Ann Coulter -- Not So Winsome
by
Denise Morris
on Oct 29, 2007 at 3:02 PM
A couple of weeks ago, Ann Coulter appeared on a CNBC talk show and got herself into trouble for what she said. Shocking.
I don't often watch or listen to Coulter, but I've heard enough about her to know that some of what she says is either extreme or can be taken out of context to seem that way. Her latest trouble-causing statement was about how Christians are "perfected Jews." (She also went on about how some interracial couples have a chip on their shoulder, which I thought was a bit ridiculous, but that's for another blog post.) Donny Deutsch, the host of the show, was immediately offended and began arguing with Coulter about the meaning of her statement and the supposed absurdity of saying that everyone should be Christians.
After reading through the transcript of the interview, I have some thoughts. And I'm sure you're all dying to hear them. ;-)
I understand what Coulter was trying to say. Evangelical Christians do believe that Jesus is the only means by which we can be saved -- He is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except by Him. Christians are people who believe that Jesus is the Messiah the Jews have been waiting for -- He fulfilled the law, and our salvation comes through Him. As I've blogged about before, I love knowing more about the Hebrew understanding of the Bible, because I think it helps us understand Jesus and who He was, much better. I believe a true Christian is someone who has accepted God's grace and understood God's plan for salvation, which was started with the Jewish people. So, I understand that Coulter was trying to get this point across. And after reading the transcript, I see that Deutsch heard the phrase "perfected Jews," was immediately offended and wouldn't listen to anything she was trying to say after that. Deutsch heard something he didn't like, and immediately flew off the handle.
However, I honestly believe that Coulter needs to be more careful with what she's saying. If Coulter is claiming Christianity, than she needs to be concerned with representing Christ well. She's made some off-color comments before about political candidates and people groups, and some of those comments should not be repeated. Whether they have been taken out of context or not, some things are just plain rude and hateful and shouldn't be said. I'm sure much of what she says is to start controversy -- it's part of the what has made her famous. But when you are defending Christianity and its beliefs, I would recommend taking a different approach -- one that doesn't make everyone think you're a cruel, and your faith ridiculous.
Del Tackett, creator of The Truth Project, talks about the importance of Christians being winsome in their approach. We are not to back down from the truth, but we are to share it in a way that is full of grace. Personally, I've learned that the best way to share my opinion with someone and to convince them that I have something worth believing, is to listen to them, ask questions, share my thoughts and be polite. It's not that difficult of a concept, but some people seem to have a hard time putting it into practice.
What are some positive examples of ways you all have found to share your beliefs with those around you?
1. Emily had the following to say on Oct 29 at 4:26 PM:
Well, Denise, I usually agree with you. But you ought to make the same argument against supposed "Christians" like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
2. Jethro had the following to say on Oct 29 at 4:28 PM:
The funny thing about this is that a few months ago Dr Dobson was waxing lyrical about how great Coulter is on his radio program. She was just as bad then...
3. Leah had the following to say on Oct 29 at 4:32 PM:
I see what Coulter is trying to say, but definitely, she shoudl have chosen her words better. I usually tell people that Christianity is the extension of Judaism that God intended (in so many words). In fact I had a discussion with a guy in my class just recently. I explained that Jews were around first, and that God had promised them a saviour. When Jesus came- who was also a Jew- and he was the saviour, and the Jews didn't like that he opened up salvation for non-Jews. And many of them didn't believe he was the saviour. So the bulk of Jews rejected him, however some- and some non-Jews- accepted him and became Christians. He asked if this meant they weren't Jews anymore and I said no, they were still quite possibly Jews, Jews can keep their traditions etc (Hannukah, Rosh Hashanah) even if they take on the Christian belief.
4. Tom had the following to say on Oct 29 at 4:50 PM:
Considering the political leanings of most of the readers on this blog, I would guess that most would already be anti-Sharpton and anti-Jackson, but sadly think that Coulter is a paradigm of Christianity. Sigh.
