Posted on 09/22/2005 7:25:57 AM PDT by newsgatherer
From Jews For JESUS: CONTROVERSY IN WASHINGTON
Stevphen Katz Jews For Jesus
I just got off a call with Jon Moeller, chapel leader for the Washington Nationals baseball team. He volunteers with a ministry called Baseball Chapel. Jon called me because he and Baseball Chapel are facing a challenge from the Jewish community, which has caught them offguard. THEY NEED OUR HELP.
Here is the link to a 4-page article from Sunday's Washington Post. (If you must register to read it, it's free so go ahead and do it. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/17/AR2005091701522.html?sub=AR
The article descibes how Baseball Chapel works, but there a few statements that have gotten the Jewish community angry. "If you know the Lord, you will go to heaven," Moeller's friend, a visiting chapel leader named Bud Smitley, told the men on a recent Sunday. "If you don't know the Lord, it could be the other way around. There's only two places: heaven and hell" While doing a Bible study on John 14:6 and 8:31 a player expressed concern because his former girlfriend is Jewish. He turned to Moeller, "I said, like, Jewish people, they don't believe in Jesus. Does that mean they're doomed?" Jon nodded, like, that's what it meant. "My ex-girlfriend! I was like, man, if they only knew. Other religions don't know any better. It's up to us to spread the word." Jon has told me that's not an accurate representation of the conversation.
Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld of Ohev Sholom Talmud Torah, which he's named "The National Synagogue" has holding a press conference even as I type this email. He's gotten the Anti Defamation League involved and many Jewish Nationals fans are writing to express their displeasure.
As it stands, Jon may lose his credential from Baseball Chapel and the organization may not be allowed to minister to the Washinton Nationals team next season. I asked Jon whether any Christians were writing in to voice support for him and Baseball Chapel and he said "No."
To support Jon's ministry and clear proclamation of the gospel, please take a couple of minutes to send email to the following people:
Tony.Tavares@nationals.com (Team President)
Jim.Bowden@nationals.com (VP & General Manager)
Chartese.Berry@nationals.com (VP Communication)
Marty.Sewell@nationals.com (Manager of Media Relations)
Use your words, but your email might state that you are a Christian and are in favor of Jon Moeller's ministry with Baseball Chapel. That Jon was merely teaching a New Testament truth, not his own opinion. That there is nothing at all anti-semitic in this, and that it's an _expression of love to tell everyone about Jesus, including Jewish people. If you are a Nationals fan be sure to add that in! Use your imagination... ....JUST EMAIL SOMETHING TODAY.
Thanks.
Stephen
I'd be skeptical about believing anything from a "Jew for Jesus". If they can't be honest enough to just call themselves Christians, why should they be believed on any other subject?
Christ told us we would be reviled for telling the truth about Him.
No surprises here. My only concern is that the Godless Yankees will win the pennant....
??? So if you're Irish and you become a Christian do you cease to be Irish?
There's no deceptive ambiguity in being both Irish and Christian.
Jews for Jesus ministry/outreach is to fellow Jews. They share the gospel of Jesus Christ in hopes of bringing their other Jews to a saving knowledge *of* Jesus Christ. I've been aligned with the group since 1976.
As a Jew I find that as offensive as you would find an Islamic mission dedicated to converting Christians.
2Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Peace,
Tiggywinkle
I don't think they mean it deceptively. They shouldn't have to deny being Jewish just because they are Christian. Besides, they are entitled to interpret the theology of it all any way they want, just like the rest of us. Aren't they?
That's not offensive. If a Christian wants to become a Satan worhipper, so what?
And if they call themselves "Christians for Mohammad" and start converting members of your church, you'd be indifferent?
And Muslims...they shoot you if you don't convert. Even used car salesmen don't do that.
On the other hand, if some Christian decides to become Muslim without coercion, that's none of my biz (though it is a BIG mistake).
And if they call themselves "Christians for Mohammad" and start converting members of your church, you'd be indifferent?
Their is a difference.You can not be born a Christian but you can be born a Jew.
The word "Christian" doesn't have the double meaning that the word "Jew" does. And the "Jews for Jesus" crowd purposely takes advantage of the ambiguity by pretending to be practicing Judaism. There is a whole industry set up to cater to this deception. If they mean Jew as an ethnicity and not a religion, there is no more appropriate place to specify "Hebrew" rather than "Jew".
For example, in the case of the previously mentioned "Hebrew Catholics" I have no objection.
Just say, "Our brand of Christianity thinks ANYONE who isn't a believer in Jesus as God's resurrected Son is doomed."
That should settle everything for any adult in America.
Sadly, you might be dealing with those who aren't adult enough to realize that any religion has its own beliefs.
Do Jews believe Christians will go to Heaven?
If they are good people, yes, though our conception of Heaven is a bit different than the Christian one. It's not so much a place as a state of unity with God.
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