Christians differ over 'road map'

Jerusalem Post ^ | Jul. 25, 2003 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[yonif]

Christian groups in the United States have adopted sharply different stances on President Goerge W. Bush's peace plan, which envisions the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.

While the majority of churches—Roman Catholic, Orthodox, mainline Protestant and some evangelical groups—generally welcome the "road map," a vocal segment of evangelical Protestants are lobbying the Bush administration to abandon it because of their belief that it rewards terrorism and violates God's promise in the Biblical book of Genesis to give the Jewish people the historic land of Israel.

So-called Christian Zionists also see the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy—and a precondition of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Setting up a Palestinian state is seen as undermining these end times events.

"Because of their apocalyptic interpretation of the Bible, they view the initiative as a betrayal," said Randall Balmer, a religion professor at Columbia University. "They've threatened to derail the whole thing."

Gary Bauer, a former Republican presidential candidate and an evangelical Christian, is spearheading a "one-state solution campaign" with a group called Americans for a Safe Israel, which is erecting billboards and distributing bumper stickers emblazoned with a verse from Genesis: "And the Lord said to Jacob...'Unto thy offspring will I give this land."'

Another group, Christian Friends of Israeli Communities, last year donated $200,000 from US churches to help build Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria.

"Judea and Samaria were given to the Jews by God, and I cannot see the United States of America taking this land and giving it to a known terrorist," said religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, referring to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Such views, heard widely on Christian radio and television—and increasingly picked up in the Muslim media—are harshly criticized as counterproductive and theologically misguided by most other American Christian groups, including a significant number of evangelicals.

"Christian Zionists have turned their biblical interpretation into a political ideology that is aligning itself with the most extreme forms of Zionism in Sharon's own coalition," said Donald Wagner, religion professor at North Park University in Chicago and a co-founder of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding.

Gerard Powers, director of the international justice and peace office at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, agreed the Christian Zionist view is too one-sided. "You have to try to understand the legitimate aspirations of both sides," he said.

Others say Christian Zionists are ignoring the suffering of Palestinian Christians, whose roots in the area go back to the early church.

Bauer, president of American Values, a conservative think tank, counters that a Palestinian state "will be used as a launching pad for more terrorist attacks against Israel."

Christian Zionism is based on a theology called dispensationalism that emphasizes a literal reading of prophetic and apocalyptic passages in the Bible.

Dispensationalists believe that the regathering of the Jewish people in Israel is foretold in Scripture, and that Israel will play a key role in end times events.

This theology is embraced by about a quarter to a third evangelical Protestants in the United States, or as many as 17 million Americans, estimates Timothy Weber, a church historian and president of Memphis Theological Seminary.

By pushing the Mideast initiative, Bush risks alienating these evangelical voters.

Yet the Rev. Jerry Falwell, who in the past opposed the creation of a Palestinian state, now says he is willing to accept one with reservations—but only because Bush is behind the plan.

"I love and trust President Bush so much, I will go with him almost anywhere," said Falwell, a televangelist well-known in the United States.

Activism from churches supporting the peace plan—modest yntil now—has intensified, partly in reaction to the anti-road map efforts.

Churches for Mideast Peace, a coalition of 18 mainline Protestant and Catholic groups, has been sending out e-mail alerts to 4,000 grass-roots organizers, urging them to contact their congressional representatives to back the road map.

Corinne Whitlach, the coalition's director, sees one of the group's jobs as "tempering the extremists"—although some Jewish and evangelical groups consider it to be biased toward the Palestinians.

"We recognize there are wide differences in interpreting theology," Whitlach said.

[yonif]

Ping.

[Simcha7]

Regarding the term: "Palestinian Christians" ?

There are actually NO "palestinian Christians."

There are Arab: In Name Only...Christians, most of them have very strange beliefs, which are similar to those that Arab - plo activist and spokeswoman: Hanan Ashrawi spews.

If you are interested in a TV program that Exposes Ashrawi for the Demonic LIAR that she is; may I suggest that you get a copy of: "View From Palestine".

This is a set of Two 30 minute VHS video tapes featuring: an interview of Ashrawi being interviewed by Dr. Zola Levitt in Jerusalem and then WorldNet Daily's Joseph Farah and Professor Ergun Caner...these men are Real Christian Believers and they set the record straight on Hanan Ashrawi's LIES.

**View From Palestine** can be ordered from: Zola Levitt Ministries Web Site: www.levitt.com

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Christians differ on every issue. I continue to be amazed at Bush's Israeli policy. It used to be 'the carrot and the carrot' for the formerly occupying Islamics. Now, it's the sweet carrot, sweeter than any previous president, but when they misbehave [which is all the time], then the stick. I hope that the former occupationists don't get any of their previously conquered land back, but then again, they never live up to GW's demand of peace. They love to hate too much, and least so far. FReegards....

