On October 7, 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reignited, drawing attention from Christian communities.
Among some Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Sabbatarian denominations, there is staunch support for Israel with a leaning toward Zionism. To them, Jews are God's chosen people, and the modern establishment of Israel validates Jesus' prophecies. The building of the Third Temple by Jews is considered a sign of the Lord's return. They believe in the unity between Christians and Jews, advocating mutual support. Therefore, regardless of Israel's foreign relations, they strongly back Israel's strikes against Hamas.
Within this group, there's also a strong inclination towards Judaic faith practices. They show less enthusiasm for church holidays like Christmas but persistently observe Jewish festivals like the Passover and Sukkot. They adhere to dietary principles outlined in the Old Testament. Their extreme support for Israel becomes inevitable.
Others, not necessarily followers of Zionism, hold clear political tendencies or harbor hatred towards a certain religion, hence supporting Israel. For instance, one male believer, after a friend was killed by terrorists at Kunming Railway Station, harbored resentment towards a specific religion and believed Israel must eliminate Hamas.
However, many Christians oppose blind support for Israel. Most of them belong to traditional churches (such as Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, and Catholic denominations). They see Judaism and the Christian faith as distinct. Though Jews were chosen, they didn't accept Jesus. Moreover, there's a long history of antisemitism in church history, with theologians like Martin Luther strongly criticizing Jews.
Due to these faith differences, they can't blindly support Israel. They claim that this secular state not only hasn't accepted Jesus but also discriminates against and sometimes persecutes Christians. Tel Aviv, Israel's capital, is renowned as a "homosexual haven," further challenging Christians to support such a rebellious nation.
One male believer even said, "I used to have a positive view of Jews, but living in Israel, I discovered they aren't friendly towards Christians. There's rejection and discrimination. I even find some of the actions by a certain leader' understandable."
These believers contend that the term "new Israel" used in the Bible does not refer to Jews but rather to the Jesus-founded church when discussing the issue of Israel's restoration. True restoration for Jews doesn't involve building a secular state, but the entire populace turning to Jesus (even Orthodox Judaism shares this belief and waits for the Messiah). The concept of a Third Temple is deeply flawed because Jesus said the temple is a Christian’s body, not a physical structure.
Concerning the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, these believers mostly maintain an objective stance, condemning Hamas' terrorist actions while pointing out Israel's injustices that provoke Palestinian resistance. However, it's the ordinary people who suffer the most and warrant attention. It's not about supporting either side but praying for peace to prevail.
One female believer mentioned, "Both sides in this conflict lack righteousness; there must be an early ceasefire. If we truly love the Jewish people, it's not about supporting them on the wrong path but praying for their repentance and acceptance of Jesus as their Savior. That's genuine love."
Additionally, some believers neither explicitly support either side nor hold much interest in theology. They view war as suffering and killing as contrary to the Ten Commandments, believing that Christians must pray for world peace.
These are the views of some Christians I've encountered recently regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue. As a strong supporter of the catholic Church, I agree with the viewpoint that Jewish repentance and belief in Jesus are necessary, and Zionism doesn't align with the spirit of the New Testament.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
2023年10月7日，巴以再度引发冲突，在基督徒群体中，也都在关注此事。
在一些福音派、多数灵恩派以及某些守安息日的宗派中，他们都是以色列的坚定支持者，存在锡安主义的倾向。在他们看来犹太人是上主的选民，当代以色列复国表明了耶稣预言的正确性，而当犹太人建立第三圣殿时，就是主的再来。基督徒与犹太人是一体的，必须相互支持。因而无论以色列对外关系上如何，都会不遗余力的支持，他们强烈地支持以色列打击哈马斯。
这些人当中还存在强烈的犹太化信仰倾向，他们对圣诞节等教会节期并不热衷，反而每年坚持过逾越节、住棚节等等犹太节期。在饮食习惯上，也遵循旧约的原则。他们极端支持以色列就成了必然。
还有的人虽然并非锡安主义的信奉者，但他们有明显的政治倾向或出于对某教的仇视，因此也是以色列的支持者。比如有位弟兄自从朋友在昆明火车站被恐怖分子杀害后，就对某教充满怨恨，认为以色列必须剿灭哈马斯。
但也有很多弟兄姐妹反对盲目支持以色列，他们大多是传统教会的信徒（比如部分改革宗、路德宗、圣公会以及天主教等等）。在他们看来，犹太教与基督信仰是不同的，犹太人虽然是选民，但至今都没有接受耶稣。而且在教会历史上，有着悠久的反犹主义，马丁路德等神学家更是大力批判犹太人。
由于信仰的不同，我们就不能盲目支持以色列。因为这个世俗国家至今不仅没有接受耶稣，还存在歧视甚至迫害基督徒的行为。而以色列首都特拉维夫是举世闻名的“同性恋圣地”，如此悖逆的国家，不值得基督徒支持。
