Are messianic Jews turning their back on grace?

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1

1still_waters

Guest
#1
I've often wondered about Messianic Jews and those who mix Judaism with their Christian faith.

I can understand having some cultural heritage as a Jew and appreciating it, but it seems like messianic Jews take it a step further and end up going back to the old ways of doing things and mixing the law and grace.

I just got done reading part of Galatians and Paul was just ripping them apart for going back to Judaism, yet I see many modern day Christians mixing Judaism with their faith.

Am I blurring the lines here between what Paul was dealing with and what people are doing today?

Here is the portion of scripture that made me wonder. Right here he is rebuking them for observing days, and months and seasons and years. Yet don't many messianic Jews incorporate these very things in to their Christianity?

Galatians 4

8Formerly, when you(J) did not know God, you(K) were enslaved to those that by nature(L) are not gods. 9But now that you have come to know God, or rather(M) to be known by God,(N) how can you turn back again to(O) the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10(P) You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11I am afraid(Q) I may have labored over you in vain.
 
M

Miah45

Guest
#2
Maybe narrow down the question to specifics..??

Let me explain:

To "mix Judaism with Christianity" is a weird concept for a Jew because essentially Christianity is Judaism. i.e. You're talking about a Jewish Messiah now available to non-Jews, Jewish Patriarchs and Apostles, Jewish covenants and the fulfillment of Jewish prophecies and Jewish promises.

Paul definitely addresses legalism and tradition for salvation's sake... although this isn't and shouldn't be synonymous with Judaism as it shouldn't with Christianity. Paul certainly wasn't ripping anyone a part for being Jewish or practicing it for Paul indeed boasts in it (see Romans 9:4 and Acts 23:6)

Messianic Judaism has in its modern form, many battles.. and yes legalism is a snare for many 're-digging the wells' of the past BUT perhaps no more than legalism challenges any denomination. The challenge to partner with the Holy Spirit in everything we do and to bring his kingdom to earth is one we all face.

As a Jew I want to say that we would covet your prayers in this. Gentile Churches need to understand that they have had centuries to 'iron out their creases' (and from the forum we can see they haven't!)... the modern messianic movement (although often made up of more gentiles than jews) is the baby on the scene... in its modern form existing only since the late sixties.

Jews have a hard time recognizing their Savior in gentile churches. Remember Joseph?.. after years as the Savior of Egypt in Pharaohs house he looked more Egyptian than Hebrew to his brothers. Our modern Jesus is blond and blue eyed to many jews now, and they see no link to their promised Messiah spoken of by the Jewish Prophets and so when they come to faith they start meeting in ways that brings their heritage to life. Quickly Mary is back to her real name of Miriam and the Gospel of Matthew is the Good News of Mattityahu.

My desire would be that we could all re-dig the ancient wells of our fathers like Isaac and receive the inheritance of our forefathers (be it Abraham, St.Francis or John Wesley) and pursue the new rain promised by Yeshua (Jesus) and be baptized in fire for a life of signs and wonders.

As for Galatians 4 I really doubt that Paul was rebuking anyone for observing the sabbath and feasts...(more likely for keeping them as necessary for salvation) After all keeping the sabbath makes it in the top 10 commandments and we all think even today that keeping them is a good thing!...

anyway, regardless of whether Paul was speaking to those who worshipped gods and formerly kept pagan solstice times and practices or to those who were sons of Abraham led to Messiah through the Law and made free... the exhortation is clear for all of us.. Salvation and relationship with God is pretty simple. Salvation is found through faith in Jesus alone. Everything else we do, every practice, be it raising hands, receiving communion, singing hymns, or reciting the Sh'ma should stir us to draw closer to him like never before. After all if we lift our hands in worship and live unsurrendered lives or sing he is Lord when he's not, we've really missed the point.
 
