♦ nivek ♦ Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 An evangelical pastor and an Orthodox rabbi, both from Texas, have apparently persuaded leading Baptist preacher Jerry Falwell that Jews can get to heaven without being converted to Christianity. Televangelist John Hagee and Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, whose Cornerstone Church and Rodfei Sholom congregations are based in San Antonio, told The Jerusalem Post that Falwell had adopted Hagee's innovative belief in what Christians refer to as "dual covenant" theology. This creed, which runs counter to mainstream evangelism, maintains that the Jewish people has a special relationship to God through the revelation at Sinai and therefore does not need "to go through Christ or the Cross" to get to heaven. Scheinberg said this has been Hagee's position for the 25 years the two have worked together on behalf of Israel and that Falwell had also come to accept it. Falwell sent a representative to the San Antonio launch of Christians United for Israel in early February, as did popular televangelist Pat Robertson. Hagee, who will serve as CUFI national chairman, says the new organization aims to be a kind of "Christian AIPAC" (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) through which every pro-Israel Christian organization and ministry in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel on biblical issues. The main issue, following disengagement from the Gaza Strip, is not to give up any more of the Land of Israel, he said. Many Christian denominational leaders - who represent some 30 million evangelical Christians in the US - have expressed support for CUFI in writing. These include such names as Dr. Jack Hayford, president of the Foursquare Gospel Church; Paul Walker, assistant general overseer of the Church of God; international Pastor Rod Parsley of the World Harvest Church; Benny Hinn; George Morrison; Kenneth Copland; Steve Strang; Matt Croutch of the Trinity Broadcasting Network; and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, president of the Family Research Council. The latter is the Washington-based lobbying arm of James Dobson's Focus on the Family. Scheinberg said he had worked with Hagee since 1981, when the pastor first broached the idea of organizing a night to honor Israel, which has become an annual event. "He came to the Jewish community and of course they were skeptical, they were a bit suspicious, anxious about whatever agenda he might have," the rabbi recalled. "He took public positions against proselytizing the Jews, which some of his own colleagues at that time criticized him roundly for; for example, Falwell was at that time very critical of his nonconversionary statements regarding the Jews. But that's not the case now though. Falwell has changed his position," he said. Hagee has been consistent in this theological position, Scheinberg said, and this was reflected in both the declared policy of CUFI and at the public launch of the organization last month. "It seemed there was a great deal of unity - not unanimity - on nonconversion, a nonproselytizing agenda, that the Jews have a special covenant, and this was stated over and over," the rabbi said. "It was stated in Hagee's opening speech, in his opening statement, and then repeated again. And when there was a question period later, no one asked about this. It seemed to be understood that any hidden agenda, any attempt at conversion, would undermine all their efforts, would be counterproductive, and that's not what they are about. "There was always concern on the part of the Jewish community that there's a hidden agenda now, to convert now, to proselytize now. And regarding that, Hagee was very strong in saying no, we are not proselytizing," Scheinberg said. Scheinberg, the only rabbi at the CUFI launch, senses there has been a downplaying of traditional evangelical theology in favor of something more concrete - supporting Israel. He associates this phenomenon of "Christian Zionism" with God's promise in Genesis 12:3 that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. "The reason that I was at the summit was that I've been with him since the very beginning. It's not because I was Orthodox. I'm sure on other occasions he would be happy to invite the Conservatives. The Reform here have been very vocal in their opposition to anything that Hagee does - not so much for his support of Israel, but because the fundamentalist agenda, social agenda, is quite different than the Reform liberal agenda, and particularly Hagee's position on gay rights, on abortion, on pornography, etc., etc., run contrary or are anathema to some of the positions of the very liberal Reform," he said. Falwell has altered his position, according to Scheinberg, apparently because the pastor decided to put End of Days theology aside in favor of the overriding need to support Israel, particularly against the mounting threat of a nuclear Iran. "Obviously Falwell was very passionate about conversion, but he absolutely clearly knows Hagee's position and the Christians United for Israel position," Scheinberg said. "No question about that; Hagee assured me. I would trust him in his role for Israel, for Israel's security, to strengthen Israel. I would be very surprised if Falwell ever tried to pull a fast one. Morrison, Bauer and Hagee are so strong and so clear in their nonconversionary position, as well as the organization. Unless he [Falwell] lapsed into a moment of stupidity," Scheinberg said. This article can also be read at http://tinyurl.com/r5a24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 1995-2006 The Jerusalem Post - http://www.jpost.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuroikaze Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 My question to him would be. If god can two different convenants to get into heaven how can you be so sure that he doesn't have more than two, perhaps all the other world religions represent different covenants? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lycorth Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 No mainstream Xian fundy would ever dispute a Jew to his or her face. If they did that, they'd be flying in the face of the Babble, which teaches the Jews are the "Chosen Ones", whether or not they accept Jesus. Of course, the same Babble accuses the Jews of being evil because they did not accept Jesus, but a book of contradictions should naturally contradict itself like that. The bottom line is that fundy Xians don't really know what to believe, and spend their lives going in circles from one Babblical inconsistency to another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtdude Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 ....The bottom line is that fundy Xians don't really know what to believe, and spend their lives going in circles from one Babblical inconsistency to another. Consistency is not christianity's strong point, fer shur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchu Posted March 1, 2006 Share Posted March 1, 2006 Oy! "With friends like these..." I'm glad to learn that at least the Reform Jews won't touch any of this with a ten-foot-shofar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dhampir Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 I don't think this is a recent occurence. I seen Falwell on BET a couple years ago, asking for financial assistance to help jews return to their homeland of Israel. I'm sure it was to assist the fulfillment of prophecy, but it wouldn't hurt if he thought they'd actually be rewarded for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onyx Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Reminds me of Charles Prentiss, don't ask me why, lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookums Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Eww....does that mean jessus has just lost his job? Dang it...I was about to post that story here!! I found it here.....http://www.smartchristian.com/ and quotes...UPDATE: Apparently, this article is not true. See comments. However, because of Falwell’s strong dispensational views, he has said similar things in the past. And so, I would like to wait to hear exactly what he said before I come to a final conclusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kal-el Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Well according to the apostle Paul, Jews are not God's chosen people, Christians are: Romans 9:8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snookums Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Oh Dear...what to believe?...Geez...the net is mighty confuzin' and full oh shit mostly? http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/3/1/162532.shtml?s=lh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labratsolo Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Eww....does that mean jessus has just lost his job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All Gods Fail Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 So they convinced Jerry Falwell. Big fucking deal - what is he, the Protestant Pope? Next, I hope they convince him to shove a hymnal up his big fat ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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