Affirmation #6: Messianic JewsThe wording of this affirmation was mine and reflects my deep commitment to Messianic believers and unity within the Body of Christ between Jewish and Gentile believers.We are delighted the conference is bringing together Israeli, Palestinian and international believers who wish to find hope in the midst of conflict.
Messianic Jews are the brothers and sisters of all who follow Jesus or Yeshua. We are one family bound together in a fellowship of love. Although diversity in political opinions as well as theological emphasis inevitably exist, we refuse to allow these views to hinder our fellowship in Jesus.
A day later, I spoke at a Palestine Solidarity Campaign event in Hammersmith. In answer to a question about the attitude of churches to the occupation, I was criticised for implying that I regard the Messianic churches as an abomination. I do not believe this. However, this sentence was seized upon by those wishing to undermine the Christ at the Checkpoint conference. I repeat, I was not making a statement about Messianic Jews in general, or criticising specific Messianic congregations in particular. I have no knowledge of their views on these matters.
For the benefit of friends at Rosh Pina Project who seem to need things in black and white, I apologise unreservedly. I spoke under duress and did not think through the implications of how my sentence would be interpreted, especially by critics. I withdraw the statement. We are blessed to have Messianic believers within my own church family and also circle of friends.
Let me be explicit, however, about what I do believe.
I do believe it to be very wrong when Christians give unconditional support to policies of the Israeli government regarded as war crimes in international law. Examples include the use of live ammunition against civilians, targeted assassinations, the use of torture and imprisonment of children, and collective punishment, (all carefully reported by B’Tselem).
I do believe it is evil when people justify apartheid and segregation.
I do believe the theft of land, the theft of water, the demolition of homes, the destruction of olive trees and imposition of military rule resulting in the denial of the fundamental human rights of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories is evil.
The Bible is very clear.
"Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan." (Exodus 22:2)
"Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits." (Exodus 23:6)
"Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge." (Deuteronomy 24:17)
"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4)
"The LORD enters into judgement against the elders and leaders of his people: It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?' declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty." (Isaiah 3:14-15)
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" (Isaiah 58:6-7)
" So I will come near to you for judgement. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud labourers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,' says the LORD Almighty." (Malachi 3:5)I do believe that to try and justify from the Bible, throwing people out of their homes, stealing their land and confiscating their property is evil.
I do believe that to ignore the plain teaching of Scripture and then justify the colonisation of stolen land, the building of roads for the exclusive use of the colonisers and the construction of a giant wall on other people's property is evil.
It is a clear repudiation of the Mosaic law, the Hebrew prophets, the teaching of Jesus and the New Testament gospel. It is therefore an abomination (Galatians 1:9). I make no apology for saying so.
I deeply regret any church, whether Gentile or Messianic, that justifies these practices.
In the words of John Stott, "I myself believe that Zionism, both political and Christian, is incompatible with biblical truth."
