John Hagee

John Charles Hagee, born in 1940, is an American pastor and televangelist who established John Hagee Ministries, broadcasting across the United States and Canada. He also founded Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a prominent Christian Zionist organization. Hagee's theological framework is rooted in a dispensationalist view of evangelicalism, incorporating apocalyptic beliefs about the imminent end times and Christ's return. His career began with founding churches in Texas, and he later became a significant political advocate, endorsing various candidates and mobilizing support for Israel through events like "A Night to Honor Israel."

Hagee's public life has been marked by considerable controversy stemming from his statements on various religious and social groups, including Catholics, Jewish people, and Muslims, as well as his promotion of the "blood moon prophecy." He has expressed views on the end times that suggest current events are part of a divine timetable, and his support for Israel is framed within this eschatological perspective. His outspokenness on issues such as homosexuality and global warming has also drawn significant attention and criticism.

Hagee's theological perspective aligns with a specific strain of dispensationalism prevalent in American evangelicalism, heavily influenced by apocalyptic thought. He adheres to a fundamentalist interpretation of eschatology, believing the world is nearing its end and that Christ's second coming will be preceded by a secret rapture of believers. This is followed by a seven-year period of suffering for those left behind, culminating in the battle of Armageddon, after which Christ will establish a millennial reign on a new Earth. Hagee views current events as unfolding according to God's sovereign plan, asserting that human actions cannot alter this divine timetable. While he denies that his views on Zionism and support for Israel are directly driven by his eschatology, commentators have noted a perceived alignment between dispensationalist views and the anticipation of events that could herald the final confrontation.

Hagee has been a recurring figure of controversy due to numerous public statements. His views on Jewish people have been described as antisemitic by some, citing interpretations of biblical texts to suggest the Holocaust was divinely ordained due to Jewish disobedience, and associating historical figures like Hitler with Jewish lineage. Regarding Catholicism, he has alleged that the Church and its leaders played a role in fostering antisemitism and instigating the Dark Ages, though he later issued an apology for hurtful comments. Hagee has also characterized Islam as inherently violent, claiming the Quran mandates the killing of Jews and Christians. Furthermore, his pronouncements on homosexuality have been severe, likening the United States to "Sodom and Gomorrah" after the legalization of same-sex marriage and attributing natural disasters to divine punishment for LGBTQ+ rights.

A central tenet of Hagee's ministry is his strong advocacy for the State of Israel, which he founded and chairs as the organization Christians United for Israel (CUFI). This group, described as the largest Zionist organization in America, actively lobbies U.S. Congress from a biblical perspective to promote Christian Zionism. Hagee's political engagement extends to endorsing various presidential candidates, including George Wallace, Alan Keyes, John McCain, and Donald Trump, and Nikki Haley. He has also been involved in organizing "A Night to Honor Israel" events since 1981, aimed at demonstrating support for Israel. His activism on behalf of Israel has, at times, led to death threats, requiring him to employ bodyguards.

Hagee, alongside Mark Biltz, popularized the "blood moon prophecy," linking a series of lunar eclipses in 2014-2015 to biblical end-times prophecies. This interpretation was met with skepticism from the scientific community. In contrast to his active stance on geopolitical and religious matters, Hagee has expressed skepticism regarding the scientific consensus on climate change. He has viewed initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol as economic manipulations and considers concerns about global warming a distraction from the imminent fulfillment of eschatological prophecies. This position has been contrasted by critics with his proactive approach to supporting Israel.