Can anyone here tell me about Jack Van Impe? I have heard of him, but never knew about him. This morning, I ran across a TV show of his. Interesting. Who is this guy? Is he the real deal?

Here's my take on Jack Van Impe...

He is very knowledgable, and a very intelligent man. He's certainly in love w/ Jesus, and is very sincere in what he teaches.

Having said that, I do have several issues with him. He has been predicting the rapture for several decades now, and tho he refrains from setting a date, he has been setting what year he thinks it will happen since the 1970's. When I first saw him back in the early 90's (about the time I was being convicted of my own sin and need for salvation) I remember him showing how everything was lining up for Armageddon, and how Saddam was the link that would bring it all together.

Guess he got that wrong.

Then it was Bill Clinton...

...then Boris Yeltson...

... then Bin Laden...

... then Saddam... again...

And after awhile you stop taking him seriously.

I do watch every once in awhile to see who the "anti-Christ" of the week is. His show can be informative because he brings out headlines from across the world that our national media does not. But I would not recommend that people spend a lot of time watching Jack Van Impe.

NOW... the main issue I have with him is his ecumenism. His love of the Roman Catholic Church. Jack Van Impe considers himself an Independent Baptist, but his views on the RCC over the past 10 or 15 years have changed drastically... to the point where, in my opinion, he is compromising.

You can do a google search and find all the info you need concerning his compromise with Rome. Ignore the ones that contain no quotes, and find the ones that do. He preaches about end times, and how their will be great apostacy... yet he fails to see that he may be involved in it himself. Thats baffling to me.

Krispy

_________________
Mike Balog

Well, I don't like what his ministry focuses on... the apocalyptic, rapture, end-times oriented entertainment for the masses type thing. I don't like the prayer he asks sinners to pray at the end either. Nor his overwhelming support for the Roman Catholic Church..

As far as his character as a Christian goes, I know not. But I see the fruit of his ministry, and to be honest, I don't like it at all.

Jordan

About 10 years ago I used to hang out with a bunch of thugs. Some nights there would be drugs and weapons on the coffee table while we watched either pornography or gangster movies. A real dark and wicked environment.

But this is the part that struck me the most looking back. They watched Jack Van Impe faithfully. It was a show we loved to watch and talk about after while we got high. We felt spiritual and loved to talk about end times. Almost like watching a scary movie. It was a high on top of a high.

I got saved 5 years after and whenever I try to talk to them about Jesus Christ, they just knod there head in agreement. The only thing they want to talk about when it comes to the things of God is Revelation and the Apocaplyse. Jack Van Impe is their spiritual idol to this day. They swear by him and want to talk like him (except for the Jesus part)

I tell them that was 10 years ago and if it hasn't brought them to transform their lives or even want to transform their lives then their wasting their time. It's cool to know the wrath of God instead of the love of Christ from my observations.

I tried watching JVI after knowing Christ and it's not the same. Can't explain.

_________________
Leonardo Santana

_________________
Mike Compton

I don't know what is more unbelievable... the interpretation of the week that JVI comes up with withouf fail, or the earnest support of his wife, Rexela. She's almost the comic relief of the program in my opinion :) "oh yes Jack!" hehehe

_________________
Jimmy H

In all fairness to Jack Van Impee: Though I have strong disagreements with his theological persuasion (which is nothing more than classic dispensationalism), I for one would not want to be in a formal debate with him. The man seems like a walking Bible.

However, the scope of his show is so extremely narrow. All he does is constantly rehash week after week classic dispensational end-time theology. His viewpoints could be almost entirely obtained by reading a Scofield reference Bible, or some other thing like it. Theologically speaking, I've never heard him say something that hasn't already been said before. In my opinion, he offers zero new insights.

Like it's been said before, it's hard to take him very serious. Though I don't doubt his sincerity as a follower of Christ, his wrecklesness in interpreting current events in light of the Scriptures is not something I would want to stand before Christ over as a teacher of His word.

Basically all JVI does is take current news headlines and reads them into the Scriptures, and says "this prophecy is now fulfilled." Of course, over time, you'll see the same verse fulfilled time and time again, but with different events. Such is a dangerous method, and is totally devoid of the Spirit of God.

Sadly, many Christians will suck on such milk for a long time. Sadly, many will never grow up.

_________________
Jimmy H

Again, fair KingJimmy. (Think a comma goes there, but I liked the sound of it ...)

And liked the input about the quasi spiritual meanderings of our brother and those he hung out with, know some of that personally from those days.

Have wondered what a broadcast from days gone past would sound like now ... how it would be explained or explained away. Bad theology, good man... as good men go.

_________________
Mike Balog

(I am not replying to anyone personally, I am only posting this to add to the thread and food for your thoughts on the subject)

"...Jesus said, before I return iniquity shall abound... Matthew 24:12. During the tribulation hour it gets so bad that Revelation chapters 6 to 18 says, twenty one judgments are falling because of the iniquity of the people... and what do they do? Revelation 9:21 ...Neither would they repent of their murders, their drug addictions, their fornications ...(sexual escapades), and their thefts. And you know when you practice these things you wont meet God unless you repent. But, they wouldn't repent. 1 Corinthians 6 verses 9 and 10, Galatians chapter 5 verses 19 to 21, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:15 says you cannot do these things and meet God at the end of the road...
...this thing about lying... wherefore putting away lying... Epheians 4:25. Why? Because someday you have to stand before God, and He shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing... Ecclesiastes 12:14. That includes lying." -Jack Van Impe (quote from his most recent episode)

I have been watching Jack Van Impe for about 2 years. I don't know everything there is to know about him.

Though I do not agree with "all" of Jack Van Impe's theology statements, there are many reasons that I have been very blessed by Jack's ministry.

1. He preaches "word for word" King James Version and does it from memory. It seems that atleast half of the episode is quoting the scriptures.

2. He often preaches the coming judgment of God. He preaches wrath to come, repentance, and hell. (subjects many false teachers abhor)

3. I have heard him magnify the Law and preach God's righteousness so as to awaken sinners. He is not ignorant of God's righteousness.

4. He loves his wife (Rexella). This is a major area to notice in discerning godliness in a preacher, though many may not understand. He has love for his wife as Christ loves the church.

5. He is always rejoicing in the Lord. The bible says to do this always. When you hear Jack talk about Jesus. You know he loves our Savior dearly!

6. I've seen some episodes when he is just heart broken and weeping over the sin in our land. (again, a godly nerve that false teachers abhor)

"I conclude that he is a false teacher," some might say. But, I would like to say, If you hold that view, you must also hold the view that Satan's house is divided against itself.

Yes, Satan can qoute the bible and talk about last days events. However...

Does Satan weep over sin?

Does Satan rejoice in the truth?

Do children of the devil love their wives?

Do children of the devil preach biblical repentance and faith in Jesus?

I would just encourage you to watch 2 or 3 episodes and seek God for wisdom about it.
http://jvim.com/

A little side note: For those who wonder where he stands on eschatology, I have recently completed Chuck Smith's "through the bible 2000 series" and I would compare Jack's view similar to Pastor Chuck's and Calvary Chapel's eschatology.

Another little side note: Though Jack Van Impe does pray a sinners prayer, you will find that he is qouting the gospel in his prayer. (the cross, the blood, the death, the resurrection of Jesus) This is not a "God has a wonderful plan for your life sinners prayer." Also Jack lays a foundation of Repentence and Faith in Jesus before he prays a sinners prayer.

God bless you and fill your hearts with his holy fear and love. -Abraham