Holy Land churches attack Christian Zionism
Pastor Dale Morgan
Holy Land churches attack Christian Zionism*
By Matthew Tostevin
Reuters
Thursday, August 31, 2006; 1:53 PM
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Vatican's envoy in the Holy Land and bishops
from three other churches have launched a rare joint attack on the
Christian Zionist movement, accusing it of promoting "racial exclusivity
and perpetual war."
Christian Zionists form a growing part of the pro-Israel lobby in the
United States, the Jewish state's main ally. They believe the return of
Jews to the Holy Land and establishment of Israel are proof of God's
promises to biblical patriarchs.
Churches in the Middle East often appear closer to the Palestinians,
whose Christian minority makes up a substantial portion of their clergy
in the region.
The "Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism" was signed by Latin
Patriarch Michel Sabbah, a Palestinian, and by bishops of the Catholic,
Anglican/Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran and Syrian Orthodox Churches in
Jerusalem.
Many Christian Zionists are evangelical Protestants, and the declaration
is a sign of a growing struggle between the groups.
"The Christian Zionist programme provides a world view where the Gospel
is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism,"
said the declaration, accusing Christian Zionists of hurting hopes for
Middle East peace.
"We reject the teachings of Christian Zionism that facilitate and
support these policies as they advance racial exclusivity and perpetual
war," the declaration added.
The three main Christian Zionist groups in Jerusalem said in a statement
that they were concerned at the declaration's "inflammatory language"
and that it was far from the truth.
Christian Zionists stress Christianity's Jewish roots. Some back the
movement to settle the occupied West Bank, the cradle of Jewish
civilization, which Palestinians want as part of an independent state.
INFLAMMATORY
"We pray for peace. But we note with sadness that the present
Palestinian government is totally dedicated to the destruction of
Israel," the Christian Zionist groups said in their statement, referring
to the governing Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
The prospect of Middle East peace talks has looked even more unlikely
since Hamas's election victory in January. The group is formally
dedicated to destroying Israel.
"The problem in the region is not as simple as the Jerusalem Declaration
makes out," the Christian Zionists' statement said.
Some Christian Zionists believe that the return of the Jews to the Holy
Land will bring about the end of the world and the Second Coming of
Jesus Christ. Some also believe Jews themselves will have to become
Christians or perish.
The Christian Zionist groups in Jerusalem said they had no "thirst for
Armageddon" and do not base their theological position on "end time
prophecy." They called for dialogue with the clerics behind the
declaration that condemned them.
Christian Zionism is strongest in the United States, where support is
much higher than in Europe or other parts of the world for Israel in its
conflicts with the Palestinians and in its recent war with Hizbollah
guerrillas in Lebanon.
James Rudin, senior advisor on inter-religious affairs for the American
Jewish Committee in New York, said there are "millions and millions of
American Christians" who support Israel but who do not consider
themselves Zionists.
He said they represent a core of support far larger than those who base
their backing of Israel on the Bible.
(Additional reporting by Tom Heneghan in Paris and Mike Conlon in Chicago)