5. Andrew R. (aka Canadian Boy) had the following to say on Oct 29 at 4:55 PM:
So if we can consider ourselves "perfected Jews," I assume we'll take no offense with Muslims considering themselves to be "perfected Christians?"
I personally do not believe that I am a "perfected Jew." I prefer to think of myself as "Jewish plus a Saviour."
6. Diane had the following to say on Oct 29 at 5:43 PM:
Oh my goodness, I cringed when I heard her say that. I am so tired of defending her! haha. I mean, I, too, realize what she intended by the statement but agree that she needs to work on the delivery a bit.
But, I did think it was interesting just how incredulous the host was over the comment. It goes to show in our pluralistic society just how offensive objectivity (in any case)is. Anyone get that from the clip?
7. Kit had the following to say on Oct 29 at 5:57 PM:
Personally, I can't stand Ann Coulter. She is amazingly bigoted and prejudiced, and the things that she says have absolutely no formal foundation. They are just how they sound--hateful, prejudiced bits of "information" she has gleaned from disreputable or one-sided sources.
I think the best witness the Christian has is the exact opposite of how Ann Coulter behaves. A life of service, and answering questions in an intellectual, reasoned fashion, is the best way to witness to people.
8. Ryan Ashton had the following to say on Oct 29 at 6:45 PM:
Denise,
I have followed Coulter quite closely and agree when it comes to Christianity there needs to be caution... the problem is that Deutsch was EXPECTING a controversy, due to her reputation and (I believe) the fact that controversy would get his name in the headlines. Having read her books and articles for some time, I was quite pleased that Coulter, even after the commercial break (as the transcript makes plain) made several attempts to clarify her comments--which in a sound-bite addled venue, arguments such as hers which require nuance are nearly impossible to clarify. But tried she did, valiantly, and without polemic comments.
Those who want to make a case against her would do well to examine her other "off color" comments. She never has tried to bring context to the situation, except when it comes to truly understanding Christianity. So caution she has employed, where warranted, and Deustch's salvation is primary to her, as her comments suggest (no, I don't think it was a joke when she invited him to go to church with her).
I truly believe she is a strong Christian that many just write off because we'd rather not admit she makes her points--and very well sometimes. Like Jesus, who used parables and riddles which often incensed or confused people to weed out those who were truly listening from those who just wanted to pick a fight, too many people miss the deeper message she brings to the political debate. "Polemic" she is, and deliberately strikes controversy to create discussion. I appreciate that immensly about her, and her scathing argumets against Darwinism in her book "Godless" are to die for.
The only complaint I have is that she may be TOO witty, and TOO quick... "Truth cannot be delivered with novocaine," she said on Hannity and Colmes 6/7/06, a day after her "Godless" release, yet how often I have asked myself how that is in stark contrast with "Let your speech ALWAYS be with grace, SEASONED with salt." (Colossians 4:6)
Before people get angry with her, we might as well just pray for our sister that her reputation for being a "troublemaker" would not eclispe her insights into religion, which are numerous.
9. JB had the following to say on Oct 29 at 8:19 PM:
When I read about this, I thought it was one of the few times when Coulter actually had a reasonable point behind her rhetoric. Christians, along with Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc, believe that they know the truth and that other people should believe the same. That's not really surprising and it shouldn't be offensive.
Of course, if a woman who advocates executions for the purpose of intimidating liberals and thinks that jokes about poisoning Supreme Court justices are hilarious started talking about wanting to "perfect" me, I'd be a little nervous too.
10. Isaac D. had the following to say on Oct 29 at 8:24 PM:
I approach people with love and compassion, and the Way of the Master approach (biblical use of the law in evangelism). Cheers!
11. Stephanie had the following to say on Oct 29 at 8:39 PM:
There's a fine line between being loving and being wishy-washy. You're probably right to say that just making people angry is not good for Christianity. But being over-polite and not challenging false beliefs will lead non-believers to be complacent in their disbelief. It's hard to strike a balance. But even Jesus wasn't afraid to call wicked people out on their sin. ;)
12. Sylvia had the following to say on Oct 29 at 9:39 PM:
Winsome? Attractive in a childlike, naive way? As in cute? To me, that sounds a lot like cute.
