Posted on 09/14/2001 6:10:41 PM PDT by Media2Powerful
STATEMENT BY JERRY FALWELL ON 700 CLUB COMMENTS
Senior Pastor, Thomas Road Baptist Church and Chancellor, Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia
September 14, 2001
Despite the impression some may have from news reports today, I hold no one other than the terrorists and the people and nations who have enabled and harbored them responsible for Tuesday's attacks on this nation.
I sincerely regret that comments I made during a long theological discussion on a Christian television program yesterday were taken out of their context and reported, and that my thoughts--reduced to sound bites--have detracted from the spirit of this day of mourning.
Today, I join millions of people throughout this nation and around the world in remembering all those who died, and praying for our nation, the victims of this travesty, and their loved ones.
He's a good guy. Planned Parenthood, in my opinion, just got a little nervous today with all the God talk. If they don't like the 700 Club TURN IT OFF.
Their sweeping comments about Islam are nauseating. I have no more or less respect for Islam than I do for Judaism or other sects of Christianity than my own. I believe what I believe, but I do NOT tell others what THEY believe.
This was disgraceful. Falwell and Robertson are simply the other side of the Taliban coin.
Ben Laden sponsors a mission to destroy Lower Manhattan and kill thousands of Americans. Our clerics point out that this act is a Judgement of God, and you have trouble making the connection???? As Earl Pitts would say, "Wake up...".
You just described Falwell and Robertson. If not then you just did it.
Well, that's the problem, isn't it? Fundimentalists... Christian, Islamic, or otherwise... think they can speak for God and that their way of life is the only true and moral one. Farwell believes that God doesn't protect us because not everyone conforms to his belief system. Bin Laden believes that it's God will to murder Americans for the same reason.
If theres any difference between the two, it's only a question of degree.
Oh yeah. He's a regular Paul Tillich. He's St. Augustine come back to life. He's Aquinas. He's Francis Shaeffer discussing the intricacies of how buggering leads to terrorist attacks on innocent Americans. As John Stossel would say, "Gimme a break."
You will notice, the Reverend Billy Graham has nothing to apologize for today, because he gave an inspiring message of hope for all Americans. He struck a perfect balance of speaking to the universal human family, and to his own flock of Christian believers, and to those who may decide to accept Christ into their life.
After reading Mr. Falwell's remarks today, and watching Reverend Graham's sermon, it is easy to see why the latter is universally renouned, speaks at momentous events like today, while the former is a panelist on Geraldo.
Tinkywinky should have taught Falwell that he was the target of a gay rapid response team that would spread any negative story about him as quickly as possible to as many people as possible. A greater degree of circumspection and restraint would have been preferred -- if not for Falwell's own sake, than for the sake of the causes he supports. This is the equivalent of someone from the left going on TV after the OKC bombing and using it to bash his political opponents. It's poor form either way, and hurts one's own positions, not those of one's opponents. Whether one can do this a year down the road is one thing, but one can't do it three days after a national tragedy, because it looks like exploitation.
One thing the incident suggests, though, is that twenty years on, Falwell and Robertson really aren't interested in politics or in making a difference politically. They want to hold those they already have, not gain new supporters. Different people will have different opinions as to what their motives are, but political change doesn't seem to be on their agenda. Unfortunately it very much is on the gay agenda.
God... Why?...
By: Dr. S
God… why?... Given the reality of Tuesday’s events, this question is being asked throughout our country and the world. There is a very good possibility that God temporarily lifted His hand of protection from America and has judged us for our sins. For years we have sown the wind and now we have reaped the whirlwind of judgment.
It was ironic to see Daschel, Dodd, Kennedy, Gephardt, Mrs. Clinton and other political leaders commiserating in Washington in the midst of this tragedy, singing "God Bless America" and asking the people of America to "pray to God"! Many of these same government "leaders" have been and are totally opposed to the Lord Jesus Christ, prayer in school or within the halls of government. Leaders who support and promote sexual immorality, sodomy and the wholesale genocide of the unborn are asking us to pray. But what does God have to say:
24 "Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention;
25 And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof;
26 I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,
27 When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you.
28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,
29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.
30 "They would not accept my counsel, They spurned all my reproof.
31 "So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way And be satiated with their own devices.
32 "For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them.
