Israel

  • Introductions: Name & What does the Bible say about the current state of the people of Israel?
  • Restatement of theme:
    • “If this issue was the reason a non-believer gave as their obstacle to Christianity, what would we say to them?”
    • Theme verse: “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.” (Matthew 13:19)
  • Today’s Topic: Israel
  • We talked last week about the various thoughts opinions and a general overview of what the situation is “between Israel and Palestine.”
    • Anyone have a good summary? I found a really nice summary at MidEastWeb. It is long, but a worthwhile read if you are looking for a good overview with enough details to help the whole issue try to make sense.
    • I think, overall, it would be wrong to say that the whole situation is completely black-and-white and that one side is evil while the other is good. That is true to some extent—but it seems that there are a lot more factors which make this whole thing complicated.
    • It is also easy to try frame this whole thing in purely religious terms—which makes lots of rash assumptions, especially since, for instance, there are Christians that are both Jewish and Palestinian.
    • Some points to consider:
      • There was lots of political-style maneuvering that occurred, from the UN, the US, Britain, and Israeli and Palestinian organizations.
      • Lots of innocent people have been displaced—either because they were kicked out of their homes by a incoming Jewish state or because of plenty of jealously.
      • Terrorism is very difficult to define and deal with. How do you fight when there isn’t a defined military? When is “freedom fighting” terrorism and when isn’t it? How does one protect oneself against terrorists?
      • Jews, it seems, are often very good at business and many other things they do. Often, it seems this causes a large amount of anti-semitism and jealousy.
      • There was a mix of Jew, Arab, Muslim, Christian, etc. in the area known as Palestine for quite a while previously. This land had been under all different types of rule—most recently, Ottoman Empire and British rule.
      • There have been lots of unintentional and intentional misunderstandings in the whole process, and each side sees the other as a illegitimate force.
      • We know that there cannot be lasting peace without Christ, and it is ultimately on Him alone that we need to place our trust.
  • On to today’s focus, however.
    • Discuss Pat Robertson’s recent comment on the 700 Club
      • What did he really say?
        • I found a transcript at Contratimes:
          • ‘Ladies and Gentlemen I said last year that Israel was entering into the most dangerous periods of its entire existence as a nation. That is intensifying this year with the loss of Sharon. Sharon was personally a very likeable person and I am sad to see him in this condition, but I think we need to look at the Bible and the Book of Joel. The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who “divide my land.” God considers this land to be His. You read the Bible and He says “this is my land” and for any Prime Minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says “no, this is mine.” I had a wonderful meeting with Yitzhak Rabin in 1974. He was tragically assassinated, it was a terrible thing that happened but nevertheless he was dead. And now Ariel Sharon who again was a very likeable person, a delightful person to be with, I prayed with him personally, but here he’s at the point of death. He was dividing God’s land and I would say woe unto any Prime Minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the EU, the United Nations, or the United States of America. God says “this land belongs to me. You’d better leave it alone.”’
    • I want to focus today on some of the theology and other beliefs that would have shaped a comment like this. Also, I’d like to discuss what other beliefs Christians hold and what the Bible actually says.
      • What opinions have your heard from Christians about Israel?
        • Chosen Nation (still God’s chosen), modern state of Israel has nothing to do with chosen people—they are secular (wasn’t OT Israel most of the time), Christians are new Israel, “Apple of God’s Eye”, Evil Jesus-killers, Brothers and sisters in Christ?
      • What notable passages are there?
      • Anyone making any conclusions?
  • Conclusion
    • I’m not always sure I know what to think about this whole thing, either. But here’s how I wanted to wrap it up: for unbelievers who heard of Pat Robertson’s remark this past week and who think that all Christians must be utterly foolish. I think we can defend Robertson (to some degree), acknowledge his faults, and have an intelligent discussion with them about the topic.

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