If a lady wants to try and speak the truth publicly she'd better act real coy and bat her eyelashes and pretend that she doesn't actually know what she's talking about.
To me this sounds like more Christians shooting their own over any little nuance that might possibly offend the those in the dominant media----nay! cause those in the dominant media to get all up in arms and ACT offended, I should say.
But then, what do I know? I'm just a girl. ;-D
13. Samuel Keane-Rudolph had the following to say on Oct 29 at 10:37 PM:
Hmm... I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about the interracial marriage thing. Coulter's statement may be an overgeneralization, but I've seen cases where it's true.
14. Matthew had the following to say on Oct 29 at 11:15 PM:
Emily, this isn't a point-out-all-the-popular-Christians-who-aren't-speaking-appropriately post. I think that most of the crowd here is well-convinced that Jackson and Sharpton abuse their positions and the word of God, thus including them would be unnecessary. Coulter, on the other side, remains a popular conservative speaker despite the fact that she is not known for her love (and isn't that what Christ said we would be known by?)
I wholly agree with Denise-- there is no need to be intentionally offensive with what you say and there is a need to represent Christ well. The Gospel itself is offensive enough and my personal belief is that we ought to go out of our way to clear out any cultural baggage and misunderstandings so that the offense of the Gospel (that you are a sinner in need of God's grace and must trust in Christ alone for salvation) is the only thing that offends people-- not our politics, not our choice in music, not our venomous words.
Some people will interject and say, "well, Jesus and Paul bad-mouthed their enemies!" (Coulter herself may have made that argument at some point, I'm not sure.) However, we are not Jesus or Paul, and Paul specifically commands us to live at peace as much as we possibly can (Hebrews 12:14, Romans 12:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.) In this case, we do as he says and not as he does. In any case, Jesus' interactions with conservative religious folk are the harsh ones; some of his most tender words are directed to a religious liberal (John 4.)
My best conversations about the truth wherein I have been able to share with others have involved me: a) caring about them b) listening first c) asking them questions about how they feel and d) letting them ask me questions.
15. Amanda H had the following to say on Oct 29 at 11:50 PM:
This is really interesting. I have listended to Ann Coulter multiple times and i even listened to part of her interview with CNBC. I do have to agree with you that Ann does like to go a bit more over the edge than a lot of other people are probably willing to do. This is who Ann is, but i believe that representing Christ in a warmer light is also important as well.
16. Sheridan had the following to say on Oct 30 at 3:28 AM:
haha Denise,
I'm so glad you put a link to the word 'winsome' because I had NO idea what it meant!! Now I do, thanks to you, and I can use this word at home and impress my family with my extensive vocabulary :)
I have learnt that its best to preach with my life.
I work in a major sports centre and pretty much everyone there is non-christian. I've never really had to preach to them. They all ask me questions. I'm suprised at how quickly they pick up that I'm a christian. Mainly because I don't swear, don't get drunk, don't brag about my sexual episodes (because by God's grace I've never had any)
I think that as long as you are prepared to answer some pretty tough questions (which they have a knack for coming up with), and stay true to Your faith and live it with joy, that is the best sermon they will ever get.
17. DT had the following to say on Oct 30 at 5:54 AM:
Some Jews who become Christians call themselves "completed Jews". Maybe she's heard the phrase, didn't understand it, and made it a little more abrasive to fit who she is. Out of context, though, the phrase can seem pretty awful.
18. Carrie had the following to say on Oct 30 at 6:16 AM:
I think being straight forward is a good thing. This happens often with my non-believing parents. They skirt around issues and often fail to get to the heart of the matter. I speak the truth in love. They know I love them and hopefully that goes a long way.
