Here's What First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress Actually Said About Catholics — In Context

Dallas Observer ^ | Stephen Young

[nickcarraway]

Robert Jeffress spent Wednesday with Donald Trump, supporting the president during his fundraising visit to the Belo Mansion in downtown Dallas. On Thursday, the First Baptist Dallas pastor and Trump's biggest evangelical supporter had to do something a lot less fun — take to the Fox News airwaves to defend himself from charges that he is anti-Catholic.

Word of Jeffress' potentially anti-Catholic views bubbled to the surface this week when a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders about her boss's continued praise for the Dallas demagogue, given Jeffress' controversial statements about the Catholic church. Sanders said that she wasn't "aware of Robert Jeffress being anti-Catholic" and that she knew that he worked with Texas Catholics on events like the anti-abortion rights demonstration March for Life.

On Fox News, Jeffress repeated Sanders' line, confirming that he works with Catholics against abortion, and said that the characterization of his thoughts about Catholicism was inaccurate.

"What they did was they went back and recycled old quotes from years ago that were either completely manufactured at the time or ripped out of context," Jeffress said.

The Observer believes that Jeffress deserves a fair hearing about whether he was taken out of context, so we've taken the liberty of transcribing, in their entirety, Jeffress' comments about Catholicism and the Roman Catholic Church from a 2010 segment on his radio show Pathway to Victory.

"This is the Babylonian mystery religion that spread like a cult throughout the entire world. The high priests of that fake religion, that false religion, the high priests of that religion would wear crowns that resemble the heads of fish, that was in order to worship the fish god Dagon, and on those crowns were written the words, ‘Keeper of the Bridge,’ the bridge between Satan and man.

"That phrase, Keeper of the Bridge — the Roman equivalent of it is Pontifex Maximus. It was a title that was first carried by the Caesars and then the emperors and finally by the Bishop of the Rome, Pontifex Maximus, the Keeper of the Bridge.

"You can see where we’re going with this. It is that Babylonian mystery religion that infected the early church. One of the churches it infected was the church of Pergamos, which is one of the recipients of the Book of Revelation. And the early church was corrupted by this Babylonian mystery religion, and today the Roman Catholic Church is the result of that corruption.

"Much of what you see in the Catholic Church today doesn’t come from God’s word; it comes from that cultlike, pagan religion. Now you say, ‘Pastor, how can you say such a thing? That is such an indictment of the Catholic Church. After all, the Catholic Church talks about God and the Bible and Jesus and the blood of Christ and salvation.’

"Isn’t that the genius of Satan? If you want to counterfeit a dollar bill, you don’t do it with purple paper and red ink. You’re not going to fool anybody with that. But if you want to counterfeit money, what you do is make it look closely related to the real thing as possible.

"And that’s what Satan does with counterfeit religion. He uses, he steals, he appropriates all of the symbols of true biblical Christianity, and he changes it just enough in order to cause people to miss eternal life."

Basically, Jeffress believes that Catholicism is a counterfeit of genuine Christianity, descended from a Babylonian fish-worshiping cult. Its resemblance to the real article shows Satan's genius, Jeffress says. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the faith practiced by 70 million Americans.

[Mark17]

Ponder on this for a while. Would you admit a Charles Manson into your home?

I talked to Charlie a few times, and no, I would not admit him into my home. I did, however, run into guys who were a lot worse than Charlie, and no one knows their names. I wouldn’t admit any of them either. 😱👎🙃😫😖

[Elsie]

visit the jails...

[Elsie]

The hell-bound people are children of the Devil, not God’s children.

But we were ALL hell-bound until...

[Elsie]

I’ll rely on your experience and expertise.

Though Charley looked like a scrawny dude that anyone could whip.

[Mark17]

and not spend TOO much time in Purgatory.

Hey, I enjoyed my time in Purgatory. The skiing was pretty good. I wish I could go back. 😁😆😅😛🤪

[daniel1212]

For those Catholics who feel it's necessary to attack others - you aren't helping anyone, certainly not God. If we wish to convince others, give good example and invite - don't insult or disparage. Our Lord wants us together with Him, doesn't want us to lose anyone.

But the point you still miss is that do hold to or take a stand for anything being right is by necessity to be opposed to the contrary. And thus while you promote togetherness with Christ, you disparage those who see this as impossible with those who preach contrary to Christ. And if hold that your warm and fuzzy ecumenism is of Christ, you must say in turn that those who contend for doctrine against those who distort are contrary to Christ.

