Even though Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church in Dallas, directed his remarks against Mormonism at fellow GOP candidate Mitt Romney during the Value Voters Summit in Washington D.C. on October 7th, 2011, the "other" Mormon in the race, Jon Huntsman Jr., decided to fire back at Jeffress, taking advantage of his appearance on CNN's Situation Room on October 10th to deliver his message.
CNN host Wolf Blitzer wasted little time in cutting to the chase, leading off by asking Huntsman's opinion about the pastor's remarks. Huntsman deplored the fact that one person seems to be driving the narrative during a time when there are 15 million unemployed, two wars abroad, America's standing in the world increasingly uncertain, failing schools, and what Huntsman called "the most important election of my lifetime" looming ahead. Then Huntsman delivered the money shot, saying "The fact that some moron can stand up and make a comment like that...it's outrageous. Second of all, the fact that we are spending so much time discussing it makes it even worse." He called upon people to stick to the big issues that really matter and leave religion off the table. CNN video embedded below; segment begins almost immediately after the ad (after the jump):
Showing posts with label apologetics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apologetics. Show all posts
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Pastor Robert Jeffress Defends His Characterization Of Mormonism As A "Theological Cult" On The Fox News Channel; LDS Church Issues Statement
Two days after stirring up a hornet's nest by his remarks about Mormonism being non-Christian and a cult, Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church in Dallas was back before the cameras on Fox and Friends on Sunday October 9th, and he defended those remarks, although he apparently threw out a few signals designed to indicate that he has no personal axe to grind against members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
On Fox & Friends, Pastor Jeffress did not back down from his original remarks, and insisted that when given the choice, evangelical voters still ought to give preference to a Christian instead of someone who doesn’t embrace historical Christianity. However, Jeffress did offer a more precise definition of a cult in order to avoid conveying the image that he considered Mormons to be on the same level as the Branch Davidians or the People's Temple, who most people think of when they hear the word "cult". Jeffress said. “When I’m talking about a cult, I’m not talking about a sociological cult, but a theological cult...Mormonism was invented 1,800 years after Jesus Christ and the founding of Christianity. It has its own founder, Joseph Smith, its own set of doctrines and even its own book, the Book of Mormon, in addition to the Bible. That by definition is a theological cult.” Fox News video after the jump:
On Fox & Friends, Pastor Jeffress did not back down from his original remarks, and insisted that when given the choice, evangelical voters still ought to give preference to a Christian instead of someone who doesn’t embrace historical Christianity. However, Jeffress did offer a more precise definition of a cult in order to avoid conveying the image that he considered Mormons to be on the same level as the Branch Davidians or the People's Temple, who most people think of when they hear the word "cult". Jeffress said. “When I’m talking about a cult, I’m not talking about a sociological cult, but a theological cult...Mormonism was invented 1,800 years after Jesus Christ and the founding of Christianity. It has its own founder, Joseph Smith, its own set of doctrines and even its own book, the Book of Mormon, in addition to the Bible. That by definition is a theological cult.” Fox News video after the jump:
Friday, October 7, 2011
Texas Baptist Pastor Robert Jeffress Criticizes Mitt Romney's Mormonism As "Not Christian"; Rick Perry Quickly Disavows Remarks
Update October 10th: Pastor Robert Jeffress reaffirmed his statements on October 9th, and Jon Huntsman Jr. weighed in on October 10th.
Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at the 10,000 member First Baptist Church in Dallas, is at it again. At a Value Voters summit in Washington, D.C. on October 7th, 2011, Jeffress referred to Mitt Romney's Mormonism as a "cult". And it's not the first time.
Pastor Jeffress was in attendance to introduce Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry before his speech to the group. He did not make the reference during his introduction, when he merely characterized Perry as a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ. But in remarks to the media after the event, Jeffress said "Rick Perry's a Christian. He's an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ...Mitt Romney's a good moral person, but he's not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity." He also told reporters that being a fine person with a great family and great values does not get you to heaven.
Interesting that he had nothing to say about the other Mormon presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman Jr.
