For as long as I can remember, the Middle East has been in turmoil. Arabs and Jews appear to have been at each other’s throats since the day Israel was reborn as a modern nation in may of 1948 (that very day also being known as “al-Nakba” or “the Catastrophe” in the Islamic culture).
Being a Jew born and raised in Paris and as a child of Holocaust survivors, I grew-up in a culture that instilled in me the reality of anti-Semitism as well as the existing hatred between Arabs and Jews. While my own family never taught me to retaliate evil for evil, there was always an underlying uneasiness about “those Arabs who hate us!” as I often heard growing up.
Then I met my Messiah in the summer of 1981. While my growth in Yeshua (Jesus) was slow at first, it was steady and I grew increasingly aware of God’s love for ALL people, Jews, Arabs and anyone else. As difficult as it was for this Jew to really accept that concept, as a follower of the Messiah, I had no other choice but to accept that God not only loves all, but that He also requires us to love all, including our enemies: “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).
This is why I am deeply saddened AND concerned by the recent conference known as “Christ at the Checkpoint” (CatC) that took place March 5-9, 2012 at Bethlehem Bible College. This was the second of its kind after the one that took place in 2010.
The subtitle of the conference was “hope in the midst of conflict”. The theme was advertised as being “peace and reconciliation”. In and of themselves, both the title and theme are commendable efforts to be recognized by anyone, assuming they are an accurate and ethical description of the events that took place. As it turned out, following in the footsteps of the 2010 conference, the 2012 event did not have reconciliation at heart, unless of course reconciliation was the result of a unilateral admission of Israel’s faults in the Middle East crisis. This would of course require recognizing Israel as a guilty occupier and perpetrator of crimes against humanity, hardly a fact!
Advertised on their own website as a huge “evangelical breakthrough” , CatC claims that over 600 local and international Christians gathered (including several Messianic Jews). Many evangelical figures spoke during the conference, bringing their support and endorsements to the cause. It was also stated that:
Conference organizers challenged the evangelical community to cease looking at the Middle East through the lens of “end times” prophecy and instead rallied them to join in following Jesus in the prophetic pursuance of justice, peace and reconciliation.
This prompted a unified response from several Messianic Jewish organizations (a small miracle considering that when you put two Jews in a room, you get three opinions). A response that rightfully so, showed great concern for the direction the Conference was taking
Additionally, CatC organizers including blatant anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic Stephen Sizer, also published a manifesto that was agreed upon and signed by all organizers.
While that manifesto contains some truth, it is ambiguous and misleading at best, but also rather libelous in some cases. A closer look at it in light of God’s Word is necessary. Following in bold is the exact text of the manifesto along with Scripture to either validate its truth or rebuke its error.
The Christ at the Checkpoint Manifesto
The Christ at the Checkpoint Manifesto
The Kingdom of God has come. Evangelicals must reclaim the prophetic role in bringing peace, justice and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel.
DISAGREED: Kingdom Now Theology also known as a variance of Dominion Theology claims among other things, that Yeshua’s Kingdom was inaugurated at His first coming while Scripture states that He will reign as Messianic King on the throne of David from Jerusalem in the yet to come Millennial Messianic Kingdom (Psalm 72:8, 11, 17; Isaiah 9:7, 11:6-11; Jeremiah 23:6, Zechariah 3:10)
Reconciliation recognizes God’s image in one another.
AGREED: God created man and woman in His image, regardless of ethnicity. (Genesis 1:27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24).
Racial ethnicity alone does not guarantee the benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant.
DISAGREED: The benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant as multi-faceted as they are promised to both the Jewish people and the nations through Abraham, yet the physical land is ONLY promised to the Jewish people, ethnic descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 12:1-3, 7; 13:15;17:7-8, 19; 25:5-6; 26:3; 28:3-4; 35:9-15
The Church in the land of the Holy One, has born witness to Christ since the days of Pentecost. It must be empowered to continue to be light and salt in the region, if there is to be hope in the midst of conflict.
AGREED: Yeshua’s last command to His disciples was to make disciples of ALL NATIONS (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:47)
Any exclusive claim to land of the Bible in the name of God is not in line with the teaching of Scripture.
DISAGREED: It must be understood first and foremost that the Land of Israel belongs to God Himself (Leviticus 25:23). God chose to make a covenant with Abraham that would include that piece of land as an eternal AND unconditional part of that covenant. Additionally, God’s gifts are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
All forms of violence must be refuted unequivocally.