有位弟兄甚至说：“我原来对犹太人充满好感，可是到以色列生活后发现，他们对基督徒并不友好，排斥、歧视的行为屡有发生。我甚至觉得当年‘元首’某些做法是可以理解的。”
在以色列复国问题上，这些信徒也表示，《圣经》中的“新以色列”并非指犹太人，而是耶稣所建立的教会。犹太人真正复国并非建立世俗的国家，而是全民都归向耶稣（正统派犹太教也这么认为，只是他们还在等弥赛亚来临）。第三圣殿的说法更是严重错误，因为耶稣说圣殿就是我们的身体，而非有形的建筑。
在当前巴以冲突上，这些信徒大多持客观的立场，既谴责哈马斯的恐怖行为，也指出以色列在某些事情上存在不义，才遭到了巴勒斯坦人的反抗。但伤害最大的还是普通老百姓，他们才是需要关注的。因此不是支持其中的哪一方，而是要为此祈祷，求上主止息战火。
有位姐妹就说：“这场冲突双方都不正义，必须早日停火。我们如果真爱犹太人，不是支持他们在错误的路上继续走下去。而是要为他们祈祷，让他们早日悔改，接受耶稣为救主。只有这样才是真正的爱。”
此外，还有一些信徒并没有明确支持哪一方，对于神学也缺乏兴趣。但认为战争就是苦难，杀戮是违背十诫的行为，基督徒必须为世界和平祷告。
以上就是这几天笔者接触的一些基督徒对于巴以问题的看法，由于本人是大公教会的坚定支持者，因此赞同犹太人必须悔改信主的观点，并认为锡安主义并不符合新约的精神。
基督徒是如何看待巴以冲突的，真的必须支持以色列吗？
On October 7, 2023, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reignited, drawing attention from Christian communities.
Among some Evangelical, Pentecostal, and Sabbatarian denominations, there is staunch support for Israel with a leaning toward Zionism. To them, Jews are God's chosen people, and the modern establishment of Israel validates Jesus' prophecies. The building of the Third Temple by Jews is considered a sign of the Lord's return. They believe in the unity between Christians and Jews, advocating mutual support. Therefore, regardless of Israel's foreign relations, they strongly back Israel's strikes against Hamas.
Within this group, there's also a strong inclination towards Judaic faith practices. They show less enthusiasm for church holidays like Christmas but persistently observe Jewish festivals like the Passover and Sukkot. They adhere to dietary principles outlined in the Old Testament. Their extreme support for Israel becomes inevitable.
Others, not necessarily followers of Zionism, hold clear political tendencies or harbor hatred towards a certain religion, hence supporting Israel. For instance, one male believer, after a friend was killed by terrorists at Kunming Railway Station, harbored resentment towards a specific religion and believed Israel must eliminate Hamas.
However, many Christians oppose blind support for Israel. Most of them belong to traditional churches (such as Reformed, Lutheran, Anglican, and Catholic denominations). They see Judaism and the Christian faith as distinct. Though Jews were chosen, they didn't accept Jesus. Moreover, there's a long history of antisemitism in church history, with theologians like Martin Luther strongly criticizing Jews.
Due to these faith differences, they can't blindly support Israel. They claim that this secular state not only hasn't accepted Jesus but also discriminates against and sometimes persecutes Christians. Tel Aviv, Israel's capital, is renowned as a "homosexual haven," further challenging Christians to support such a rebellious nation.
One male believer even said, "I used to have a positive view of Jews, but living in Israel, I discovered they aren't friendly towards Christians. There's rejection and discrimination. I even find some of the actions by a certain leader' understandable."
These believers contend that the term "new Israel" used in the Bible does not refer to Jews but rather to the Jesus-founded church when discussing the issue of Israel's restoration. True restoration for Jews doesn't involve building a secular state, but the entire populace turning to Jesus (even Orthodox Judaism shares this belief and waits for the Messiah). The concept of a Third Temple is deeply flawed because Jesus said the temple is a Christian’s body, not a physical structure.
Concerning the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, these believers mostly maintain an objective stance, condemning Hamas' terrorist actions while pointing out Israel's injustices that provoke Palestinian resistance. However, it's the ordinary people who suffer the most and warrant attention. It's not about supporting either side but praying for peace to prevail.
One female believer mentioned, "Both sides in this conflict lack righteousness; there must be an early ceasefire. If we truly love the Jewish people, it's not about supporting them on the wrong path but praying for their repentance and acceptance of Jesus as their Savior. That's genuine love."
Additionally, some believers neither explicitly support either side nor hold much interest in theology. They view war as suffering and killing as contrary to the Ten Commandments, believing that Christians must pray for world peace.
These are the views of some Christians I've encountered recently regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue. As a strong supporter of the catholic Church, I agree with the viewpoint that Jewish repentance and belief in Jesus are necessary, and Zionism doesn't align with the spirit of the New Testament.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Christians Oppose Blindly Supporting Israel Over Israel-Hamas War
