By Ellen Horowitz
Coalition of Evangelicals Voices Support for Palestinian State
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN, July 29, 2007
Now more than 30 evangelical leaders are stepping forward to say these efforts have given the wrong impression about the stance of many, if not most, American evangelicals.
On Friday, these leaders sent a letter to President Bush saying that both Israelis and Palestinians have “legitimate rights stretching back for millennia to the lands of Israel/Palestine,†and that they support the creation of a Palestinian state “that includes the vast majority of the West Bank.â€
They say that being a friend to Jews and to Israel “does not mean withholding criticism when it is warranted.†The letter adds, “Both Israelis and Palestinians have committed violence and injustice against each other.â€
Evangelicals, Muslims start rare dialogue
By Bay Fang | Washington Bureau[..] Both sides have a lot to gain from a thaw. At a time when the evangelical leadership is seeking new outlets for influence, both domestically and abroad, it provides the possibility of an entree into the Arab world. For the representatives of the Arab-Muslim world, it offers the potential for improving relations with a previously hostile community as well as with Americans in general.
Hardly a monolithic group, theopolitical change could be in the air as evangelicals battle with their own dual loyalty issues. This is the reality:
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a) Upcoming election year in America with Carter and Clinton joining forces to rally evangelical support for the other side.
Remember ³The Year of the Evangelical² (Time Magazine) back in 1976 when born again Jimmy Carter was swept to power by evangelical Christians (and a lot Jews)?
And how Oslo facilitator Bill Clinton, garnered a staggering percentage of the Jewish Republican vote in 1992 by evoking his dying pastor¹s warning of, “If you abandon Israel, God will never forgive you.”
b) A new generation of Falwells, Roberstons and Grahams seem to think a bit different than their daddys’ do or did
c) Irresistible missionary opportunities opening up in the Muslim world (Remember that was Benny Elon’s suggestion to them in 2004:
“Go from mosque to mosque and bring the Muslims into the light.”)
d) overall frustration and disgust with Israeli policies and corruption (why should they be different than us?)
Does Hagee have a handle on the real feelings and motivation of 60 – 100 million evangelicals as he claims?
Look at the change in attitude by celebrated Christian Radio Talk show host Janet Parshall who launched the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus back in 2004, and then withdrew her support a few months ago:
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Parshall 2004
“The formulation of this caucus in the Knesset concretizes that relationship. And, in a very formal way, says there will now be the recognition of the work that Christians have done in support of Israel. That is a monolithic step forward! And it gives us, I think, an open door in
a more broad fashion to articulate our support for the nation of Israel.”
God didn’t wake up one morning and say, “I’ve changed my mind. I’ve now decided that the land no longer belongs to the chosen people.” If we get that directive from God, my politics will change.
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Parshall 2007:
“We can’t just blindly support Israel,” Parshall told a Christian news outlet. She said Israel should not tell evangelical believers, “We’ll take your aid, your support and your tourist dollars, but we won’t take your Jesus.” Christians should not have to “choose between the cross or Israel,” she said.
Now whose politics changed, G-d’s or Janet’s? Or did we Jews never really understand what Janet wanted in the first place?
Do we want direct Christian involvement in the Knesset? Do we want a large block of evangelicals on the Board of Governors of Likud? Do we want missionary rights protected in Israel under America’s first amendment and right to religious freedom legislation? Do we want a Judeo-Christian nation?
The relationship needs to be put in perspective, and like any alliance, we need an exit strategy in case of theopolitical changes.
Letter to the editor from Ellen Horowitz
SMOKE IN OUR EYES
July 29, 2007Sir, – Rather than clarify a complex problem, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin throws more smoke in the eyes of both Jews and Christians (“In praise of Christian-Jewish interfaith dialogue,” June 24). By mowing down the fences which have been scrupulously used to preserve the unique faith of the Jewish people and maintain respectful connections with other faith communities, he has further obscured the “Who is a Jew” issue. This opens the door to Israeli Jewish assimilation into a globalized world – which, enticing as that may be, leads to disaster.
