Pastor Robert Jeffress
(Pulpit & Pen) Mormon ex-presidential candidate and current U.S. Senate candidate has spoken out in anger about Baptist preacher, Robert Jeffress, praying at the opening of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem. Calling Jeffress a “religious bigot,” Romney took exception that the pastor would be given the honor of praying at today’s opening of the embassy, by invitation of the President of the United States. The embassy had previously been located in Tel Aviv, and although other presidents have pledged to move the embassy to Jerusalem in a symbolic overture noting that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, until President Trump, no one has followed through on the promise. The embassy opened today amidst protest by Palestinians and at least one Mormon in Utah.
See Rromney’s tweet on the site
Jeffress’ comments that have been the subject of much ire include the statement, “God sends good people to Hell. Not only do religions like Mormonism, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism — not only do they lead people away from God, they lead people to an eternity of separation from God in Hell.”
This, of course, is Christian orthodoxy. With the exception of a tiny minority of professing Christians who hold to the heresy of Universalism, virtually all believers hold to the Exclusivity of Christ. This doctrine teaches that without the profession of and faith in Christ’s death and resurrection for the remission of sins, there is no salvation. Likewise, with the exception of a very few, Christians have always historically held to the doctrine of hell. Mormons, on the other hand, do not believe in hell, but rather in the three heavens, the level of which one is assigned is dependent upon man’s good works. Essentially, Romney is upset that someone who is an orthodox Christian is leading prayer at the embassy opening, which ironically enough, is actual religion bigotry.