During the week covered by this review, we received 14 articles on the following subjects:
Christians in Israel
Christian Zionism
The Pope and the Vatican
Political Issues
Jewish Attitudes Concerning Christians
Christian Tourism
Archaeology
Christians in Israel
Israel Hayom, Maariv, Haaretz, Israel Post, September 17, 2014
Interior Minister Gideon Sa’ar has instructed the population registry to allow Christians to be registered as “Aramaic,” rather than “Arab,” should they so choose. Sa’ar came to this decision after receiving the academic opinion of three different experts, who, after surveying the relevant Supreme Court decision, came to the conclusion that “the existence of the Aramaic nationality is an obvious fact.” Therefore, anyone who is registering for the first time and who “fulfills the conditions” may have their nationality defined as “Aramaic” on their ID card, should they wish it. Shadi Khalul, chairman of an Aramaic-Christian non-profit organization, called the decision “historic” and said that through Sa’ar’s decision “the standing of the State of Israel in the enlightened world will be upgraded, as a democratic state which protects its minorities’ rights.”
Some of the Arab members of the Knesset, notably MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra’am Ta’al), opposed the decision, calling it “an authoritarian attempt at ‘divide and rule.’”
Christian Zionism
Israel Hayom, September 19, 2014
This article reports an interview given by Pastor John Hagee during his recent trip to Israel. Hagee founded the organization Christians United for Israel in 2006.
Among the questions asked were: What do evangelicals think that Judaism has given to Christianity? How did it happen that most of the Christian world does not support Israel? Did Paul believe in replacement theology? Do Christians support Israel so that Israel will be involved in a third world war that will hasten Jesus’ return?
Hagee began by saying that evangelicals believe in the Bible and take its instructions as commands. For this reason Israel is not a conqueror, since God covenanted to give the land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants, and supporting her is a command. Judaism has given Christianity the Bible, and when Christians do not support Israel it is a result of 1,800 years of anti-Semitic teaching by the Catholic Church (Hagee does recognize those among the Catholics, such as the late Pope John Paul II, who were “good friends” to Israel). If a Christian does not support Israel it is because “they are ignorant in the Scriptures, or not a Christian”; Hagee calls replacement theology “a false doctrine” and quotes Romans 11 as proof that Paul did not believe in replacement theology. Regarding Jesus’ return, Hagee stated that nothing mankind can do can change God’s plan, and that “I will be judged concerning the way in which I obey the Bible.”
Hagee closed the interview by wishing “real peace and enjoyment of the fruits of living in this democratic country” to the Israeli people.
Israel Hayom, September 16, 2014
Marcos Tavares of Brazil, a footballer playing for the Slovenian Maribor, is also head of the Slovenian branch of the International Christian Embassy. He took care to arrange pro-Israel rallies during Operation Protective Edge, and says to the people of Israel, “ Be strong … you’re not alone … many around the world are praying for you … the Christian church will always stand by you.”
Kalkalist, September 18, 2014
An exact, life-size replica of Solomon’s Temple was dedicated on July 31st in São Paulo, Brazil, financed by Edir Macedo, a Brazilian billionaire and founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) denomination. The denomination believes that “every Christian is first of all a Jew”; for this reason people praying wear yarmulkes and prayer shawls, and prayers are said in Portuguese, English, and Hebrew. The temple was built following the biblical instructions and measurements, but there is also a replica of the menorah opposite the Knesset at the entrance, an olive tree garden reminiscent of Gethsemane, and a museum of biblical times in Jerusalem. Macedo, responding in writing to the newspaper, said that the temple is “for all mankind, from any faith, for whoever wants to know the God of the Bible.”
Macedo himself is a somewhat controversial figure, and accusations have arisen that some of the tithes have been diverted to the leaders’ personal needs; several legal proceedings are investigating this.
The UCKG has two churches in Israel.
The Pope and the Vatican
Israel Hayom, September 17, 2014
Habib a-Sader, Iraq’s ambassador to the Vatican, has warned that the Islamic State (IS) may attempt to assassinate Pope Francis, particularly during his upcoming visits to Albania and Turkey. The possible reason for this is that the pope has “shown support for the coalition against IS” and that IS itself “intends to spread the Islamic caliphate towards Rome.”
Political Issues
The Jerusalem Post, September 19, 2014
Melanie Phillips states that the Islamic State (IS) is “no more barbaric that Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab or Boko Haram” and that the doctrine of these groups is identical, although the tactics may be different. Therefore, President Obama’s and Prime Minister Cameron’s pronouncements that “ISIL is not Islamic” and that “Islam is a religion of peace” respectively are “ridiculous.” “Western leaders are terrified of alienating the Islamic world … they cannot take seriously the notion of a holy war.” IS wants to “force the world to submit to Islam,” and this idea cannot be defeated militarily. What must be done instead is to strengthen those Muslims who are horrified by what is being done in their religion’s name, and who want to purge terror from it.
Jewish Attitudes Concerning Christians
Sha’a Tova, September 11, 2014
The Ariel hotel Eshel HaShomron has recently canceled a rabbinic anti-missionary conference. The hotel said that the cancellation was because of “reasons that don’t have to do with us,” and the organizers added that “pressure was put to bear against the hotel by Christian organizations.” A lawyer acting for one of the organizers notified the hotel that if the conference was in fact cancelled the hotel would be sued for NIS 200,000. The organizers are determined that the conference will take place in any case; the cancellation “shows how much power the missionaries have in Samaria.”
Christian Tourism
Kosher English, September 12, 2014
Shilo is noted both for its tel, first excavated by Danish archaeologists in 1922, and because it is the probable site of the biblical Shilo, where the tabernacle stood. A variety of remains, from Canaanite to Byzantine, can be seen there, as well as contemporary artwork. The site is accessible both by car and by armored bus.
Yediot Ahronot, September 19, 2014
A special tour will take place between September 18th and September 20th, exploring the variety of remains that have been found underneath people’s houses in Jerusalem, such as a Second Temple era street, a water trough carved in stone, and an ancient mikveh (ritual bath). Additionally, those who attend the tour may visit one of the underground recesses in the Tower of David Museum, and see the remains of the giant bridge that lead to the Temple Mount during the Second Temple period.
Archaeology
Moked Rosh Ha’Ayin, September 11, 2014
On an archaeological journey to Yemen in 1974, Dr. Rainer Degen found stones with Hebrew inscriptions on them forming part of a mosque. He surmised that the stones had been reversed for the needs of the building. However, it is particularly interesting to note that these inscriptions were found to be the names of all 24 divisions of priests from the First Temple period. There are more details to be found, but these have remained a mystery as an excavation permit has not been issued by the government of Yemen since 1974.
The Jerusalem Post, September 18, 2014
The oldest siddur in the world is to be unveiled in the Bible Lands Museum as part of the Book of Books exhibition. It has been carbon-dated to the ninth century CE, making it some 1,200 years old. The exhibition will also host fragments from the Cairo Geniza and original pages from the Gutenberg Bible.