Pastor Jeffress also put forth his definition of "Christian". He explained, “It is only faith in Jesus Christ, in Jesus Christ alone, that qualifies you as a Christian...They embraced another gospel, the Book of Mormon, and that is why they have never been considered by evangelical Christians to be part of the Christian family.” Of course, Pastor Jeffress fails to understand that the Book of Mormon stands ALONGSIDE the Bible as the equally authoritative word of God, and does NOT supersede the Bible. Jeffress did add that if Romney wins the nomination, he will "hold his nose" and vote for him. He said he would rather have a non-Christian who embraces Christian principles in the White House than a professing Christian who governs by unbiblical principles. He believes that although Barack Obama is a professing Christian, Obama governs by unbiblical principles. Thanks to Think Progress, we have a video recording some of the pastor's remarks:
Even though Pastor Jeffress was at the summit at the behest of the Value Voters rather than Rick Perry, Perry immediately took action to disavow Jeffress' remarks. Perry spokesman Mark Miner initially explained, “The governor doesn’t judge what is in the heart and soul of others. He leaves that to God.” Minutes later, Miner came back and flatly stated, "The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult". I cannot recall a single instance during this campaign so far when Rick Perry ever made any reference to Mitt Romney's religion.
Ironically, it was just this past Sunday, on October 2nd, that Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed this very subject during the 181st Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He provides a powerful justification of why we consider ourselves Christian. You can read the transcript of the address HERE, or watch it on the video embedded below:
You can also read an official explanation from the LDS Church as to why Mormons are Christians.
Pastor Robert Jeffress has previously criticized Romney for his Mormonism in 2007 and again in 2008. And Jeffress has also been critical of Islam; in August 2010, Jeffress claimed that Islam “promotes pedophilia” and that violence by Muslims is in accordance with what the Quran teaches because it’s a violent religion. Islam neither promotes pedophilia, nor is it violent by default, although the Quran encourages Muslims to defend their faith by force if necessary.
Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at the 10,000 member First Baptist Church in Dallas, is at it again. At a Value Voters summit in Washington, D.C. on October 7th, 2011, Jeffress referred to Mitt Romney's Mormonism as a "cult". And it's not the first time.
Pastor Jeffress was in attendance to introduce Republican Presidential candidate Rick Perry before his speech to the group. He did not make the reference during his introduction, when he merely characterized Perry as a proven leader, a true conservative, and a committed follower of Christ. But in remarks to the media after the event, Jeffress said "Rick Perry's a Christian. He's an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ...Mitt Romney's a good moral person, but he's not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity." He also told reporters that being a fine person with a great family and great values does not get you to heaven.
Interesting that he had nothing to say about the other Mormon presidential candidate, Jon Huntsman Jr.
Pastor Jeffress also put forth his definition of "Christian". He explained, “It is only faith in Jesus Christ, in Jesus Christ alone, that qualifies you as a Christian...They embraced another gospel, the Book of Mormon, and that is why they have never been considered by evangelical Christians to be part of the Christian family.” Of course, Pastor Jeffress fails to understand that the Book of Mormon stands ALONGSIDE the Bible as the equally authoritative word of God, and does NOT supersede the Bible. Jeffress did add that if Romney wins the nomination, he will "hold his nose" and vote for him. He said he would rather have a non-Christian who embraces Christian principles in the White House than a professing Christian who governs by unbiblical principles. He believes that although Barack Obama is a professing Christian, Obama governs by unbiblical principles. Thanks to Think Progress, we have a video recording some of the pastor's remarks:
Even though Pastor Jeffress was at the summit at the behest of the Value Voters rather than Rick Perry, Perry immediately took action to disavow Jeffress' remarks. Perry spokesman Mark Miner initially explained, “The governor doesn’t judge what is in the heart and soul of others. He leaves that to God.” Minutes later, Miner came back and flatly stated, "The governor does not believe Mormonism is a cult". I cannot recall a single instance during this campaign so far when Rick Perry ever made any reference to Mitt Romney's religion.
Ironically, it was just this past Sunday, on October 2nd, that Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve addressed this very subject during the 181st Semiannual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He provides a powerful justification of why we consider ourselves Christian. You can read the transcript of the address HERE, or watch it on the video embedded below:
You can also read an official explanation from the LDS Church as to why Mormons are Christians.
Pastor Robert Jeffress has previously criticized Romney for his Mormonism in 2007 and again in 2008. And Jeffress has also been critical of Islam; in August 2010, Jeffress claimed that Islam “promotes pedophilia” and that violence by Muslims is in accordance with what the Quran teaches because it’s a violent religion. Islam neither promotes pedophilia, nor is it violent by default, although the Quran encourages Muslims to defend their faith by force if necessary.
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