Christian Evangelicals and Israel
Posted on July 30th, 2007 by cyberdov
Sue and I often argue over how Jews should relate to the Christian evangelicals who want Israel to flourish (good) but only because that way we can all be converted, or killed in an apocalyptical Armaggedon, or something (bad). I say, since I don’t believe that will happen, we should welcome the support. Sue sees it as a Trojan Horse.
Rabbi Riskin has an interesting piece below. I consider him to be more of a politician than anything else - although he has certainly accomplished much in his career, more than I suppose I ever will - but this provided an interesting perspective that I had not considered. Or, is it just wishful thinking? See below…
On the other side of the fence, here is a differing view:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/rapture-ready-the-unauth_b_57826.html
Money quote:
I have covered the Christian right intensely for over four years. During this time, I attended dozens of Christian right conferences, regularly monitored movement publications and radio shows, and interviewed scores of its key leaders. I have never witnessed any spectacle as politically extreme, outrageous, or bizarre as the one Christians United for Israel produced last week in Washington. See for yourself.
Rabbi Riskin has an interesting piece below. I consider him to be more of a politician than anything else - although he has certainly accomplished much in his career, more than I suppose I ever will - but this provided an interesting perspective that I had not considered. Or, is it just wishful thinking? See below…
On the other side of the fence, here is a differing view:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/rapture-ready-the-unauth_b_57826.html
Money quote:
I have covered the Christian right intensely for over four years. During this time, I attended dozens of Christian right conferences, regularly monitored movement publications and radio shows, and interviewed scores of its key leaders. I have never witnessed any spectacle as politically extreme, outrageous, or bizarre as the one Christians United for Israel produced last week in Washington. See for yourself.
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It is quite unfortunate that the history of the Jews and Christians happened the way it did. I understand it from a historical point, but I am mystified as to why we Christians do not recognize our connection to Israel from a faith stand point more. Yeshua (Jesus) and Paul were not attempting to start a new religion, and neither of them ever said the Torah was no longer applicable (See Deut 13). On the contrary, Paul remained a Torah observant Jew and Pharisee his whole life (see Acts 21 and on.)
Paul even states that Gentiles are grafted in to Israel (Rom 11).
However, the history of the first and second centuries almost guaranteed the split of Christianity as a sect of Judaism to be seen as a separate and new religion.
As a Christian, I assure you that even though some of my type are misguided, there is no desire to see Jews killed in an apocalyptical Armageddon. Obviously Christians are more than happy to see Jews recognize Yeshua as the promised Messiah, I’d be lying if I didn’t, but my (and I hope our) love for the nation of Israel is knowing that God has a covenant with you that is permanent and He will restore His people (meaning Israel.) We want to partner with G-d in His plans.
I trust the future and the World to Come to the hand of God. He is faithful when we are not, and He is merciful when we do not deserve it. On these things we certainly agree.
Next year in Jerusalem.
MJH
Baruch / MJH - Thanks for your encouraging comment. Did you catch CNN’s series on God’s Warriors? Interested to get your take on the Christian segment.