Right Behind
In his "White House Briefing" column on the WP website, Dan Froomkin reported yesterday that on February 10, 2005, a Jew for Jesus named Joel C. Rosenberg spoke, by invitation, to a "couple dozen" White House aides in the Old Executive Office Building. Rosenberg, author of the novels The Last Jihad and The Last Days, as well as the forthcoming Epicenter: Why Current Rumblings in the Middle East Will Change your Future, wouldn't say what he spoke about to the assembled, who did not include the president, but it probably wasn't the dangers of fossil fuels. The man who invited him over told him, “A lot of people over here are reading your novels, and they're intrigued that these things keep on happening…. Your novels keep foreshadowing actual coming events. . . .” Rosenberg told Froomkin he's still in touch with several of his "intrigued" listeners.
Rosenberg is no mere Biblical exegete. He surveys the reality-based world and offers…evidence. “We're seeing more Muslims coming to Christ right now than at any other time in history,” Rosenberg told Pat Robertson recently, by way of demonstrating that Ezekiel 38 and 39 are “about the end of radical Islam as we know it.”
Who says there’s no intellectual curiosity at the White House?
Myself, I don’t believe for a minute that the White House has flashed a green light to the Olmert government in order to bring the Rapture closer. Not for half a minute. Surely the White House has other strategies in mind. Anyway, the Apocalypse does not require a dress rehearsal.
A lot of loose talk is going around about the impact on the Bush administration of the segment of the Christian right that upholds theocracy. Accordingly, Ross Douthat writes in the current issue of First Things that there can’t be a theocracy in the United States because institutional religion is so weak. Fair enough.
So let’s be precise. There is no theocracy in Washington. There are only a couple of dozen staff members who, amid Middle Eastern wars that they had no small part in bringing about, think Biblical prophecy a worthy subject for their attention.
Only thing is, they forget that verse, "Blessed are the peacemakers..."
Jan Knaus
August 5, 2006 3:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
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Howard
*equal opportunity offense to both extremes*
August 5, 2006 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
If there were any doubts, and I don't see how there could be, our government is shot thru with nut jobs. As Joe McCarthy would say, "I have a list here......." But, until we can get rid of the nut job in chief I think we are stuck. And, since the I word seems to be forbidden in Democratic Party circles we are stuck for another 2 1/2 years.
Hoppy in Sacramento
August 5, 2006 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
snicker, snort, tee-hee, hahahaha...Howard you had to be a blast to sit next to in class, your satirical wit is just hysterical.
August 5, 2006 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Must have been a slow news day for Mr. Froomkin. I'm very curious why Froomkin sought out Rosenberg now, aside from feeling a bit left out by the media circus with CNN at the center ring. After all, February 2005 is what, a year and a half ago?
This aura of mystery gets just a little too close to conspiracy theory for my comfort. I suppose it might sell a paper or two, but it serves as a diversion from more serious, more reportorial coverage of the Theocratic Right. Basically what this does is give Mr. Rosenberg a little gratuitous publicity, raises his importance beyond what any good PR flack's wildest dreams, sells a few more books, and makes me wonder if any serious reporting is happening at the Washington Post these days.
aMike
p.s. On a quick romp through google-land I found this tidbit issued by Agape Press, dated July 21, provided by compiler Jody Brown and sourced to Chad Groening (don't ask me who he is).
I find the Netanyahu connection as interesting as the Jews for Jesus connection. If I could find it, I would think that Froomkin could, too. Am I the only one intrigued by this? Maybe.
August 5, 2006 5:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope.
August 5, 2006 5:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Addendum:
I meant to reference the CNN connection but couldn't, for some reason. Here's the link.
aMike
August 5, 2006 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
For Washington it is still about oil and nothing else. Though religion conveniently fits into the equation here, it is no surprise because EVERYTHING involving the Middle East revolves around religion.
August 5, 2006 8:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lordy! I just looked at the google ads list to this post and well.... I guess google's system isn't foolproof: Here's the list as I see it.
Are you anticipating His return? See for yourself, the good news.
Daniel and Revelation have a lot to say about coming events!
Find out what Biblical Unitarians believe. Excellent research site!
Spiritual & Physical, which Saves? Please, Show me Bible scriptures!
USA & Rome Behind it. Are you Ready for it? Learn Bible prophecy
Somehow I don't envision a lot of click throughs from this particular discussion. <insert grin here>
aMike
August 6, 2006 5:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know why - maybe it's because I'm an old beatnik - but this whole rapture (rupture) thing reminds me of a favorite graffiti from the 50's found on the wall of a toilet at a bagel shop in North Beach (San Francisco), "God isn't dead. She just doesn't want to get involved." I do wish that people would stop trying to involve her.
August 6, 2006 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Only they did not. AEI theologian Michael Novak thoroughly researched the issue and established that war-makers can be blessed too. As far as I can tell, AEI theology is accepted by all religious wingnuts on matters of war and peace as well as on economic matters. They may nominally be Catholics, Baptists, Jews, Pentacostals, Mormon, but I would say that this is all AEI religion.
You know, Jesus had thrown out BAD merchants from the Temple -- those that did not accept Ayn Rand as their personal savior.
August 6, 2006 7:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favorite was....God is coming and boy is she ever MAD!
August 7, 2006 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm vaguely reminded of the Pope coming before the College of Cardinals, saying "I have good news and bad news."
"What's the good news?" said the Vatican Secretary of State?
"Our Lord called me and said it was the time of reappearance."
"How can that be bad news?"
"The call came from Salt Lake City. And, in the background, I could hear Mormons' amazed observation on seeing the Divine Being: "she's black!""
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Howard
*equal opportunity offense to both extremes*
August 13, 2006 6:22 PM | Reply | Permalink