Dear friends:

Jan Markell has issued a clarification on the Hagee and Falwell controversy and seems to have done a good job of presenting the past and the present situation.  Below is from her updated newsletter, "Understanding the Times."

Jim
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This is a follow-up on my article of a day or two ago about the "Christians United for Israel" (CUFI). I have spoken with several who were at the organizational meeting. The effort is cross-denominational. Theological differences are set aside to unite as Christians and stand by Israel as difficult days may be ahead.

I am very aware that The Jerusalem Post printed an article that was less than truthful. They have since retracted an article that had Pastor Jerry Falwell and Pastor John Hagee as believing in the "dual covenant theology." Hagee and Falwell successfully got the paper to retract the article as neither believes that theology according to the retraction. I would like to make some comments and then hope the issue can be closed. Our time is better spent joining our hearts and lifting up prayer for CUFI.

·  My heart is with Jewish evangelism as I've watched some of my Jewish family members get saved over the years. Currently more of my time is spent educating Christians than in direct Jewish evangelism. In the last thirty years Jews have gotten saved in significant numbers, beginning with the "Jesus movement" in the late 1960s.

·  After 25 years in prophecy and Israel-related ministries I have known that Pastor Hagee has at one time embraced the "dual covenant theology." That basically states that the Jews have a special relationship with God and may not need Jesus to get to Heaven.

·  In an interview in The Houston Chronicle from April, 1998, Hagee states, "Trying to convert Jews is a waste of time. The Jewish person who has his roots in Judaism is not going to convert to Christianity. There is no form of Christian evangelism that has failed so miserably as evangelization of the Jewish people. They already have a faith structure. Everyone else needs to believe in Jesus, but not the Jews. Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced by Christianity." That is the "dual covenant theology" and the statement is not sound, true, or biblical.

·  Ironically, Pastor Falwell challenged John Hagee on this issue in 1994 in his magazine "The Liberty Flame." Falwell was upset with Hagee's comment that, "The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses." He went on to say that the Jews are saved by keeping the law. This even prompted Southern Baptist head Paige Patterson to challenge Pastor Hagee on such theology.

·  Dr. David Reagan and many others have tried to challenge Pastor Hagee on this theology but cannot get a response. In the last day, Jim Hutchins, director of The Jerusalem Connection and member of the CUFI committee called Pastor Hagee's office to question him about the "dual covenant theology" position currently. A senior official at Pastor Hagee's church said that Hagee now does not hold to this theology. I hope he will make that statement clearly to those who have challenged him on it and not let The Jerusalem Post statement suffice as his explanation.

·  I had listed some names of participants in the CUFI effort and many assumed that meant all believed in this "dual covenant theology." I tried to make it very clear that was not the case. The theology of those involved is varied, and as stated, theology is being set aside for the cause of Israel. I emphasized that Falwell stated firmly that he did not ascribe to it. The fact that many said I stated Falwell did believe it again reveals that some did not read the item carefully. The fact that Benny Hinn, Jack Hayford, Gary Bauer, Kay Arthur, and many more are participating was given to indicate the cross-denominational representation.

·  Let's prayerfully lift up the leaders of CUFI but not forget that the gospel is to be taken "to the Jew first" (Romans 1:16). I am very well aware that not every Jewish and Israel-related ministry is called to Jewish evangelism, but we are all called to participate in the Great Commission; that is, to share the truth of the gospel and the need of salvation through the Messiah Jesus to everyone. This does not have to be a ministry or a calling. Rather, it is should be a part of our daily lives as God opens doors.

Pastor Hagee can be commended for having the vision to raise up CUFI. He is one of Israel's foremost American friends. He stated in The Jerusalem Post that he does not now hold to "dual covenant theology." In my heart I want to give him the benefit of the doubt and am hopeful he will speak with other Christian leaders about his change in theology and not leave further discussion and clarification up to his staff. Israel is at a crossroads particularly as it concerns Iran, Syria, and Russia. Let us pray that CUFI can awaken hearts and minds to the truth and seriousness of the hour.

Awaiting His return,
Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org

Olive Tree Ministries
Box 1452
Maple Grove, MN 55311.