Did Ann Coulter Go Too Far?
There's no question about it: Ann Coulter likes to push the envelope. She's known as a provocateur quite comfortable with using hyperbole to drive home a political point.
However, her latest brush with controversy led well off the political path. When asked by CNBC host Donny Deutsch what her ideal America looked like, she responded that everyone would be Christian. Deutsch, a Jew, took exception.
“It would be better if we were all Christian?” he asked incredulously.
Coulter stuck by her guns and that’s where the real controversy came. While defending her comment she stated that Christians are merely “perfected Jews.” Commentators glommed onto the phrase, accusing Coulter of denigrating Jews.
The broader context of the interview reveals that Coulter was explaining her belief about the relationship between the Old and New Testament.
“We believe in the Old Testament,” she said. “But ours is more like Federal Express.”
While this may not be entirely accurate representation of Christian belief—the New Testament is the culmination of the Old Testament, not a more expedient option—her point is not completely off the mark. Anyone who becomes a Christian, Jewish or otherwise, in a sense becomes “perfected.” But a serious qualifier is in order. Being perfected means that we are justified and presented blameless in the sight of God. Most Christians agree that we will never arrive at perfection (reach a sinless state) on this side of heaven.
Coulter’s biggest error was probably one of judgment. The Jews have suffered brutal persecution in recent history by those who claimed that they were genetically inferior. In light of this discrimination we should watch our words carefully. Any language that suggests that they are in need of perfection is potentially offensive and ultimately detrimental to the cause of Christ. The Bible instructs us to be “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” That’s a teaching it seems Coulter has yet to perfect.
However, her latest brush with controversy led well off the political path. When asked by CNBC host Donny Deutsch what her ideal America looked like, she responded that everyone would be Christian. Deutsch, a Jew, took exception.
“It would be better if we were all Christian?” he asked incredulously.
Coulter stuck by her guns and that’s where the real controversy came. While defending her comment she stated that Christians are merely “perfected Jews.” Commentators glommed onto the phrase, accusing Coulter of denigrating Jews.
The broader context of the interview reveals that Coulter was explaining her belief about the relationship between the Old and New Testament.
“We believe in the Old Testament,” she said. “But ours is more like Federal Express.”
While this may not be entirely accurate representation of Christian belief—the New Testament is the culmination of the Old Testament, not a more expedient option—her point is not completely off the mark. Anyone who becomes a Christian, Jewish or otherwise, in a sense becomes “perfected.” But a serious qualifier is in order. Being perfected means that we are justified and presented blameless in the sight of God. Most Christians agree that we will never arrive at perfection (reach a sinless state) on this side of heaven.
Coulter’s biggest error was probably one of judgment. The Jews have suffered brutal persecution in recent history by those who claimed that they were genetically inferior. In light of this discrimination we should watch our words carefully. Any language that suggests that they are in need of perfection is potentially offensive and ultimately detrimental to the cause of Christ. The Bible instructs us to be “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” That’s a teaching it seems Coulter has yet to perfect.
posted by Drew Dyck at 10:07 AM
23 Comments:
We need more "prophets" like Ann Coulter! Pastors and Christian leaders (including editors/writers), spend too much time distancing themselves from people who are courageous enough to speak out. If you don't believe the US would be better off if it were filled were real Christians, you must not believe the Bible. Instead of throwing rocks at Coulter, why not expand and clarify the discourse! GOD give us more prophets and statesmen willing to speak without fear of being "politically incorrect!" We need to know (and hear) the "kindness and sternness of God." (Rom 11:22)
We also need to remember that Jews who believe in Jesus do not necessarily call themselves Christians (like Jews for Jesus). Nor are they required to. I know it is semantics, but I also would rather define myself as a disciple of Jesus when we look at some of the beliefs of some of the groups that call themselves "Christians."
Daniel LaFont
I agree the Coulter is technically correct, however she is about as tactful as a hammer! And, not to throw stones but, some of her previous actions/words are a bit less than Christlike, her goal appears to be to shock and incite her critics, not win them to Christ...
Ann Coulter is no prophet! There is no prophet who would degrade political rivals the way she does. There is no prophet or anyone who would call themselves a child of God that speaks as mean-spirited as she does. This woman is filled with venom and hate. I hope most of us christians do not act like her, or woe be unto us when the world turns against us. They would not turn against us because of our stance for christ but rather due to our alienation of others. Remeber this, the Bible states " Go out into the world and teach all nations." This does not mean to belittle and degrade anyone else or their beliefs. Remember " Hold your PEACE, VENGENCE is MINE saith THE LORD" We are not to fight these battles. " For WE wrestle bot against flesh and blood. But against principalities....." People lets remember what the bible states and not what we may or may not feel. Feelings will only lead us into darkness and dispair. Remember the Isrealites felt like going back into Egypt, but God said not so..... lets Listen to the Lord and Hold Our PEace!
