Posted on 10/25/2008 1:29:42 PM PDT by Squidpup
What is emerging in the modern Church? In America - historically Israel's greatest friend - there is a growing dislike of the Jewish state among certain Christian groups. This follows a downturn in interest in Bible prophecy teaching in U.S. churches. What are the reasons for that decline? There are many, but a major one is the emergence of the "Emerging Church."
Emergents still identify themselves as evangelicals, which is clever since they share many of the same views as radical scholars like Marcus Borg or John Spong (who don't believe any of the fundamentals of the faith). Emergents, though, embrace many views that have always been the domain of left-wing Christians. It is not surprising, then, that Emergent leaders like Brian McLaren really don't like dispensationalists and supporters of Israel. Not that McLaren would put it that way.
McLaren, former pastor of Cedar Ridge Community Church in Maryland, defines himself as an "activist," and is now so popular on the speaking circuit that he has become entrenched in the publishing houses of Zondervan and Jossey-Bass, high-powered Christian and secular companies. With a BA in English from the University of Maryland, McLaren is articulate and seemingly self-effacing.
These qualities make him a star with the Christianity Today crowd, but they also put him at odds with Bible-believing Christians that he considers do not practice "careful thinking" where theology is concerned. In the world of moderate/liberal Christians, careful thinking is code for rejecting young-earth creationism or Christian Zionism.
In an interview with Virgil Vaduva of "Preterist Planet," McLaren makes the following statement, when discussing what he calls the "eschatology of abandonment":
"The rights of Palestinians are ignored in favor of the Israeli state - as if God is happy to bless some people at the expense of others."
The Christian Left, of course, can't tolerate a world in which Israel is entitled to the land given her by the God of her forefathers. You see, to many in the liberal/Emergent camp, the Pentateuch is not real history. Therefore, what valid claim do the Jews have to the land?
And Christians who believe that Christ will return to the earth are accused by McLaren and his friends of "abandoning" the issues Emergent considers most important: eradication of poverty, peace and justice, and ecology.
Yet my dear, late friend and mentor David Lewis was a champion for Israel and deeply involved with relief efforts to the poor. David was also an early pioneer in bringing Israelis and Palestinians together in dialogue.
So much for McLaren's "eschatology of abandonment" tag. The truth is, Emergent smear tactics aimed at Christian Zionists don't hold water. But it's a handy straw-man argument used to, among other things, elevate the Palestinians while subtly demonizing Israel.
As we move forward through the last days that Brian McLaren doesn't believe exist, we must re-double our efforts to stand with Israel, our great friends who have fulfilled the hopes and dreams of their forefathers.
McLaren's own eschatology of abandonment - the abandonment of the apple of God's eye - is a position I hope he will think carefully about.
Probably 90% of what an Emergent says, evangelicals would have no problem with. But it’s always that tiny 10% that makes the difference.
What job will Rick Warren be offered in an Obama administration?
Any church that turns against Israel is not christian...it’s clear in Bible that christians are “adopted” into the Israel nation of Gods chosen people, and his family. Jesus was Jewish, not black and not white, but Jewish..to be our elder brother, as scripture says, it makes christians jewish by adoption “whereby we cry, ABBA, Father” Romans 8:15..otherwise they did not receive, or they reject the spirit of God, the Father.
God told Abraham (Jesus Jewish Ancestor), “those who bless you will I bless, and those who curse you will I curse”...it’s very simple....so those who turn against Israel are very ignorant of scripture, and oppose God, the creator.
That’s why people like Ayers, Wright declare sides with Palestine and against Israel...it’s why Obama wants to get with Iran, and won’t say Jesus is only way to heaven...these are not real christians. The bible also says “Satan comes as an angel of light”...meaning PRETENDING to be a christian, but we know them by their works..not their talk.
Ambassador from Babylon?
