RNS
by Michelle Rindels
Washington – A broad coalition of evangelical leaders is
attempting to “correct a serious misperception” that all evangelicals
oppose creating a Palestinian state.
Led by Ron Sider, a professor at the American Baptist-affiliated
Palmer Theological Seminary and head of Evangelicals for Social Action,
the coalition sent a letter to President Bush expressing support for a
proposed two-state solution.
“The only way to bring the tragic cycle of violence to end,” reads
the July 27 letter, “is for Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a
just, lasting agreement that guarantees both sides viable, independent,
secure states.”
Historically, evangelicals have adopted a pro-Israel stance in
defense of the biblical “chosen people.” The letter reflects a more
nuanced perspective on the conflict — one that affirms legitimate
property rights on both sides while also placing blame for violence on
both sides.
“We know that blessing and loving people (including Jews and the
present state of Israel) does not mean withholding criticism when it is
warranted,” the letter said, suggesting that “the best way we can bless
Israel” might be to “remember … the profound teaching on justice that
the Hebrew prophets proclaimed so forcefully.”
Thirty-four evangelical leaders signed the document, including a
former president of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, current
presidents of Fuller Theological Seminary and Bethel University, the
editor of Christianity Today and the national director of Vineyard USA.
The letter was released not long after a recent Washington
convention hosted by John Hagee, a San Antonio megachurch pastor who
heads Christians United for Israel, a staunchly pro-Israel group. He
told The New York Times, “Bible-believing evangelicals will scoff at
that message.”
The letter also affirmed the new diplomatic role of former British
Prime Minister Tony Blair, and requested a meeting with Bush to discuss
how evangelicals might help the administration negotiate peace in the
Middle East.
Copyright 2007 Religion News Service
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posted July 31, 2007 at 9:58 pm
I absolutely support the right of Israel to exist, and it is exactly for that reason that I welcome this statement from some evangelicals. I have never trusted the seeming devotion of fundamentalists to the Jewish state, because their support derived from their ding-dong notions of scriptural prophesy, and also because those same people always seem perfectly comfortable with the “Paradise Through Genocide” themes of the Left Behind books and all other millenialist vengeance fantasies about Jesus returning to slaughter everyone (including Jews) who didn’t worship him. An evangelical position that recognizes political reality is far more beneficial to the cause of peace — which has always been Israel’s only hope — than fundamentalist blather about the “chosen people” (a phrase that, I would bet, few of them even understand).
posted July 31, 2007 at 11:32 pm
There have been days, probably even decades, when the Jews collectively may have wished God had made a second choice! Nonetheless, they are who they are. I do not think they are behaving in a way that would keep some modern day Amos or Hosea away from their halls of government. For that reason alone I think the statement by this band of evangelicals will be one more shout of reason, hope, and faith. Now I hope someone in Israel will isten.
posted August 1, 2007 at 7:57 am
Most evangelical Christians understand what the Bible means when it says God chose Israel. He chose them as a means of revealing to the rest of the world at least two things: His law (the ten commandments) and His Son, Jesus Christ. He did not choose them because they were better than anyone else. He chose them in spite of their resistance to Him, a resistance which is documented throughout the Old and New Testaments.
I, too, favor a Palestinian state, although I doubt it would end the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. My only fear of such a state is that it would use its position as a platform for further invasions into Israel’s lands, and to escalate the violence between the two countries. Yes, I realize Israel is not innocent in regards to the violence in that region. But sometimes they have simply acted in self defense.