{"id":975,"date":"2017-04-30T12:30:28","date_gmt":"2017-04-30T16:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/isittheendoftheworld\/?p=975"},"modified":"2017-04-30T12:30:28","modified_gmt":"2017-04-30T16:30:28","slug":"a-biblical-watchman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/isittheendoftheworld\/2017\/04\/a-biblical-watchman.html","title":{"rendered":"A Biblical Watchman"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bible often refers to \u201cwatchmen\u201d and \u201cwatchmen on the wall,\u201d the latter specifically in place to protect Israel in a variety of ways. In our own day, that involves advocacy work. <\/p>\n

In the American church, that role is less popular than it used to be. In fact, a watchman for Israel is seen too often as divisive and politically incorrect. Sadly and ironically, the Evangelical community in America is hyper-vigilant about being politically correct. One of those slices of PC is that we must temper our support of Israel. After all, goes the conventional \u201cwisdom,\u201d Israel is not and has not tended enough to the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
\n\"Jon<\/a> <\/p>\n

What though are the aspirations of the Palestinian people? I well remember an interview with a journalist years ago. He was asked what the Syrian people want (in the context of Israel returning the Golan Heights). He said, \u201cWho knows what the Syrian people want? We know what Assad wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

So true. I don\u2019t quibble that the Palestinian people probably want their own state. The problem is, the leadership is corrupt and still an enemy of the Jewish people. But until practical leadership emerges among the Palestinians, I believe the two-state solution is a catastrophe waiting to happen.<\/p>\n

But I digress.<\/p>\n

There are several marvelous pro Israel groups that cater to an evangelical audience. I applaud the wonderful work they do. I do take exception in one area, however.<\/p>\n

People \u201con the right\u201d or \u201cconservative\u201d tend to be less confrontational than their left-wing counterparts. Put another way, one conservative icon once told me that conservatives don\u2019t like to fight.<\/p>\n

Correct. For the most part.<\/p>\n

That mindset has caused us to shrink from aggressively advocating for Israel, while the so-called \u201cChristian Palestinianists\u201d viciously and relentlessly oppose Israel. They do this through publishing, conferences, and ministry focus. <\/p>\n

Some will take issue with my claim that we aren\u2019t advocating aggressively enough for Israel. Let me be more specific.<\/p>\n

I am convinced that a huge key to advocating for Israel in the church is to name names of those who oppose God\u2019s people. Most if not all of my compatriots disagree. <\/p>\n

Two years ago, two large pro Israel groups asked me to write an article for them, outlining the problems with the erosion of support for Israel in the church. This necessarily involves naming ministry names, etc.<\/p>\n

I was shocked (I could still be shocked then) that both groups passed on the articles I submitted. Keep in mind, they came to me. Both told me that in essence, the articles were too \u201chot.\u201d <\/p>\n

This mindset is why we are seeing an erosion of support for Israel. To shine a light on Lynne Hybels\u2019 advocacy for the Palestinians (she masks it with her \u201cpro, pro, pro\u201d clap-trap) is to poke the eye of the monolithic Willow Creek Association. To point out Russell Moore\u2019s social progressive agenda, and his silence about Israel is to incur the wrath of his friends in the Southern Baptist Convention. Citing the anti-Israel writings of Millennial leaders like Cameron Strang and Donald Miller invites criticism from their followers. Pointing out the anti-Israel stance of World Vision brings out those who accuse me of opposing relief efforts for the poor.<\/p>\n

That last point, of course, is classic deflection. I don\u2019t oppose helping the poor in other countries. I do oppose WV\u2019s opposition of the Jewish state.<\/p>\n

Until we are willing to expose the villains in this drama, things will continue as they are.<\/p>\n

Within one more generation, support for Israel in America will look very different from its predecessors. <\/p>\n

And we wonder whether certain prophetic passages in the Hebrew Scriptures are meant for our time?<\/p>\n

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.<\/p>\n

Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.<\/em> (Zechariah 14:2,3) <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Bible often refers to \u201cwatchmen\u201d and \u201cwatchmen on the wall,\u201d the latter specifically in place to protect Israel in a variety of ways. In our own day, that involves advocacy work. In the American church, that role is less popular than it used to be. 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