Rabbi Riskin’s historical arguments go back a mere 40-some years – surely shortsighted in light of a 2,000-year history among gentile nations which, in spite of being full of persecution and pogroms, was also characterized by golden ages of prosperity and periods of emancipation and
enlightenment. It can be argued that it was usually within these brief spans of camaraderie,
dialogue and cooperation that we Jews committed the errors that would help pave the way to periods of spiritual and/or physical destruction.This is why great modern Orthodox rabbinical figures went to such great pains to safeguard our unique status by defining differences rather than seeking common denominators. It’s the quest for Jewish spiritual continuity rather than a fear of anti-Semitic eruptions that continues as the
driving force behind Torah-observant Judaism’s insistence on drawing clearly defined
theological lines between faiths.I’m surprised Rabbi Riskin chose to largely ignore the rampant proselytizing in Israel by evangelical movements (whose raison d’etre is to evangelize), and the confusion this breeds among our youth. He certainly has the option to try and further Jewish-Christian relations with empathetic and impassioned evangelicals at a time when Israel’s position needs to be bolstered. But he leaves us no option to respectfully exit the relationship should it turn sour under ever-changing theopolitical realities.
I agree with Bill Narvey: well said I take a pragmatic approach in that if at the end of days Jesus returns I will accept this fact but until that day I will retain my Jewishness, beliefs and traditions and accept support and help from anyone who wishes to give it. We are not in a position to say no from real friends, even if we may differ on theology. I wish more Jews were as familiar with their Book as the Christians who claim to be Zionists and Jews who are totally ignorant of anything Jewish not less the Tanach.
Dr. Hagee shames us with his knowledge of our book and traditions. He has forced some people myself included to read My book everyday (a few Chapters) in order not to feel like an ignorant idiot when discussing topics such as this.
Hillel said do not do unto other that which is hateful for yourself: all the rest is commentary go study! The Rambam said in is guide to the perplexed that for the simple uneducated the reciting of the Shema is enough but for the intellectually curious it will be a lifetime of study.
I commend you on your bottom line. As for “Anglican, Presbyterian, United Churches of Christ”, I get nothing but blank stares from those people when I quote the Bible.
Many Christians have NEVER been antisemitic and many are actually descendants of Jews such as the Conversos and many more.
Christians are relying in part on Zechariah 12 and 14 which is a JEWISH prophecy.
Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
Zec 14:3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Big earthquake coming.
I can’t cite scripture, but I can bottom line things.
Within religious communities there is a diversity of opinion. Within Islam it seems less so and when it comes to perceptions of Israel even less so.
Within Christianity there is great diversity of opinion. As regards Jew and Israel, it appears to break down into the following broad general categories:
intractable Christian anti-semites – these are enemies of Jews and Israel and must be fought at every opportunity;
Christians who deny their anti-Semitism and even make efforts to rid themselves of it, but those visceral anti-Semitic feelings still sometimes come through. Evidence of that is found in the divestment policies of the heirarchies of the Anglican, Presbyterian, United Churches of Christ churches for example – these Christians must be supported when they support Israel and identified as enemies when they don’t and fought at every opportunity.
Christians who are Christians in name only and who neither support nor stand against Jews and Israel because Jews and Israel, like world events just do not figure largely in their lives and they are not interested.
Christian evangelists who have rid themselves of antisemitism but whose support of Israel is for the purpose of getting closer to Jews for the purpose of proslytizing. These Christians must be politely and firmly dismissed with the advice that if they wish to support Jews and Israel without using that as an opportunity to prosletyze, their friendship and help will be most welcome.
Christians and Christian evangelists or Zionists who have rid themselves of their anti-Semitism and who support Jews and Israel by both word and deed, though they may hold a belief that their support will hasten their Christian prophecy being fulfilled and at that moment, Jews will turn to Jesus, perhaps motivated to do so by the support Christians gave them now. That belief or motive however is not inconsistent with the support of Jews and Israel given now which is out of Christian love and respect for Jews and love of Israel. These Christians must be welcomed and their aid and support appreciated.
Christians who not only have rid themselves of anti-Semitism, but also do not in wanting to aid Jews and Israel, hold any belief that should Jesus come again, that Jews will flock to him. These Christians too must be welcomed and their aid and support appreciated.
There are 2.6 billion Christians in the world. The latter two broad groups may comprise a minority of Christians, but that minority still comprises a huge number of people who out of true love of Jews and Israel believe and act as they do.
There are 5 million Jews in Israel and they too exhibit a diversity of opinion.
The view of perhaps the minority of those 5 million Jews is that Israel should not concede one more inch of land to the Palestinians and that all of Gaza and the West Bank should comprise Israel.
There are a very great many millions of Christians who share that view. I would venture to say that the number of Christians who thusly believe and put their money as it were, where their mouths are, swell the ranks of those who advocate for Israel to have peace through strength and to include the lands of Gaza and the West bank within their sovereign borders, to a very great many millions of people, be they Jew or Christian.
That many people speaking and acting together constitute a force. That force if channelled effectively, can become a formidable force.
As of now it appears that Christians such as Pastor Hagee are doing more to channel that force then are Jews and Israelis who are against any further Israeli concession and for Israel taking back that which it has given up.
