Leaders respond to Christianity Today article by signing letter of rebuke
By Danielle Jarvis
December 23, 2019
SHARE
Support for Donald Trump among evangelical leaders runs strong, and this was never more evident than in the fact that some 200 leaders have signed a letter sent to Christian magazine Christianity Today.
The magazine, founded by Billy Graham, also caught the ire of his son, Franklin Graham, who was quick to point out that neither he or his father endorsed the opinion piece, written by the magazine’s Editor in Chief, Mark Galli, where he called for Trump to be removed form Office.
The letter was sent to the new Christianity Today President and CEO Dr. Timothy Dalrymple, rebuking his staffer for such an ‘irresponsible’ piece. Leaders such as Greg Laurie, Robert Morris and and Dr Jerry Falwell Jr. have signed the letter.
The issue has received global attention, with one Fox News host calling the magazine ‘Christianity Yesterday.’
Dr. James Dobson issued today the following
statement, as a private citizen, to the Christian community:
“I have read a new editorial published
by Christianity Today that promotes impeachment of President Donald Trump. The
editors didn’t tell us who should take his place in the aftermath. Maybe the
magazine would prefer a president who is passionately pro-abortion,
anti-family, hostile to the military, dispassionate toward Israel, supports a
socialist form of government, promotes confiscatory taxation, opposes school
choice, favors men in women’s sports and boys in girl’s locker rooms, promotes
the entire LGBTQ agenda, opposes parental rights, and distrusts evangelicals
and anyone who is not politically correct.
“By the way, after Christianity Today has helped vacate the Oval Office, I hope they will tell us if their candidate to replace Mr. Trump will fight for religious liberty and the Bill of Rights? Give your readers a little more clarity on why President Trump should be turned out of office after being duly elected by 63 million voters? Is it really because he made a phone call that displeased you? There must be more to your argument than that. While Christianity Today is making its case for impeachment, I hope the editors will now tell us who they support for president among the Democrat field. That should tell us the rest of the story.”
Dr. James Dobson issued today the following statement, as a private citizen, to the Christian community:"I have read a…
We write collectively to express our
dissatisfaction with the editorial Christianity Today published on Thursday,
December 19, 2019 calling for the removal of our duly elected President, who
was put into office at the behest of over sixty million voters.
It was astonishing to us that your
editor-in-chief, Mark Galli, further offensively dismissed our point of view on
CNN by saying, “Christianity Today is not read by the people – Christians on
the far right, by evangelicals on the far right – so they’re going to be as
dismissive of the magazine as President Trump has shown to be.” It also came to
our attention, that Mr. Galli has written other statements about Americans who
chose Donald Trump over Secretary Clinton in 2016, referring to them as “These
other evangelicals [who] often haven’t finished college, and if they have jobs,
and apparently most of them don’t, they are blue-collar jobs or entry level
work” as he describes himself with pride as an “elite evangelical.”
Of course, it’s up to your publication to
decide whether or not your magazine intends to be a voice of evangelicals like
those represented by the signatories below, and it is up to us and those
Evangelicals like us to decide if we should subscribe to, advertise in and read
your publication online and in print, but historically, we have been your
readers.
We are, in fact, not “far-right”
evangelicals as characterized by the author.
Rather, we are Bible-believing Christians
and patriotic Americans who are simply grateful that our President has sought
our advice as his administration has advanced policies that protect the unborn,
promote religious freedom, reform our criminal justice system, contribute to
strong working families through paid family leave, protect the freedom of
conscience, prioritize parental rights, and ensure that our foreign policy
aligns with our values while making our world safer, including through our
support of the State of Israel. We are not theocrats, and we recognize that our
imperfect political system is a reflection of the fallen world within which we
live, reliant upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is freely given to
sinner and saint, alike.
We are proud to be numbered among those in history who, like Jesus, have been pretentiously accused of having too much grace for tax collectors and sinners, and we take deeply our personal responsibility to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s — our public service.
The editorial you published, without any
meaningful and immediate regard for dissenting points of view, not only
supported the entirely-partisan, legally-dubious, and politically-motivated
impeachment but went even further, calling for Donald Trump not to be elected
again in 2020 when he certainly survives impeachment.
As one of our signatories said to the
press, “I hope Christianity Today will now tell us who they will support for
president among the 2020 Democrat field?”
Your editorial offensively questioned the
spiritual integrity and Christian witness of tens-of-millions of believers who
take seriously their civic and moral obligations.
It not only targeted our President; it also
targeted those of us who support him, and have supported you.
