SAN ANTONIO — Senator John McCain got support on Wednesday from an important corner of evangelical Texas when the pastor of a San Antonio mega-church, Rev. John C. Hagee, endorsed Mr. McCain for president. Mr. Hagee, who argues that the United States must join Israel in a preemptive, biblically prophesized military strike against Iran that will lead to the second coming of Christ, praised Mr. McCain for his pro-Israel views.
“John McCain has publicly stated his support of the state of Israel, pledging that his administration will not permit Iran to have nuclear weapons to fulfill the evil dreams of President Ahmadinejad to wipe Israel off the map,'’ Mr. Hagee said at a news conference at the Omni
Hotel in San Antonio.Mr. Hagee also praised Mr. McCain for his “solid, pro-life voting record for the past 24 years.'’
Mr. McCain, who has been on a steady search for support among conservative and evangelical leaders who have long distrusted him, said he was “very honored'’ by Mr. Hagee’s endorsement. Asked about Mr. Hagee’s extensive writings on Armageddon and about what one questioner said was Mr. Hagee’s belief that the anti-Christ will be the head of the European Union, Mr. McCain responded that “all I can tell you is that I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee’s support.'’
Mr. Hagee, the pastor of the Cornerstone Church, said that his support for Israel had nothing to do with prophetic scenarios, but rather because he felt the cause was just. “They are a democracy in the Middle East that deserves the support of America and Christian people everywhere,'’ Mr. Hagee said.
The talk about the preemptive, biblically prophesized, strike against Iran may seem strange, but it's my impression that what we're hearing is standard evangelical fare. I decided some time in the past that having a faith grounded in an obsession with prophecy is by far less than mature faith. It's the kind of thing that appeals to 19-year-olds who are bored with sci-fi novels. Nevertheless, it's popular and tends to sell books in the Christian fiction genre.
As a Christian, I have a great deal of difficulty accepting a pro-war stance from those who call themselves by the same name. The message of Christ--rather than supporting a fear-fueled war--is one of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness of one's enemies.
What the world is in desperate need of is a little sanity. Especially it is the case that sanity about the future should be in high demand. True faith is all about healing, reconciliation, and building the kingdom of God. Evidently evangelical endorsements--of almost any kind--are the big demand in the McCain camp.
Well, the Revs. Hagee are all welcomed in my opinion to go on over and menace Iran in their own name-- not as reps of Christianity (just as I would invite sedes to go on over to Rome and spit out their non serviam on the Pope or on other Popes' tombs-- but certainly not on genuine Catholics' behalf). Jesus said that those who live by the sword, will die by the sword. And we seem to have responded, "Yep, that's why we offer Hazard Pay. Now, run along--we'll see you on Sunday, Jesus."
McCain scares me. Here's a soldier who ought to know more than us war's fruits, yet he'd bury our children chunk-by-chunk in the mideast warring that could go on even well past my granddaughter's 18th birthday eight years from now (by then, there shall indeed be a draft or as there is now, its sly equivalent). We'll be left a nation of old and older people, as well as too poor to elp nations in genuine need. What is the reason for this warring? I mean, what is it today?
As you say, "True faith is all about healing, reconciliation, and building the kingdom of God." Amen. That is what true faith in God is about, but a great many still only see men walking as trees.
Posted by: Carol | February 28, 2008 at 10:55 AM