TO PRAY OR NOT TO PRAY ... IN JESUS' NAME
By Rev. Ted Pike
2 Oct 06
To pray or not to pray in Jesus’ name -- that is the question
now facing 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 are giving them what they want.
Dr. John Hagee, passionate “Israel-first” televangelist,
has 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."
Hagee has hired as CUFI’s executive director, David Brog,
a religiously (though not politically) conservative Jew. He is former
chief of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter. Specter, a Jewish activist
who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, is at the very hub of
ADL/B'nai B'rith efforts to pass the federal "anti-hate" law.
This Orwellian legislation would bring Canadian-style persecution
of Christians to America. (See, "New
Hate Bill: Obituary for Talk Radio")
At CUFI, the possibility of witnessing to Jews is non-existent.
Speaking for Hagee, as well as himself, 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
Evangelical Apostate
Hagee and other "Israel first" evangelicals reflect a
flourishing heresy: Jews have their own covenant with God and do
not need Jesus for salvation.
Jesus taught the opposite. He said His name should be proclaimed
to “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 to
the Gentile (Romans 2:10).
But Hagee has agreed with anti-Christ Jews that he and evangelical
members of CUFI will follow only Jewish “non-conversionary” policies.
This excludes any possibility that the Holy Spirit might use such
evangelicals to help save Jewish sinners.
This is a blatant sin against Jesus, His Holy Spirit, and, tragically,
against Jews. The word “apostate” ("apostasis" in
Greek) describes a backslidden Christian who, now loving the approval
of man, 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). A recent poll shows 95
percent of evangelicals like Hagee are committed to never actively
mention the name of Jesus, through witnessing or reproof, in their
workplace. The great falling away prophesied by Scripture is now.
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 Pastor Hagee gives the synagogue of Satan 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 should be ashamed of abandoning his Christian duty of moral
criticism in love. Instead, he brags about his unquestioning support
of one of the world's most boldly oppressive regimes. (See, "The
Simple Explanation for Mid-East Strife")
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. He awaits sentencing.
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 threatening.
The name of Jesus, like our own names, refers to His identity.
Our names represent our character and proven 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,
enduring the most painful of deaths, crucifixion, so that 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 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!
Identity Theft
Attempts to deprive Christ of His identity are satanic. Lucifer
said, “I will make myself like unto the Most High” (Isaiah
14:14). He longed to deprive God of His unique identity and set himself
up to be worshipped.
Jesus said the evil Jewish activists of His day (those whom evangelicals
now call “God’s chosen people“) were the “synagogue
of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Think about it. Christ said the followers
of the Pharisees were literally the “church of Satan” in
this world. They still are. (See, "Who
Are God's Chosen People?")
A Christian Jew, converted from Hassidic Judaism, explained to
me how Orthodox Judaism wants to literally blot out Jesus’ name
and memory. One way is by changing his name. Orthodox Jews in Israel
commonly refer to Christ not by His Hebrew name, Yeshua, but as “Yeshu,” which
means something very different.
“Ted,” my friend said, “Yeshu is not just an
attempt to change Jesus’ Hebrew name, Yeshua. It actually is
a Hebrew acronym standing for ‘Yemach Shemo UZichro’ meaning ‘May
his name and memory be erased.’ It is a terrible curse utilized
in the Talmud against anyone perceived as the enemy of Israel.”
In old guard Communist countries, a person judged politically incorrect
is proclaimed a “non-person.” His accomplishments, good
deeds, educational degrees -- his very identity -- no longer exist.
This is what organized world Jewry now attempts to do to Jesus Christ
and to the activism and testimony of Christians like Chaplain Klingenschmitt.
Victory for Free Speech
Yet Klingenschmitt, though court-martialed, is rejoicing this week
because language that would allow chaplains to pray publicly in Jesus’ name
has been included in the Defense Authorization Act. Free speech advocates
have encountered stiff opposition in conference from long-time hate
bill advocates Sen. Carl Levin (Jewish activist) and Sen. John Warner.
But clearly, enormous Christian outrage and support by Christian
leaders such as Dr. James Dobson and Dr. D. James Kennedy have paid
off.
However, short term eruption of Christian protest is not the ultimate
solution to the problem of escalating Jewish anti-Christianity.
What is desperately needed is public Christian reproof of evil
Jewish leaders. Christian leaders must specifically hold up liberal
Jewish activism to the public eye, ignoring the defensive accusations
of "anti-Semitism."
Every day that passes in silence only emboldens the circling hyenas
of Jewish anti-Christianity.
Endnotes:
1 July 13, 2006, The Washington Times, "Christian group to
advocate more support for Israel," by Julia Duin
