Billie,
Just a little more about J. Frank Norris and Israel.
Atlas
Quote:
May 2, 2008
Dear Pastors:
60 years ago this month Mr. David Ben Gurion announced the birth of the nation of Israel.
Eleven minutes after David Ben Gurion, speaking in a “heavily guarded art museum in Tel Aviv,” announced the birth of the modern State of Israel, President Harry S. Truman signed a document officially recognizing the new nation.
The single typewritten page on display these days at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, shows the President’s cursive corrections — including a wording change, from “new Jewish state” to “State of Israel” — and the directive “Approved, May 14, 1948.”
This was a bold step for the American President, one opposed by powerful members of his own administration.
But, what a lot of Independent Baptist Pastors don’t realize, is the part that Dr. J. Frank Norris, the fundamentalist pastor from Fort Worth, Texas, had spent many years promoting the Jewish cause and he applauded the President’s courage. Our OBC Alumni keep me posted on information along these same lines, and Dr. Louis Horton’s son Brad, sent me further info, which I believe [maybe wrongfully] was recently put out, on Dr. Norris part in the establishment of the state of Israel. I have had all this already, but it only adds to my contention regarding “True Christians” always holding to the “Right of the Hated Jew to their Everlasting Covenant Land.”
Now, Preacher Friend, this letter, not only may very well be a ‘new history lesson to some of you,’ but will also reveal to my Hebrew friends, a great number I’m told read every letter I write, how we ‘true Christians’ have stood in their corner, although many who’ve operated under the ‘guise of Christianity’ - Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, etc., have not been in their corner, but only on rare exceptions, such as the present Pope was back in his younger days, or as I’ve been told he was by Roman Catholics, who don’t like some of the things I write.
What we 2008 preachers don’t realize is that, in 1947, many prominent fundamentalists shied away from eschatological interpretations of global events, especially in the early years of the movement.
But not Dr. J. Frank Norris; he was an ardent and outspoken premillennialist. And he was an unabashed proponent of a national homeland for the Jews in Palestine.
Now, let me state right here, that the Hebrews give credit for Truman’s “Approved, May 14, 1948,” to his former business partner, who was a barber, but also a Jew! The Judgment Seat of Christ will show us the true story, but let me give you what I know about Dr. J. Frank Norris, who is my favorite Fundamental Independent Baptist Pastor to read about the nation of Israel. William E. Blackstone and that former Scotland yard detective, Sir Robert Anderson, [for whom Sherlock Holmes was created by its creator] — both of them, are my very favorites to read, about re-establishing the ‘hated Jews’ in their God-given land, but they go back to the 1800's.
Ever fascinated by international affairs, Dr. Norris considered himself to be somewhat of an expert in the field. I would say that he was!
His sermons and writings regularly featured commentary on the world situation. In the aftermath of World War I, he came to believe that the “primary significance” of that conflict was the potential for “the ultimate return of Palestine to the Jews.”
The Balfour Declaration of 1917, positioning the British government as favorable to a homeland for the Jews in Palestine, seemed to pave the way for what Dr. Norris saw as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. AND, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THAT WAS WAY BACK IN 1917, 81 YEARS AGO FROM YOUR AND MY DAY!
Remember too, that Balfour was a protégée of his mentor William Blackstone, whose little book, “Jesus is Coming”, sold 5 million copies in America when the population was only 50 million.
And, also remember, that Supreme Court Chief Justice Louis Brandeis had been quoted to Blackstone in 1916 by Nathan Strauss [Levi & Straus company] as being the “Father of Zionism,” for, as Straus quoted, Blackstone’s well known positions pre-dated Theordore Herzl’s communications about Zionism. The Jews have always called Herzl ‘The father of Zionism.’
Even as Jewish hope gave way to cycles of delay and frustration during the time of the British Mandate over Palestine (which began in 1918), Dr. Norris didn’t waver from his views.
Not all fundamentalists of the day were sympathetic to the plight of the Jews, some even flirted with what would surely be called anti-Semitism by today’s standards.
For example, William Bell Riley, pastor of First Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and founder of the first viable fundamentalist organization — the World’s Christian Fundamentals Association (1919) — along with A. C. Gaeblein, and other prominent preachers and teachers of the day, periodically promoted the infamous Protocols of the Wise men of Zion [not originally published under that name, but, later was under that name - by supposed Bible believing Pastors] — a spurious document purporting to prove a Jewish conspiracy for world domination.
This forgery has long been favorite of those seeking alternative views of history and reality, and has been used as a pernicious proof text for a wide range of malignant writings from Hitler’s Mein Kampf, [which believe it or not, some of our Independent Baptist brethren are now reading] to Henry Ford’s Dearborn Independent, to those peddled by modern-day skinheads and race-baiters.
