan is supposed to be God's adversary, and the poor guy is being compared to a drug-addled communist who is just as evil but too lazy to do much about it most days. I'll bet the Antichrist sounds like Rodney Dangerfield, muttering about "no respect" when he hears that comparison.
Sounds to me like he’s not scared to tell it the way it is.
It's called the internet. People say things to make a point. We don't have tone of voice, facial expression or body language. So we emphasize our point in any way we can. My point (as several other posters had no trouble seeing) was that the headline seemed to imply that a pastor was coming to Obama's defense and was perhaps explaining that Obama's comments (on some unknown topic) were worthy of defense by a pastor. I say it was an ill-chosen headline.
The internet -- eventually you'll get used to it.
You can look up Robert Jeffress on YouTube.
Ever since he got hired as head pastor of First Baptist Dallas he has been more and more visible on the national scene.
He is the real deal.
It was nice to have him at church for lots of reasons. But my favorite was that the few libs we had left because they couldn’t handle him telling the truth.
He really is a terrific preacher too. And he never backs away from talking about politics and what is going on in society.
Good for Jeffress, I applaud him for saying this...and for what he said previously about Mormonism.
Obama’s socialism and antichristianism is indeed paving the way for antichrist. There is a reason satan’s antichrist one world system is painted in red, the color of commmunism/socialism (Rev. 12).
Why the false title of this thread, Graybeard?
I didn't author the title, I just copy and paste. It could have been better written but:
"Pastor defends Obama comments" is close enough, I only had to read a few lines to understand what the head line writer meant.
"Pastor defends Obama's comments would have meant something entirely different.
"Pastor defends his comments about Obama", would have been much clearer.
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