HAGEE: ASHAMED OF JESUS' NAME
By Rev. Ted Pike
24 Jul 07
To pray or not to pray in Jesus’ name -- that question now
confronts Christian evangelicals. Increasingly, Jewish activists
demand that Jesus’ name go unmentioned in public prayers. They
also insist that Christians not witness to Jews.
Some evangelicals give them what they want. Dr. John Hagee, passionate “Israel-first” televangelist,
worked closely with the Jewish lobby to found Christians United for
Israel (CUFI). CUFI's purpose is to unite every evangelical across
the nation to "speak and act with one voice in support of Israel
."
For three days in the Capitol last week, Hagee and an array of
political and religious luminaries lavished praise on Israel and
the Jewish people during Hagee’s 2nd Annual Israel/Washington,
DC Summit. They did so while countless Americans agonized in prayer
and concern over impending passage of Kennedy’s hate law amendment.
Afterward, conference attendees walked the halls of Congress to lobby
not against the hate bill but for Israel .
Oppressive “hate crime” laws, which evangelicals are
beginning to realize will persecute them, were created by Jews--the
Anti-Defamation League and B’nai B’rith International.
(See, video Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians and www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp)
The state of Israel ’s birth was midwifed by B’nai B’rith,
the most powerful Jewish organization in the world during the last
century. It claims to speak as “the voice of organized world
Jewry.”
Zionism, the government of Israel , ADL/B’nai B’rith,
and the global hate laws agenda all have one goal: a global bureaucracy
run from Jerusalem which will make it a hate crime for any Gentile,
Christian or Arab, to criticize Jews, matters Jewish, or the state
of Israel . (See, Coming
Jewish 'Utopia' Ruled by Noahide Laws)
Hate Bill Supporter Runs CUFI
CUFI’s executive director, David Brog, is a religiously conservative
Jew and political liberal, hired by John Hagee, he is former chief
of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter. Next to Sens. Kennedy and Smith,
Specter is one of the Senate’s most ardent, long-term promoters
of the federal “anti-hate” bill.
Brog’s personal assistant told me Brog headed Specter’s
staff from about 2000 to 2004. During that period, the hate bill
came before Congress three times. Specter and Brog did their utmost
to pass it, attempting to shackle America under a hate crimes bureaucracy
like in Canada , ending free speech.
Featured speaker Sen. Joe Lieberman, also a veteran hate bill promoter,
was honored last week at Hagee’s gala. Lieberman and fellow
Jewish activist Carl Levin co-sponsored the infamous Sec. 220 of
the Lobby Reform Bill, which incited outrage from Christian conservatives
this winter. Rejected by the Senate, Sec. 220 would have restricted
Americans’ right of petition and grassroots activism. It would
have imposed oppressive reporting and accountability requirements
on small conservative lobbying organizations. Penalty for not satisfying
Levin and Lieberman’s onerous requirements: $100,000 fine.
Hagee’s Apostasy
While Hagee praised the names of Jews and Israel for three days
last week, the name of Jesus was discouraged by CUFI policy. This
restriction is on all CUFI’s “Nights to Honor Israel ” which
are held in 50 states. When invited to address the American Israel
Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) last year, Hagee assured his hosts
that his appearance would be “non-conversionary” (non-evangelical).
Speaking for Hagee as well as himself, David Brog says: “All
activities of CUFI are strictly non-conversionary. Christians who
work with Jews in supporting Israel realize how sensitive we are
in talking about conversion and talking about Jesus. So those who
work with us tend not to talk about Jesus more, but talk about Jesus
less. They realize it will interfere with what they are trying to
do -- building a bridge to the Jewish community to ensure the survival
of Judeo-Christian Civilization.” 1
Hagee benefits from a burgeoning evangelical heresy: Jews have
their own covenant with God; they are so divinely favored, even good,
that they do not need Jesus for salvation.
Jesus taught the opposite. He said His name should be proclaimed “to
all nations.” (Matt. 28:19) The New Testament hardly exempts
Jews from need of the gospel. Instead, it instructs Christians to
witness “to the Jew first” and then the Gentile (Romans
2:10 ).
Hundreds of times during CUFI’s recent three-day Washington
conference, Hagee and his speakers praised the names of those who
created hate laws and the name of the nation that is the primary
cause of Mid-East strife. There was no public praise of the name
of the One who, coming out of eternity, died in agony on the cross
for Hagee’s sins. Clearly, CUFI is an abomination to God, as
it is dedicated to public praise, honor, and glory to persecutive,
anti-Christ Israel and not to Christ. (See, Christians
in Israel: An Endangered Species)
Hagee's is a monstrous sin against Jesus, His Holy Spirit,
and, tragically, against the eternal souls of Jews. The word “apostate” ("apostasis" in
Greek) describes a backslidden Christian who now prefers the approval
of man and stands apart from Jesus and the reproach of His name.
The New Testament prophesies that in the latter days there will occur
a great “falling away” as former Christians deny Christ’s
name to please unbelievers (2 Thess. 2:3).