J. Frank Norris may have had his faults, just as the undersigned has his, but when it came to the cause of the Jews he managed to resist the temptation to buy into a Jewish-Bolshevik conspiracy theory idea that some fundamentalists seemed to find compelling, even, bless the LORD, as they do today.
In fact, he had no problem attacking his brethren on this issue, writing in his paper, The Fundàmentalist, in 1937: “I confess my amazement that certain intelligent outstanding fundamentalist pastors have joined this age-long and divinely cursed persecution.”
In the aftermath of the second World War, and in the wake of horrific revelations of the Holocaust, Norris directed his passion for global politics toward applying pressure for the advancement of the cause of the Jews and a national homeland for them in Palestine. He traveled widely across the country promoting this cause and was skilled at using the media of the day; a master of the sound byte.
An article in the New York Post carried the headline, ‘Baptist Official Says Jews Have Just Palestine Claim” and the Washington Star similarly reported, “Palestine Belongs to Jews by Divine Right: Dr. Norris.”
But Dr. Norris undoubtedly considered his most important contribution to the issue, beyond raising general public awareness, to be a letter he wrote to President Truman in October of 1947.
President Truman was a shrewd and savvy politician, with an autodidactic appreciation for history. As a boy, when his chronic near-sightedness kept him from some strenuous activities, he would lose himself in books. Among his favorites was a “gold-trimmed, four-volume history called Great Men and Famous Women.”
One of the great men chronicled was Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, who “enabled the Jewish people to leave their exile and go back to Palestine.”
Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. And, what you have to remember too, my Pastor Friend, is the two quotes I’ve just given you, were both about 200 years before Cyrus was born, showing even way back then 700 to 500 years Before Christ, God’s concern for the Hebrew people, as [cussing] Baptist Harry Truman had enough smarts to read about, and like. All that, then adds on to the part President Truman played in the establishment of Israel some 60 years ago this very month. History is fascinating to me, and especially history about the Hebrews, the center-people of all events throughout the history of all mankind.
There is evidence that this ancient story was on President Truman’s mind as he dealt with the current events of his administration. We have no way of knowing how much influence any one piece of correspondence or singular meeting had on Mr. Truman’s thinking - that of his former Hebrew partner, Dr. Norris’ influence, or his read earlier of King Cyrus.
But, Dr. Norris’s letter to the President made his case from a Biblical vantage point at a crucial time. And remember too, that J. Frank Norris had just returned from a trip to Europe and the Middle East, a journey he had made many times in his life.
By 1947, he had been pastor of First Baptist Church in Fort Worth for 38 years and Temple Baptist Church in Detroit for 13 years. The combined membership of the two congregations was more than 25,000.
With such a following, it was not difficult for Dr. Norris to obtain letters from United States Governmental leaders when he traveled. Such letters served to open doors for him.
Having received a wire from President Truman’s Appointments Secretary Matthew J. Connally soliciting a briefing about his recent trip, Dr. Norris responded with a written synopsis of the entire history of the Jews and analysis of the various issues related to the land of Palestine in the modern era.
He began by expressing his gratitude to the President for the ‘personal letter of August 5th, which was of invaluable assistance in all my travels.” Then, plunging into his theme, he defined the issue as simply: “whether we will take the authority of the Bible of our mothers or the Koran with the sword and flame.”
He summarized the Biblical position that the Jewish people have title” to the land, citing key scriptural passages dealing with God’s promises and covenants. Dr. Norris then shifted his argument from the ancient text to the modern context suggesting that “a second. and very important authority in addition to Scriptural authority, Great Britain was given mandate over Palestine for the purpose of Jewish immigration into that land and for making it a national home,” this mandate being “confirmed by the United States Government [President Wilson on the urging and by the 57 Nations of the League of Nations.”
He recalled the events of 1939 and the “two-fold appeasement” of then British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. Dr. Norris argued that Chamberlain had not only fumbled the ball with Hitler, thereby bringing on World War II, but also by limiting Jewish immigration to Palestine at a crucial time.. He had acted out of cowardice toward the Arabs, who “were allies of Hitler.”
This particular passage most likely resonated with the President because it was very much in lines with what Truman thought and said when the British government released a White Paper on the issue of Palestine in May of 1939.
In essence, that policy statement advocated severe limitations on Jewish immigration to Palestine; this at a time when European anti-Semitism was reaching critical mass.