19. OBEWAN had the following to say on Oct 30 at 7:03 AM:
I have heard the term "completed jew" which is less harsh to non-believers I suppose. We will not experience perfection until we arrive in heaven in my opinion. It sounds ego-centric to say so otherwise.
20. John D. had the following to say on Oct 30 at 7:42 AM:
Ann Coulter looks for the biggest rock she can find and throws it in the pool to make the biggest splash that she can. She's intentionally confrontational and occasionally outrageous, and tremendously entertaining. She chooses her words, however, as much for shock value as for persuasion.
A few years ago Coulter made a similar statement, something to the effect of "we should bomb the muslims and convert them to Christianity." She appears to have a Crusades-era conception of conversion at the point of a sword. That, of course, is not the way the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of men.
Of course Coulter is right when she says that Jews must come to know Christ. I cringe inwardly, however, when she does it in a clumsy manner that is guaranteed to offend both Jewish and non-Jewish listeners. I hope anyone who was offended by what she said on Donny Deutsch's program will take the time to read what Apostle Paul, one of the original Jews for Jesus, had to say about this particular issue in Romans chapters 2-3 and 9-11, among other places.
21. Christ had the following to say on Oct 30 at 9:35 AM:
It's interesting reading these pseudo-defenses of Ms. Coulter. I wonder, however, if the same comments would have been made had she made some athiestic remark. I've a feeling she would have been ripped apart and her manners claimed as a direct result of her beliefs.
I sense a lot of defensiveness and a need to "defend one of our own." But maybe I'm reading too much into the responses.
On a side note, as long as people like Ms. Coulter are accepted and supported in our society (regardless of political/religious/whatever viewpoint), we will never have truly civilized discussion (if that's even attainable). I find no difference between her and people like the tasered kid at the Kerry speech. They speak to shock, incite, and cause visceral reactions. They do not contribute to the public conversation, however "insightful" some may think them to be.
22. Diane had the following to say on Oct 30 at 10:04 AM:
"Christ" (not the real one),
I'm not seeing many posts where Coulter is being either 1)claimed as "one of our own," or 2)defended as such. I am unsure of her conversion story. I think in many ways, if she is a believer, she is just as confused as a lot of us in America navigating this post-Christian society. It is a matter of maturity and/or sanctification plus the spotlight, as she is in. I think that ministries might need to hold off on bringing her in as a guest speaker until they find out more of her testimony and she reigns in the vitriol in the name of Christ. Is that being too soft on her? I don't know...
23. P&P had the following to say on Oct 30 at 11:28 AM:
I went as Ann Coulter to a Halloween party last year. It required little makeup and a big mouth. Sadly, I lost the costume contest to Martha Stewart.
Frankly the woman is a caricature of conservatism that deserves far less press.
But it was still fun to go as her for Halloween.
24. Adam Sloope had the following to say on Oct 30 at 12:13 PM:
I think we all need to be careful with thoughts and comments like," I'd never say that," or, "I can't stand her/him..." We must realize that the disciple that always had his foot in his mouth, Peter, became a very powerful leader within the church. The terrorist who killed followers of the Way, Paul, became to most influential man of the faith outside of Christ. We all have this tendency to say dumb things and wish we could take them back. That is why James tells us the tongue is untamable and it is the spark that starts fire. So I think we should first all be careful of comments or thoughts like that...
Now, some positive ways I have found to talk to people about Christ is to actually study the way Christ did it. Great Example John 4 where He talks to the Samaritan woman. He doesn't barge into town and say woman, change your ways, you are an adulteress and a shame to God! Jesus led her into a conversation where she realized within herself her need for God. Often times what I see and was victim of before I submitted to Christ is many compassionate loving people run out and tell the world what they need. This is true, they all need Jesus, but it comes off as harsh and like you have something that you think everyone wants. I've found it affective to ask questions and allow them to speak more than I do, actually listen to response, because within them are truths of their need and pain you can hear. Or take Paul in Acts 17, he doesn't run up and say, your religion is messed up, yawl are crazy! He simply tells them that he can see they are religious and compliments them on this and then goes into the gospel.
