Un-Christian support of Israel
I'M CAUGHT in a perfect paradox. I'm a staunch "tongue-speaking" Christian, who believes in the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
Zenoyise MadikwaBut for the life of me, I find it hard to relate to the popular Zionism gospel that is becoming a staple in our black evangelical church pulpits.
I struggle to lift up my holy hands and say "amen" to a teaching that supports Israel's apartheid against defenceless Palestinians, who are oppressed by an evil system disguised as religion.
This gospel suggests the Jews are the chosen people of God and non-Jews, or Gentiles, are second-rate human beings, and anyone who does not subscribe to this belief is not Christian enough. Any dissenting voice is labelled blasphemous.
Almost every Sunday we sit on church pews and listen to our black pastors make "prophetic" declarations that link the state of Israel with our blessings and prosperity.
They use Genesis 12:3, which states: "I will bless those who bless you, whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" to scare congregants into embracing Israel as an assurance that blessings will be bestowed on those who bless the "chosen people of God".
Why don't the people of Palestine not feature in this picture? Do they not also descend from Abraham? How come this does not apply to them? I find the church's stand un-Christian when the people of Palestine are dehumanised in the very place where the birth, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ took place.
Have we forgotten so soon? Didn't some Afrikaners, especially the ones who invented and and supported apartheid, call themselves the "chosen people" ordained by God to rule in South Africa when they were killing people and treating them like sub-humans? As a black person who suffered a similar fate at the hands of oppressors who used religion to demean me and deprive me of my humanity, I find it difficult to believe Jews are the only chosen people of God. As far as I'm concerned, every human being was created in God's image. I believe this theology, legitimising the occupation is distorting the divine being of the people of Palestine.
I shudder to think what would have happened if the world had bought the apartheid lie. No doubt we would still be living under the ungodly system.
I find it mind-blowing that the church of God is not challenging this ungodly attempt to attribute a grave political agenda to God's will.
The biggest question is why is the Zionist message in black churches becoming popular when black people went through what the people of Palestine are going through?
My own interpretation of the situation is that because black people in this country were deprived of economic opportunities, the gospel of Zionism that promises them a blessing, thus a better life, will resonate well with them.
I get an ulcer every time I think my hard-earned tithes and offerings are sponsoring the delivery of a message that is encouraging deprivation and oppression of the people of Palestine.
Did Jesus not give us a new covenant, or do we earn earthly blessings by supporting political Israel, knowing it kills innocent people every day? We need to ask ourselves if the church's stand on the State of Israel tallies with the character of Christ we claim to follow. How do I shout Hallelujah with a clear conscience when this very act of occupation of Palestinian land is a sin against the very God I worship?
If Zionism is right, then Christianity must be wrong.
I challenge the Church of God to go back to basics. There is an urgent need for more dialogue about the Bible interpretation. We need to ask questions that will push for the revision of the current Bible context, taking into consideration the political and social situation.
Solm
The sad thing about us blacks is that we dont seem to like reading.Israel not only aided the Apartheid government in avoiding sanctions, they help build their nuclear weapons.How then can we turn around to sing praises of Israel when they have aided and abated out oppression?Report Abuse
ManChild
What does Israel mean? Does it not mean the child of God? If so, then who is God and who are His children. The new testament of Christ states that no man can come to God except through Christ. so God's children are those who obey Christ. So, Zionism is not dead but alive through Christ for Christ is the Holy One of Israel mention in the old and new testaments.In other words don't compare us, I've never seen a Palestinian in irons chains. I love the Jews and Palestinians as I do all people but how can I support any man Black, white, Indian, or Jew who breaks the covenant of God and seeks the destruction of the seed of promise. They Jews will be saved through mercy and by the Sun of Righteousness.
Man Child, Not Jesus
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mishkafofer
I recommend you to visit Israel and not to recycle of Anti Israeli propaganda.1. Israel is destination for thousands of African refugees from Sudan, Eritrea, Liberia etc. Those people do not stop at Egypt or any other Arab of African state. Israel respect their refugee status and do not shoot them as Egyptians do in the desert.
2. Israel is democratic state and tolerant society. Not like Hamas in Gaza the created a rouge state based on Sharia law. A place were people like you: Non Muslim, Without you body covered, questioning authority and with big mouth are not welcome. On the other hand, Israel will always welcome you, difference of opinions is tolerated and welcomed.
So stop being couch journalist and travel to Israel.
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