Post by Daniel on Jun 9, 2015 8:10:30 GMT -5
by Jim Fletcher
June 8, 2015
I am just returning from the Justice Conference, a two-day affair in Chicago. From the website:
“Our vision is to serve the discovery of ideas, celebrate the beauty of justice, and foster a community of people who live justice together. Now, more than ever, people of faith need to come together to wrestle with the injustice in our world. This is the time. This is the place.”
I have many thoughts about the conference, and will be writing and speaking about it more in the coming weeks, but for now I want to focus on two things: Israel and Bible prophecy.
I sat in on workshops led by Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart of The Global Immersion Project, then heard Lynne Hybels speak. Although Hybels didn’t address this subject (rather, she spoke about efforts at reconciliation between Jews and Arabs), Bible prophecy was on the stand.
Specifically, I heard from presenters and from attendees having roundtable discussions that Dispensationalism is a problem. I listened as speakers lamented the wild speculations from some prophecy teachers.
One speaker, Malcolm London, mentioned babies being “blown to bits in Palestine.”
One of the books for sale in the conference expo area was Garth Hewitt’s “Occupied Territories.” In the book, Hewitt alleges that the Israeli security fence completely encircles Bethlehem. As I’ve pointed out many times, it does not.
These kinds of remarks about Israel were indicative of what conference organizers and attendees believe about the Jewish state and her supporters.
Justice was on everyone’s lips during the weekend, but one could be justified in wondering whether anyone believes Israel deserves justice. Justice in terms of Arabs accepting the presence of the Jewish state. Justice in terms of all terror attacks ceasing. Justice for the victims of Palestinian terror since Oslo, two decades ago.
Et cetera.
You need to understand that while there were many sincere, well-intentioned people at the Justice Conference, the gathering was left wing to the core. Whatever you want to call us — conservative Christians, fundamentalists, Bible-believing Christians — our worldview is very different from the presenters in Chicago. We do not see many things the same.
Especially Israel.
For them, Israel is an Occupier. Her Christian Zionist supporters are rigid, angry obstacles to peace.
There was a lot of talk about tolerance and reconciliation, but I got the distinct impression that the sweet words aren’t meant for Israel and those who support her.
The capper was the keynote address by Cornel West, the radical Princeton professor who is no friend of Israel.
There was also a lot of talk about white supremacy, white guilt, white privilege. Racial injustice toward minorities. American Colonialism.
This is not the same Church we grew up with. It is not the same nation. Such a conference as this would have been unthinkable a generation ago. Now, I fear it is the norm.
Whatever lay ahead, though, we must remain in the Word and remain in the Lord. The future is going to be remarkable.
And He is a just God.
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap15.html
June 8, 2015
I am just returning from the Justice Conference, a two-day affair in Chicago. From the website:
“Our vision is to serve the discovery of ideas, celebrate the beauty of justice, and foster a community of people who live justice together. Now, more than ever, people of faith need to come together to wrestle with the injustice in our world. This is the time. This is the place.”
I have many thoughts about the conference, and will be writing and speaking about it more in the coming weeks, but for now I want to focus on two things: Israel and Bible prophecy.
I sat in on workshops led by Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart of The Global Immersion Project, then heard Lynne Hybels speak. Although Hybels didn’t address this subject (rather, she spoke about efforts at reconciliation between Jews and Arabs), Bible prophecy was on the stand.
Specifically, I heard from presenters and from attendees having roundtable discussions that Dispensationalism is a problem. I listened as speakers lamented the wild speculations from some prophecy teachers.
One speaker, Malcolm London, mentioned babies being “blown to bits in Palestine.”
One of the books for sale in the conference expo area was Garth Hewitt’s “Occupied Territories.” In the book, Hewitt alleges that the Israeli security fence completely encircles Bethlehem. As I’ve pointed out many times, it does not.
These kinds of remarks about Israel were indicative of what conference organizers and attendees believe about the Jewish state and her supporters.
Justice was on everyone’s lips during the weekend, but one could be justified in wondering whether anyone believes Israel deserves justice. Justice in terms of Arabs accepting the presence of the Jewish state. Justice in terms of all terror attacks ceasing. Justice for the victims of Palestinian terror since Oslo, two decades ago.
Et cetera.
You need to understand that while there were many sincere, well-intentioned people at the Justice Conference, the gathering was left wing to the core. Whatever you want to call us — conservative Christians, fundamentalists, Bible-believing Christians — our worldview is very different from the presenters in Chicago. We do not see many things the same.
Especially Israel.
For them, Israel is an Occupier. Her Christian Zionist supporters are rigid, angry obstacles to peace.
There was a lot of talk about tolerance and reconciliation, but I got the distinct impression that the sweet words aren’t meant for Israel and those who support her.
The capper was the keynote address by Cornel West, the radical Princeton professor who is no friend of Israel.
There was also a lot of talk about white supremacy, white guilt, white privilege. Racial injustice toward minorities. American Colonialism.
This is not the same Church we grew up with. It is not the same nation. Such a conference as this would have been unthinkable a generation ago. Now, I fear it is the norm.
Whatever lay ahead, though, we must remain in the Word and remain in the Lord. The future is going to be remarkable.
And He is a just God.
Posted with permission
www.raptureready.com/rap15.html