G-Man: Your Excellency, thank you for this opportunity. Let me begin by asking you what your reaction was to all the media coverage and hysteria surrounding preacher Harold Camping's May 21st Judgment Day declaration?
Archbishop Hartman: I was taught that we have what we allow. Did you know that psychologists have said that we have three seconds to decide whether or not to receive a thing (thought) or idea before it manifests in our spirit? That holds true to spiritual, business and personal affairs. Hysterics or the state of frenzy are contrary to God.
He is not a God of confusion. Hysteria by definition is a state of extreme or exaggerated emotion. Those of us who are connected to the Word of God know clearly that the Bible states in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” I didn’t entertain the prediction of the unpredictable.
G-Man: Was this situation, or perhaps Camping himself, discussed among you and other Archbishops?
Archbishop Hartman: No.
G-Man: When the media began to cover this "event", there didn't appear to be much opposition to Camping or his declaration from celebrated religious figures like Pat Robertson, Pastor Rick Warren or Joel Olsteen. If many Christians that I've spoken to believe that no one knows the actual day of judgment, could you offer a reason as to why prominent men of God remained silent when the story broke?
Archbishop Hartman: The fact of the matter, Gary, is that we don’t need to defend God and his Word.
Archbishop Hartman (center) served as one of the officiants during the consecration service of Bishop Emilio Alvarez on May 14, 2011 in Rochester, New York.
G-Man: There are those within the Christian community that believe religious figures like Camping and Florida Pastor Terry Jones, who burned a copy of the Holy Qur'an, are "false prophets" that pose a clear and present danger to not just religion in America, but to society and Christians all over the world. I understand that you may not be willing to comment on whether or not these men are false prophets, but would you be willing to state your position on whether or not actions like these -- by any religious leader -- pose a serious threat to Christianity and/or Christians throughout the world?
Archbishop Hartman: If it’s false, let’s just say it’s false! If it’s a misinterpretation, let us be humble enough in stating so with the same vigor that we gave a distorted word. Those who say they are religious leaders must first really examine their call to God and God’s people.
Unfortunately, history has painfully shown us that society loves good orators, and depending on our personal and spiritual need or conviction, we are mistakenly swayed by emotionalism, spiritual acrobatics and great prose, and sometimes because we fail to study God’s Word and trust in him alone, we fail to recognize what is not true, and consequently fall into the trap of those who deceive and divide with their lips to support an agenda that clearly is not God.
I concede, that some may disagree with an interpretation, of a particular passage of scripture, but I posit that when we are in that predicament, we should seek wise counsel through prayer and discussion with learned and appropriately called and chosen men and women of God to come to an correct interpretation of God’s Word before it is released and we, in great error and embarrassment, destroy a generation.
G-Man: The U.S. Constitution grants men of God, like Camping and Jones, the right to exercise freedom of expression, speech and religion. Historians and theologians note that the Constitution was founded on Christian principles taken from the Holy Bible. Having said that, aren't religious figures that engage in controversial acts -- in the name of religion -- simply practicing their Constitutional or God-given right?
Archbishop Hartman: As Americans, we enjoy the privilege of religious freedom, where in most cases we are not not restricted in the expression of our faith. Both clerics and laity must be very mindful of what we release in the name of God or religion.
As clerics, we must be bibline, concise, and deliver God’s Holy Word truthfully and relevant to the times in which we live. In other words, once the preachment has been delivered, congregants must examine God’s Word to the extent that it lines up with what God said. Man is subject to error, and for that reason we must examine our hearts and minds and never release flesh like thoughts, as opposed to proper revelatory preaching.
We should never be audacious enough to ever hide behind our great constitution, when lives (souls) are at stake. Just because we are free to express our beliefs, does not mean that we have the right to bring spiritual, physical, financial and psychological harm to anyone because of personal convictions or gross misinterpretations of the written Word of God.
Religion, or as I call it -- relationship between God and man -- should bring a paradigm shift in thinking so that we may now experience the liberty of a renewed heart, mind, spirit and lifestyle in Christ Jesus.
G-Man: As noted earlier, Camping's end of the world declaration became the butt of jokes by comedian David Letterman and others. Even news anchors and and commentators took aim at Camping by making fun of him during broadcasts. In addition, nightclubs from New York City to Los Angeles held "rapture" dance parties to dismiss or downplay the May 21 prediction. Do you think it's getting to the point where judgment day is not and will not be taken seriously?
Archbishop Hartman: Let me be abundantly clear, Jesus is soon to come; not on man’s timetable. We are to be ready for Christ’s triumphant return, and not be like those in the days of Noah who were cavalier, drunken and anesthetized by the trappings of the Word. I pray that those who may read this article examine their lives and ask themselves a question, if this was truly your last day to live, would you allow God to take control of your life? Would you accept Him as your Lord and Savior?
You don’t have to be perfect to come to God. God is perfect to come to you. It doesn’t matter who you are, and what you have done. His arms are ready to receive you just as you are. Would you be willing and obedient and trade the temporal for the eternal? I assure you, it would be the best decision of your life, and not because I said so. Just ask your neighbor, co-worker, family member, co-worker, and even your friends. It’s not over until God says, it’s over. Until then, watch and pray.
G-Man: In closing, if you could say something to Harold Camping, Pastor Terry Jones or any other controversial religious figure in the country -- citing a scripture -- what would it be?
Archbishop Hartman: Ephesians 1:17-18: "…That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…"
G-Man: Thank you, Your Excellency.
Archbishop Hartman: I would like to make one last statement, and it regards you and your news blog. We celebrate you Gary for all of your hard work, an obvious labor of love, to identify and relate journalistic precision and excellence -- as you find it for the betterment of the lives of your readers. I pray for you, your continued success, and that all your endeavors are realized. Keep on flying high, G-Man. We love you!
G-Man: Your Excellency, again, I thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment