Leaders of the UMJC and MJAA
joined forces again this month (see "UMJC, MJAA respond to Messer video)
to issue a statement on a matter of deep concern for the Messianic Jewish
community. The statement, on the "Christ at the Checkpoint" conference
scheduled for March 5-9 in Bethlehem, included leaders of the International
Messianic Jewish Alliance and the International Association of Messianic
Congregations and Synagogues. The first "Christ at the Checkpoint"
conference, held in 2010, drew much criticism for its biased treatment of the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and promotion for this year's event raises the
same concerns (see www.christatthecheckpoint.com.) Here is the joint
statement in full (or you can hear it read at http://youtu.be/Mk0GPnPqtj0):
As representatives of the international
Messianic Jewish community, we raise deep concerns about the anti-Israel and,
indeed, unbiblical nature of the Christ
at the Checkpoint conference soon to be held in Bethlehem.
The Messianic Jewish community has noted the
growing opposition to Zionism and the state of Israel within some elements of
the Evangelical Christian world. Such opposition ignores the profound and
ancient connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and the
modern history of the founding of the state of Israel. Equally troubling,
this opposition is often linked to a resurgent supersessionism, the doctrine
that the church replaces Israel as God’s covenant partner. This theology,
which has led historically to anti-Semitism and the tragic oppression of the
Jewish people, appears to permeate this entire conference.
The conference is being promoted
internationally and features speakers from around the world, including
prominent American and European Christians, several of whom have a decidedly
anti-Israel bias. We address the following to the conference organizers as
evidence of our concerns:
In the tragedy of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict there are two claimants to justice, Jews and Arabs, and true
reconciliation efforts must recognize this reality. We urge you, therefore,
to be true to your own affirmations and disassociate from all anti-Semitic
and anti-Jewish expressions during your upcoming conference. You have taken a
stand against Zionism as “ethnocentric.” We disagree with this
characterization and challenge you instead to take a stand against
anti-Semitism, against jihad, against fascism in the Arab world, and against
the cult of child martyrdom, as promoted by many opponents of Israel,
including several that have hosted visits by your organizers.
We urge you to state support for peace efforts
between Israel and the Arab world that recognize the existence of Israel as a
Jewish state, and its right to firm and secure borders, without any threat of
terrorism.
We urge you to remember the terrible history of
Christian supersessionism, which led to invalidating the Jewish people and
their unique covenant with God, stripping away the Jewishness of the Biblical
message of redemption for all through the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), and
promulgating Biblical interpretation that demonized the Jewish people and
inevitably resulted in centuries of Christian anti-Semitism and persecution
of the Jewish people.
And, finally, we urge you to remember the words
of that famous Rabbi, Paul of Tarsus, who wrote these words to Gentile
Christians concerning their relationship with the early Messianic Jews and
the Jewish people:
But if some of the branches are broken off, and
you, though a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now
share in the nourishing root that supports you. Do not be arrogant toward the
branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the
root that supports you. (Rom. 11:17-18)
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012
„Evanghelici” care se raliază împotriva Israelului
Luna trecută a avut loc o conferință în Betleem sub auspiciile organizației The Christ at the Checkpoint. Scopul conferinței? De a mobiliza „evanghelici” împotriva Israelului și de a apăra „cauza” palestiniană. Printre vorbitori au figurat liberali ca și Tony Campolo, Lynne Hybels, Ron Sider și alții. Intențiile acestor vorbitori nu au fost voalate cu nimic. Ei consideră că problema lumii noastre constă în „ocupația” teritoriilor „palestiniene” de către israel. Citind discursurile acestor trădători ai cauzei evanghelice te întrebi ce anume cunosc acești predicatori din escatotlogia biblică? Cât de părtinitori au fost se vede din reacția pe care au avut-o la acest eveniment organizațiile International
Messianic Jewish Alliance și International Association of Messianic
Congregations and Synagogues. Iată răspunsul acestor organizații oferit la declarația conferinței:
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