Colorado Springs, Colo. — Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, spoke to an invitation-only gathering of friends and supporters of Dr. James Dobson on Friday. The annual, private meeting includes many of the evangelical donors and activists who have helped shaped evangelical political engagement in the United States for nearly 40 years.
Pastor Jeffress noted that there are “powerful forces at work” determined to destroy the president and that “axis of evil” includes “the Republican establishment and some of the religious establishment. They have different motivations, but they have the same goal, and that is to take out President Trump and everything he stands for. This is a political war.”
Pastor Jeffress then turned his words directly at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and other members of the Republican establishment. “Our do-nothing Senate leader needs to get off his ‘blessed assurance’ and do his job.”
In Jeffress’ wide-ranging speech, he noted the importance of the entire judiciary and highlighted the “arcane practice of blue slips” which have inhibited dozens of court appointees from having their fair hearing in front of the Senate. Pastor Jeffress also chimed into the raging discussion throughout the United States about the countless sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer and executive Harvey Weinstein, whom Jeffress referred to as “the natural results of the left’s agenda.”
Appropriating a common quote about socialism that “eventually one runs out of other people’s money,” Pastor Jeffress referred to the role of the church as the moral conscience of America, saying that in our secular culture eventually “one runs out of other people’s faith.”
As for pastors who don’t engage in the public square, Jeffress said, “Rather than following St. Benedict, I’d rather follow Jesus Christ. The Bible I read says that God is the sovereign of all the earth and not just the church. He doesn’t just care about what happens to religious people but to all people, and God only created three institutions: the family, government and the church.” Jeffress continued, “Government is a God-ordained institution. Who in the world would say that we as Christians should not be involved in government?”
Finally, he recalled a story of meeting with President Trump and dozens of evangelical pastors and national leaders. In haste to speed along the meeting’s agenda, Pastor Jeffress had forgotten to open it in prayer.
He was interrupted by Mr. Trump, “Sorry, Pastor, but don’t you think we ought to pray first?”
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Dr. Robert Jeffress is a best-selling author of 24 books, a nationally and internationally syndicated TV and radio host and the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Dallas, one of the largest and most influential churches in America. Pathway to Victory, Dr. Jeffress’ broadcast ministry, airs daily nationwide on more than 900 radio stations and is broadcast on television in 195 countries. His latest book, A Place Called Heaven: 10 Surprising Truths About Your Eternal Home, is available in bookstores everywhere. Dr. Jeffress serves on President Trump’s Faith Advisory Council.
Website | www.ptv.org www.firstdallas.org
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