AGREED: Yeshua always taught against violence for believers, as a matter of fact, He taught the exact opposite between His followers as well as between His followers and unbelievers, making Christianity a most unique faith were disciples of Messiah must EVEN love their enemies (Matthew 5:39-48; Luke 6:27-35, Romans 12:17-21)
Palestinian Christians must not lose the capacity to self-criticism if they wish to remain prophetic.
AGREED: In any conflict, ALL parties must be willing to recognize fault and prepared to adjust accordingly. (Proverbs 18:12; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:1-17)
There are real injustices taking place in the Palestinian territories and the suffering of the Palestinian people can no longer be ignored. Any solution must respect the equity and rights of Israel and Palestinian communities.
PARTIALLY AGREED AND DISAGREED: While mutual respect of human beings as being made in God’s image is at the core of peace and reconciliation, what is meant by “injustices in the Palestinian territories” remains to be defined. (Genesis 1:27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:24)
For Palestinian Christians, the occupation is the core issue of the conflict.
PARTIALLY AGREED AND DISAGREED: While nobody enjoys living in a land that they feel is theirs and is occupied by a foreign people group, it remains to be proven biblically that Jewish people are the occupiers. All previous Scriptures cited about the Land lead to an opposite view (See verses under points 3 and 5).
Any challenge of the injustices taking place in the Holy Land must be done in Christian love. Criticism of Israel and the occupation cannot be confused with anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
AGREED: While it is possible to disagree with Israeli policies, much of what has been labeled as anti-Israelism or even anti-Zionism has really been anti-Semitism in disguise. Genuine Christian love is at the core of any reconciliation and is irrespective of color or race. (2 Corinthians 5:14; Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 3:14).
Respectful dialogue between Palestinian and Messianic believers must continue. Though we may disagree on secondary matters of theology, the Gospel of Jesus and his ethical teaching take precedence.
PARTIALLY AGREED AND DISAGREED: Respectful dialogue means that both sides must be heard and both sides must listen. Agreeing on the Gospel of Yeshua doesn’t negate God’s covenants with the Jewish people (Romans 1:16; 9-11)
Christians must understand the global context for the rise of extremist Islam. We challenge stereotyping of all faith forms that betray God’s commandment to love our neighbors and enemies.
AGREED: While again I find the statement misleading as it could be taken to mean that there is a justification for radical Islam’s violence, I agree that Christian love is always to be the foundation of any lasting peace and reconciliation (See verses under points 6).
I recognize that the breaking down of the manifesto into sections to be either supported or refuted by God’s Word is non exhaustive at best. Nevertheless, it provides a bit more of a biblical foundation on which to rest for a more balanced approach to the Middle East conflict.
While CatC appears to seek justice and to be interested in hearing both sides (thus the few messianic pro-Zionists on the list of speakers), it is still obvious to me that the scale was heavily tipped by anti-Semitism at worst, and anti-Israelism or anti-Zionism at best. Unfortunately, the very fact that some evangelicals participated in the conference and that many more will endorse its false agenda of “peace and reconciliation” is proof to me that the Body of Messiah has lost its sense of discernment, an issue that we have been warned about regarding the last days.
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Messiah Yeshua, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
This is awesome Olivier! I thank God for you….for your standing in the gap! Thank you for sharing!
Amen Sir 🙂
A detailed piece, Olivier, with lots to ponder. You make some valid points. I’m glad you note the potential for the twelfth point to serve as an excuse for radical Islam, which is what I believe one of the better-known speakers was getting at. I discuss that on my take at http://www.calvinlsmith.com/2012/03/confusion-at-checkpoint.html
There is a complete non-sequitur in the above article. This is that to disagree with a Zionist theology, and to place the promises in Genesis 12 and elsewhere in the context of the New Testament, where it is clear that all Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16) and that Abraham’s descendants are now all people who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 4, which has to be understood before you arrive at Romans 11:29 quoted above) is “anti-Semitic”. As happens so often, “anti-Semitism” is a convenient label to dismiss any dissenting theology (however Biblically-based) or criticism of the Jewish State of Israel. This devalues the term, since real “anti-Semitism” must be abhorrent to all Christians.
The land covenants were not prophecies to be fulfilled, they were promises that G-d swore by his own name to uphold. The new testement does not negate or contradict the old testement, it is your interpretation of the New Testement that is misplaced. The problem is, although you claim to be pushing G-d’s word via vis the Bible you are in fact calling G-d a liar. G-d said the land was his and he gave to the decendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob as an inheretence forever. If I remember my definitions correctly, forever means a little longer then until the Massiah shows up or the new Testement was written.