Jan 31, 2009
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#3
I don't know how many converted Jews you know. But to judged all Messianic Jews by a few is the same is to say that all whites are Bigots, all blacks don't work and all mexicans steal( I am just quoting others here This is not my belief) and we know that this is not true, for a Jew is a Jew for their Blood if A Jew couldn't prove His Blood line in the old Testament then they couldn't be priest. But I will have to say here that even alot of Christians try to put us under the Jewish law or either under man made laws. I also know by scripture that either way converted or not they are still God's chosen people, and if God can love them like He loves us, regardless of who we are, than we ought to love them also regardless of who they are.
Ro 11:32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#4
I wrote on the thread on Jews:

"So basically that means that Messianic Jews reject the doctrine of Teshuva in favour of Yeshua."

You know, I love that name, Yeshua (which in English is Jesus) because it sounds a lot like "Joshua." Have you noticed that Moses took the Isrealites very far but only Joshua could bring them into the Promised Land? That's because (or so I've heard) Moses represents the law, but Joshua represents grace because his name is like that of Jesus. That's just what I heard, though. Someone showed me evidence for that analogy in the Gospels, but I can't find it right now.

My question is this: why would the Messianic Jews turn their back on grace if turning towards grace has meant that their people have turned their back on them???

I really feel for Messianic Jews. I get that they don't want to become mainstream Jews, because they don't think they should be abandoning their Jewishness, because they think of Jesus (I mean Yeshua) as being a fulfillment of their Judaism rather than something that is in conflict with it. So they probably don't feel like one of us, but they're not Jews either, because Jews believe that you can't believe in Teshuva and the grace of Jesus. I can kind of relate. Growing up Anglican, I didn't always feel Protestant, but we definitly weren't Roman Catholic. We were somewhere in between, where we had Protestant doctrine but Catholic traditions. I guess what I'm saying is, I can imagine that being Messianic Jewish (and there aren't enough of them) can be a lonely place, but I really admire their convictions.
 
B

Baptistrw

Guest
#5
I don't know how many converted Jews you know. But to judged all Messianic Jews by a few is the same is to say that all whites are Bigots, all blacks don't work and all mexicans steal( I am just quoting others here This is not my belief) and we know that this is not true, for a Jew is a Jew for their Blood if A Jew couldn't prove His Blood line in the old Testament then they couldn't be priest. But I will have to say here that even alot of Christians try to put us under the Jewish law or either under man made laws. I also know by scripture that either way converted or not they are still God's chosen people, and if God can love them like He loves us, regardless of who we are, than we ought to love them also regardless of who they are.
Ro 11:32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Amen. We should love and support the Jews with the desire they turn to their Messiah.
 
1

1still_waters

Guest
#6
Yeah I had a feeling I was kinda blurring some lines here. Thanks for the input.
 

NoahsDad

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2006
594
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#7
totally off subject.............but thats a wonderful pic of rae ..............hahahahahhahahaha howd ya get her to pose?
 
Jan 31, 2009
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#8
Amen. We should love and support the Jews with the desire they turn to their Messiah.
I am sorry but all you have to do is read the entire Bible, look at times past and current times to know that God will bless those that bless Israel and everybody that curses Israel will God Curse, This is to be believed by many today that this is the only reason God is still blessing America, because our support to Israel. Take that support away, I dare to think what would become of America. But however be very careful not to try and curse Israel,
Ro 11:28As concerning the gospel, they are ENEMIES for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#9
I am sorry but all you have to do is read the entire Bible, look at times past and current times to know that God will bless those that bless Israel and everybody that curses Israel will God Curse, This is to be believed by many today that this is the only reason God is still blessing America, because our support to Israel. Take that support away, I dare to think what would become of America. But however be very careful not to try and curse Israel,
Ro 11:28As concerning the gospel, they are ENEMIES for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
I disagree. This is something I just don't understand. I mean, I totally get why Jews want a homeland. I get that they've been through a lot and we want to make it up to them. But how is giving them Palestinian land a way to do that? Shouldn't it have been the Palestinian's choice to give them their land? I mean, I get that Isreal has done very well but isn't that because they had the might of America behind them? The USA has spent a heck of a lot of money on them. If you think about how they won the Six-Day War it does look like the odds were against them and therefore God must have been with them. But, if you take a closer look...

Like I read on Wikipedia that LBJ's assistant said in a memo:

"retaliation is not the point in this case. This 3000-man raid with tanks and planes was out of all proportion to the provocation and was aimed at the wrong target" and went on to describe the damage done to US and Israeli interests: "They've wrecked a good system of tacit cooperation between Hussein and the Israelis... They've undercut Hussein. We've spent $500 million to shore him up as a stabilizing factor on Israel's longest border and vis-à-vis Syria and Iraq. Israel's attack increases the pressure on him to counterattack not only from the more radical Arab governments and from the Palestinians in Jordan but also from the Army, which is his main source of support and may now press for a chance to recoup its Sunday losses..."

But anyway, I think of it like this: Isreal was the land flowing with milk and honey. When the Jews where driven out they couldn't have expected it to sit unoccupied for 2000 years until the UN declared it there's again. And trying to convince the Palestinians that their ancestors wrongfully drove the Jews out 2000 years ago and therefore they should just become refugees (as half of the world's Palestinians are today), well, I just don't think that would fly with them.

I tend to think of it like this: my parents inherited a cottage on a very beautiful, very valuable piece of land. If a representivtive for the UN came up to us and told us that the Native people who lived there 200 years ago were wrongfully expelled from the land and has suffered much injustice since and therefore the UN has decided that it will be given back to them and that we have 24 hours to vacate the land or else we will be escorted at gunpoint. Well, I just don't know how well that would sit with me.

As for Christians who believe that the Jews need to occupy Isreal in order for Jesus to return, well, I don't think people need to do anything in order for Jesus to return. Call me naive if you want to, but I don't think people can do anything that would hasten or delay the return of Jesus.

Another question, I heard that Messianic Jews can't get citizenship in Isreal, is that true?
 
M

Miah45

Guest
#10
wow... ok you've brought up some interesting points, can i break what you've said down at the risk of misunderstanding you and hope that you'll put me right after?

"...I totally get why Jews want a homeland. I get that they've been through a lot and we want to make it up to them. "

OK who wanted to make it up to the Jewish people and when are you talking about? The idea that anyone or any nation wants Israel to have a homeland in the Middle East is a pretty new one. Post-Holocaust, All borders were closed to the Jewish people, and numbers were restricted by the British from entering 'Palestine'. Ships traveling to every major continent were turned away including the US. These decisions often sentenced to death those in the ships.

"But how is giving them Palestinian land a way to do that? Shouldn't it have been the Palestinian's choice to give them their land? "

Whilst I know this is a complicated discussion (heck no major power has solved the issue) a couple of things to bear in mind:

1) There is no such thing as a Palestinian or Palestine. There has never been a state from which 'Palestinians' have been kicked out of. The Word 'Palestine' (Philistina) comes from the Romans, who on banishing the Jewish people from the Land renamed it after Israel's enemy to taunt them. Philistines come Philistine, no one else.

2) Jewish people prior to the White Paper and State of Israel had returned in small numbers years before the disputing began. The Land was made up of Syrian, Jordanian and other neighboring migrants, although for the most part was uninhabitable. During the British Mandate most of the land disputed was legally sold by Arab owners, who began to limit sale of the land when they realized how many Jews were beginning to populate the land despite English appeasement to limit the numbers.

3) Having said that Israel has a responsibility to look after those existing Arabs who had migrated to the region prior to the State's existence. Those who choose to live in the State peaceably, are what are known as Arab Israeli citizens. (Not the areas known as 'occupied areas') The quality of life for Arab Israelis is better than it has been under any other rule including Egyptian rule. Note that the Arab League years before the state existed were offered the area by the French to protect the rights of the 'Palestinians'. they declined to do so an insisted the area become known as Greater Syria.
4) Peaceful co-existence was at the heart of the founding fathers like David Ben Gurion whose communal kibbutzs would support this integrated way of life.

"I meanI get that Isreal has done very well but isn't that because they had the might of America behind them? The USA has spent a heck of a lot of money on them. If you think about how they won the Six-Day War it does look like the odds were against them and therefore God must have been with them. But, if you take a closer look... "

Hmm.. I'm going to struggle with anything cited from Wikipedia as factual source. :) LBJ's postion was extremely political however, and there are great books out there that carry actual historical details. Although, the individual stories are out there of the numerous Angelic Army sightings and interventions.. no one yet has collected them together as far as I know and made them into one book!


"As for Christians who believe that the Jews need to occupy Isreal in order for Jesus to return, well, I don't think people need to do anything in order for Jesus to return. Call me naive if you want to, but I don't think people can do anything that would hasten or delay the return of Jesus."

Yeah I think a lot would struggle with that statement, not even just in regards to Aliyah. You have 2 Peter 3 exhorting us to hasten his coming, you have the need for the Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached to the ends of the earth etc... and that's not touching the OT prophecies and promises regarding Israel.

I'm personally a big fan of the idea that Jew and Gentile are actually dependent on each other to fulfill all God has for us to do and to see him return. I believe Jesus was speaking to Jews in Jerusalem when he said 'you won't see me again until you say that I am welcome' (the traditional Jewish welcome 'Blessed is he who comes...") That verse has a ton of implications. Have you ever stopped to think why the Middle East is SO crazy, and why there is so much fuss over the smallest country out there? What about if the Jews don't return to the land...? what do we do with the prophecies regarding the return of the Jews that haven't been fulfilled yet, or even just the fact that God said that he would bring them back?

Another question, I heard that Messianic Jews can't get citizenship in Isreal, is that true?

It's been an up and down process that requires favor from the Lord and man. I have believing friends who just made Aliyah recently.
 
Jan 31, 2009
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#11
I disagree. This is something I just don't understand. ?

I am not trying to be ugly here but what you don't understand is Bible Prophecy. Now I am no scholar of bible prophecy. these are not things that have to happen because of man has to do them , but rather these things have to happen because God has spoken and said thus saith the Lord this will happen before I come .

paul said;Ro 15:25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.Ro 15:26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.Ro 15:27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.Ro 15:28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.


If The Christians have partaken of the Spiritual things of the Jews( the Grace of God) it is our duty to minister to them of the fleshly things. that is if we want to please God!!

Here is some bibical prophecy that will come before He comes Now I didn't say these things had to happen, but rather God inspired in His word that these things will happen Before Jesus comes .


2th 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2th 2:2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.2th 2:3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;2th 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.2th 2:5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?


Note here verse 3 the man of sin will sit in the temple of God "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

the coming of the Lord, can not come until the antichrist ( man of sin) sits in the temple of God . so the temple which was on the temple mount which was destroyed and the temple mount is now occuppied by the islamic temple. which is not the temple of God. so Here is my point if the antichrist has to sit in the temple of God then the temple of God will have to be built before the antichrist can sit in the temple. The Jews have to have blood from an unspotted red calf to annoint the temple before it can be used. Now only if you believe which I do in a pretribulation rapture where Jesus doesn't touch down and come to earth but rather we go up in the clouds to Him 1 Thes. 4:13-18 the rapture could occur at any time but the coming of the Lord has some prophecy to be fulfilled yet Before the great and notable day of the Lord comes.

Ac 2:16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;Ac 2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:Ac 2:18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:Ac 2:19And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:Ac 2:20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:


has the moon turned to blood yet then the day of the Lord is not yet to happen unless the moon turns to blood. this doesn't have to happen because I read it in the Bible Bur rather Gos spoke it in His Word.
 
Jan 31, 2009
2,225
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#12
I am not trying to be ugly here but what you don't understand is Bible Prophecy. Now I am no scholar of bible prophecy. these are not things that have to happen because of man has to do them , but rather these things have to happen because God has spoken and said thus saith the Lord this will happen before I come .

paul said;Ro 15:25But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.Ro 15:26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.Ro 15:27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.Ro 15:28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.


If The Christians have partaken of the Spiritual things of the Jews( the Grace of God) it is our duty to minister to them of the fleshly things. that is if we want to please God!!

Here is some bibical prophecy that will come before He comes Now I didn't say these things had to happen, but rather God inspired in His word that these things will happen Before Jesus comes .