Honestly, I have been insulted and hurt as a Catholic in my life by some Protestants but I never let it change my respect and affection for them (at least the ones who were living a good Christian life). I have attended many Protestant services with friends

Which examples another point you do not seem to realize, which is that the church began with division, which the Lord said He came to bring, and unity with those based on Truth, which was is exclusive by nature.

And thus your church, supposing she is uniquely the one true church, has stated, " this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics.” (Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, 10,11; http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280106_mortalium-animos.html)

1917 Code of Canon Law: "It is not permitted at all for the faithful to assist in any active manner at or to have any part in the worship of non-Catholics." (1917 Code of Canon Law states: that:Canon 1258)

the Church forbids the faithful to communicate with those unbelievers who have forsaken the faith they once received, either by corrupting the faith, as heretics, or by entirely renouncing the faith, as apostates, because the Church pronounces sentence of excommunication on both.” (St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica)

And it is because traditional RCs see the historical (medieval) RCC as being true that they contend against modern teaching which they see as being in contradiction to it.

Thus you implicitly reprove as unChrist-like both Bible Christians and RCs for their contentions for what they see as Truth, while if you advocate unity based on a few basic beliefs while disagreement exists in essential core Truths, then you must make your case as to why this is Christ-like.

But if you will not substantiate the basis for your position and implicit censor of those who contend for essential Truths, then whatever body of believers you envision will seem to be just a warm mass that lacks necessary bones.

And i dare think I am in unity on this issue with my opponents.

[Steve_Seattle]

" . . . and Rome treats such as being members in life and in death, then the press and the Democratic Party and devout RCs see evangelicals as their greatest ideological enemy. And they are."

I disagree. I would say that devout traditional Catholics are more and more likely to see evangelicals as allies, not their greatest enemy. Their greatest enemies are liberalizing Catholics, liberalizing Protestants, atheistic secularists, and Muslims.

[daniel1212]

Still waiting for the Scripture that states that God hates sinners.

Not an explicit statement, but nonetheless,

The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. (Psalms 11:5)

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. (Psalms 10:3)

God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (Psalms 7:11)

I think God can hate and love the same people, hating sinners for what they are, annd fit for the fire, and yet loving them despite that, sparing not His own dear Son to save them. Because God hates sinners then Israel was marked for destruction. But because He yet loved them,.

I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God. (Ezekiel 22:30-31)

[Mark17]

Though Charley looked like a scrawny dude that anyone could whip.

He IS a scrawny dude. He is about 5 ft 3 in. He is always in Ad Seg, for his own protection. 🤯😱🤔

[Mark17]

the Church forbids the faithful to communicate with those unbelievers who have forsaken the faith they once received, either by corrupting the faith, as heretics, or by entirely renouncing the faith, as apostates,

It would appear, that we are up the proverbial creek, or not. Kind of depends on your point of view. 🤪😚🤩🤠

[imardmd1]

It doesn’t mean He doesn’t love them.

He loves them while they are roasting eternally in pain and chagrin?

(Luke 16:20-31)

If it doesn't mean that God doesn't love them, what in deed does the consignment to Hell and eventually the Lake of Fire mean?

In taking our place in His Passion, Jesus found out what it is like to suffer the full fury of the Mighty God against sin in a person, His righteous wrath, by experiencing Hell and the Lake of Fire as our substitute, and He will never forget it. His purchased possessions will never have to know, will they?

[imardmd1]

But we were ALL hell-bound until...

. . . until SOME heard and accepted the terms of the Gospel transaction of having their Sin and sins propitiated and completely removed by Jesus' cleansing, pure Blood offered upon the true Mercy Seat of Heaven's Holy of Holies, to remain in the sight of The Father for ever.

John 1:29 AV:

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away* the sin of the world."  * taketh away = utterly remove:

Psalm 103:12 AV:

  "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."

But not the rest, for whom and in whom the cause of hateful vengeance remains for ever.

[imardmd1]

the Church forbids the faithful to communicate with those unbelievers who have forsaken the faith they once received . . .

Permit me to reword this:

"the Church forbids their faithful communicants to communicate with those unbelievers who have forsaken the faith they once received professed . . ."

