A Model of Civility

If the last 20 years in Israel advocacy have taught me anything, it is that people on opposite sides of a fence can almost enjoy shooting at each other. Divergent views have a way of doing that.

Recently a reader alerted me to a blog post by a person who takes issue with pro Israel Christians invoking Genesis 12:3 (“I will bless those that bless you…”) to defend Israel’s right to the land, etc. I read the piece and got a check in my spirit, but not for the reason you might be thinking.

I began to get a feeling that the writer was from a Reformed background; that is, he is probably Presbyterian or Lutheran and this goes a long way in informing his views of Israel in prophecy. Just as, I might add, to some degree my Baptist background informs my view of the same issue.

So I read the post with some objectivity. I did not disagree with everything the writer wrote.

Then I contacted him.

Happily, he wasn’t defensive, and I told him upfront where I am coming from. I asked if he is from a Reformed background and he said that he is. I told him my background. We had a pleasant, brief conversation and ended it kindly.

I won’t here go into the theological stuff regarding Genesis 12:3, but rather want to point out that we can advocate for Israel and for the wonderful element of predictive prophecy…without rancor.

I have also been dismayed to see how even those in the pro Israel camp can tear at each other. There are different views on how best to advocate for Israel. I disagree strongly with some approaches, but try to deal in factual things, not ad hominem arguments.

When we have agendas—and we all have them—often we cannot or will not be objective. People are so entrenched in their positions, and so arrogantly confident of their own powers of reasoning, that nothing good comes of it.

In fact, it is common for evangelical leaders in America to so dislike their “critics” that they resort to calling them “trolls” and “slanderers.” In this way, they actually avoid defending their own position on a topic, a classic red flag that their position is probably indefensible.

I have been criticized for referring to some as “useful idiots.” However, I use it because it is a precise term that has an actual definition, as supplied by Vladimir Lenin. It refers to those in the West who are wittingly or unwittingly used by foreign totalitarians to advance said totalitarian’s agenda through propaganda. I do not use such terms merely because I don’t like an opponent.

Back to my specific point: my correspondent today could have resorted name-calling without a point, except to express his annoyance. He did not.

We were then able to have a reasonable discussion about Israel and prophecy and I hope we will again. And I am appreciative to the reader of “Israel Watch” in alerting me to the post.

I believe in balance. On the one hand, I believe in fairly aggressively defending Scripture, Israel, the Jews, etc. But even in this, it does no good if I tear the other person down.

Let’s keep that in mind as we debate and discuss on Facebook, Twitter, and other forums.

Truth always wins in the end.

Kerry-ing Water for the Palestinians

In the latest diplomatic dust-up, which might lead to war, Barack Obama and his outgoing Secretary of State, John Kerry, have “stabbed Israel in the back” as the phrasing is going internationally.

Besides abstaining from a vote in the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2334—which declares Israeli “settlements” as in violation of international law—the Regime in Washington also trotted-out Kerry for a follow-up speech in which he further attacked the Jewish state by condemning the glistening Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, what the world calls the West Bank.

In the analysis that has followed, few seem to grasp the ideological bent behind Obama’s and Kerry’s vicious attacks on Israel. Leftist ideologues like Obama do not come to positions late in the game; they have always believed what they believe. When Obama was in college, he was pro Palestinian. Neither is he incompetent. He is simply working-out his worldview, but from a powerful perch.

In his book, Saul Alinsky: The Evil Genius Behind Obama, Jerome Corsi notes the radical background of Obama:

“Even though Obama’s involvement with Alinsky-styled radical politics had been thoroughly documented during the 2008 presidential campaign, most Americans in 2012 had still never heard of Alinsky.” 

Saul Alinsky was a Marxist radical and community organizer deluxe, by which I mean he specialized in how to rile-up the disaffected masses, for the advancement of leftist political goals. This is a classic Communist tactic, and one developed by Obama.

So too is Kerry a radical. They just seem to be mainstream American political figures because they live in Washington and wear suits. They are no less radical than CAIR, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc.

Corsi puts more of a point on it:

“Alinsky taught organizers to hide their true intentions in the words they spoke. Denying the truth or just plain lying were both acceptable tactics, as long as the cause advanced.” 

In her book, To Hell in a Hand Basket, Ruthie Blum explores Obama’s statements about Islam:

“… Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality,” he said, adding that it “has always been a part of America’s story… Since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.” 

Here we see Obama, early on in his presidency (addressing members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo) making stunning lies about the Religion of Jihad and Holy War. Obama is not stupid nor ignorant of history. He well knows that what he said about Islam is false. But he was advocating for our enemies even there.

I am somewhat frustrated that too many people call Obama an incompetent idiot, or a weak leader. Until we understand the radical influences on our own government, we cannot combat it. Obama and Kerry have always hated Israel and Jews; they believe that now there is enough of a tilt in the cultural view that they can be more forthcoming.

Remember, whether it’s in seminaries or the halls of politics, leftistalways mask their true intentions. Always. They do this until the time is right to come out into the light.

Obama has promised—telegraphed—that he will busy himself in his retirement by building up the progressive community in this country. This he will do.

Evangelical Christians in America who support Israel must begin to understand the true depths of this effort. In our own community, Obama’s agenda is promoted by conferences/groups like Catalyst and the Justice Conference.

In the coming year, I want to help educate our community in these realities, so that as Obama and his pack of ideological jackals advance their agenda, we also advance ours.

Jim1fletcher@yahoo.com