Netanyahu is practically gushing. The fact that he can say
these things with a straight face indicates what sort of person he is.
Christians thrive in Israel?
I think not. First of all, the majority of 'Christians' are
actually Arab Palestinians and various other groups who fall within the Roman
Catholic and Eastern Orthodox spheres. They all oppose Netanyahu and his
policies and vehemently oppose the Trump policy with regard to Jerusalem. None
of the Christians of the region support the Zionist state.
American Evangelicals who make much of the Christians in Iraq
and their sufferings care nothing about the Palestinian Christians. Why?
Because they, like all the Christians of the Middle East are on the 'wrong
side' and oppose Israel. In fact they're not reckoned Christians at all.
Personally I don't think any of these groups are actually
Christian. Evangelicals never used to think so either. All of that began to
change in the 1990s when the definition of 'Christian' began to change in order
to fit the ever expanding Dominionist agenda of the Christian Right.
Additionally, while most Evangelicals didn't get caught up in
the American Establishment's war on Bashar Assad, those that did, failed to
notice something... all the Christians in Syria supported Assad.
Evangelicals have made much with regard to the desperate situation
of the Copts in Egypt and their difficulties with Islamic terrorism. And yet,
what just happened recently? The Coptic pope Tawadros II released a statement
refusing to meet with Pence as he plans to visit the region. His trip was
postponed ostensibly due to the US tax vote in the senate. That may be true, or
not. It will be interesting to see if he actually makes the trip at all.
As far as Evangelicals in Israel, they're welcome to visit as
tourists. And yet Netanyahu is lying through his teeth when he makes pretense
of a harmonious relationship and existence. Israel is notoriously hostile to
missionaries and any sort of evangelism. It has been labeled by many as one of
the most anti-Christian nations in the world. Pastors have been kicked out of
the country if they are suspected of attempting to evangelise.
Netanyahu is completely disingenuous, except for the fact
that he's thrilled that Trump is supporting Likud's policies and that Obama is
out of office.
Will he really give personal tours? I highly doubt it. More
likely you'll get to watch video clips of him describing certain places that
you visit. It will be like a Rick Steves video but with Netanyahu as the host.
In the meantime this video will be watched by thousands of
Evangelicals. It may even be shown in churches across the United States.
Netanyahu has all the lingo just right. Judeo-Christian indeed. While it comes
across as plastic and disingenuous to many, I know Evangelicals will find it
moving. I remember the Israel worship from when I was in those circles and
participating in the mission, and giving money to the cause is reckoned a high
honour.
Glad to hear you're keeping your head above water. We had the most snow I've ever seen here a few days ago... car travel completely off limits for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteInteresting reflections. And I know what you mean about distinctions not being made between different church groups. You've written about Brother Andrew before: the organisation he founded is in a nearby town to us and I've supported them over many years (applied for some jobs there, too, actually). They do support any Christian church indiscriminately without making anything of the differences. Do you think that's wrong? I know you think true Christians would leave the RCC or Orthodox churches... but couldn't there still be true believers among them?
That said, I've become very aware of the problems with the 'advocacy' campaigns such groups run, getting MPs and European powers to push for the human rights of persecuted Christians. I don't need to spell out the problems there.
Yeah I saw that snow you guys got. Pretty crazy for the UK. Some of the areas near me got almost 3 feet... today I was slogging through about 18" trying to get to the place I was working. It hadn't been plowed out and my van couldn't make it.
ReplyDeleteI found Brother Andrew's writings to be quite interesting...even moving. I know there's been some controversy with him in recent years. I don't know. I go back and forth. It's kind of like that with VOM and some other groups. Sometimes I want to give them money (and do)... other times I feel like I don't want to give them a dime!
Yes, I think there are probably some true believers in the Orthodox world and maybe even the RC.... especially in certain foreign contexts... Syria, Eastern Turkey, Africa or even parts of Asia. I'm probably a little more sceptical when it comes to the West. That said, there's precious little about Evangelical Protestantism that would want to make anyone convert.... at least from my perspective. The Orthodox and especially RCC spectrums are so big you can find almost anything.
Yeah, I'm pretty leery of calling on the Western powers to throw their weight around on behalf of the Church. I think that creates many more problems than it solves.
For a guy who's trying to downplay and evade charges of scandal, ol' Bibi's son isn't helping much is he?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.timesofisrael.com/yair-netanyahus-night-of-debauchery-revealed-in-bombshell-recordings/?utm_source=yair-netanyahus-night-of-debauchery-revealed-in-bombshell-recordings&utm_medium=desktop-browser&utm_campaign=desktop-notifications