Dear Friend,
Have you ever had what you thought was a friend turn into an enemy? Ever experience someone hurl insults at you? It is a common occurrence for me. I’d like to share with you some of my experiences, and then share how I deal with it and how you can too.
The word “hurl” comes from the Low German term hurreln and means “to throw with great force, to push or impel.” The term “insult” comes from the Latin insultare and means “to trample upon.” Having “insults hurled” speaks of having to contend with pushy affronts to one’s dignity. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile you” (Matt. 5:11); therefore, we must learn to handle it when people “hurl themselves” at us and “trample upon us.”
Just yesterday, our producer Ken Berg showed me a disapproving letter that began “Allah akbar” (Arabic for “Allah is great!”). The Muslim author criticized our program and extolled the virtues of an Islamic state that he said would overrun our democracy one day. Apparently, this ministry is too Jewish- and Israel-friendly for his Muslim tastes. He felt the need to point out our shortcomings along with what he thinks is coming in the not-too-distant future.
Before going to Ken’s office, I had been reviewing emails sent to our ministry. I was struck by one informing me that my teaching stinks and that it would be better to just play music on the program instead of forcing viewers to endure my rambling speech. After noting that I was “cracking under the pressure of the job,” this concerned “brother” said he’d pray for me. The letter fairly reeked of sanctimony.
This particular batch of emails contained other judgmental letters, some from narrow thinkers who claim that I should never use the name “Jesus” or “God,” but instead should say “Yeshua” and “Jehovah” respectively. They argue that pronouncing the Hebrew syllables would open up God’s blessings more significantly. While I’m certain they mean well, I think they are living in absolute fantasy!
I could quote other choice pieces of mail, but I think you get the drift.
Based on a belief that the only way to avoid criticism is to say nothing, be nothing, or do nothing, I have long accepted that criticism goes with leadership. Human beings can and do become lightning rods for others’ discontent. Therefore, during my twenty years as a seminary professor, I always advised aspiring pastors to toughen up a bit. That is also my suggestion for any of you who want to actively witness for Christ. I had to accept a share of abuse when I was a pastor. I was criticized for how I dressed and talked, for what I said and didn’t say, for the church’s hiring decisions, for lackluster (or innovative!) church programs, for unacceptable music style selections, for doctrinal positions, for counseling styles or content, for not visiting enough people or visiting the wrong ones, or whatever displeased a vocal few.
I’m a relatively social person. In twenty-six years of vocational ministry, I can honestly say that I never met a minister who didn’t have the exact same problems! Without exception, seasoned ministers are survivors of the aforementioned degenerative process that is part of human experience! As a cop, I learned that just putting on the uniform and “going out there” to deal with the stuff of life guarantees that you’re going to elicit emotions, draw fire, and be forced on the defensive every now and then. Pastors, police, patriots… we all get hit, don’t we?
My experiences as a person, professor, pastor, and police officer serve me well when dealing with the frequent fire that results when Zola Levitt Ministries gets into millions of people’s homes, heads, and hearts where I talk about—you guessed it—religion and politics. Politics, as we are well aware, generates heated debate. And wars have been launched by religious enthusiasts. Add discussion about Israel and prophecy, stir in an assessment of the Middle Eastern geopolitical quagmire, and an already explosive admixture becomes even more unstable.
Frankly, I expect a few explosions.
So, the hate mail does not surprise me. What doessurprise me is the encouragement and support that keeps coming in. I always knew I’d have the critics, but I never knew I’d have the friends. And I especially appreciate constructive criticism.
Some critics challenge my knowledge about one subject or another. Because I make no claims to perfection, I concede that I may need an occasional correction in light of newer and better information. One thing I do know, however, is that most ministries like ours do not survive the passing of their founder. The fact that we survive and thrive speaks louder than the critics and effectively drowns out their loud, but relatively few voices. In truth, during the last two-and-a-half years, we have received about 170,000 pieces of mail. Fewer than 170 said, “You stink!” However, Zola Levitt Presents and the Levitt Letter reach many who will never write in—or at least don’t plan to.
I am thankful that we can reach those who don’t like us very much. My request to you: Please keep sending me to them!
Paul once asked, “How will they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). He was whipped nearly two hundred times, beaten with rods three times, and once stoned and given up for dead (2 Cor. 11:23-28), attesting to the hazards of straight-talk preaching. But, he seems to have been the most successful of the Apostles and this argues that, for the Gospel’s sake, this is the way to go. This is the way we go…and off we go out into the world! Zola Levitt Ministries has a great heritage in its founder, Zola Levitt. Zola’s straight talk caused him to invoke the ire of many.
Immediately after Paul asked, “How can they hear without a preacher?” he asked, “How can they preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:15)
This question is doubly true when it comes to TV ministry. The enormous costs associated with high quality, on-location, TV production make it abundantly clear that we can’t do it without being “sent” by you.
When I responded to the risky call to accept Jesus—Yeshua, if you prefer—and the subsequent call to leave normative Jewish houses, homes, and lands to follow Jesus into the ministry, I realized that I would have to rely, as Paul did, on generous Christians like you to help me take our Savior to those who need to know Him. Millions, in our case.
Taking the lead from David in confronting these Goliath-like times, we’ve turned on our television production engines. They’re focused upon Israel, where we’ll visually reconstruct the Bible’s story of David—a precursor to Israel’s prophetic Star. For various reasons, this may be the most significant TV series we’ve created to date—presenting a message our culture desperately needs to hear.
Though our financial gas tank is not empty, we do need to fill up for the journey to film our series on David in Israel. May I ask you to assist with whatever donation you can right now? It will help us overcome the summer slump. If you want to experience Israel with us, Sandra and I would love to have you come along next spring or summer. The two March tours leave on the 15th. Travelers touring Israel only return on the 25th. Those going on to Petra return on the 29th. If you’d like to dig for a day with archaeologists, sign up for the June tour. Please call Abel during office hours at (214) 696-9760 or (800) 966-3377 (1-800-WONDERS) anytime.
1-800-WONDERS will also work if you’d like me to come to your church and talk about points of the Bible that interest you. Or you can bypass the answering service and call our staff at (214) 696-8844 during office hours. The ministry actually has four top speakers who would love to come and discuss Jesus and Jews, Israel and the events we see happening in the Middle East. Call us now.
Your messenger,
Jeffrey L. Seif
P.S. You can also help this ministry and serve the Lord by persuading your friends to visit www.levitt.com or call 1-800-WONDERS and subscribe to our free Levitt Letter. Even if you get a little abuse when you have to ask them a couple of times, you now know you’re in good company.
Jeff, I support what Zola Levitt Ministries is doing and want to be a part of it.
Dr. Jeffrey Seif remembers yesterday’s Holocaust and considers anti-Semitism’s rise in modern-day Europe. Though dressed this time in Islamic garb and not in Nazi uniforms, anti-Semitism is making fresh headway in the world, its current surge fueled by the radical Islamic fringe as it turns out the lights of once-Christian Europe.
A most readable and clear survey of the New Testament. The theology is understandable and treated with thoroughness in this concise, but complete, study.
An entertaining and thorough tour of the Old Testament, with virtually every story included. Relevant to all who want to understand the beginning of God’s plan and the roots of the Church on Earth.
Zola gives a fresh, interesting survey of the entire New Testament before a live audience. A real collector’s item, beautifully packaged.
A concise overview of Scripture from the Gospels to Revelation. Zola’s point of view is unique. One CD covers Matthew to Revelation with surprising clarity.
