The religious component of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is considerably problematic and controversial, including all three of the major world’s rival religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The conflict between people of faith is not just between these three religions, but there is serious internal conflict that upon first inspection would appear to be counter intuitive. Namely, the struggle between Christian Zionists living in the United States and Eastern Christians living in Palestine is one that does not originate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but became and remains a serious topic of debate among Christians. These two Christian groups who would assumedly be united in the debate of Zionism on account of their shared faith
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He was a strong supporter of Zionism and a subscriber to early Millennialist thought set a standard for the future generations of Millennialists. His book Jesus is Coming published in 1908 outlines his theology surrounding the Millennium. He cites the Jewish Talmud, holding that, “the Millennium will be chiefly characterized by the deliverance of the Jews from all their enemies.” He also presents the post-Millennialist claim that, “the preaching of the gospel will result in the conversion of the world and usher in a golden era of righteousness and a government of justice and peace to last a thousand years.” Blackstone’s own view which he presents, is that the return of Israel to its former state is to be literally interpreted. Additionally, Israel’s restoration would be permanent, and the land will be “cleansed of all heathen.” This restoration is crucial because it is connected with the second coming of Christ. The Return of the Jewish people to Palestine is also a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and furthermore, he makes mention of the rising anti-Semitism in Europe, namely Germany, Austria, France and Russia, and praises the founding of societies in Europe such as Chovevi Zion and Shova Zion that fought on behalf for Jewish interest, the weakening “Turkish hold” upon Palestine, and murmurings of a Jewish State as events bringing closer the end of the age. This is …show more content…
As would be expected, such a wide-reaching delegation would be bound to encounter some issues because their denominational, national, and political differences. In one of the resolutions forwarded by the American Committee of the International Committee on the Christian Approach to the Jews asserted the importance of Israel’s resurgence and the imperative for Jews to convert to Christianity. This resolution is of particular interest, as it brings forward the differences between the Churches caused by geography. The many Arab delegates including those of Coptic, Orthodox, and Evangelical denominations expressed dissatisfaction with the use of the term “Israel”. In addition, there was opposition among those of non-Arab ethnicity, but were living in and around Palestine. The authors of the resolution made clear that all mentions of Israel were in reference to the ancient conception of Israel, and not of the contemporary Israeli state. Responses from those Eastern Christians claimed that the use of the term “Israel”, regardless of the intention, made “the task of the churches in the Near East more difficult” , and a “disservice to the World Council of Churches in the Near
He was a strong supporter of Zionism and a subscriber to early Millennialist thought set a standard for the future generations of Millennialists. His book Jesus is Coming published in 1908 outlines his theology surrounding the Millennium. He cites the Jewish Talmud, holding that, “the Millennium will be chiefly characterized by the deliverance of the Jews from all their enemies.” He also presents the post-Millennialist claim that, “the preaching of the gospel will result in the conversion of the world and usher in a golden era of righteousness and a government of justice and peace to last a thousand years.” Blackstone’s own view which he presents, is that the return of Israel to its former state is to be literally interpreted. Additionally, Israel’s restoration would be permanent, and the land will be “cleansed of all heathen.” This restoration is crucial because it is connected with the second coming of Christ. The Return of the Jewish people to Palestine is also a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and furthermore, he makes mention of the rising anti-Semitism in Europe, namely Germany, Austria, France and Russia, and praises the founding of societies in Europe such as Chovevi Zion and Shova Zion that fought on behalf for Jewish interest, the weakening “Turkish hold” upon Palestine, and murmurings of a Jewish State as events bringing closer the end of the age. This is …show more content…
As would be expected, such a wide-reaching delegation would be bound to encounter some issues because their denominational, national, and political differences. In one of the resolutions forwarded by the American Committee of the International Committee on the Christian Approach to the Jews asserted the importance of Israel’s resurgence and the imperative for Jews to convert to Christianity. This resolution is of particular interest, as it brings forward the differences between the Churches caused by geography. The many Arab delegates including those of Coptic, Orthodox, and Evangelical denominations expressed dissatisfaction with the use of the term “Israel”. In addition, there was opposition among those of non-Arab ethnicity, but were living in and around Palestine. The authors of the resolution made clear that all mentions of Israel were in reference to the ancient conception of Israel, and not of the contemporary Israeli state. Responses from those Eastern Christians claimed that the use of the term “Israel”, regardless of the intention, made “the task of the churches in the Near East more difficult” , and a “disservice to the World Council of Churches in the Near