I suppose I’ll never forget an evening long ago, walking the bustling, late-night streets of Irbid, Jordan where I was spending the summer. The temperature was perfect, shawarma smoke hung in the air and the combination of exotic and genial nearly burst my Hoosier heart.
“You’re from the United States,” a new friend asked as we conversed on the street.
“Yep.”
“How many states in America?”
“Fifty,” I replied, pretty sure I was right but wondering where this was going.
My friend laughed, cuffed me on the shoulder and said, “And Israel is fifty-one?”
With that comment a fresh brick was shimmied down into the mortar of my mind, starting a whole new structure of thought: “These guys think this about us. Do we really act the way they think we act? Do we believe what they believe we do? Do I? What do I believe about these things and really, why do I believe that way?”
A powerful little quip, eh?
Muslims, Christians, Jews and Israel. There must be a bigger can of worms to open, but none comes to mind right now!
How do we think about the laundry list of issues bound up in this? And how does current Christian thinking affect our relationship with individual Muslim friends?
I think the assumption, at least in broader, American evangelical culture right now is this: As a Christian, I must support Israel in an absolute, condition-free way. This is what the Bible teaches. Since Muslims are the enemy of Israel, I must be opposed to Muslims. I can’t pray for the peace of Jerusalem and support Muslims at the same time.
If accurate, this is gravely troubling and I would love to hear your thoughts. What are the salient points in this debate? How are we to think and act? What does the Bible really say? What do Muslims really think? What should we read to help us navigate this?
Got some thoughts to share? Please do so below.
“As a Christian, I must support Israel in an absolute, condition-free way.”
The fallacy I see with the above statement is that it is possible that we could be fighting against God if we’re not careful. Many times in the scripture God uses other nations, even evil nations to chasten Israel to bring them back to Him. In general I am very supportive of Israel but not “sold out” completely. Israel is just as accountable to God. not man, as anyone else is.
Thank you, Ken. I agree with you that the assumption does not stand biblically. I appreciate you reading and weighing in on this.
I did used to think like that! I have had a deep love for Israel since age 10. Sadly, there were other connotations involved; muslims are our sworn enemies, despicable, reproachable…and more. The media had done its job quite effectively. But God. There is always a “but God…”, isn’t there? He spoke to me about the many Muslim immigrants. That they are an opportunity, not a threat. I went to Loving Our Muslim Neighbors conference. A testimony completely shifted my view – a paradigm shift occurred. God’s love is inclusive and encompassing. I began to read and study about Muslims; their customs and faith. I am planning to visit Kurdistan and God has laid out a new purpose for my life. Only through love and respect can barriers be replaced.
I appreciate you reading and weighing in on this, Amanda. Thanks for sharing how the shift in thinking happened for you. I’d love to hear more about the testimony that got the ball rolling for you. Thanks.
I think all Christians need to take trip to the West Bank to see how they are being oppressed by the Israelis. At the very least, we must be aware that there are Palestinian Christians who have lived there for generations who are being oppressed and feel that Christians in the west have abandoned them. Most of the people there, including Muslims, are just trying to feed their families. We as Christians are called to love all of our neighbors and share the gospel with all people. Why would we place “the land of Israel” as a higher priority than the spread of the gospel?
Thank you for the comment, Barb. I agree, all (or at least many!) Christians would benefit from a trip to the West Bank and Israel. I know I would!
God wants all people on earth (every tribe, nation, and people group) to hear the Gospel message, because He desires the praise and worship from all nations. As Christians, we have received God’s blessing for a purpose (to pass it on). We are blessed to be a blessing (Psalm 67). There are millions of Muslims who have never heard the Gospel message or met a Christ follower. They are seeking to know the truth. We need to pray that God would reveal Himself to them in visions and dreams. I can be a friend of Israel and still be a friend to Muslims without supporting or accepting their ideology.
Hey Sharon, Great reference to Ps. 67! I love that Psalm. I like your application as well. Thank you for reading and weighing in.
