ANTI ISRAEL OR PRO TERRORIST

In our last program, we mentioned a trend that many professing Christians believe the prophecies and promises for Israel are not for Israel - but instead the church. This is called replacement theology. Today we will discuss another trend – Christians who support terrorists who hate Israel. What is this?

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When you read the Bible, Old Testament and New, it should be apparent Israel plays a special role. You can’t miss it. History is “His Story”. However, there is more. You cannot understand our times unless you understand the relationship Israel has with God – past, present and future.

Now, it would seem to me, a Christian who has read God’s Word, would be able to understand God’s plan and purpose for Israel. Instead, current events indicate this is not necessarily the case. Not only do some reject Israel and substitute the “Church” in place of Israel, they support the enemies of Israel – the very ones who are active in suicide bombings.

Listen carefully as I quote from an article titled Presbyterian Leaders Meet Hezbollah Terror Chief :

The meeting took place during a trip co-sponsored by the Chicago Presbytery’s Middle East Task Force, in which Rev. Bob Reynolds of the Presbytery’s executive board took part. The trip’s leader, Dr. Robert Worley, praised Hezbollah and expressed understanding for the terror group’s struggle against the Jewish State. Worley said that Presbyterians “have suffered much pressure on the part of Jewish organizations.” Worley also (said that) Jewish influence in America leads to the perception that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization. [1]

Remember, this is a quote from a newspaper article. Presbyterian leaders from Chicago were in Israel meeting with the Hezbollah and were sympathetic. Further, one Presbyterian leader stated that “the Jewish influence in America” has led to “the perception that Hezbollah is a terrorist organization.”

The article mentioned that the Local Jewish Federation and Anti-Defamation League officials contacted the Chicago Presbytery leadership, which refused to condemn the statements or meeting. Instead they said that “the trip was unofficial and not the responsibility of the group”. [2]

An additional news report about this same news item provides another perspective. Quoting from this article:

Those meeting with Hezbollah in November should have made it clear they oppose "terrorism in any form" and back a secure and safe Israel, said spokeswoman Mindy Marchal at the Louisville, Kentucky, headquarters of the Presbyterian Church USA. [3]

Another article I read indicated that a schism is developing within the Presbyterian Fellowship over the “Israel” issue. Not all Presbyterians are anti Israel. As one pastor of a Presbyterian Church stated:

"Nationally, the church tends to think of itself as a theological big tent, so that any belief is fair game. If we see ourselves as simply a social-justice-based church, then you get these things... [4]

So, there it is - Presbyterians who support Hezbollah terrorists and those who do not. Is this a preview of what is to come on a larger scale? Will more and more who profess Christianity become anti-Jewish? Time will tell.

I am Roger Oakland. This has been a biblical perspective to help understand the times.

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