33 "But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil." (Proverbs 1:24 - 33)
We have a biblical mandate to pray for President Bush and those in leadership, we have a responsibility to pray for the nation. It is our Christian duty and privilege. But God's word is clear: "we reap what we sow". America has chosen and supported many ungodly and unrighteous political and religious leaders because they are reflective of what many Americans themselves believe and how many of us morally and spiritually live our lives. We have been willing to overlook their ungodly conduct and policies because "character does not matter, it is the economy stupid." Well, God will NOT be mocked. That said, He holds out this promise:
13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13 - 14)
We as a nation, founded upon faith in Christ Jesus and biblical principles have replaced Him with other "gods" (which are NOT gods). Many have made a concerted effort to reject Him and tear God out of the very fabric of our society and personal lives. We have tended to treat the Lord Jesus like a "dixie cup" which we use and throw away at our convenience. We expect God not to judge us while at the same time asking Him to run to our rescue and protect us from our enemies.
I have an honest question I would like you to answer, whether you agree with me or not. Before the events of September 11th took place, were we as individuals and as a nation living righteous and godly lives? Lives pleasing to God who is Holy, absolutely righteous and totally just? Or had we chosen to forget Christ, spurn His Word and do whatever was "right in our own eyes" ? If the answer is the latter, then no matter how painful it is, the truth is this: We are being judged, as a people for our sin.
It is not my intention to offend but we can not use God and expect Him to be at our beck and call. Nor can we call upon Him to "protect" and "defend us" when it is convenient or politically expedient and spurn Jesus and His Word the rest of the time. There is a simple yet profound principle in His Word and it is this: God is not mocked, you reap what you sow and what you reap is multiplied. This is true for individuals, it is also true for nations.
Another question that is being asked boils down to this:
How could God use a nation or individuals even more evil to judge another nation less evil than itself? ... Because He loves us!
He did this numerous times throughout the Old Testament. Israel (the Northern kingdom) had turned away from following the Lord and He allowed the Assyrians to overcome and conquer them. The Assyrians were brutal beyond comprehension. They ripped open pregnant women and dashed their babies against walls and pavement, they impaled their living victims, skinned them alive and crushed them under huge threshing sledges. This is just a small sample of what they did to Israel. Yet God used them as His instrument of judgment upon them because of their sin. The Southern kingdom of Judah was later conquered by the Babylonians. Another wicked nation, totally given over to idolatry , worshipping their own strength, and immorality. Why did God allow this? Because His people had persisted in wickedness and in rejecting Him.
God is loving, gracious and long suffering, but there comes a time when His patience is at an end. God is not only a God of love, He is also holy and just. He must judge sin, even the sin of nations. History has shown that no nation can spurn God, reject His Word and law and get away with it. Not Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Israel, or the United States of America.
Fortunately, there is hope, it is not too late. God loves us and holds out this promise to us as individuals and as a nation:
13 "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:13 - 14)
What happened on September 11, 2001 is an unprecedented tragedy; but we are not without hope. I believe that God can use these events to produce spiritual revival throughout America if we respond in brokenness, humility and repentance. We have been given a wake up call and a window of opportunity. How we respond is up to us.
One other issue must be addressed. Our nation has been mercilessly attacked. Thousands of civilian citizens are dead and whether we like it or not we are at war. Those responsible, along with those who sponsor and support them must be held accountable and punished. The sword of justice must now be applied and applied strongly and swiftly upon those who have, without a cause, made themselves our enemies. Otherwise the events of September 11, 2001 will be repeated on an ever increasing level throughout our land in the days ahead.
Well, that's the problem, isn't it? Fundamentalists... Christian, Islamic, or otherwise... think they can speak for God and that their way of life is the only true and moral one.
Jerry may have taken a lot of flak for what he said, but for what it's worth, there are Biblical injunctions against sin, of which pornography, corruption, abortion, unmistakably are. No one is 'speaking for God' -- it's already in there and He speaks well enough for Himself.
I think what Jerry was trying to say, rather lamely, was that the people who died on Tuesday were martyrs paying for America's sins. Planned Parenthood was just having a hissy fit because they don't realize just how depraved they have become.
Didn't you hear any of the sermons broadcast from the National Cathedral today? Some of the pastors quoted straight from the Bible and I haven't heard any liberal criticism about that--yet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.