Perhaps I am a bit naïve, but if we make it about Muslins, and Jews and Christians, is that any different than making it about black, or yellow, red or white? I see people as brother and sister. I see people as lost and found. I like to believe the only border is life and death. #romantic #love #peace #hope
Thanks, Joe. Naive, maybe! But also pretty in line with Jesus and Paul. I think in this case, we need to think more deeply and work harder to live and work in line with Paul’s statement that in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.
Love the hashtags, bro!
I was raised in Calvinism and always was taught about Israel being God’s chosen people, praying for peace of Jerusalem BUT studying a bit more I have come to believe that the Old Testament teaches that Israel was “chosen” for the lineage of Jesus, the Messiah. Once He came, the old covenant was complete; the Old Testament was for history and principal guidance; not specific to us now. No need for a “chosen” people and certainly not the geographic country of Israel today. Yes, we as Christians, have a special place in our hearts for them, but we should treat them no differently than any other lost souls. Peace Out!
Cicilia, Thank you for taking the time to weigh in on this. I appreciate you sharing what you did about the Old and New Testament and Israel’s role as chosen people. I think those are key parts of the conversation.
I’m confused. What do they mean by 51?
He was teasing that the U.S. treated Israel as though it were the 51st state in the United States.
Shane,
You are misrepresenting on several fronts. I believe that we Christians are to support Israel but certainly not unconditionally. The country of Israel is very secular today. Yes, the Jews are God’s chosen people and we are to respect and love them, but our first allegiance is to Jesus and the Bible. If Israel, as a country, does things that are counter to scriptural principles, we should call them on that. Having said that, I believe that Israel has been more than generous and patient with the “enemies” living around them.
Although the Muslim leadership is a sworn enemy of Israel, we must be careful to not paint with too broad a brush. We know that it is Satan who is the deceiver and who hates all of God’s people. I believe that we must be opposed to Muslim findamentalists and those who are aggressive against us but He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. We can pray for peace in Israel, but the Bible teaches us that there will not be any long-lasting peace until Jesus comes again. I don’t see any conflicts at all in praying for Israel and at the same time supporting and praying for Muslims to find Christ.
Hey Brian, Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I appreciate that.
You say, “If Israel, as a country, does things that are counter to scriptural principles, we should call them on that.” I agree with you here, but I’m concerned that in some segments of the American church (maybe far less than I assume), the standard is that if Israel does it, then it is right. I’m open to being wrong on this and would love to see deeper and more nuanced thinking when it comes to these things (starting with me!).
You also said, “the Bible teaches us that there will not be any long-lasting peace until Jesus comes again.” I believe I’ve heard this before I don’t think I could defend it scripturally. Can you share some texts that teach this? I’d appreciate it.
Thank you again for reading Muslim Connect. I’m honored that you do.
As a Jewish believer in Jesus who has traveled to two Muslim countries and hasn’t yet visited Israel, I believe there is a ton of nuance that many people miss.
Modern day Israel politically is not a theocracy like the previous nation that ended in AD 70. That said there is something unique about any sort of a people group having a national identity brought back into existence more than a thousand years later. With that in mind, Israel is a modern-day nation-state and should be held to the same standards as any other nation-state, no less but no more either.
The Muslims that I have met have almost universally been hardworking, family loving, and spiritually seeking. They too exist in a cultural framework which over a thousand years old. In many cases their entire perception of the world is colored through this lens. I would even suggest that there is a certain wisdom gained from living through a cultural lens of over a thousand years of reflection on life.
I wish that modern day evangelicals would do more to not take either cultural or religious sides. Both Islam and Judaism as cultures are much older than American culture and we would do well as evangelicals to approach both with humility. Both Islam and Judaism as religions are monotheistic which is rarity in the world, and both have parts of the truth that Evangelicals believe. We would do well to challenge and ask questions of them with a firm conviction of the truth of who Jesus is, what He did, and what He expects, but with an attitude much like a child. Both Jews and Muslims need Jesus.
