You are absolutely right...
His secret payment of over seven billion dollars to Khomeini to free our hostages is one of the great leadership blunders in U.S. history...his criticism of Prisident Bush is an unprecedented embarassment for a former President, and his recent support of terrorist fronts has endangered our troops.
Mr. Carter has also stated his belief in universalism, that there are many paths to God.
He's is our most dangerous former president.
I take issue with several criticisms your article presents concerning Jimmy Carter. First of all, Jimmy Carter has not caused a rift. He is calling Baptists together to focus on some of Jesus' central teachings, specifically surrounding his inaugural Sermon in Nazareth in Luke Chapter Four. If there is a rift it is because of the overreaction of conservative Baptists who are incensed that someone dare have a significant event besides themselves. They, and you, should stop misrepresenting this event as some kind of left-wing religious conspiracy. God's word is not something to be feared, it is to be obeyed.
As for Mr. Carter being a critic of President Bush's Faith Based Initiatives, Thank God for him! If you will study your church history you will notice that whenever the Church and State have been wedded in power it is the Church that comes out the loser...and usually very corrupt.
As for the issue of Palestine, though the choice of the word "Apartheid" may be regretful and easily misunderstood, his point is well taken. There will never be peace in the Middle East until pressure is put on both parties to abide by peace initiatives---including Israel. I know that many of my Christian Brothers and Sisters are of the opinion that we should blindly support Israel at all cost, because they are "God's Chosen People". But that flies in the face of Jesus' teaching that we should be Peacemakers. Israel must be held accountable for their actions just as the Palestinians are held responsible for their's.
Tim,
Your arguement lacks fact and merit. The President of the Southern Baptist Church has said that this event has spun out of control due to Carter.
Carter's book, his own words and writing, is the topic for debate, not peace in the Middle East. He is and has been backed by questionable characters and should be held to task on this.
The real issue is the seemingly lack of thought at Willow Creek for choosing him to speak.
Thank you for this article! - I too am greatly disappointed in their choice of Jimmy Carter. Is there a way we might constructively and lovingly voice our concerns to Willow Creek?
Give me a break!Former President Carter is an active and professing Christian who backs his words with deeds. Name another former President who demonstrates compassionate leadership in the world like President Carter? Yes, he is flawed like all former Presidents and leaders (including journalists)and ministers like me. I think he is an excellent choice for the Leadership Summit! Any President elected (Republican or Democrat will have to deal with issues that they cannot control. Let's find a way to live together in this world without polarizing every person who is doing something with good intentions!
Ralph, read the article again. By supporting Carter as you do in your comments, you support an anti-Semite, racist, pro-abortion, politician who funded his library through donations from Bin Laden's brother.
Maybe you should have a leadership Summit for people who feel these are positive credentials.
I too was apalled at Willow Creek's choice of former President Jimmy Carter as a speaker on leadership for the Christian community. His consistent attacks on a sitting president and the efforts he supports within the Southern Baptist denomination exemplify poor leadership qualities that no Christian should support. For, Jesus was all about being in submission to authority and unity amongst the church. Bill Hybels is a great leader of God's Church and has done much to further the Kingdom. However, I'm not able to agree with this choice and hope that he will reconsider.
No one is "pro-abortion." That does not exist. Even people who are for women being allowed to choose what happens to their bodies are not "pro-abortion." It's a horrible decision to have to make. That's fine if you don't think the procedure should be legal, but watch the terminology; it paints quite the inaccurate portrait.
And kudos, Ralph. Why not recognize good for good instead of unnecessarily polarizing a good thing?
I think you will find that in this blog, you are one of things: Against or For...
Taking a life should be a choice no one makes for any reason.
As questionable a leader the former President has proven to be, there is no question that his theology disqualifies himself from leading a new Baptist movement, and from speaking on spiritual matters to any evangelical group's conference.
His recent reported comments to Newsweek (a Mormon is a Christian) and progressive Rabbi Michael Lerner (Judaism is a legitimate path to God / Christian "Zionists" only befriend Jews to convert them) indicate his pluralist soteriology which leaves him well outside mainstream evangelical Christianity.
Jason,
There is no need to throw stones at Carter. Carter is a person of integrity. People differ politically. God can handle all of us!
Cheers!
Ralph Starling
Ralph, I was not throwing stones, I was speaking of his record. On that note, just yesterday he said that the U.S. should not back the democratically-elected government in Palestine, rather let the terrorists have their say as well.
Carter is a guy who continually throws himself udner the bus, he does not need the media to do it for him.
Jimmy Carter believes he should emulate 'the Lamb' in his walk with God. Good intentions not withstanding, we are not called to emulate 'the Lamb.' (One Lamb is sufficient.)
He was the Word, the Creator, the Lamb (for less than 24 hours - with eternal results): "It is finished!"), and NOW and FOREVER, The Lion of Judah!
The Scriptures note that when we meet Him, "we will all be changed... for we will see Him as He IS, The Lion of Judah!"
Jimmy needs to focus on the present- tense season of JESUS. One Saviour is all-sufficient. Today, we need a few more Lions.
vincit veritas
semper fidelis
Give me a break. Former President of the United State Jimmy Carter is the best thing that every sat in the White House or the Out house! Jimmy is a real professing Christian "no doubt", and you know it. Rev.Billy Graham has said it many times, and brothers and sisters in Christ Billy Graham ought to know.
President Carter's books I have read and he is RIGHT. No President including this current dangerous President Bush has work as hard for PEACE. Some Christians need to put their guns back into their holsters and stop shooting down other Christians over their personal opinions.
I would rather have Jimmy Carter in White House ANY DAY,...any WAY than the current President. Albeit I am not a Bush opponent, however I believe he has deceived the Christian evangelicals right into believing he is one of them and he is NOT!
Leave Jimmy Carter alone! Thank God for him! He is qualified to speak as a born again child of God at Willow Creek, and anywhere else. May God Bless him and keep in (Phil 1:3).
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