Sincerely,
Lourdes Aguirre President United Marketing Solutions
Stephen Alessi Pastor Metro Life Church
Chuck Allen Pastor Sugar Hill Church
Rev. Rick Amato Dream Believe Institute Wellington , FL
Doug Anderson Pastor Rose Heights Church
Michele Bachmann US House of Representatives Fmr. Member, Minnesota
Marty Baker Pastor Steven’s Creek Church
Rev. Wesley Baldwin, PhD Lead Pastor Aloma Church
Luke Barnett Pastor Dream City Church
Tommy Barnett Pastor Dream City Church
Gary Bauer President American Values
Henry Becarra Pastor City Church International
Steve Berger Pastor Grace Chapel – Nashville
Gary W. Blackard President & CEO Adult & Teen Challenge USA
Paul Blair Fairview Baptist Church Liberty Pastors Network
John Blanchard Pastor Rock Church International
Bill Bolin Pastor Floodgate Church
Ryan Bomberger Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer The Radiance Foundation
Mario Bramnick President Latino Coalition for Israel
Josh Brown Founder & CEO SoulHeart.co
Dr. Daniel Caamaño President Alma Vision Radio and Television
Paula White Cain Paula White Ministries Pastor, City of Destiny
Chris Cambas CEO Relationscape Founder / Chairman of Board Full Circle
Anita Christopher President West Michigan Prayer Center
Barry Clardy Pastor Princeton Pike Church of God
Dr. Tim Clinton President American Association of Christian Counselors
Bishop Kelvin L. Cobaris Cobaris Ministries International
Paul Cole Christian Men’s Network
Cynthia Collins Founder, SpeakHope.net Global Advisor, OperationOutcry
Jack Countryman Vice President & Publisher Emeritus Ministry Development Harper Collins
David Aaron Crabb Pastor Restoring Hope Church
Brad Dacus Pacific Justice Institute
Dr.Jimmy L. De La O DDiv. Founding Senior Pastor Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Pacto
Apostle Alberto Delgado Senior Pastor Alpha and Omega
Rachel Dennis Awaken The Dawn
Dr. James Dobson President James Dobson Family Institute
Dave Donaldson Co-founder and Chairman CityServe International
Greg Dumas Pastor The Crossing Church
Dr. Kirk Elliott Founder Veribella Foundation
Jenna Ellis Constitutional Law Attorney
Al Elmore Senior Pastor Lima Baptist Temple
Jerry Falwell Jr. President Liberty University
Joey Fine Pastor Seasons Church
Dan Fisher Pastor Fairview Baptist Church
Jentezen Franklin Senior Pastor Free Chapel
Jim Franklin Pastor Cornerstone Church
Dr. Gary D. Frazier, President Discovery Missions International
Dr. Day Gardner President National Black Pro-Life Union
Brian Gallardo Pastor LifeGate Church
Jim Garlow Founder Well Versed
Rosemary Schindler Garlow Schindlers Ark
Dr. Nick Garza NHCLC Board member Sacramento, CA
James Gildwell Pastor Amazing Grace Baptist Fellowship
Bishop Anne Gimenez Rock Ministerial Fellowship
Jack Graham Senior Pastor Prestonwood Baptist Church
Brad Graves Senior Pastor Ada First Baptist Church
Danny Gokey Contemporary Christian Artist
Paul Marc Goulet Pastor International Church of Las Vegas
Rev. Mark Gurley Director Michigan Oak Initiative
Ken Gurley Vice President/Director of Operations National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.
Jon & Jolene Hamill President Lamplighter Ministries
Dr. Frank Harber, Ph.D., J.D. President The Institute for Christian Defense
Len Harper Pastor Overflow Church
Mike Hayes Founder/President Center for National Renewal
Skip Heitzig Pastor Calvary Church of Albuquerque
Randall Hekman Director Grand Awakening Prayer
Jim Henry Pastor Emeritus FBC Orlando Former SBC President
Robert Herber Pastor All Peoples Church
Jack Hibbs Pastor Calvary Chapel Chino Hills
Rev. Tim Hill General Overseer Church of God
Mark Hoover Lead Pastor NewSpring Church
Walter B. Hoye II CEO Issues4Life Foundation
Lori Hoye CFO Issues4Life Foundation
Mike Huckabee Honorary National Chairman My Faith Votes
Shane Idleman Pastor Westside Christian Fellowship
Bishop Harry Jackson Pastor Hope Christian Church
Brian Jacobs Pastor Metroplex Family Church
Dr. Mike & Cindy Jacobs Founders Generals International
Phillip Jauregui Judicial Action Group
Dr. Thomas Jamieson Senior Pastor First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, FL
Obed Jauregui Pastor, Betania Church President of MBCS
Robert Jeffress Senior Pastor First Baptist Dallas
Brian & Jenn Johnson Bethel Music
Travis Johnson Church of God Executive Council Member
Dr. Brad Jurkovich Senior Pastor First Baptist Church Bossier City, LA
Troy Keaton Pastor EastLake Community Church
Becky Keenan Pastor President of One With Israel
Alveda King Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life Director, Civil Rights for the Unborn
Gary Kirouac Tent America
David Kubal CEO/President Intercessors for America
Kelly Monroe Kullberg Veritas Forum
Hank & Brenda Kunneman Pastors Lord of Hosts Church and One Voice Ministries
Greg Laurie Senior Pastor Harvest Christian Fellowship
Jerry Lawson Pastor Daystar Church
Todd Lamphere Pastor of Global Outreach City of Destiny
Chris Leader Ignite Outreach
Greg Locke Pastor Global Vision Bible Church
Frank López Senior Pastor, Doral Church VP of Hispanic Association of Pastors
Cissie Graham Lynch Samaritans Purse
Apostle Guillermo Maldonado President and Senior Pastor King JESUS Ministries
Tim Martin Pastor New Life Christian
Victor Marx President & CEO All Things Possible Ministries
Gregg Matte Senior Pastor Houston’s First Baptist Church
Bishop Joseph Mattera Christ Covenant Coalition
Pastor Jurgen Matthesius C3 Church San Diego Overseer C3 Churches in the Americas
Bob McEwen US House of Representatives Fmr. Member, Ohio
Dr. David H. McKinley Pastor-Teacher Warren Baptist Church Augusta GA
Dr. Yolanda McCune Director HAPN Kingdom Culture
Rev. Dusty McLemore Senior Pastor Lindsay Lane Baptist Church
Barry Meguiar President Meguiar’s, Inc, Founder, Revival Outside the Walls
Eric Metaxas Author, Host Eric Metaxas Radio Show
Jonathan Miller Pastor New Beginnings Church
Morgan Mitchell Director Grand Traverse House of Prayer
Pastor Sergio De La Mora Cornerstone Church
Kent Morgan President Randall Bearings, Inc.