Whatever way we find to talk to people about Jesus, we must realize, He gave us the commandment to go make disciples no converts. We need to invest time in them, train them up, care for them, cry with them, and let our lives intersect with theirs. We must realize we bring a message that deep down everyone wants; we just have to figure out the best way they need to hear it.
25. Emily had the following to say on Oct 30 at 1:00 PM:
Matthew, why would it be unnecessary? My point is that both sides do this, and the media villianizes Coulter, who has a lot of truth to say but doesn't always say it in the most graceful way. However, Sharpton and Jackson are the biggest racists I've ever seen, and the media doesn't attack them like they do Coulter (because they're black and that would be perceived as racist)
But, I do agree with you, Matthew. Our first calling as Christians is to represent Christ, and this has to overshadow any political leanings we have.
26. Matthew had the following to say on Oct 30 at 3:48 PM:
Emily,
I was merely pointing out that Sharpton and Jackson weren't the point of this article and most of what they share in common with Coulter are a claim to Christian faith and a long history of abusive words. However, Coulter is conservative and for years has gotten way more support from white evangelicals, who appear to be the major demographic visiting this blog. Said white evangelicals tend to be already well aware of why we shouldn't trust Jackson or Sharpton, making them an unnecessary addition to the blog post. They are MSM darlings because... I dunno. pick your conspiracy theory. If you look at the media coverage, when they misspeak or get sued, it still gets reported. I hope that this clears up your concern.
As a brief aside, you must be careful about using the word "racism," as many people will say that racism is prejudice+power and that virtually no African-Americans can be racist because they cannot deny someone a mortgage or unjustly arrest someone. Sharpton and Jackson clearly demonstrated prejudicial attitudes and racial bigotry, but by some definitions are not actually racist.
27. Rachel had the following to say on Oct 30 at 6:07 PM:
Just with regard to positive ways to share my faith: Way of the Master has been tremendously helpful in, at the very least, starting the conversation, highlighting the personal need and sharing the gospel in an approachable easy-to-comprehend sort of way.
28. Katie M. had the following to say on Oct 31 at 7:47 AM:
I once heard a John Piper sermon about the verse from 1 John "perfect love casts out fear" that explained the original word for "perfect" really meant "completed". Really interesting sermon about how when God's love through Christ is completed in our hearts via the Holy Spirit, and when we understand what the completed love means, which is that we have an eternity with Him, we will no longer fear the matters of earthly life. I wonder if that is how Ms. Coulter was using the term "perfect". I don't have access to United States TV, so I don't know within the context of the interview.
29. Emily had the following to say on Oct 31 at 10:58 AM:
Matthew, interesting point...thanks for the polite response. :)
30. Ted Slater had the following to say on Oct 31 at 8:55 PM:
I'm confused. Seriously. Ann Coulter said that Jews are going to heaven, regardless of whether they have surrendered their lives to Christ. Something about obeying the law getting them to heaven.
Then she said that Christians are on the "fast track" to heaven, presumably because Christ obeyed the law on our behalf.
Can someone with more theological training help me understand where she came up with these doctrines? I'm not following, but on the surface they don't seem biblically defensible.
31. Leah had the following to say on Nov 1 at 8:42 AM:
Ted, I sure dont have more theological training than you, but I think I can take a stab at why someone (maybe not Coulter) may think that.
Perhaps it's because in the Old Testament, (and ROmans 9) it gives the impression that it was the Jews' law-keeping that saved them (as opposed to Jesus' sacrifice and God's grace which saves Christians). I know that it's God's grace which saved the Jews, but it was through sacrifices (which were required by the law). So maybe it was through the Jews' apparent law-keeping that apparently saved- and may still save- them?
(NB: I don't believe this. This just might be what Coulter believes).
32. Carrie had the following to say on Nov 1 at 9:49 AM:
Too bad Ann doesn't read this blog.