Protestantism

» Migisi - Judeophilia

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Blank Cheque
http://www.subter.com/is/?p=77
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Snippets:
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"This support amounts to a blank cheque. It is uncritical and absolute. As such, it draws criticism. If Israel can rely on a powerful friend regardless of the circumstances or their behaviour, why should Israel seek peace? Why should Israel respect international law if it can ignore it with impunity? When George Bush was president he held out American support in order to get the Knesset to back the Oslo agreement. His son, however, is a Dispensationalist and as president has made his unwavering support for Israel very clear. Of course, since Israel's founding America has been a friend - and the first President Bush was no exception - so even as we take Dispensationalist support into consideration, we should remember that Israel has always acted in its perceived best interest.
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Another criticism is that the Dispensationist understanding of modern Israel is naïve, even simplistic. That it mistakes the 20th century Jewish state for one that ended two thousand years ago. But the identification of these two nations as being one and the same is the basis of modern Israel itself. Why did the Jews resettle in Palestine if they didn't associate it with the Judean Kingdom the Romans had forced their forefathers from? Moreover, Dispensationalists have also been criticized because - as explained above - they don't care as much about the Jewish people as they do for the place the Jews have in their prophetic interpretations. Some have extended this criticism into an accusation of anti-Semitism because of the belief that the Jews will be brought into Christianity eventually. But the reality is that both sides are using the other. Dispensationalists support Israel because they see is as instrumental in the return of Jesus, Israel courts Dispensationalists because they want an influential friend. No one in the Israeli government actually believes that there will be a Rapture, a Tribulation, or that Jesus is coming. So what harm will there be in encouraging Dispensationalists?
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"..Dispensationalists believe that the hatred so widely felt for Israel is all a part of God's plan. That its neighbours will seek to destroy it. That blood will flow like rivers throughout the country. In spite of the fact that Jesus Himself said, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9), Dispensationalists see the peace process as a tool of Satan, a stepping stone to the One World Government of the Anti-Christ. It is enough to give one pause; or, it should be enough. Even if one were to stick to religious ideals, the Bible says that God judges each man according to his works (Rev 20:13). That there is no blank cheque, no free pass, from the consequences of our behaviour. So how can a relationship inspired by Christian teachings take hope in each suicide bombing and retaliatory strike? Dispensationalists have set a high standard as supporters of Israel, they need to act as true friends of Israel and temper that support with the values they themselves prescribe."

-- posted by Migisi