Robert Morris Senior Pastor Gateway Church
Pastor Tom Mullins Senior Pastor Christ Fellowship Florida
Penny Nance CEO and President Concerned Women for America
Rev. Dean Nelson Chairman of the Board Frederick Douglass Foundation
Dr. Malachi O’Brien Former 2nd Vice President Southern Baptist Convention
Tim Oldfield Pastor Potters House Church
Dr. Rod Parsley Founder and Lead Pastor World Harvest Church Founder and Chancellor Valor Christian College
Ramiro A. Peña Pastor Christ the King Church
Tony Perkins President Family Research Council
Paul Pickern Executive Director All Pro Pastors
Chonda Pierce Comedian
Dr. Everett Piper Best Selling Author Former University President
Dr. Anthony Ponceti Director, South & Central America All Pro Pastors International
Rob Price Associate Professor, Communication Arts Southwestern Assemblies of God University
Ralph Reed President Faith and Freedom Coalition
Steve Riggle Pastor Grace Church International
Rev. Dennis Rivera Assemblies of God NHCLC executive committee
Ernie Rivera President Las Americas Evangelistic Association
Marilyn Rivera Pastor President of Hispanic Association of Pastors
Juan Rivera Executive Director Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition
Jeremy Roberts Pastor Thomasville Road Baptist Church
Wayne Roberts Pastor Bethel Baptist Church
Gerald Rohn Pastor First Renaissance Community Church of Sterling Michigan
Dudley Rutherford Pastor Shepherd of the Hills Church
Myles & Delana Rutherford Pastors Worship with Wonders Church
Dexter Sanders Founder/President Back 2 God Movement
Rick Scarborough Recover America Now
Tom Schlueter Texas Apostolic Prayer Network
Darrell & Belinda Scott Pastor New Spirit Revival Center
Tony Scott Pastor theChurch, Maumee
Mark Seppo Pastor Vassar Victory Center
Scott Sheppard Pastor Cornerstone Church
Danny Silk President Loving on Purpose
David Smith Pastor Oak Park Church
Ron Smith Pastor FBC At The Villages
Ted Squires CEO Squires Global
Dr. Jay Strack Founder Student Leadership University
Mat Staver Liberty Counsel
Darryl & Tracy Strawberry Strawberry Ministries
Pastor Tom Sterbens New Hope Church
Tony Stewart Pastor Citylife Church
Rev. Tony Suarez Executive Vice President National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Lanny Swaim Worship Artist
Michael Tait Christian Music Artist
Zach Terry Senior Pastor Fernandina Beach, First Baptist Church
Claude Thomas Former Executive Director GP3
David Tipton Vice President National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.
LaNell Babbage-Torres National Diversity Coalition
CT Townsend Pastor Victory Baptist Church
Pasqual Urrabazo Pastor International Church of Las Vegas
Andre Van Mol, MD Elder Bethel Church
Kris Vallotton Senior Associate Leader Bethel Church
Dr. Gilberto Velez Founder and Senior Pastor for Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia Chairman of the Board for National Hispanic leadership Conference.
Anthony Verdugo, Founder and Executive Director Christian Family Coalition (CFC)
Wendell Vinson Pastor Canyon Hills Church
Judy Wade Uniting Our Hearts
Kevin Wallace Pastor Redemption to the Nations Church
Lance Wallnau Lance Learning Group
Rick Warzywak Director Michigan Capitol House of Prayer
Wendy Waterson Pastor Sanctuary Ministries
Edward Watts Pastor Gateway Hope Center
Tom Winters Winters & King Associates
Ken Whitten Pastor Idlewild Baptist Church
George Wood Chairman World Assemblies of God Fellowship