High-Profile Evangelical Backs Out of Pro-Israel Event, Blames Shas Legislation
From the French Journal Chretien:
Christian radio talk-show host Janet Parshall, a high-profile American evangelical known for her strong support of Israel, has dropped out of a Jerusalem conference sponsored by a Christian caucus of the Israeli Parliament...Parshall says she is also troubled that the strict religious political party Shas has yet again introduced legislation in the Knesset that would give up to a one-year prison sentence for people who share the gospel in Israel.
-- i.e., to people who perform religious coercion, because the practice of Christianity in Israel is not affected --
"I thought, wait a minute : we can’t just blindly support Israel," she observes. "We have to be able to tell them, as a friend, [that] you can’t do that. You can’t silence us. "The Christian radio commentator says Israel understands by now who evangelical Christians are...Also, Parshall points out, there is the added problem of censoring Christian evangelism, i.e., that "as Israel begins to move deeper and deeper in that direction, they start to replicate their Islamic neighbors."
Meanwhile, the evangelical spokeswoman notes, she believes an "evolution" has occurred in the Christian pro-Israel lobby, often characterized by "a kind of blind support that says no matter what Israel does, Israel can do no wrong."
However, Parshall contends, "I don’t believe that of our government and I certainly don’t believe that of the Israeli government. And friends tell friends, in love, when they see things that they think are wrong."
But Parshall says there are some in the Christian pro-Israel lobby who harbor such a "blind allegiance to Israel" that they even foster a belief that there is a different plan of salvation for the Jews. "That’s not true," she insists. "Scripture says there’s one name under heaven whereby all men will be saved."
Christians should not have to "choose between the cross or Israel," the American evangelical says.
Yes, but Jews shouldn't have to choose between staying Jewish and anything. The Evangelical pro-Israel lobby's value to Israel is noted quite often, but giving carte blanche to missionizing organizations may prove too high a cost to pay for a boon to the Israeli economy.
And again, the legislation is talking about minors, and does not impact Christian worship at all. Furthermore, it most negatively impacts Jewish outreach organizations. Ms. Parshall must realize that Jewish identity -- and that identity's being unique from a Christian one -- is a very important idea for many Jews, especially in Israel, and her mission, which she refers to as "spreading love", negates that concept.
Ms. Parshall forgets -- many Israelis are in Israel because of the cross.
Comments
All I have to say is “Amen.” Generally speaking, Evangelical interests in Jews and Israel is selfish and rooted in religious arrogance!
Posted by: Elijah | March 28, 2007 06:47 PM
Doesn't the Catholic church recognize that Jews are, in fact, automatically saved by virtue of our unique covenant? I realize that not all Christians are Catholics, but still...
Posted by: Yoel | March 28, 2007 09:32 PM
I don't believe the Catholic Church actually holds that position. There have been statements made by the current Pope that I think contradict that statement.
In general, this is and always will be the problem with interfaith relations between Judaism and Christianity. Many Christians believe that it is their sacred obligation to evangelize, proselytize, and convert everyone to their religion. They find this in their New Testament, and it is fundamental to their beliefs.
This is precisely the point at which interfaith dialogue must break down, at least if not approached with an extreme sensitivity to what we say and how we say it. For example, there are Christian blogs out there written by people who seem to have a genuine love and appreciation for Jews and for our faith. Yet I saw one recently where the author seemed puzzled, if not outright offended, at some of the materials that kiruv organizations like Jews for Judaism puts out to those who have fallen away from the flock under the attraction of so-called "messianic Jews."
We don't, however, have much choice other than to approach the issue directly. My oldest and dearest friend is an evangelical, and I had to have a talk with him recently where I simply told him that if he truly loved me as the friend and brother that I am to him, he will have to respect me and put aside his perceived obligation to show me his way to salvation. This is, though, much easier to deal with between to incredibly close friends than it is at a distance.
I think it is asking too much to request of bible believing Christians that they reject what they consider to be one of the tenets of their faith. The most I think we can ask is that they try to understand where we are coming from -- we are a tiny minority in the world, we've been under siege quite literally for millennia, and every Jew is a precious treasure to us of immeasurable value. There are billions of people in the world they can approach if they truly feel they are obligated to increase their masses. In the meantime, we are striving as best we can to live holy lives in accordance with the dictates of our deeply held beliefs, and if they respect us at all, they will for the time being leave us alone until the day comes when Moshiach comes a-calling. On that day, one we are literally all waiting for together, we will all know what the truth of the matter is.
Posted by: NLG | March 29, 2007 11:24 AM
It's an impressive sort of idiocy that doesn't understand why it is inherently wrong to proselytize in the Jewish State.
Why would a Jew, any Jew, want to be proselytized to in the Jewish State, the place we have to escape persecution? And why can't they seem to see that position?
Posted by: Yitzhakofeir | April 12, 2007 06:09 PM