(These apostates could not have "received" The Faith unto salvation and regeneration, IMHO. Neither were they individually repositories of The Gospel Faith--they were only originally accepted as communicants on the basis of profession.)

Respectfully submitted --

[imardmd1]

Please keep in view that the original contention which my response confronted was the common saying taken from Fantasywriter's Post #25:

>> "Christians must hate the sin but love the sinner, without exception." <<

My claim is that this is narrow and not a universal commandment, that even God hates the sin and the (unrepentant) sinner.

The thread seems to be straying away from this premise.

[boatbums]

Those who do not want to investigate whether they are in error really need to investigate whether they are in the faith.

Scripture tells us:

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3,4)

It's not just discussing back and forth on such essential truths (like if truth is relative - what is true to you may not be true to me kind of thinking), but to "earnestly contend" for it. Truth doesn't change. It is truth that is the same as what was first preached and taught by Jesus and the Apostles and it is the truth that saves our souls when we believe.

[boatbums]

To be honest, I can't say that having a Pope of Rome has done much to eliminate confusion and disagreements over doctrine among today's Catholics. Many Catholics even reject their own Pope today so tell me how he is supposed to be the Vicar of Christ, maintain "infallibility" and require ALL to be under submission to him when he is rejected by a sizable portion of Catholics?

How many times have "Protestants" been accused of being our own Pope and how detrimental NOT having a central authority to determine what we must all accept is? No, the truth is unchanging and God's divinely-inspired word is given to us so that we have a "more sure word of prophecy" and a written record of what we need to know and believe. What's funny (almost) is we mostly believe the SAME things as Catholics and the Orthodox do about the major tenets of the faith and we have been able to do that without a central authority figure. The Holy Spirit - our Comforter and Teacher - isn't the sole property of Catholics.

[metmom]

I think you are right.

I have had far less conflict with very traditionalist Catholics here on FR, with whom I disagree theologically, but whom I respect for the integrity of their beliefs and their ability to keep it from being personal and getting nasty.

[metmom]

http://biblehub.com/greek/3404.htm

Strong's Concordance

miseó: to hate

Original Word: μισέω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: miseó

Phonetic Spelling: (mis-eh'-o)

Short Definition: I hate, detest

Definition: I hate, detest, love less, esteem less. HELPS Word-studies

3404 miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.

Lk 14:26: "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (3404 /miséō, 'love less' than the Lord) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple" (NASU).

[Note the comparative meaning of 3404 (miséō) which centers in moral choice, elevating one value over another.]

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10-11 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Jesus the One who wept over Jerusalem, those who kill the prophets, the One who said from the cross as they were crucifying Him, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing", the One who rebuked the apostles for wanting to call down fire from heaven to consume an entire village that had just rejected Him, the God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

God is love. His nature is love. He loves the creation of His hand, made in His image.

I would love to see the success rates of people who evangelize by telling others that God hates them cause they're sinners and they'd better repent so God can love them and be nice to them. Otherwise, He's going to send them to hell cause He hates them.

But people going to hell is not on the basis of God's love or lack of love for them. It's based on the demands of His just and holy nature.

[metmom]

If it doesn't mean that God doesn't love them, what in deed does the consignment to Hell and eventually the Lake of Fire mean?

It means God is JUST.

It doesn't mean that He doesn't love them.

God doesn't send people to hell based on how He feels about them. They go to hell because they reject God's provision of salvation in Jesus Christ.

And the lake of fire was created for Satan and his followers, not for mankind, although men end up there.

If God didn't love sinners, then He would not have gone to such great lengths to provide the means to come back into right relationship with Him, because while we were yet sinners (the ones whom you claim God hates) God demonstrated His love for us by dying for us.

If God hates sinners, then where did the love that He has for us that enabled Jesus to die on the cross for us, come from?

[metmom]

How many times have "Protestants" been accused of being our own Pope and how detrimental NOT having a central authority to determine what we must all accept is?

And ironically, and hypocritically, then so many Catholics turn around and reject the very central authority that they claim is necessary, and at the same time, condemn Protestants for rejecting the same central authority.

Do you remember how they defended Francis at first, for years? We were warning them but they kept telling us that he was mistranslated, misquoted, misunderstood, misinterpreted, mis-(fill in the blank).

Seems they have come to see what we saw from the get go but I don't expect to hear a *You all were right* from a one of them.