2th 2:1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2th 2:2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.2th 2:3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;2th 2:4Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.2th 2:5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?


Note here verse 3 the man of sin will sit in the temple of God "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

the coming of the Lord, can not come until the antichrist ( man of sin) sits in the temple of God . so the temple which was on the temple mount which was destroyed and the temple mount is now occuppied by the islamic temple. which is not the temple of God. so Here is my point if the antichrist has to sit in the temple of God then the temple of God will have to be built before the antichrist can sit in the temple. The Jews have to have blood from an unspotted red calf to annoint the temple before it can be used. Now only if you believe which I do in a pretribulation rapture where Jesus doesn't touch down and come to earth but rather we go up in the clouds to Him 1 Thes. 4:13-18 the rapture could occur at any time but the coming of the Lord has some prophecy to be fulfilled yet Before the great and notable day of the Lord comes.

Ac 2:16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;Ac 2:17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:Ac 2:18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:Ac 2:19And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:Ac 2:20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:


has the moon turned to blood yet then the day of the Lord is not yet to happen unless the moon turns to blood. this doesn't have to happen because I read it in the Bible Bur rather Gos spoke it in His Word.
the last sentence here should read But rather God spoke it in His word, sorry God
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#13
I am not trying to be ugly here but what you don't understand is Bible Prophecy. Now I am no scholar of bible prophecy. these are not things that have to happen because of man has to do them , but rather these things have to happen because God has spoken and said thus saith the Lord this will happen before I come .
You're right, I don't understand Biblical prophecy. I do know, however, that we need to be humble when it comes to prophecy because, for example, every generation since the first centruy has been convinced they've known the "true" meaning of John's Revelation.

I've seen eschatology used to justify behaviours that otherwise would be considered unBiblical, espcially with the pre-Millenialists. Now, Baptistw has hinted at being a pre-Millentialist but I'm not saying he does bad things. What I learned in university is that post-Millenialists believe that the world will gradually improve before Jesus comes back. Therefore they work to improve the world. But pre-Millientialists believe that the world is gradually getting worse and therefore tolerate mounting injustices that have been around for a long time and instead tend to foucs on how we can avoid "new" sin.


If The Christians have partaken of the Spiritual things of the Jews( the Grace of God) it is our duty to minister to them of the fleshly things. that is if we want to please God!!
Oh I understand that. Hense so many Christians hid Jews in their homes during the Holocost. What I don't understand is how giving them bombs is really the best way to minister to them. See, I took an international relations class in university. We were learning about how war is different now ("now" meaning since... I can't remember what year... mid 20th century sometime) in the past if you invaded a country there would most likely be some changing of borders. Now, we can invade and occupy a country but the border stays where it is... unless you're Isreal in which case you will push the border every chance you get. Now, that's just what I learned, I haven't done the deligent research. Is that true? Has Isreal pushed it's borders beyond what the UN gave them 60 years ago???
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#14
Hmm.. I'm going to struggle with anything cited from Wikipedia as factual source. :)
I knew someone would say that and this is why I love Wikipedia. I love backing up my facts with it because, unlike something I learned in a univsity lecture, I can show someone exactly where I read it. But better yet, Wikipedia represents public consensus. So, if that's wrong, than just go change it. However, one can't just change Wikipedia to make it read whatever they want it to, you have to a decent citation. And, if you post something that's incorrect, it won't be long before a user will change it back (and you might get barred from editing). If, however, you went to the Six Day War page of Wikipeida, checked out the citation for that memo and have a legit problem with the credibility of that citation, and that you have a citation that you'd be willing to provide that would be more accurate, then I'd love to hear about that. My mom said that when you're in university too long you start footnoting your conversations. When you're speaking in type, that can be especially time consuming, so I just keep things simple and cite using Wikipedia.
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#15
1) There is no such thing as a Palestinian or Palestine. There has never been a state from which 'Palestinians' have been kicked out of.
Thank you for answering my questions. I'll get to all your points later. Just answer me this: after the Jews were forced out of Isreal in the first century or whenever it was, did the land go unoccupied until 60 years ago?
 
