By Mark Woods2023-11-21T15:50:00
In a recent speech, Benjamin Netanyahu invoked the words of Ecclesiastes, "There's a time for war" as justification for Israel's military operation in Gaza. But is this an appropriate use of scripture? It's complicated, says Rev Mark Woods
How should Christians respond to what’s happening in Israel and Gaza? What does the Bible say?
These are two questions that are often treated as though they’re almost the same. We look to the Bible for guidance, particularly in the big things, and surely it must say something about this.
Well, yes and no. Our opening questions are actually quite different, and if we go to the Bible for simple answers about such things we won’t find them.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, recently quoted Ecclesiastes 3:8, “There is a time for war and a time for peace”. Now, he said, is a time for war. But Jesus quoted Leviticus 19:18 and said, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39) and he also said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). All of these sayings are biblical.
So when Christians – especially Christians who do not live in the region – go to the Bible for guidance about praying for Israel and Gaza, a knowledge of scripture texts alone is not enough. We need...
Register FREE or SIGN IN HERE if you are a subscriber, a registered user, or if you already have a login for another Premier website
It only takes a minute to sign up for a free account and unlock these benefits:
Want more? Subscribe today and get UNLIMITED ACCESS!
Get more free content register today or sign in now
2024-10-23T15:42:00Z By Tim Farron MP
The US election is just weeks away, but new research suggests at least 32 million Christians won’t be voting. Tim Farron makes the case for why believers should engage in the democratic process
2024-10-22T07:23:00Z By Carlton Turner
Sam Sharpe was a Jamaican Baptist deacon who was hung for inciting a riot in 1831. He played a key role in ending the enslavement of Africans in the Caribbean. This Black History Month, Rev Dr Carlton Turner pays tribute to the faith of a man who sought to bring freedom to his people
2024-10-16T13:03:00Z By Tim Farron MP
A new $1,000 version of the ‘God Bless America’ Bible commemorates “the day that God intervened” in Trump’s assassination attempt. It’s printed in China - a country that produces more Bibles than anyone else yet whose own citizens are restricted from reading it. But the Bible contains a warning for both China and Trump, observes Tim Farron MP
2024-10-22T07:12:00Z By Lois McLatchie-Miller
The conviction of Adam Smith-Connor for silent prayer inside an abortion clinic “buffer zone” marks an era-defining moment. The law needs clarifying urgently, says Lois McLatchie-Millar, before the UK’s human right’s record becomes an international laughing stock
2024-10-21T13:48:00Z By Steve Beegoo
The government is breaking the law by discriminating against private Christians schools. That’s according to The King’s School in Hampshire who are challenging Labour’s decision to introduce VAT on private school fees. Christian Concern’s Steve Beegoo explains why he’s supportive of the legal action
2024-10-21T13:10:00Z By Tony Wilson
The tragic death of One Direction’s teen pop sensation reminds us that fame and fortune cannot meet our deepest human needs, says Tony Wilson. That can only come from being fully known by Jesus
Site powered by Webvision Cloud