Steven Shamrak recently wrote a commentary for Arutz Sheva called "A Message to Christian Friends" (Nov 21, 2005/19 Cheshvan 5766). To use his own words, Steven made the observation that he had not heard "condemnations made by the 'true Christians' of the anti-Semitic behavior and Israel-bashing by their Christian brothers in the past and the present." He went on to state that "most of them [the 'true Christians'] are silent about Arab terrorism in Israel, anti-Semitic acts in their own countries and the anti-Israel, discriminatory behavior of the United Nations, the European Union, the Red Cross and the USA, as well."
I am a "Christian" and I must state that I whole-heartedly agree with Steven's comments.
But I don't want to write this commentary to "the Church leaders and Christian leadership of the US and European governments." I want to write it to the Jewish people, as a 'Christian'. (I really don't like to be called a "Christian" because of all that it may imply, but I understand using the label.)
I know that you do not see Christian leaders speaking out against what is happening in Israel in regards to Islamic terrorism and the pressure put upon the Israeli people by the Bush administration, or any of the other things that Steven mentioned. I believe that a good part of that is due to self-preservation, wanting to protect one's own interests more than G-d's interests. But, as I said, I do not want to dwell on that aspect of it.
What I do want to say is that there are many "Christians" that do support you that you may not be aware of. Most of them are people who do not have large ministries, or any outlet in the mainstream media. Many of us do have web sites and newsletters that we publish, although they do not have massive circulation numbers. Still, they are enough that G-d is able to work with them and through them.
I can understand when Steven says, "From the Jewish point of view, it is difficult to distinguish the true friends among the Christian groups. Most of them claim friendship, but actually have sinister motives." I agree one hundred percent. Your concern is justified after nearly 2,000 years of persecution by so-called "Christians" and the Church in general. It's also frustrating to us, because it sometimes makes it harder to accomplish what we are doing to offer you support. But, as I said, I understand your concerns. I also have concerns many times when dealing with other "Christians". It shouldn't be that way, but, the fact is, it just is.
There are many of us who are not concerned with what our government thinks, although many of us in the US are concerned with what it is doing to Israel and the Jewish people. There are many of us who fully support you and your right to live in the Land, "from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates," no matter what any government or Church leader may say. We do not support you so that we may be blessed or to stop any judgment against the country we live in. We support you because G-d has chosen you as His people and has given the Land of Israel to you. Any blessings that we receive are a side-benefit of the work that we do, not the focus of it.
I have heard Christian leaders declare that there are 70 million Evangelical Christians in the US who support you. There truth of the matter is, there is not anywhere near that amount. How do I know? By mere observation. Look at the demonstrations, the conferences, the rallies. The numbers are just not there. In a recent interview with Tovia Singer of Arutz Sheva, Bill Koenig, a well-known author and publisher of Koenig's International Watch, said that the number of US Christians that support Israel is not as large as is being reported. It's important that you understand this so you are not misled into thinking that we have some great political power or some kind of clout with government leaders. The truth is those who do have clout with the government are not willing to jeopardize their ministries or positions of power for Israel. But that's fine. G-d never needed a large group of people to work through. There are enough of us that we can do the work that is needed.
Israel, just know that there are "Christians" who fully support you and are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what the cost. We are not trying to convert you, nor do we have a hidden agenda. I only ask that you judge each of us on our own merits and not on the deeds of those who have gone before us. Blessings to you. Am Yisrael Chai!
I am a "Christian" and I must state that I whole-heartedly agree with Steven's comments.
But I don't want to write this commentary to "the Church leaders and Christian leadership of the US and European governments." I want to write it to the Jewish people, as a 'Christian'. (I really don't like to be called a "Christian" because of all that it may imply, but I understand using the label.)
I know that you do not see Christian leaders speaking out against what is happening in Israel in regards to Islamic terrorism and the pressure put upon the Israeli people by the Bush administration, or any of the other things that Steven mentioned. I believe that a good part of that is due to self-preservation, wanting to protect one's own interests more than G-d's interests. But, as I said, I do not want to dwell on that aspect of it.
What I do want to say is that there are many "Christians" that do support you that you may not be aware of. Most of them are people who do not have large ministries, or any outlet in the mainstream media. Many of us do have web sites and newsletters that we publish, although they do not have massive circulation numbers. Still, they are enough that G-d is able to work with them and through them.
I can understand when Steven says, "From the Jewish point of view, it is difficult to distinguish the true friends among the Christian groups. Most of them claim friendship, but actually have sinister motives." I agree one hundred percent. Your concern is justified after nearly 2,000 years of persecution by so-called "Christians" and the Church in general. It's also frustrating to us, because it sometimes makes it harder to accomplish what we are doing to offer you support. But, as I said, I understand your concerns. I also have concerns many times when dealing with other "Christians". It shouldn't be that way, but, the fact is, it just is.
There are many of us who are not concerned with what our government thinks, although many of us in the US are concerned with what it is doing to Israel and the Jewish people. There are many of us who fully support you and your right to live in the Land, "from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates," no matter what any government or Church leader may say. We do not support you so that we may be blessed or to stop any judgment against the country we live in. We support you because G-d has chosen you as His people and has given the Land of Israel to you. Any blessings that we receive are a side-benefit of the work that we do, not the focus of it.
I have heard Christian leaders declare that there are 70 million Evangelical Christians in the US who support you. There truth of the matter is, there is not anywhere near that amount. How do I know? By mere observation. Look at the demonstrations, the conferences, the rallies. The numbers are just not there. In a recent interview with Tovia Singer of Arutz Sheva, Bill Koenig, a well-known author and publisher of Koenig's International Watch, said that the number of US Christians that support Israel is not as large as is being reported. It's important that you understand this so you are not misled into thinking that we have some great political power or some kind of clout with government leaders. The truth is those who do have clout with the government are not willing to jeopardize their ministries or positions of power for Israel. But that's fine. G-d never needed a large group of people to work through. There are enough of us that we can do the work that is needed.
Israel, just know that there are "Christians" who fully support you and are willing to do whatever it takes, no matter what the cost. We are not trying to convert you, nor do we have a hidden agenda. I only ask that you judge each of us on our own merits and not on the deeds of those who have gone before us. Blessings to you. Am Yisrael Chai!