Truman, then a senator from the state of Missouri, issued a forthright condemnation that was inserted into the Congressional Record:
“Mr. President, the British Government has used its diplomatic umbrella again,” (this being an unmistakable dig at Mr. Chamberlain) “...this time on Palestine. It has made a scrap of paper out of Lord Balfour’s promise to the Jews. It has just added another to the long list of surrenders to the Axis powers.”
Dr. Norris also referred to the Holocaust in his letter, accusing the Arabs of being complicit in the atrocities as allies of the Nazi regime “with their hands dripping with the blood of the ‘Jews — six million of them murdered.”
Having made his case from history, ancient and recent, Norris concluded his letter with a Cold War warning. He told the President,.”I interviewed many Arab leaders, and without question I found that the whole crowd are [sic) for Stalin, just-like they were formerly for Hitler. Russia is doing everything at her command to foment the trouble.”
He concluded his correspondence with an appeal: “The time has come, and long past, when the United States should keep its promise and take a firm stand for law and order in that land that has given the world its Bible and Savior.”
A few days later Norris received a reply on White House letterhead:
Dear Dr. Norris:
I am most grateful for your thoughtful letter of October second. I deeply appreciate having the benefit of this expression of your’ views because I know that you have given long and extensive study to the Jewish-Palestinian question.
Very Sincerely Yours,
Harry Truman.”
Seven months later, 60 years ago this month, President Harry Truman, in a singular act of political courage, and against the advice of men he admired, recognized the new State of Israel. Whatever the reasons for his decision that day, there is no doubt he was a man with a sense of the past.
The internal world of thought, nurtured as a child through the reading of history, was very present in the man.
Shortly after leaving office, in 1953, and while visiting a Jewish school in New York City, he was introduced as “the man who helped to create the State of Israel” — Truman interrupted and said; “What do you mean ‘helped create?’ I am Cyrus! I am Cyrus!”
Dr. J. Frank Norris was dead by this time (he died in August of 1952). His life and ministry were filled with controversy and his legacy is a mixed bag.
But when it came to.. understanding “current events and international affairs interpreted: through the prism of scripture,: he demonstrated a capacity to discern. “Important signals and trends,’ even while other notably great men seemed to miss the point. His early grasp of issues related to the potential for a modern homeland for the Jews in Palestine is a prime example of this skill.
As had been his pattern with most political leaders, there had been tirnes when he supported Harry S. Truman, and there had been other times when he did not.
But in 1948, he clearly admired the “cussin Baptist from Missouri”, the President was often called, telling one associate a few month, after the State of Israel had been proclaimed:
“I heard old Harry Truman — at two o’clock in the morning... giving his acceptance speech...He said: We’ll whip the Republicans. and make ‘m like it...‘wish I had old Harry to work for me in my church! We’d wave at — and call by name — every taxi driver in Fort Worth and get ‘m saved and baptized into First Baptist church! Old Harry said: ‘the buck’ stops here’ suits me. Let ‘r stop with J. Frank’ Norris! ‘If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.’ Harry said that, too.”
Harry S. Truman and Dr. J. Frank Norris — the President and the preacher — were in many ways, birds of a feather.
Back in June of 2005 I was with Dr. Danny Dodson, Dr. Cecil Ballard, Dr. Bryan Sharp, Dr. Tom Vineyard, Dr. Max Price, some other Preachers and Missionaries, and 135 or so Hebrews with NY State Assemblyman Dov Hikind in Sderot, the present city being shelled by Hamas Qassams, when a Qassam had come through an 8 inch reinforced concrete roof. We were at the scene of that hole in the roof about an hour after it had hit.
None of the Hebrew family living there were hit. But, there was tremendous damage as a result. If you can just imagine the power of the explosion to bust through 8 inches of re-barb re-enforced concrete, and the resultant damage inside. We all walked in and looked at the mess. The smell of cordite, or some explosive, hung heavy in the air.
Ole Jim Vineyard lost it. My temper rose to the top. ABC News interviewed me that day. They asked, “What would you do, if you were a Jew.” I said, “I became a Christian back in 1964 in a Motel Room in Moline, Illinois. I quit cussin at that time. But, if I were a Jew, I’d tell Mr. Bush to take his supposed road-map peace plan, and go straight to H...”
Well, that was seen all over America, and my Dawga Jo Ann, the bride of my youth, gave me fits about it that night. And, some pansy-waist preachers also wrote me about it. That very day another Qassam hit a Hebrew hot-house close by, and killed 3 hot-house workers. I let those pansy-waist know about the dead hot-house workers.
Therefore, you’ve had your history lesson for today. The “TEST” however, of whether or not you pass, is where you line up at this time, 2008, with “the hated Jew.” I’m lining up behind ‘cussin Harry’ and Dr. J. Frank Norris. How bout you?
JIM VINEYARD
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