Pastors Wright, Hagee and Parsley have been thrown under the bus and Dr. Dobson is still under scrutiny as he continues to size up the presidential candidates. Who is a casualty and who is the victor in this war between pastors and presidential hopefuls?
When the evangelicals felt they got burned by Jimmy Carter they chose more carefully the next time around and Ronald Reagan did not disappoint them. President Bush has not so much disappointed the Christians but the nation with what seems to be failed war policies. The jury is still out on that because only history will tell if the war in Iraq was a complete failure.
Choosing a candidate that best reflects the views of evangelicals has become harder and some would say an exercise in choosing between the lesser of two evils. In fact it seems more important to America than ever before who the candidates choose rather than who the evangelicals choose. So far no one has gotten picked but a few have gotten popped!
The first casualty in the preacher's war would be Rev Jeremiah Wright. The question of whether he deserved the hit is moot. On any level social, theological or political he has never had a leg to stand on. The most amazing aspect of the entire matter is that when Sen. Obama distanced himself from his pastor the only casualty in that skirmish was the Reverend Wright. Sen. Obama has sailed out of the entire matter with few if any of his supporters dropping off. If George Bush could be so easily forgiven we might be urging him to invade Iran instead of leaving Iraq. The only explanation is perhaps; "it's a liberal thing."
Rev John Hagee has been shunned by Sen. John McCain because of remarks about Hitler being used to indirectly lead Israel to their homeland again in 1948. Commentators have joined the harangue with phrases like "outrageous" including conservative talk shows like CNNs Glenn Beck. Is it outrageous? In fact it is not. Any person who has read their bible only once would see that the ancient prophets and now history confirm that God promises he will use the wicked and the powers of evil or good to do what he wants to get done. He has said that he will use nations far more backward than Israel to judge them for their backsliding and history backs up those prophetic utterances. The scripture passages that verify these promises and proclamations are too numerous to list here.
John Hagee understands the principle of Romans 8:28 which says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." But being more theologically grounded than any presidential candidate now running for the White House he knows something they don't comprehend or more accurately; may have never even heard of. Using death, darkness, warfare, despots or holy angels from the throne are all within what is known as the sovereignty of God. The Bible has made that abundantly clear and John Hagee's assertions are absolutely accurate and reasonable.
Every Pre-exilic prophet unanimously agreed that Israel would be blasted by their enemies each time they went too far. When they went too far for simple incursions to chastise them they underwent a total invasion and subsequent 70 year long captivity. The nation (Babylon) that pummeled Israel was among the most Godless backward pagan nations in world history. All of Israel's prophets warned of the captivity for about 40 years before it happened. They were the John Hagee's of their time and they too were shunned, scoffed at and disregarded. But it didn't end there!
The same prophets warned Israel all the way through the reign of the Medes and Persians, the Greeks and the Romans that they would finally be driven throughout the entire world (Diaspora) and pursued by the sword, famine and hatred. Who was to do most of the persecution was not mentioned by the scriptures; for that we have only to refer to history. Guess what; history did give us a name and it is Adolph Hitler. John Hagee didn't decide this; history did.
It should also be noted that after the Diaspora God promised to bring Israel back to their homeland and within one generation the Messiah would return to earth and remove governments from the hands of men. Since that return also included the City of Jerusalem the generation would not begin in May of 1948 when the Nation of Israel was reborn but it began in 1967 when Israel took back Jerusalem. Since a generation can be from 25 to 75 years depending on who you ask; you do the math.
Pastor Rod Parsley has been lumped together with Rev. Hagee but that too is a serious mistake. Parsley has been lambasted for his strong anti Islamic stand and for claiming the Koran is a satanically inspired book. Being anti-Islamic does not make Rev Parsley anti Muslim. It is the religion of Islam and the spurious origins of the Koran that is in question. Is Pastor Parsley just another off the wall preacher who doesn't have a clue. Not by a long shot!
It was the prophet Muhammad who first questioned the inspiration of the Koran. He thought his dreams and visions were from Satan. Encouraged by his wife to ignore his fears the Koran was born. America is waltzing down the liberal fantasy path strewn with dainty little flowers with names like tolerance and diversity and in our euphoria we don't seem to see the double standard we are living in. We are willing to argue whether God really meant business on things like adultery, homosexuality and other commandments and admonitions but we demand that no one be critical of a religion and a book (Koran) that clearly allows murdering anyone who refuses its spurious tenants.
Pastor Parsley should be given a medal for fearlessly proclaiming what the rest of America refuses to face. He is against a religion of death and a book that leads men to murder and hatred all in the name of God. Rev. Parsley is only reiterating one of the most immutable aspects of the bible and common sense. All that claims to be spiritual or religious is not divine. The Arch Deceiver (Satan) is not averse to using religion to sink mankind; in fact it is his chief tool. Salvation is what men need and that is what Christ came to provide not another religion.
John McCain is a maverick Republican and that makes the GOP jittery. He is also a patriot who has paid dearly to defend and support his country. Although it makes him no less of a man or a fine candidate he is not a theologian. His shunning of two brilliant and Godly pastors is ill advised but he is a politician not a prophet.
Political pundits, news media and talk show hosts may not think they need advisors who know the scripture. Pop notions, political hoopla and common wisdom can suffice to carry on a rap. With presidential candidates it behooves them to find someone who is grounded and well informed in these matters before speaking on them or shunning those that do. Although up to now no candidate has done this; they may wish they had before this election is finished.
We should be reminded of Christ's admonition to "Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and give unto God the things that are Gods." It should be noted that God can and still decides who will be Caesar but Caesar still has no power to decide who will be God. The prophet Daniel said it best some 800 years before Christ. "This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4:17
Rev Michael Bresciani is an author and columnist for several online sites and magazines. His articles are now read throughout the world. For more articles, news, movie reviews and more visit The Website for Insight at http://www.americanprophet.org
» left by Avis Ward(8,576) Avis Ward (86 days 10 hours ago.)
Rev. Bresciani, from what I have heard with my own ears and not heresay, this has been quite a challenging election for those of more notoriety who occupy the pulpit. I chuckled at this statement: "In fact it seems more important to America than ever before who the candidates choose rather than who the evangelicals choose." Thank you for sharing your perspective. As usual, your scripture selections were supportive of your opinion.
» left by Rev Michael from Bresciani (86 days 9 hours ago.)
Thanks Avis, I enjoy your comments and your material as well. Its a tough election and I don't think its shaping up as expected for lots of folks. Rev MB
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