If G-d lied or miced his words in a legalistic way so he could later claim they meant something else, when he made the clear pronouncement about the land belong to the decendants of Abraham as an inheretence forever, How do you justify the promise of salvation made in the new Testement to Christians? How do you know when Jesus said you will be with me forever in paradise did not mean something besides what we understand forever to mean?
It is like the psuedo scientific Kazhar theroies that some still sprout that have been abd are continuing to be debunked by DNA, yet are still being used to justify the hatred of Jewish people and to mistreat them and steal the land G-d gave them.
The Jewish people coming back into their land and being hated by every nation, especially about Jerusalem was propheced long ago, along with the fate of those who attempted to throw the Jews out of the land. So good luck with your fight with G-d.
If you don’t like your theroies being labled antisemtic, then I would suggest you don’t sprout such antisemetic garbage. What is worse than an antisemite? An antisemite who trys and convince others, especially the Jewish people, they are their best friends and are just protecting their interest and offering honest critisium (sic), when they are actually spueing their hate.
Jeremy, you should read “Future Israel” by Dr. Barry Horner. It is excellent and he explains both sides. It is an exhaustive piece of work.
The way you wrote your non-sequitur piece already tells me that you are anti-Jewish bigot – even if you may be Jewish by decent. You need to go back to the Bible and read what the BIBLE says about Israel and the Jewish People instead of listening to people with “itching ears” who confirm your distorted views of Israel and the Jews. You exposed yourself when you wrote “Zionist theology”. That’s anti-semites favorite phrase when describing Judaism. Zionism is a movement, Judaism is a way of life. Zionist hold fast to the belief that God gave Israel to the Israelites to live in it, BUT YHWH El Shaddai is STILL THE OWNER. They are but landlords until Yeshua haMashiach returns to take possession of it.
The real issue in this debate is that Zionism does not need a theology to justify its existence, let alone a Christian theology. The significance of Christian Zionism has been inflated to such a degree that it is now regularly used as a straw-man in order to deconstruct the Jewish state. The role of Belfour and Lloyd-George was to offer no more than a theoretical agreement to favour the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, that’s as far as it went. As soon as that theoretical agreement became a real possibility then the British Government back-peddled on the whole project.
Who actually provided the wherewithal to establish a Jewish state in Palestine?
1) It was certainly not a mass movement amongst the Jewish diaspora pre WWI. A tiny minority of Jews chose to make any effort to create a homeland in Palestine. Many of those who tried, failed. Other destinations were preferred by the vast majority of persecuted Jews, by a long, long way.
2) Support amongst Christians for the restoration of the Jews to Palestine was even rarer. Yes, there were a few who dreamt about the idea that G-d would restore them to their homeland, but no concrete actions were taken to facilitate such an event.
What really happened was much more interesting and surprising.
Christian anti-Semitism proved to be the main engine to power the reestablishment of the Jewish state. The Jews of Europe, after two millennia of Christendom, were finally given no choice and were left with nowhere else to go.
Most of the Arab Muslim leadership backed the Axis Powers in WWII. The detrimental consequences for Arab Nationalism were incalculable.
Arab and Muslim leaders have locked themselves into conflict with the Jewish state with no hope of success. This state of war has allowed Israel to steadily expand its borders from the 47 partition plan.
Arab and Muslim leaders made the cardinal error of expelling Jews from across the middle-east only to bolster the Jewish state.
The Jews of Palestine could not have arranged those events if they tried and the State of Israel would not have existed without them.
As to theology, it didn’t make a fig of difference.
Ever read about Blackstone, Hechler or indeed about Wingate?
Charles,
I am aware of the moral support given by Blackstone and others. Orde Wingate, though, was truly a one-off. My point isn’t that Christian Zionism played no role whatsoever, but that it was marginal in anything other than political lobbing. The real brass tacks of creating a Jewish state in Palestine was down to a small cadre of Zionist pioneers and their financial backers.