M

Miah45

Guest
#16
I knew someone would say that and this is why I love Wikipedia. I love backing up my facts with it because, unlike something I learned in a univsity lecture, I can show someone exactly where I read it. But better yet, Wikipedia represents public consensus. So, if that's wrong, than just go change it. However, one can't just change Wikipedia to make it read whatever they want it to, you have to a decent citation. And, if you post something that's incorrect, it won't be long before a user will change it back (and you might get barred from editing). If, however, you went to the Six Day War page of Wikipeida, checked out the citation for that memo and have a legit problem with the credibility of that citation, and that you have a citation that you'd be willing to provide that would be more accurate, then I'd love to hear about that. My mom said that when you're in university too long you start footnoting your conversations. When you're speaking in type, that can be especially time consuming, so I just keep things simple and cite using Wikipedia.
Good to know Wikipedia are keeping on top of things!

The issue of borders is a long one... too long for me to explain SO just to show you no hard feelings about Wikipedia ...(the overview can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Borders)
:)
The other issues for Israel and its borders are:
1) has the UN held Israel to a higher standard(post 6-day war )with regards to land gained during the war
2) What to do with Zionists non-complicit to the State of Israel (the spiritual v political/physical ramifications of Zionism)
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#17
If you want to know where I'm coming from on Isreal, please see Tony Campolo's chapter called "Are Christians too Pro-Isreal" in his book 20 Hot Potatoes Christians are Afriad to Touch

http://www.christianbook.com/Christ...d=141225&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW&view=covers

And before anyone suggests it, yes I know that there's a book called "The Case for Isreal" at my library that I will check out eventually. If anyone has any other books that would help me understand where they're coming from, please feel free to let me know.

You know, Campolo's great for saying things that need to be said that not enough American Evanglicals are saying. Here's what he said when he came to Canada recently:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m584z5aE4Uc
 
A

Ancilla

Guest
#18
The issue of borders is a long one... too long for me to explain SO just to show you no hard feelings about Wikipedia ...(the overview can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Borders)
:)
Thank you!

The other issues for Israel and its borders are:
1) has the UN held Israel to a higher standard(post 6-day war )with regards to land gained during the war
My perception is no, but I could be wrong. It seems like in Isreal related conflicts, Isreal is so often blamed for being the agressor. I mean, that crisis that they had a couple of months ago. One of the major humanitarian orgainzations (I think it was the Red Cross) who's never supposed to point a finger was pointing a finger at Isreal. HOWEVER, if the Palistinians have taken a more passive resistance approach from the start, they'd be a lot further. This is why the Bible tells us not to repay evil with evil but to overcome evil with good.

2) What to do with Zionists non-complicit to the State of Israel (the spiritual v political/physical ramifications of Zionism)
Sounds complicated.
 
M

Miah45

Guest
#19
Thank you for answering my questions. I'll get to all your points later. Just answer me this: after the Jews were forced out of Isreal in the first century or whenever it was, did the land go unoccupied until 60 years ago?
hmm... there's been a few occupiers since the latter dispersion (I think thats what your referring to?)

The Romans ruled for a bit... creating Aelia Capitolina when the Jewish people were forbidden to enter Jerusalem? The Ottomans ruled for a while (The famous old city walls that you see came from them) and then of course there were the Crusades (4 of them I think if my memory serves me)

Then there's my earlier point...

2) Jewish people prior to the White Paper and State of Israel had returned in small numbers years before the disputing began. The Land was made up of Syrian, Jordanian and other neighboring migrants, although for the most part was uninhabitable. During the British Mandate most of the land disputed was legally sold by Arab owners, who began to limit sale of the land when they realized how many Jews were beginning to populate the land despite English appeasement to limit the numbers.

I really recommend a book called FOR THE LOVE OF ZION by Kelvin Crombie. It's a real easy read and as it follows the development of Christ Church in Jerusalem you get a real sense of what the country looked like prior to the state of Israel and the Mandate years... I think you'll really enjoy it.
 
A

Ancilla

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#20
Tony Campolo's podcasts are pretty good too. I recommend that everyone check them out.
 
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