John Hagee is the founder and senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, and a well-known televangelist, author, and speaker. His teachings are characterized by a blend of Pentecostalism, ultra-dispensationalism, and political activism, particularly in support of Israel. Hagee’s theological views, especially his eschatology, prophecy teachings, and prosperity gospel leanings, often diverge significantly from confessional Christianity.
Key Beliefs and How They Differ from Confessional Christianity
1. Eschatology and Dispensationalism:
- John Hagee's View: Hagee is a staunch proponent of ultra-dispensationalism, a belief system that divides history into distinct periods (dispensations) in which God interacts with humanity in different ways. He teaches a pre-tribulation rapture, where believers will be taken up to heaven before a seven-year period of tribulation begins on earth. His eschatological teachings are often sensational, involving specific predictions about world events and the role of Israel in the end times. Hagee’s “Four Blood Moons” prophecy is an example of this, where he claimed that certain lunar eclipses would coincide with significant events in Israel's history.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology teaches that Scripture does not provide detailed timelines or specific predictions for future events but emphasizes that Christ will return at a time known only to God (Matthew 24:36). The Westminster Confession of Faith teaches a single return of Christ, not a secret rapture, and focuses on the ultimate restoration of all things. Confessional Christianity rejects speculative prophecy and insists that eschatology should be grounded in the clear teachings of Scripture, not in sensational interpretations of current events.
2. Beliefs about Israel and Christian Zionism:
- John Hagee's View: Hagee is a leading advocate of Christian Zionism, teaching that modern Israel is the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and that Christians should provide unconditional political and financial support for the state of Israel. He often implies that God’s covenant with Israel is still in effect in a way that is separate from the church, suggesting a dual covenant theology, where Jews do not necessarily need to believe in Jesus for salvation.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity teaches that the promises made to Israel are fulfilled in Christ and that the church, made up of Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus, is now the true Israel of God (Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 2:11-22). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that there is one way of salvation—through faith in Christ—regardless of ethnicity (Acts 4:12). Reformed theology rejects the idea of dual covenant theology and affirms that all people, including Jews, must come to faith in Jesus for salvation.
3. Prosperity Gospel and Wealth:
- John Hagee's View: Hagee has been criticized for promoting aspects of the prosperity gospel, teaching that God desires to bless believers with health, wealth, and success. He often connects financial giving to his ministry with receiving God’s blessings, suggesting that faithful giving will lead to material prosperity. This teaching aligns with the Word of Faith movement, which claims that faith and positive confession can lead to financial gain and physical healing.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology rejects the prosperity gospel as a distortion of biblical teaching. The Bible teaches that believers are called to a life of discipleship that may involve suffering, trials, and self-denial (Philippians 4:11-13; James 1:2-4). Confessional Christianity emphasizes that true blessings are spiritual and eternal, not necessarily material, and that faithfulness to God does not guarantee financial prosperity.
4. Teachings on Salvation and Repentance:
- John Hagee's View: Hagee has made controversial statements suggesting that Jesus did not come to be the Messiah for the Jews, implying that Jews can be saved without believing in Jesus. This perspective aligns with his emphasis on the distinct roles of Israel and the church in God’s redemptive plan, leading to confusion about the necessity of faith in Christ for all people. Additionally, Hagee’s messages often focus more on political and nationalistic themes rather than the call to repentance and faith in Christ.
- Confessional Christianity: Confessional Christianity teaches that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The Westminster Confession of Faith emphasizes that Jesus is the only mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5) and that all people, Jew and Gentile alike, must repent and believe in Christ to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). Any teaching that suggests a separate path of salvation for Jews or downplays the need for repentance contradicts the core message of the gospel.
5. Use of Prophecy and Political Involvement:
- John Hagee's View: Hagee frequently uses prophecy as a means of interpreting current events, often predicting the end times and suggesting specific geopolitical events as fulfillments of biblical prophecy. He is known for his strong political activism, especially regarding U.S.-Israel relations, and has used his platform to influence political policy based on his interpretation of biblical prophecy.
- Confessional Christianity: Reformed theology teaches that prophecy must be understood within the context of Scripture and that believers should avoid speculative interpretations of current events. The Westminster Confession warns against using Scripture for personal or political agendas and emphasizes that Christians should live in obedience to God’s Word, trusting in His sovereign plan for history (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Confessional Christianity encourages political engagement but rejects using prophecy to support political ideologies or nationalistic agendas.
Summary of Differences
Why John Hagee should be regarded as a false teacher and why his teachings should be avoided:
1. Theological Error: The False Teaching of Dual Covenant Theology
One of the most troubling aspects of John Hagee's teachings is his promotion of what is known as "Dual Covenant Theology," which suggests that Jews do not need to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior to be saved because they have a separate covenant with God through Abraham. According to Hagee, Jewish people can attain salvation through their adherence to the Old Covenant, apart from faith in Christ.