Have you ever read Ezekiel 36 & 37? If you did, you would DEFINITELY know that it was YHWH El Shaddai who caused, YES caused the Jews to return to the land of Israel, thus fulfilling the prophecy He made through the prophet Ezekiel. He caused the return of the Jews to a land that was to be called Israel once again and to speak a “unique” language of their forefathers, Hebrew. Without the intervention of El Shaddai, the Jews would have been wiped off the face of the Earth or so well integrated in the society of the countries that El Shaddai dispersed them to that they would become completely indistinguishable from the people they lived with. BUT El Shaddai made sure that they retained their identity so that they could be gathered together again as a people, a nation and fulfill Bible prophecy. The prophecy isn’t complete because Ezekiel 38-39 are about to come to pass as well. Then Ezekiel 40-48 will come to pass. Be looking for it. It WILL come to pass. El Shaddai is not a man that He should lie. He will cause His word to go forth and accomplish EVERYTHING for which it was sent, and will not return unto Him void!!
Hi, Ms Ezekiel 36,
I’ve lived long enough with the G-d meme to know you could very-well be right, my friend!
Shalom
Olivier, you have nailed it again. It DOES make a difference what we believe, what the Bible says and what history will show–there will be no revisionism when we stand before our Maker!! All will finally know, to their blessing or detriment, that He meant what He said and He changeth NOT!!
Oliver,
Can you share which Messianic Jewish leaders participated and/or Messianic Jewish organizations were represented at this conference?
Dear Monte,
these are the three I could identify on the official CatC list of speakers that you can also visit at:
http://www.christatthecheckpoint.com/index.php/speakers
Wayne Hilsden
Senior Pastor of King of Kings Community in Jerusalem.
Richard Harvey
A Messianic Jew who has been involved in planting Messianic congregations and evangelism with Jews for Jesus.
Evan Thomas
Pastor of the Messianic Congregation Beit Asaph in Netanya, Israel.
Just came across your blog via Rosh Pina. Blessings in Messiah.
Hi Olivier! You mentioned Stephen Sizer. After reading about him it seems quite clear he is a anti-zionist. But could you please show me some links or proof of why you call him an anti-semit?
It would be helpful since i´m studying his ministry a little bit, and since he is a vicar and author.
Best regards/
Kristian
Hi Kristian,
While it’ll be very hard to make him admit that he is because just like all people who are antisemitic, they’d rather hide under the accepted, politically correct facade of ant-Israelism or anti-Zionism.
Start with this:
http://www.ccj.org.uk/Articles/304111/Council_of_Christians/About_Us/Latest_News/CCJ_Statement_About.aspx
http://roshpinaproject.com/tag/anglican-anti-semitism-cover-up/
Respectfully,
Olivier
The Christ at the Checkpoint conference is so focused on earthly politics and religion it never desired to look into the purpose of God, which is, that God “having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth.” Eph. 1:9-10. God’s earthly purpose is found in the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Christ will yet sit on the throne of his father David. The heavenly place is ours (the Christians) by God’s grace. The Lord Jesus Christ will head up both in Himself. The Christ at the checkpoint people confuses these two aspects and Christ as heading all things for God. This tends to scramble the earthly and heavenly together into one great error.
Also overlooked is the fact that God is going to put the whole earth on trial over the issue of Israel. In the end it will be found that the real controversy is over whether the living God is sovereign over the earth. Does God have a right to choose a land and a people for that land, or does He not have that right. To any truly repentant person, who realizes that he is a sinner and needs a Savoir God, the answer is “Yes he is both righteous and has the right to be sovereign in his design and purpose.” To the rest, those who will not submit to the living God and His salvation, He has no right. In which case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of them that believe not. In the end it will be found that all those who reject the God of the Bible, whether they be Atheist, Islamic, Hindu or any other religious or philosophical position, will be found rejecting God’s plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. How amazing is the wisdom of God in all of this. How just are his ways and righteous his dealings! It is truly a controversy between the God who is Light and Love and a Christ rejecting world. May those who read have their eyes opened to the plan and purpose of God in Christ!
I think that at least some of the speakers attempted to challenge the prevailing views of the organisers – see for example Wayne Hilsden’s talk on The Place of the Jewish People in God’s Purposes at http://vimeo.com/38551091 as I suspect many anti-Zionists had not heard anything like this before.
While I would not have attended such a conference, I do admire those who felt called to do so and to challenge the views of folk like Stephen Sizer.
One of the other Messianic speakers (Richard Harvey) is someone I have known personally for over 30 years and I know he is someone who truly desires the reconciliation between Jews and Arabs that is only possible in Yeshua.
I am grateful that, compared with some blogs, the tone of the comments here is quite measured. There are other blogs where if Christians are to be known by their love then nobody would ever believe in Yeshua. We need to learn how to speak the truth in love while still contending for the truth and not allowing a false gospel to be preached. It’s not as easy as it sounds judging from the blogosphere!