"Kindness and sternness" is great, but she seems to lack kindness. This same kindness is ultimately what leads to repentance (Rom 2:4).
Why is it that way too many men who call themselves Christians, will not stand up for the conservative political views that this lady has done. We have lost our will to stand firm even in the face of the doubters who call themselves righteous and want everyone to be agreeable in every aspect of life. I'm no longer calling myself an evangelical Christian but a disciple of Christ because these very same evangelical men have lost their identity of being real men.
Since I am no longer a part of this group, I can only judge them by their writings and I find that way too many Christian men are so lacking in moral and political courage, it is no small wonder the enemy of our faith laughs at us.
Ann Coulter is entitled to her views of her Christian faith and when we split hairs to get out of the way, we no longer stand for what Christ stood for. He came to give life and give it more abundantly, but too many are hiding because they don't want to offend others. Christ offended the Jews because they in their time because religious without God. Man becomes religious without God's presence and too often modern Christian men become religious in their lives because they have not taken to living their lives for Christ.
In my corner of the world which is very small, I can agree with Ann Coulter. If it hurts others it's because they know in fact, she speaks a truth that they are avoiding.
To my brothers in Christ who will not stand for righteousness, I pray for them because they are becoming just like the Jews of old and are religious.
Come on, Arnold. Do you really want to make Ann Coulter's views the dividing line for which men are real disciples of Christ?
Even if all her views were perfectly in line with the gospel, her attitude certainly isn't. Just look at the title of her books: "How to Talk to a Liberal ... If You Must" or "If Democrats Had Any Brains They'd be Republicans."
Answer me honestly--do those sound like things Jesus would have us say?
Hey, Drew:
With all respect, who said these unkind statements?
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean."
"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?"
"Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town."
Hopefully, you recognize these harsh and unkind words as the words of Jesus Christ to the spiritual elite of his day.
Also, are you going to judge Coulter because she knows how to come up with catchy tiles to books that make people what to find out what she has to say? Can you be so naive and petty?
I still say we need more people to rock the boat of our religous and secular establishment. Long live the boat rockers!
James 3:1-12 is clear about these things. Be careful in all things which we say, be it spoken or even on the internet.
bewood,
Your point is well taken: Jesus wasn't Mr. Nice all the time. However I think there's an important difference between what Jesus said and the statements made by Coulter.
Jesus saved his scathing denunciations for those who held religious authority, who abused their positions as God's representatives to the people. But he was always kind and inviting to to outsiders.
Coulter on the other hand seems to unleash her vitriol on secular/liberal people--the very ones with very little knowledge of God. I just watched an interview with her. She was asked point blank if she hated democrats and she couldn't say "no." No matter how you slice it, that's not a Christian attitude. And I'm sorry, but her insulting book titles don't get a pass just because she has to sell copies. Christian principles must guide every decision we make, including how we title our books. To excuse her on this count is just "means / ends" reasoning.
Now don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with everything she says. In fact I have a soft spot for Coulter. I like "boat rockers" too. But I'm very reluctant to make her the model (or spokesperson) for today's Christianity.
Having read through most of the comments submitted on this blog site, I wish to make my own humble submission. it is strongly impressed in my heart that these are indeed, very frightening times that we live through; and although we are not yet at the end of days nor yet at the Apocalyptic Dispensation, it feels like though we are already living through the season of intense persecution for anyone daring enough to stand by their Christian convictions, (even though this does not imply a blanket endorsement or license for looseness and frivolity).
Ann Coulter may have said it quite bluntly like the provocateur extraordinaire that she is, but it remains for the rest of us to discover and define where we stand on this as well as other matters of grave spiritual import. Again, our being sensitive to certain issues bordering on the use of Semantics, (and by extension, Jewry Semitism), should not deter us or cause us to shy away from the genuine convictions of our hearts that we know to be grounded on sound scriptural principles; nor should it cause us to prevaricate, vacillate or twist the truth all in an effort to be almost always accepted by our peers and contemporaries as ‘politically right’.
The press, the Jew that took exception, and Drew Dyck all missed to real point. She said that she would like to see all America Christian. The fact that a Jew took exception then changed the focus, then the important thing became that a Jew was offended. In today's PC world we are not allowed to say anything that offends someone else and it is especially the case when it comes to offending a Jew. This is nothing new, John 7:13 “Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews”. Ann Coulter's comment that "Christians are merely “perfected Jews”" is actually incorrect, but I am not going to join others in throwing stones at someone that would like to see all of America Christian. That my friends is what is important!
