Christians, Israel and Palestine
With increased conflict taking place between Israel and Gaza, it is time for Christians to reflect on our attitudes toward this complicated situation. Whatever our attitudes toward Israel and Palestine, we should condemn the murder of civilians on both sides. No one has the right to kill the innocent. At the same time, I have seen two attitudes by Christians.
There is a large segment of Christians, often a part of the charismatic/Pentecostal branch, that is very pro-Israel. It is not necessarily a bad thing to be pro-Israel. I am pro-Israel. But by that I mean I support the right of Israel to exist. Others define pro-Israel as giving them the right to do whatever they want in any way they want. They look at biblical boundaries of Israel and suggest Israel can do whatever they want to clear the Palestinians out to make that happen. They see Israel as God’s people and argue that whatever they do has God’s stamp of approval.
There are other Christians who are very anti-Israel. This is not because they are antisemitic. Rather it because of abuses toward the Palestinians by the Israelis. It is true that the Israelis have not always acted justly toward the Palestinians. There originally was supposed to be both Jewish and Palestinian states. Israel gained territory as a result of the wars since their inception. They have been condemned for this by numerous people.
How should Christians respond? I see no reason why Christians should take either extreme. Israel has the right to exist. I also believe that biblically there is a future for Israel. But there is no reason to give Israel a blank cheque. No where in the Bible does it suggest that Israel is perfect. In fact the Bible makes it painfully clear that Israel often makes bad choices and that they need to be held accountable. It is dangerous to suggest that Israel is beyond critique. Of course when they are attacked in an unprovoked manner, we should support them. But to take either extreme is dangerous.
Thanks for addressing this issue. I’ve been troubled over the events related to Israel and Palestine for some time now. I finished an intensive course on the Book of the Twelve last semester and wrote a paper on Amos. The conditions of the northern and southern kingdoms were relatively similar in the false sense of “the blank check” you mentioned to do whatever they pleased, and, supposed the Deity to approved. I was astonished as I’m sure the Northern Kingdom was when Amos showed up with not only a judgment from God,but, surprisingly, Yahweh actually spoke directly (in the first-person) through Amos.
He knows the intentions of their hearts completely , then and now, right? Do you know if anyone in Israel is holding the nation accountable right now? Accountable to Yahweh as infinitely more important than brute nationalism or mere ritual without reality? I would appreciate any counsel you have on how we can best pray and obey for Palestine and Israel. Thanks!