[Simcha7]

Shalom!

Arthur,

"I continue to be amazed at Bush's Israeli policy."

I Agree with You!

Amazing...truly Amazing.

I wonder, just when are they going to Wake Up?!

And Smell...ARAFAT'S Lump Of Camel Dung.

[KriegerGeist]

The "road map" is a double-standard on the war on terrorism. One standard for the U.S. and another for Israel.

Also, pressuring Israel to give up even 1 square inch of "God promised-God-given" land is also not something the U.S. would stand for in this country...

This double-standard in the road map to disaster for Israel and the daily loss of soldiers in Iraq (what the soldier themselves call "one-zeez" and two-zeez") can perhaps cost G.W.B. by the Fall of 2004 everything because of those who have become tired of it and want a change and by the Christian "base" who feel betrayed.

But, what do I know?

[Gal.5:1]

" "I love and trust President Bush so much, I will go with him almost anywhere," said Falwell, a televangelist well-known in the United States. "

yeikes.

---

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Book of praises 118.

Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD , we have an everlasting Rock (Rock of ages). Isaiah 26:4

Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to me, O Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God' Ezra (2 Chronichles 20:20)

[Gal.5:1]

There are actually NO "palestinian Christians."

I understand what you are trying to say from a political viewpoint, but as far as beliefs, of course there are. They have come to be known as palestinian Christians referring to thier faith as real Christian believers, not thier politics.

Sure there are Arab "in name only Christians", but the real believers there in Israel are referred to, at least by Christians around the world, as palestinian Christians, I believe to refer to location (in Israel) and faith (Arabs who live there or are from there who are Christian).

[Salem]

Thanks for posting this one, Yoni. I read this article in our local paper, and then a few hours later a client pointed it out to me on the road, in another paper.

"Such views, heard widely on Christian radio and television—and increasingly picked up in the Muslim media—are harshly criticized as counterproductive and theologically misguided by most other American Christian groups, including a significant number of evangelicals."

Oh, bull. Along with a lot the writer stated.

"'Bauer, president of American Values, a conservative think tank, counters that a Palestinian state 'will be used as a launching pad for more terrorist attacks against Israel.'"

And there it is. With all the neo-left forces globally trying their hardest to demonize and dilute the force of Evangelical Christianity's support for the health and welfare of the nation of Israel, the bottom line is that the enemies arrayed against the Jewish nation are myriad and formidable -- and adept at exploiting the goofy thinking of American liberalism and UN utopianism to, not only play the Americans for fools and milk us for financial support through foreign aid payments (to the PA recently for example), but back Israel off from their effective counter-terrorism efforts over the last year.

There are obviously those who are deluded enough to think that "everything's changed" now in the culture of the "Palestinians" or the dynamics of the Middle East to try and coerce a false peace by hamstringing Israel's force deterence and extracting risk-ridden security concessions, and mock and marginalize those who warn of the hazards otherwise (Jew or Christian -- doesn't matter), these will be the same ones who will be saying, "Duh, gee, I guess we were wrong," when these daydreams blow up in their face (rather, the Israeli civilian population and the IDF warriors who will have to contend with the fallout), only then to slink back into the putrid shadows of their naiveté and stupidity.

We, Jew or Christian, will stand otherwise, with Israel, before Him and history.

If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    

[Taiwan Bocks]

There simply have never been, nor are there now, and Palestinian anythings!!!

No Palestinian Christians,
no Palestinian men,
no Palestinian women,
no Palestinian children.

No such people, ever, not now or ever before.

Lots of Arab migrant workers who left to avoid fighting in '48, but they aren't Palestinians!!!

[Taiwan Bocks]

sorry, "any Palestinians" not "and"

[Michael2001]

This whole article is just used to bash evangelical Christians.

[Gal.5:1]

I completely understand what you are saying, and I am telling you that these people just happen to be called this at this point in time, as a label to identify them as a group of Christian believers who are not Jewish, but Arab. It is a label for folks living in the Holy Land (Israel) or who have been born there and came from there origionally, who are not Jewish or Muslims, but Arab, and believers in Jesus. They call themselves that, and Christians around the world call them that too.

It's just easier than saying, "Arab belivers in the LORD God Almighty, the true living God, and Jesus the Messiah/Savior, who were born and raised in the currently so-called "palestinian" or Arab neighborhoods of Israel , such as Bethlehem, but who are not muslim. " That sounds kinda funny anyway. It is not an ethnic group or political statement, it is to demote FAITH of believers in Isreal who are not Jewish or European or African or whatever. BTW, most of these people have left Israel over the last 20 years or so for other nations, especially America.

[Gal.5:1]

I say this as a Christian supporter of Israel who does not support a "palestinian state".

[Taiwan Bocks]

We all should be as you are. May our prayers and efforts be used by God in His dealings in Israel.