After reading the comments posted, I must add: I agree with "bewood" disagree with "craig" (and "bewood" corrected him with facts). Drew Dyck seems afraid to stand with Ann Coulter because she offended a Jew. Drew should have stood with her desire for all Americans to be Christians.
I fail to understand what Ann Coulter said that could be considered unkind. Is it unkind to desire all America to be Christian?? I believe that it would be far more unkind to let the lost die in their sins without Christ.
Drew: You made my point on the quotes from Jesus. His scathing assessment of the Jewish LEADERS was painfully acurate, and I am sure OFFENSIVE! It was directed to the spiritual AND political leaders of the day. If you really follow Coulter you know her "cutting" remarks are mostly tarketed to the political leaders in the U.S., which have also assumed spiritual leadership by taking prayer out of schools, removing the 10 commandments from schools, etc. etc.! Also, I still don't see why you are so upset at her book titles. I think you are being too sensitive for all the liberal, ungodly, leaders who have heard and rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ countless times. Maybe she is trying to get their attention -- when a feather doesn't work, use a two by four!
bewood: Again I agree with you. You are right on target!
First, she was addressing a political situation. The host brought up the religion (he is a liberal jew, as opposed to one PRACTICING Judeism) just to feign outrage.
I think that one could compare this political situation to that of Jezebel. There was the political and
there was the religious. She did not like the prophesying so she put out a hit on the prophet.
Our problem today is for the last 30 years "evangelicals" have been afraid to go door to door, not because of being offensive to those whom doors are knocked upon for we know that offense will be taken by them as Jesus stated he was a rock of offense. NO it is because it makes US uncomfortable, so the leaders wrote books about private evangelism or just living it. IT HAS NOT WORKED and we have lost much ground by not speaking up against the ills we now look upon. Just go by the buildings of those who DO go door to door. Their parking lots are full. JW's and Mormons are who I am referring.
I find it interesting there are those here that are offended by Ann's comments when they have not witnessed Jesus' name in years to others. How shall they hear? By our silent witness? No, by a woman, cause men are afraid to speak the name of Jesus.
Our being offended by her statements condemns us, not her.
well i understand that most of you do not agree with the scriptures that i quoted, or tried my best to quote. i still think that all of us should not embrace on political view as being Godly or Christian. I am a holy spirit filled christian with evidence of tongues and i do not vote with republicans. i see beyond the abortion issue. i look at what affects us all, poverty, education, and making a living wage. i do not endorse abortion we should be more Christ like and abhor it. but we do live in a secular democratic republic, and not a theocratic monarchy. i thank God that we do not live in any type of theocratic govenrment because who is to say it would be a protestant or catholic or jewish or any type of government? back to Ann Coulter, she hates people like me and anyone who thinks outside of pure black and white. i think she has racial tendencies and she has hatred in her heart for anyone who doesnt believe like she does. if we endorse people like her what happens when the opposing views starts to think like her and wants to hate people like us, christians.......i dont think anyone wants any liberals writing books about hating and beating up christians, i know i dont. you are all free to think what you want, do what you want, but i do know this Jesus spoke more about helping the poor and charity towards others than he did about hating liberals and others..... lets keep our priorities in order!
Craig, Why all the hatred for Ann Coulter?? Are you saying that you do not agree with her desire for all America to be Christian?? I fail to see what, in the article, she was to have said that could be taken as haveing hatred toward anyone.
As many times as I've heard this story repeated, everyone leaves out Coulter's initial response when Deutsch takes umbrage: "Would you like to come to church with me, Donny?" He chooses to take offense and within minutes likens her to Ahmadinejad -- as if there's some comparison between an invitation to church and nuking Israel.
All joking aside, Ann Coulter could teach New Men something about being men.
Ann Coulter should never open her mouth and profess Christianity as she drives more people away every time she does so.
Is her method a way to win lost souls? She should brush up on 1 Corinthians 13. It doesn't matter what she says because she says it without any love.
bewood:
Give me one instance in the New Testament where God/Jesus encourages us to insult/offend others for the "greater good". We are called to become like God. He does not belittle others to accomplish His purposes. It also says in the Bible that it is the _kindness_ of God that gets people to change. Can you think of one time when being insulted or told you had it all wrong caused you to want to change?
Yes, we are called to become like God. And Jesus did call the Pharisees "whitewashed tombs," didn't he? Too many Christians today are wanting to conform to and please the world by being "politically correct." It doesn't matter how "nice" or "loving" you try to state something. There is always someone who will be offended by it.
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home