Tuesday, March 3, 2009

To Her Credit...

...Rachel Maddow apologized for the fact that I felt ambushed on her show and has posted both her apology and the full, unedited tape on her website.

That's more than fair, and I appreciate it. And I must say, she was very professional during the interview and most personable and gracious afterward, taking the time to pose for pictures when our camera was malfunctioning, etc.

On her website, the apology is under "What we left behind." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/29495971#29499435

And the unedited interview is at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/vp/29495971#29495971

I was public about my displeasure and am happy to publicly thank her for doing this. I may still look like an idiot, but at least you'll be able to judge that for yourself from the full context.

14 comments:

Uncivilly Yours said...

Mr Jenkins,

I am a Christian, a Liberal, a fan of Rachel Maddow and also enjoyed your Left Behind series. I found your acknowledgement of Ms Maddow's apology extremely gentlemanly and civilised. Not many people act like that these days and I respect you all the more for being public about it, especially because I don't agree with your politics. I liked your interview (both edited and unedited) and wish you best of luck with your new book.

Ed Wandling said...

Thank you Jerry, and thank you Ms. Maddow. You have both renewed my hope our culture is not yet past the point of people being able to publicly disagree with each other while remaining respectful of one another. While many give this lip service, few actually practice it.

Juma said...

"Publicly," not "publically."

Jerry Jenkins said...

Thanks, Juma. I woke up wondering whether I had misspelled that and had just checked my trusty American Heritage Dictionary and made then change when I saw your note.

And Ku, you say you don't agree with my politics. I don't think I have ever articulated them, but I'm willing to stand corrected if you recall a venue or source. I'm decidedly pro-life, but I don't consider that political. Otherwise, I can only assume that you're assuming. :)

Shirley Engebretsen Ph. D. said...

I enjoyed the interview and was glad to be able to hear the entire conversations. It was encouraging to remember what God is doing in our lifetime.

Shirley Fay

Future Game Designer said...

Mr. Jenkins,

I think it would be fair to point out that the full interview was posted on Rachel's website before she issued an apology.

Thank you for forgiving her and your kind words. Your ability to forgive and forget will be heard by many; and influence conservatives to communicate to liberals as equals and friends with opposing view points. Its important to remember that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all equal in our sin and no one, regardless of personal belief, is above another. I think that the general public can learn how to apologize through Rachel and how to forgive and forget through you.

I do not know Rachel Maddow's heart. I do not know if she is a Christian or not; however her interest in the Bible and your books proves that she is open to God's word and maybe your example can be used to help her and others give God and Jesus's gift of salvation a chance. It takes more than prayer to shepard a flock to the arms of Christ. Though God is all powerful and works in mysterious ways, he uses his believers and followers to lead the lost to him. God put you and Tim in her life and the lives of millions to spread God's word.
A Christian's ability to treat everyone with love and understanding, even if the christian view's a person as an opponent or an enemy, is what plants the seed of salvation into the heart of a sinner.

miragemike said...

Listen to her follow up, she makes no apologies and shouldn't have to. I'm glad she posted the entire interview so that others can see how Mr. Jenkins has sensationalized all the misleading images. She expressed regret that Mr. Jenkins felt so bad about it - the interview.

Jerry Jenkins said...

She says in her "regret" segment that ..."we have NOW..." put the entire interview on her website. I was unaware it was there before that; I'm just glad it's there.

We never said President Obama was PROBABLY not the anitchrist; we said unequivocally that he is not.

And neither of us ever once used the word "Commie."

I'm on record that I think she has done the fair and right thing. If you think I sensationalized the difference between the full interview and the edited segment that aired, you are in a minuscule minority, but that doesn't make you wrong. I will, hopefully, agreeably disagree.

Hooper777 said...

I have no idea why Rachel Maddow took to the time to issue that so-called apology. It was simply a justification for her ridiculing Jerry and Tim. She said she "didn't think" the editors took anything out of context, that she didn't regret "anything" that she broadcast, and did NOT apologize about a single thing! The only thing she "regretted" was that "Jerry Jenkins feels so bad about it." Typical non-apology: "I didn't do anything wrong - but it bothers me that you feel bad." Kind of like, "If anyone was offended by what I said, I'm sorry (that you were offended, not that what I said was offensive)" The only good thing to come of this "fiasco" was your godly and gracious response to Maddow's ungracious handling of the situation. Remind me never to go on her show, please! I'm ridiculous enough without her adding to it!

Mike Tison said...

I watched the original clip and it was a hack job. I watched the full clip just minutes ago and I was impressed with how professional she was during the interview. Both parties sounded honest and real, but for some reason the edited version, smacked of a teenager trying to impress their friends with a retelling of the story. I wish for all involved that she would have just shown the real and professional clip to begin with.

Mr. Jenkins, you presented yourself very well and very clear. Thanks for being brave enough to go on the show.

Anonymous said...

It was a hack job dripping with condescension, apology included. I have a theological question that is a dilemna for me and most people. Forgiveness is obtained when one is sincere about their repentence. How can we forgive when it's obviously insincere? I also understand how Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who mocked him on the cross but ultimately won't they be judged if they don't repent? Finally in a more practical sense for all of us is it ok to forgive but not have anything to do with a person of whom you know is up to mal-intent? Thank you for your wonderful work and thanks in advance for handling this difficult question.

Uncivilly Yours said...

Mr Jenkins,
I stand corrected, it was your co-author who made a reference about political conservatism being proved false if Obama's plans were to succeed and that this would be a somehow a shame. I indeed assumed you shared this view.

Charlotte said...

She really made us all look like fools, but aren't we prepared for such a thing?

I Corinthians 1:18-19
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."[a]

She did the right thing, but her ignorance could not be hidden.

May we all have compassion on those who lay in bed at night when the busyness of the day has subsided and there is nothing to distract them from their fears.

Don't be fooled for a minute into thinking there isn't a part of her that wonders if you could be right.

Jeffery A. Pratt said...

Mr. Jenkins,

First of all; Thank you! I love hearing you even though it was on Rachel's show. You and Dr. LaHaye are people who fear God, love Jesus and are Sprite driven. It is so refreshing.

Secondly; Your books are great. I loved reading the Left Behind series and have read several other books by you. I can't wait to get my hands on your new book.

Again, Thank you and may God bless you and continue to direct you through your time here on Earth.

In his name,
Jeff Pratt