However, this view is in direct contradiction to the clear teaching of Scripture that salvation is found in Christ alone. Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The apostle Peter, preaching to a Jewish audience, affirmed, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Paul, who had a deep love for his fellow Jews (Romans 9:1-5), also made it clear that righteousness and salvation come through faith in Christ alone (Romans 10:1-4). By teaching that Jews have a separate path to salvation apart from Christ, Hagee denies the core Gospel message that all people, regardless of their ethnicity, must come to God through faith in Jesus Christ.
2. Misrepresenting the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments
Hagee's emphasis on Israel and his interpretation of prophecy often lead him to separate the Old and New Testaments in a way that is inconsistent with the unity of Scripture. The Bible teaches that the Old Testament is fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:27), and that the promises made to Abraham find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who is the true offspring (Galatians 3:16). The Old Covenant pointed forward to the New Covenant, which was established through Christ's death and resurrection (Hebrews 8:6-13).
By advocating that the Jewish people do not need the Gospel and still remain under the Old Covenant, Hagee misrepresents the purpose of the Old Testament, which is to point to Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises (Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 10:1). This teaching undermines the message of the entire New Testament and denies the reality that Christ has brought the Old Covenant to its intended completion.
3. Promoting Political and Nationalistic Views as Part of the Gospel
Hagee's teachings often mix political ideology with biblical theology, especially in his strong emphasis on the modern state of Israel. While it is important to recognize the historical and biblical significance of Israel, Hagee often conflates political support for Israel with spiritual obligations for Christians, suggesting that Christians must support all actions of the modern nation-state of Israel as a matter of biblical obedience.
However, the New Testament teaches that the Church is made up of both Jews and Gentiles who are united in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-16), and that believers are now "the Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16) as God’s people are redefined through faith in Christ, not ethnicity or national boundaries. Our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and while Christians should love and pray for Israel, the notion that political allegiance to a nation is a requirement of the Gospel is a distortion of biblical teaching. This political emphasis shifts the focus from the Gospel’s central message of salvation through Christ to a worldly, nationalistic agenda.
4. Misleading Eschatology and Date-Setting
John Hagee has made numerous predictions about end-times events, often connecting current geopolitical events with biblical prophecy. His sensationalist approach to prophecy, such as linking blood moons to end-times events, is not only speculative but also contrary to Scripture's teaching on how we should approach eschatology. Jesus Himself said, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36).
Scripture warns against date-setting and speculation about the timing of Christ's return (Acts 1:7). The Bible calls believers to be vigilant, holy, and ready for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6) without becoming fixated on speculative predictions. By engaging in sensationalism, Hagee distracts believers from focusing on Christ and living faithfully in the present.
5. The Prosperity Gospel: A Distorted View of Wealth and God’s Blessing
John Hagee’s ministry also promotes elements of the Prosperity Gospel, teaching that God wants believers to be materially wealthy and financially prosperous. This teaching is fundamentally at odds with the biblical understanding of wealth and suffering. Jesus warned, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19), and Paul wrote, "If we have food and clothing, with these we will be content" (1 Timothy 6:8).
The New Testament frequently speaks of the blessings of following Christ in terms of spiritual riches rather than material wealth (Ephesians 1:3). Furthermore, Jesus Himself lived a life of humility and poverty, calling His followers to deny themselves and take up their cross (Luke 9:23). By emphasizing material prosperity, Hagee promotes a worldly view of success that distorts the call to follow Christ, even through suffering and hardship (Philippians 1:29).
Conclusion from Scripture
The Bible is clear that false teachers will arise, distorting the truth and leading others astray (2 Peter 2:1-3). Paul warned the elders of the Ephesian church that "from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:30). John Hagee’s teachings—particularly his denial of the necessity of Christ for Jewish salvation, his mixing of political agendas with the Gospel, his sensationalism regarding prophecy, and his promotion of the Prosperity Gospel—fall into the category of false teaching that leads believers away from the truth of God’s Word.
The Bible instructs believers to "test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) and to be discerning in recognizing false teachers (1 John 4:1). By grounding our beliefs in the truth of Scripture and rejecting teachings that contradict it, we safeguard ourselves against error and remain faithful to the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For these reasons, Christians should avoid John Hagee’s teachings, which distort the Gospel, promote falsehood, and lead believers away from the true message of salvation through Christ alone. We are called to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3), and that means rejecting teachings that compromise or add to the Gospel message revealed in Scripture.
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John Hagee from CARM