Doesn’t anyone just read the Bible and believe it any more? Why run to men in churches, pastors, teachers, others, who may ALL be false and you can tell by their stinking fruit, when one can receive and be led by the Holy Spirit and if one does He will instruct you if you keep the commandments. But if not…***
Ro 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…
Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
The instruction to Jerusalem so long ago now applies not to Jerusalem but to the apostate church which is MOST of the church and Christendom these days.
***Mt 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
See above where John Hagee said “Bible believing Evangelicals” support Israel. The rest aren’t Bible believing and because they “would not” they are not true Christians. They are tares (weeds) among the wheat destined to be bound in bundles and burned with fire.
Mt 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Paul wrote in Romans 11 that Yeshua would return when the fulness of the gentiles came in. That’s done. They are either in and support Israel or they are not in. G_d is working with the Jews now and He will defend His own. He also warned Christians not to “boast against the branches” (Jews) lest they be “cut off.” False teachers have taught the church the false doctrine that “Once Saved Always Saved and therefore you can’t be cut off” as well as false Replacement Theology. Who are you going to believe, the Bible or false teachers? Not coming to a knowledge of the Truth is grounds for being “given over to believe a lie,” i.e. “cut off.” Those “Christians” who support the Road Map have been “cut off” and given over the believe that lie which is just another strong delusion. If they cannot see the difference between the G_d of Israel and the very strange god of the Muslims, they are totally without understanding which means blind and deaf.
Ro 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Keeping in mind that “doctrine affects practice,” that what one believes affects how one lives and views the world, of course professing evangelicals are divided on Israel, and no doubt even the majority of evangelicals are anti-Israel or “neutral” (in effect anti-Israel when not objecting to their denominations stances) because the majority of evangelicals adhere to some form of covenant theology. Once you know which evangelical denominations believe what, you will know (1) which evangelicals will always stand firm with Israel (this group is consistent), and (2) which evangelicals may or may not stand with Israel (this group is inconsistent and can be swayed).
With all respect for my brother Teshuvah, I disagree that all true Christians support Israel, and actually think most do not, because though all true Christians must believe in the non-negotiable gospel, there are many Christians who do believe in the gospel, but are off in other areas of theology (like Israelology), and who due to ignorance (based on 1700 years of faulty theology–thanks to Origen, Eusebius, Augustine, etc) have been misinstructed, or at best not instructed, about the Bible’s teachings of the Tanakh, and so have a wrong worldview when it comes to Israel. Bit by bit as we examine scripture we shed these misconceptions, and it’s up to those of us in the Church at large to use scripture to confront, correct, and instruct each other regarding doctrine on Israel.
Laura,
The word “Evangelicals” and “Christians” cannot be used to describe all Christians just as the word Jews cannot be used to describe all Jews. There are many views in each group and many in each group are apostate and not Bible believers. Ultimately only Ha Shem’s viewpoint will matter and it is the duty of each of us to seek His view and that is set out in the Bible. The Replacement Theology and JFJ groups are deceived and wrong. Many Christian Zionists support Israel and are not intent on turning Jews into Christians…or as those mentioned above, apostate Christians either.
It is with a heavy heart and shaking hands that I have to make this choice. I currently support 10 orphans and the Gulu community in Northern Uganda through World Vision. I will stop sending my money due to the stand Richard Stern has taken. I will write a letter asking him to repent but will not support World Vision as long as he has voiced his support to divide God’s land given to the Jews. It is a VERY sad sad day for me as I love these children very much. Please pray that God will provide for them.
Their support for Clinton was more likely an anti-Bush Sr. vote as a result of that administration’s policy toward Israel.
I hate to say this, but perhaps liberals are correct when they say Evangelical support for Israel has ulterior motives such as the eventual conversion of Jews and the Book of Revelations about end times. In the last few years, I had come to trust the Evangelical community and believed that liberals were simply attempting to drive a wedge between the two pro-Israel communities. Perhaps all along Evangelicals were merely exploiting the fact that Israel was desperate for friends and seized the opportunity to ingratiate themselves with Jews and Israel for their ultimate goal of conversion. I hope I’m wrong and that Janet Parshall merely speaks for herself.
True Christians whole heartedly support Israel. Period. False Christians support the Road Map to Hell. These are mentioned in the article are false and are not Bible believers or they would support Israel. At best they are deceived:
Absolutely true. Those appeasers are under the Curse of Meroz. Those lukewarm Christians who want to cozy up with Israel’s enemies will be spewed out by the Most High.
Jg 5:23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
Re 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.