Dr. Robert Jeffress Tried to Close Down Conversation about Jerusalem - by Praying!

Dr. Robert Jeffress prayed yesterday at the dedication of the United States of America's new embassy in Jerusalem. Jeffress, a popular televangelist, is pastor of the immense First Baptist Church (Dallas).  Although most Israeli government offices are actually in Tel Aviv, many people believe, for religious and historical reasons, that Jerusalem is Israel's true capital. Since many Palestinians also consider Jerusalem to be their capital, much controversy (and much violence) surely ensues. Dr. Jeffress  knows how to shut down controversy: he did it by stirring up controversy. How paradoxical! He did it by mixing prayer and politics, creating the impression that controversial and possibly dubious foreign policy decisions were justified by biblical prophecy. 

In an earlier article, I talked about how conservatives use fake Founding Fathers quotations to shut down conversation. One might argue with Barack Obama, but

Opening ceremony, US embassy in Jerusalem, Dept. of State image

not with Thomas Jefferson or George Washington (even though the quotations in question were fakes).  Dr. Jeffress cleverly used prayer to do the same thing. One might argue with Barack Obama, but Dr. Jeffress implied, as we shall see, that to argue with Donald Trump was equivalent to arguing with God.

Prayer First

Now, Dr. Jeffress started by praying. With his eyes closed and head firmly unbowed, he began in prayer style: "We come before you, the god of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. Four thousand years ago,  you said to your servant Abraham that you would make him the father of a great nation, a nation  a nation through whom the entire world would be blessed." Now that was OK, I think. He was a Christian pastor, and that prayer arose from the biblical traditions of Jews and Christians alike: "As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations" Gen. 17:4 KJV. 

But Dr. Jeffress didn't stop there. He then cited Israel's scientific innovations, continuing “but most of all Israel has blessed the world by pointing us to you the one true god." This was not only sectarian, but had something of an in-your-face tone for people of other religions. Still, he was a conservative Christian pastor, and this couldn't have been too surprising.

Foreign Policy? Was He Still Praying? Or Was He Giving a Foreign Policy Speech? 

Dr. Jeffress then moved on to foreign policy. He told God that the people present were "Thanking you for your providential and powerful protection of this nation from all who would seek to destroy her." He gave thanks for "the founding of Israel in the promised land." That, of course, was controversial, since modern Israel's founding was quite bloody.  Jeffress then quickly praised the “courageous leadership of Israeli Prime Minister “Benjamin Netanyahu and his determination to do whatever it takes to protect his people at all costs.” This was even more controversial; he was expressing views about partisan Israeli politics. By now, he was stretching well beyond biblical prophecy. Furthermore, Mr. Netanyahu was known for strict (some would say harsh) anti-Palestinian policies. "Whatever it takes" sounds strong and noble, but, of course, "whatever it takes" entails support for policies that many people might argue about.

And Then His Prayer Became a Partisan Political Campaign-Style Speech

Dr. Jeffress then prayed about “Jerusalem,  the city that you named as the capital of Israel 3000 years ago." He continued to pray: "We want to thank you for the tremendous leadership of our great President Donald J. Trump [his voice quivered as he spoke Mr. Trump's name.] Without President Trump’s determination, resolve, courage we would not be here today." That was even more controversial. President Trump is controversial, and some Christian leaders would, contrary to Dr. Jeffress, condemn his policies as anti-Christian. Dr. Jeffress continued to talk about Mr. Trump in religious terms:  Dr. Jeffress continued, "And I believe father I speak for every one of us when we say we thank you every day that you have given us a president who boldly stands on the right side of history, but more importantly stands on the right side of you, oh God, when it comes to Israel." He then prayed for the "peace and prosperity of Israel in Jesus name." How the rabbis in attendance felt about Dr. Jeffress' reference to Jesus of Nazareth, I have no idea. How many of the Americans in the audience actually voted for Mr. Trump? Well, I have no idea either--but Dr. Jeffress still assured God that "every one of us" agreed with his political views.

Not done yet, Jeffress ended by citing the biblical book of Psalms. As he spoke, violent clashes between Israeli authorities and protestors caused several deaths. Was this biblically justified? If one takes Dr. Jeffress seriously, would one wish to say yes? And would that be wise?

Did This Stop the Conversation?

Now, a typical policy-oriented person, a debater, a political scientist, or a diplomat would make controversial decisions by looking at facts and then reasoning from those facts. Is Mr. Trump really on "the right side of history?" Are Mr. Netanyahu's policies wise and moral? Is a policy of strength better than a policy of negotiation and compromise? Those are hard questions, and people might argue about them. But how do you argue with God? That was Dr. Jeffress' tricky move. 

For Dr. Jeffress began and ended with genuine prayer that had actual biblical foundations. But his political comments were unsupported. He gave no reason for them except that he believed God was on his side. Let us note, for example, that the Bible makes no comment about where the United States should locate its embassy to Israel. Dr. Jeffress slid from points that most Christians and Jews would agree with, to a point that was very controversial, and then back to a point that most Christians and Jews would agree with. He did so cleverly--rhetorical theorists call this the method of juxtaposition--so he could make controversial points without giving logical or factual proof that his points were wise. 

Keep in mind, however, that conservatives and liberals don't always think the same ways. Biblical authority might mean more to conservative Protestants than it does to other people. Dr. Jeffress himself is controversial, and I'll say more in a day or two about why he was a featured speaker. 

We argue about foreign policy; we don't usually argue about prayer. But did Dr. Jeffress really stop the conversation? Or did he just stumble into more controversy? 

In general, as a communication professor, I am against conversation stoppers. I don't think they are ethical, and they rarely work over the long run. 

Bernard Cornwell's novels about the 100 Years War suggests that bishops came to pray over the cannons and sprinkle holy water on them. I don't think that Dr. Jeffress went that far. 

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