Whence cometh it?

I really don't know where some people get their theology. Mary Ludwick of Farmers Branch is a perfect example. She says that Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, preaches hate and disregards Jesus' message of love and acceptance. Mary can't prove that. I dare her to show me one sentence that has issued out of that man's mouth that bears out her accusation.

If she means that Dr. Jeffress says that Islam is a false religion, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of a Christian would he be if he said that Islam was just as good as Christianity? If she means that Dr. Jeffress doesn't back down from calling homosexuality perverted sin, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of Christian would he be if he ignored the biblical admonition to warn the wicked of his wicked ways? If she means that Dr. Jeffress preaches that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of Christian would he be if didn't preach the ultimate message of love and acceptance?

She says Dr. Jeffress is working hard to send his message of hate to the world. I can agree with her that Dr. Jeffress is working hard to send his message to the world. He's just obeying the command to "Go ye therefore into all the world." I can't, however, agree that the message that the world is sinful and needs a Savior is hateful.

Then there is Laura McFerrin, a gay activist. She takes issue with Dr. Jeffress sermon on homosexuality. Specifically, she didn't like it when he said that gays and lesbians who claim to be religious are "worshipping a God of their own imagination. You cannot fear God and disobey him at the same time." Laura says, "I felt like that sermon was very harmful to gay youth. I'm sticking to the side that says gay is OK." Well, Laura, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death. By sticking to the side that says gay is OK, you are denying the truth to those youth -- the truth that will set them free.

And finally, we have John Melmer. John says that it's sad that "these so-called messengers misrepresent God as an intolerant, abstract being, when to some his personality is love and mercy, and he wants nothing more than for his children to return to the fold any way they can." Well, John, I think you've missed some of the scriptures. How about the one that says, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"? Yes, God's mercy and love is abundant, but we can't come any way we want to. Our coming must be accompanied by repentance.

Mary finds it appalling that Dr. Jeffress's hateful message is increasing membership at First Baptist. I find it refreshingly encouraging. It gives me hope that there are still thousands of people out there who are open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me assurance that God is still in the saving business despite all the slings and arrows the Mary Ludwicks and Laura McFerrins and John Melmers of the world can hurl. I don't know where Mary and Laura and John get their theology, but I suspect it's from the Political Correctness Handbook and the I'm Just as Good as You Are Handbook and the We're All Traveling Different Roads but Going to the Same Place Handbook.  I do know where Dr. Jeffress gets his theology -- it's from God's Handbook!


"A message of hate." The Dallas Morning News; July 26, 2011; p. 10A.
"Conservative Crusader." The Dallas Morning News; July 24, 2011; p. 1A.
"Unconditional Love." The Dallas Morning News; July 27, 2011; p. 14A.