So. Baptist Dismissed Over Statement on Jews

A 13-year veteran of the Southern Baptists’ Home Mission Board said he was fired because he publicly voiced a belief that Jews go to heaven.

The Rev. George Sheridan of Union, N.J., said he was relieved from his duties then dismissed because of a 1987 meeting with board officials in which he was closely questioned about his belief that God promised Jews salvation in the Old Testament.

But the belief that Jews can achieve salvation without faith in Jesus Christ is not accepted by most evangelical Christians.

Board President Larry Lewis said that Sheridan was dismissed because he declined to accept a transfer from Union, N.J., to the Atlanta office. Lewis added that the decision to transfer Sheridan was made by the board because of Sheridan’s theological position with respect to “evangelizing Jewish people.”