Their churches are empty, our nation is sick, and tensions are high.

First Baptist Church Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress, a Southern Baptist  Conference minister, once said “Although President Obama is certainly not the Antichrist, his policies are paving the way for the Antichrist.” This statement while spoken by Mr. Jeffress is nonetheless emblematic of a cohort of pastors and congregations that have been erroneously named evangelical. The leadership of this segment of the Christian community bases its political activity not solely on Matthew 25 but on the so-called apocalyptic utterances written in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation. 

I am not one who follows apocalyptic utterances or end-time theology whether it’s Isaac Newton’s prediction of the world ending in 2060 or John Darby’s system of dispensationalism, but let us go with Mr. Jeffress theological predilection for a moment.

Could it be that Mr. Jeffress was correct in his worldview but not for the reason you might think? It might be that his zest for Israeli hegemony, opposition to same-sex relationships, and a women’s right to choose (although Paula White called for the abortion of satanic pregnancies)the evangelical community became a willing accomplice ushering in an administration of chaos, civil disorder, increased racial strife, incompetence, misogyny, xenophobia, child separation, increased racism, political corruption, disrespect for the military and even death. It might be that because he and others like him could not admit an error in judgment of the character of a man they wholeheartedly adore, they had to corrupt the idea of Romans 13 support for the government to justify their continued support of a corrupt administration. 

Today, as a result, the man (who looked to the skies and declared himself as the chosen one) that this community endorsed is presiding over a nation that is enflamed with wildfires, racial tension, political corruption, hurricanes at a greater frequency, over seven million infected with coronavirus including President Trump himself and over 210,000 dead from this deadly disease, 10 million people unemployed not to mention the consistent disregard for the constitution of the United States for which people like Mr. Jeffress said is a document inspired by God.

Is it possible that this cohort would be interested in the words spoken in 3rd Timothy “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” Does this sound like anyone we all know?

Can it be that the man, who Mr. Jeffress endorsed when  asked at the Iowa Family Leadership Summit if he’s ever asked God for forgiveness responded by saying “I am not sure I have,”. “I just go on and try to do a better job from there. I don’t think so. I think if I do something wrong, I think, I just try and make it right. I don’t bring God into that picture. I don’t.”  Perhaps Mr. Jeffress and his cohort were troubled by the first cabinet meeting of the president where cabinet members had to shower praise upon the president to start the meeting. 

It is no secret that pastors as well as ministers from other faith traditions have always used apocalyptic theology to appeal to a certain segment of the religious population in America and around the world. In the Christian world, however, the vast majority of the people in these congregations have neglected to read Acts 17:11 which informs us that while the people of Berea were open to scripture, they nonetheless went to the Bible to make sure that what was preached was actually in the text. 

Many of the same preachers who preach an apocalyptic message will then go on to promote their books and other items in the house of the Lord which is something that Jesus might’ve referred to as a den of thieves. Many of these pastors have done financially well in a time of pending disaster according to their theology. 

Could it be that it is not the policies of a previous administration that might’ve paved the way for the antichrist but the desire of these pastors for wealth and political influence that enabled them to fall prey to a man who would use the military to spray tear gas on a peaceful demonstration so that he can have a photo-op in front of an Episcopal church?

The prophetic utterances of these pastors would be innocuous if it were not for the fact that many of them influence thousands of people who attend their congregations. This has even led to people saying that they are protected from COVID-19 because they are saved by the blood of Jesus. 

The reality is that the apocalyptic theological system is a legitimate interpretation of various biblical texts accepted by many people and ingrained in students by educational institutions such as Liberty University and Dallas theological seminary. Pastors have always used theology to justify their side of an issue. Slavery, the subjugation of women, taking land from Native Americans, the internment of Asian Americans was justified through theological frameworks. To be fair, the Civil rights movement was deeply steeped in scripture as it was led by pastors such as Martin Luther King and others. 

The question however, is whether those who pedal this theology, actually believe this beyond its ability to enable them to become wealthy and politically connected.

What needs to happen is a long-awaited theological rebuttal by mainline denominations. Too often the mainline church (which has its sins) seeks peace as a value in of itself. 

The pushback against many of these pastors has been very small, sporadic, and often muted. While people such as Bishop William Barber and Jim Wallis have pushed back, the reality is they’ve been given a small megaphone. 

Mr. Jeffress original statement at that time about paving the way for the antichrist was misguided at best and at worst a clear pandering to the biblically illiterate of this nation. 

Nonetheless, if  Mr. Jeffress and his cohorts are right about their worldview in regards to ushering in the antichrist, it is not due to the policies of a previous administration but a result of their avarice, greed, and thirst for power. Proverbs says “not to walk with those who are prone to anger and wrath.” Despite biblical warnings, these pastors have laid down with, walked with, and prayed with a man who they would normally warn against. Unfortunately, the rest of the nation is paying dearly for this betrayal of the faith.

Since Mr. Jeffress and his colleagues claim to be of the Christian faith, let us recall Luke 22:31 “And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.”

I don’t believe Mr. Jeffress and his colleagues thought the nation would be encountering the circumstances the nation is presently undergoing. Unfortunately, I also believe they will engage in scriptural gymnastics to justify their continued support for the present administration.

Let us hope that Luke 22 verse 33 comes to fruition when it says that  Jesus tells Peter he has prayed for him.

They laid hands on him and today we have 7 million infected with a deadly virus, 213,000 dead, a White House having to be disinfected because of coronavirus, racial tensions overflowing across the nation, wildfires, hurricanes, 10 million people unemployed, a suggestion to white supremacists to standby and a governor targeted for kidnapping and assassination. The question must be asked, was it worth it?