Hagee's Deal with the Devil
Two thousand years ago the Pharisees demanded that the apostles
not “talk about Jesus.” The disciples refused and were
thrown in prison and flogged. (Acts 4:3, 5:40 )
In contrast, Hagee gives "the synagogue of Satan" (Rev.
3:9) exactly what it demands. He promises not to mention the name
of Jesus among them. As a result, evil Jewish leaders exalt him.
Hagee boasts that he received the ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ award
from B’nai B’rith. "It was the first time in the
history of San Antonio ," his website crows, "that it has
been given to a Gentile … Dr. Hagee has received numerous
honors and accolades from national Jewish organizations for his unwavering
support of Israel .”
Hagee has abandoned his Christian duty of moral criticism in love.
Instead, he flatters and unquestioningly supports one of the world's
most boldly oppressive regimes. (See, The
Simple Explanation for Mid-East Strife and video Why
The Mid-East Bleeds) Since he praises and receives honor from
those who create hate laws, is it any wonder that his huge ministry
did not significantly warn against Kennedy’s hate bill last
week?
Some Won't Compromise
But some Christians still deserve the name. Like their apostolic
forbears, they now endure persecution from the Jews.
In high profile are Navy Chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt and 68
Navy chaplains suing the Navy for forbidding their use of Jesus’ name
in public prayers. Klingenschmitt has been court-martialed for praying
in Jesus' name in front of the White House, expelled from the military,
and stripped of his military pension.
His conviction is entirely a result of Jewish anti-Christian activism.
Jewish activist Mikey Weinstein sued the Air Force Academy and was
successful in banning public prayers in Jesus’ name. Rabbi
Arnold Resnicoff, chief ethical consultant to the Air Force and Navy,
played the predominant role in upholding Weinstein’s victory.
Previously, Resnicoff had been instrumental in banning the use of
Jesus' name in public prayers by Navy chaplains. (See, Correction:
Speech at Air Force Academy Not Free)
What’s in a Name?
Why is the name of Jesus so hated by Jewish activists?
It’s an old story. In the book of Acts, the Pharisees forbade
preaching in Jesus’ name because it focused blame on them for
masterminding the crucifixion. Today the physical and spiritual descendants
of the Pharisees object for similar reasons: The name of Jesus stands
for a real Person whose identity as Son of God and Israel ’s
Messiah they find abhorrent.
The name of Jesus, like our own names, refers to His identity.
Our names represent our character and life record. The name Jesus
(Yeshua) signifies that He is the Creator of all things and Deliverer
of those who trust in Him. He is also the great lover of mankind,
both Jew and Gentile, having endured an excruciating death so all
who trust in His name can be saved. (Acts 4:12 )
This raises indicting questions of Jews: Why did your forefathers
crucify Him? Why do you continue to reject Him and revive New Testament
persecutions against His followers? (See, ADL
Sets Up 'Philly 11' Christians)
Jewish activists have no problem with Christian chaplains or high
school graduates praying in the name of “God.” That word
is non-specific, non-incriminating. “God” can be a universal
world force, a cow or monkey, even ourselves. Such Jews also don’t
mind the use of “Jesus” as profanity, which levels Him
to gutter language. Yet when Jesus' name is spoken reverently in
public prayer, they protest loudly. Their “civil liberties,” they
scream, are being violated!
The Bible Doesn’t Support Hagee
Hagee's mega-flattery of Israel and omission of the name of Christ
finds no precedent in Scripture. In the Old Testament, the
Hebrews gathered for lengthy festivals of praise but to God, not
themselves. Most of the time, even when Israel was moderately
obedient (as in the exodus), God describes Israel as an unusually
stiff-necked and rebellious people (Ex. 27:9, 33:3).
In the New Testament, the Jews, having coerced the Romans to crucify
their Messiah, are even less worthy of praise. Do the words
of St. Paul indicate that, if he were alive today, he would have
joined Hagee, Liebermann, and over 4000 evangelicals in Washington
last week, whooping it up in praise of Israel ?
"The Jews… killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and
drove us out. They are not pleasing to God but hostile to all
men, hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be
saved, with the result that they always fill up the measure of their
sins. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost." (2
Thess. 2:16)
St. Paul would have come toward Hagee for only one purpose: to
rebuke him. Otherwise, he and New Testament Christians would have
shunned him as a heretic.
So should you.
(Adapted from Rev. Ted Pike’s October 2, 2006 article: "To Pray
or Not to Pray… in Jesus' Name.")
Endnotes:
1 July 13, 2006, The Washington Times, "Christian group to
advocate more support for Israel ," by Julia Duin.
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative
watchdog organization.
Watch the gripping, 80-minute video Hate
Laws: Making Criminals of Christians. This documentary clearly
demonstrates that it is not homosexuals or liberals but ADL/B’nai
B’rith who are the architects of hate laws. Call (503) 853-3688
to order in VHS or DVD. Or send $24.90 to the address below.
Go to www.adl.org/99hatecrime/intro.asp and
be amazed as the ADL reveals how they have created 45 state hate
laws and the federal hate law now before Congress.
TALK
SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on this subject. Call (503) 631-3808.
National Prayer Network, P.O. Box 828, Clackamas,
OR 97015
