Weekly Update: Replacement
Two recent developments show how sensitive the relationship is between Jews and Christians.
The first is the recent publication of a new Bible translation by the Danish Bible Society in which the term “Israel” in both the Old and New Testaments has been replaced with other words, like “people” or “home”. The translation has caused an international outcry. Many in Israel see it as yet another attempt to deprive the Jewish people of their identity. According to the Danish Bible Society, this was done because many Christians today don’t understand the meaning of the word Israel.
Indeed for many young Christians, who don’t know their Bible, the word “Israel” makes them think only of the modern State of Israel. Whereas the Biblical concept of “Israel” (both Old and New Testaments) is much bigger – it is about a unique connection between the people, the nation and the land.
The Danish Bible Society’s translation seeks to separate the Jewish people from the land and the modern State of Israel. This is a very common mistake amongst Christians. It is a very dangerous approach as it deprives the Jews of their historical and spiritual connection with the land. And it is deeply un-Biblical, as Dr. Petra Heldt explains in her article for Gatestone Institute.
The other development was the outrage this week in Israel when it became known that a Christian TV broadcaster has been given a licence to broadcast programs in Israel “to take the gospel of Jesus into the homes and lives and hearts of the Jewish people.”
This is no doubt well-intentioned, but reveals a certain insensitivity we Christians often have for the history of Christian persecution of the Jews, and lack of empathy for feelings of the Jewish people today.
At Christians for Israel, we believe it is not our task as Christians at this time to tell the Jews what to do or think. Our job is to get our own house in order. We have been arrogant, we have become lukewarm, we have failed to look earnestly for Jesus’ return, and the coming of His Kingdom. And in all of that, we have for two millennia looked down upon the Jewish people and despised them.
Of course we must witness our hope – even to Jewish people. But the best way we can do this is by repenting for 2000 years of Christian anti-Semitism, and showing mercy and love towards the Jewish people – not with words, but with our actions.
God has never abandoned the Jewish people. The restoration of Israel shows His eternal love for the Jewish people. Let’s trust Him to bring them home – in His way and His time – as He promised. And He is doing just that.
(For Christians wanting to understand why the Jewish people are so sensitive on this issue, I highly recommend Rev. Cornelis Kant’s excellent booklet “Why is it so difficult for Jews to believe in Jesus” – see details below)
Maranatha.
Andrew Tucker
Editor-in-Chief – Israel & Christians Today
Danish Bible translation
The misrepresentation of Holy Scripture by the Danish Bible Society (DBS) has been met with a crescendo of international protest demanding the withdrawal of the falsified Bible. Read this analysis by Dr. Petra Heldt: click here..
Bringing the gospel in Israel
Israel’s Communications Minister David Amsalem has threatened to take a new Hebrew-language evangelical channel off the air if it turned out to be proselytizing. Read more..
Israel one step closer to a national unity government
Israel is now close to having a new government. Following the passage of legislation in the Knesset to implement the recent Netanyahu/Gantz deal, the President will now formally ask PM Netanyahu to form a new national government. Read more..
Putin and Jerusalem
Here’s a fascinating article by Shay Attias about Russia’s obsession with Jerusalem: read article..
“Melki Tzedek” – Video teaching by Johannes Gerloff
Episode 22 in the series of teachings by Israeli-based Bible teacher and journalist Johannes Gerloff:
Melchizedek certainly is one of the most mysterious personalities in the Bible. He appears in very few passages. We do not know a lot about him. However, he set standards that are crucial even for New Testament believers.
“Redemption”-
Video teaching by Rev. Willem J.J. Glashouwer
When Jesus speaks about the ‘signs of the times’, He mentions a great number of things that will happen to this world. The majority of these are not pleasant. Reading about ‘these things’ can strike fear into your heart. But He immediately adds something to it: when ‘these things’ begin to happen, you must understand that your redemption is drawing near.
Booklet: “WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR JEWS TO BELIEVE IN JESUS”by Rev. Cornelis Kant
Scripture for the week: Romans 11:25-32
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
The goal of Israel & Christians Today is to help Christians to take God’s Word seriously, and study current events in the world in the context of the Bible.
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