Following Joel Barder's recent article on Zionism and racism, "'Zionism is racism' falls short – here's why", this article by Rory McClure, pastor of Parkside Evangelical Church, part of the FIEC, further explores some of the related theological issues.
The continuing conflicts in the Middle East present Christians with difficult questions. How should we respond to the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians? Should Christians have a particular sympathy for Israel because of its place in Biblical history? Does God's covenant with Abraham give the modern State of Israel a special claim upon our support? How should the teaching of Jesus shape our attitudes towards these conflicts? These are theological and moral questions that deserve careful thought in the light of Scripture.
As Christians, we are still a work in progress, and our natural instinct is to take sides, sympathise with one and assume the worst about the other. Nevertheless, Christ calls us to something better:
'Zionism is racism' falls short – here's why
I would like to introduce you to three people.First, Khaled Kabub. Born in Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, to Muslim …