***The bible also says “Satan comes as an angel of light”...meaning PRETENDING to be a christian, but we know them by their works..not their talk.***
Part of the problem is that with the abandonment of the Church in favour of individual interpretation, one is free to revive or to invent all kinds of really nifty heresies and because of the acceptance of moral relativism, these folks roam free to pick up followers because of their glib hucksterism and not because of their theology.
God told Abraham (Jesus Jewish Ancestor), “those who bless you will I bless, and those who curse you will I curse”...it’s very simple....so those who turn against Israel are very ignorant of scripture, and oppose God, the creator.
Covenentalists approach verses like this very differently, and this hardly makes them moderate/liberal Christians. And Christian Zionism is a relatively new movement within even Protestant Christianity, and hardly a core tenet of the faith.
I'll note that while I'm not a Christian Zionist, I nonetheless support Israel on most issues since it is the one relatively free and Western country in a sea of uncivilized nations/groups.
Man’s definition of doing “social” good is most times as dirty rags before the Lord.
Can anyone send me an ancient “Palestinian” coin or flag? I’m interested in seeing either.
Jews contribute to the world in many fields. “Palestinians” seem to only know how to break things and blow up things and people.
***Jews contribute to the world in many fields. “Palestinians” seem to only know how to break things and blow up things and people.***
The Jews are our elder brothers; they are the chosen people who received God before any of the rest of us.
There really are no Palestinians, or rather, there are no Palestinians that trace their Palestinian roots back much beyond 1967.
The Emergent Church if for people who want to play at being Christian.
For those who don’t like the hard, dirty (if you will) work of repentence and faith required by our Lord Jesus Christ to actually become a Christian (Christ-Like).
Instead, these people substitute their own works as the righteousness required to gain heaven for the Righteous of Jesus’s Sacrifice applied to the hearts and lives of those who choose to obey God by Repenting and Believing.
You never, never, ever hear the word “sin” or “repentance” in any of the happy-clappy Christian-left churches. They are more concerned about their people feeling good, rather than trying to walk the hard (and unpopular) walk of being good.
“Probably 90% of what an Emergent says, evangelicals would have no problem with. But it’s always that tiny 10% that makes the difference.”
Yep. One drop of sewage in the glass makes the water undrinkable.
The emergent church is cafeteria christianity. It’s consensus based. They only follow the teachings that everyone agrees on.
For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears...2 Timothy 4:3
I agree with you. And it's also the home of Benjamin Netanyahu.
Spong does not believe in the ressurection - I wonder why he would even want to call himself a Christian. He was also heavily involved with the Jesus Seminar which tossed out at least a third of the stories about Jesus and most of his miracles. I could go on about this guy and his sort for ages but suffice to say - wolves in sheeps clothing.
Mel
I know. The term “Palestinian” is a ginned up name taken in order to legitimize their claims. I’ve asked someone on here to send me an ancient “Palestinian” coin or flag or something. It’s funny; when the “Palestinians” were on the land, it had turned into a rock pile (the usual condition with Muslims). When the Jews came back and turned the land into a productive land, then the “Palestinians” wanted it. When the Jews gave them Gaza, the Jewish people left buildings and greenhouses so the “Palestinians” would have something to start out with. Out of hatred of the “Jews”, they destroyed what the Jews left for them in kindness. These Muslims begrudge the Jews the tiny bit of land they have, refusing to be thankful for the huge amount of land they have themselves. - I’m afraid the Muslims are in for a major thumping from the Lord himself if I read Biblical prophecy even sort of right.
“Jews contribute to the world in many fields. “Palestinians” seem to only know how to break things and blow up things and people.”
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True......Israelis have won more Nobel Peace Prizes than any other country.
God called Cyrus of Persia "the weapon in My hand" when He chose to chastise Israel for its apostasy. How many Israelis keep the Commandments? Seen their recent abortion statistics? God has some strong statements for those who sacrifice their children to idols.
Just sayin', there are two sides to the Biblical narrative. Israel can reject God and experience His punishment, just as the United States can.
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