Evangelical Confusion!
Is a two-state “solution” the answer for peace?
Last December over 80 Evangelical educators and ministry leaders issued a joint statement affirming the need for Israel to surrender its heartland in order to establish a Palestinian state.1
I must admit that the statement so infuriated me that I was tempted to entitle this article, “Evangelical Treason!” But I decided that would be too strong. The men who signed the statement are good men who mean well, but they are either very ignorant of God’s promises to the Jews or they have been terribly deceived. So, I decided on the title, “Evangelical Confusion!”
Their statement was a very deceptive one that began with the declaration that they were motivated by “our ongoing support for the security of Israel.” What nonsense! How is the surrender of its heartland supposed to bring peace to Israel? It would leave Israel a truncated state only 9 miles wide at its narrowest point, and with borders that would be completely indefensible.
The Arguments
Their first argument was that the two-state “solution” would benefit America’s security against Islamic terrorists because we would no longer be viewed as the world’s prime defender of Israel. This is naivete gone to seed! If Israel were to disappear from the face of the earth tomorrow, the Islamic threat to the United States would remain unabated. Islamic hatred of our nation is not rooted in our support of Israel. It is motivated by the conviction that we are the only obstacle to world domination by Islam.
The statement then proceeded to get “touchy-feely” by asserting that “the Bible teaches that God longs for justice and peace for all people.” What about justice for the Jewish people? The land of Israel was given to them as their eternal homeland by God Himself (Genesis 13:15 and Psalm 105:8-11). Furthermore, a Palestinian state already exists. It is called Jordan. It constitutes two-thirds of the territory of what used to be called Palestine. Also, more than two-thirds of its population is made up of Palestinians. Why is there any need for a second Palestinian state?
A Call to Prayer
The statement concluded with a call for Christians everywhere to “pray faithfully” for a “lasting two-state solution to the Holy Land.” I for one have no intention of honoring this call to prayer because it is directly contrary to God’s will as revealed in His Word. God has not regathered the Jewish people back to their homeland from the four corners of the earth for them to turn around and surrender their land to their enemies. In fact, the Bible says that in the end times God will pour out His wrath on those nations that try to divide up the land of Israel (Joel 3:2).
This wretched statement was signed by heads of the following Christian institutions:
- Abilene Christian University
- Asbury Theological Seminary
- Azuza Pacific University
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary
- Denver Seminary
- Evangelical Theological Seminary
- Fuller Theological Seminary
- Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
- Oklahoma Christian University
- Palmer Theological Seminary
- Wheaton College
It was also signed by the leaders of The Wesleyan Church, the Mennonite Brethren, The Worldwide Church of God, and the Vineyard Churches. The editor-in-chief of Christianity Today was also a signatory.
Richard Mouw, president of Fuller Theological Seminary, and one of the signatories, is on record as stating that Evangelicals need to ask themselves if there is anything theological that either forbids or requires a Palestinian state. “The answer is, no,” Mouw said. He added, “The question for me is one of prudence, and not of theological principle.”2 When I read this statement, the first thought that popped into my mind was: “I wonder how prudent it is to ignore the biblical statement, ‘He who touches Israel touches the apple of My eye.’” (Zechariah 2:8). I also thought of God’s promise in Amos 9:15 that once the Jewish people are reestablished in their land, “they will never be rooted up again.“
Israel’s Shrinking Constituency
Of course the statement represents the long held viewpoint of the leaders of the mainline, non-Evangelical denominations like the Methodist, Presbyterian, and Episcopal churches. And it certainly represents the view of the Roman Catholic Church.
This statement is a testimony to the fact that the chorus of Christian voices standing with Israel and God’s end time purpose for the Jewish people is growing smaller and smaller every day.
As prophesied in Zechariah 12:2-3, the whole world is turning against Israel, and ultimately the result will be that the Jewish people will be forced to turn to God as their only hope. At that point, the One who never sleeps as He guards Israel (Psalm 121:4) will reveal Yeshua as their Messiah, a great Jewish remnant will repent, and “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).
That Jewish remnant will cry out, “Baruch Haba Bashem Adonai!” (“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”) and Jesus will return to this earth (Matthew 23:39).
Hallelujah!
Notes
- David Neff, “Evangelical Leaders Reiterate Call for Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine,” Christianity Today, December 13, 2007,
www.christianitytoday.com/ct/article_print.html?=51980, accessed on December 13, 2007. This article lists the names of all those who signed the document. - Todd Hertz, “Opinion Roundup: The Evangelical View of Israel,” Christianity Today, June 2003,
www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/juneweb-only/6-9-31.0.html. Accessed April 27, 2008.
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