Wow, Daniel, well said. Thank you.
I like this a lot: “we would do well as evangelicals to approach both with humility. Both Islam and Judaism as religions are monotheistic which is a rarity in the world, and both have parts of the truth that Evangelicals believe. We would do well to challenge and ask questions of them with a firm conviction of the truth of who Jesus is, what He did, and what He expects, but with an attitude much like a child.”
Well, there are two answers of what do Muslims think about Israel. Those who are moderate (weak) Muslims may be tolerant towards Jews and Israel. But those who are Quranic in thought are against Jews and Israel. Look at Iran’s stance: wipe it out. And other Muslim groups and nations say Israel has no right to exist (Hamas, for example, and the wars surrounding nations have fought against itc). A Muslim terrorist who has become a Christian told how in grammar school they were taught that Jews were monkeys and pigs, and sang a song about playing soccor with the Jew’s head!
Hey Steve,
Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and weighing in on this. Please forgive my delayed response.
While I agree with your point that there are political/religious entities on record as opposed to Israel’s existence and committed to destroying it, I think the question is more nuanced than, “moderate (weak) Muslims may be tolerant towards Jews and Israel. But those who are Quranic in thought are against Jews and Israel.” I think I know strong Muslims who are not anti-Israel. It seems that various Muslims have different stances on what the Quran and/or the broader faith asks relative to Jews and Israel. I also wonder how often and to what degree the religion of Islam gets co-opted to advance the political purposes of particular governments and ethnicities.
But as above, my bottom line is the hope that being a Christian is not seen as requiring a pro-Israel stance that is by definition anti-Muslim. I hope for a way to be both pro-Israel and pro-Muslim.
Thank you for wading through my convoluted thinking and sentences!
We are all children of God. We all want to be with Him. Does it really matter where we are terrestrially?
Hey Glenn,
Happy to see your name here! I agree, “We are all children of God.” I just wonder if it raises anyone’s hackles to hear, “God loves Muslims every bit as much as he loves Jews!” And then to go on to tease out what that actually means to us as Christians, there’s the challenge!
Bless you, brother!
As a Christian I do not support Israel in any way. I support the Christians in Israel, especially in Nazareth and Bethlehem, but not the Israeli government. Israeli people are sinners in need or Jesus and salvation just like all peoples.
Hey David,
Thank you for weighing in here. Please forgive my delayed response.
You bring up a good point: We must not overlook the Christians trying to get by in Nazareth and Bethlehem. Thank you for the reminder.
Shane,
As a Christian, I do NOT support Israel in an absolute, condition-free way. Also, I do not agree with Christians that say we know for sure that the present state of Israel is the “end-times” Israel which is the subject of much Biblical prophecy. On the other hand, I think it is simply good foreign policy for any country to have good relations with Israel, because the LORD has not and will not permanently neglect His promises to the patriarchs of the Jewish people. I can and do pray both for the peace of Jerusalem and for peace between countries which are ruled by Muslims, e.g., Iran vs. Saudi Arabia. I am very opposed to Islam, because it is an enemy of the one true God. What do you have in mind when you say “support Muslims”? The answer to that will inform whether I support Muslims or not.
Hey Roger,
Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and taking some time to comment. Please forgive my delayed response.
You asked, “What do you have in mind when you say “support Muslims”?”
Great question. And thanks for asking for clarification. I appreciate that.
I think by “support Muslims” I mean basically we consider on a given point of contention that they may be right, rather than a blanket assumption that as opponents of Israel, they are wrong. For instance, the construction of new settlements. I’d like us to consider the issue on its merits, rather than assume the Jewish settlers are right because they are Jewish.
Further, I mean that we pray with concern for the challenges of life Muslims are facing in and around Israel. So that when Hamas shoots rockets into Israel and Israel responds with airstrikes, we suffer with the average Muslim on the street who dies, or whose business is destroyed simply because of where he lives. Basically, we pray and, as God leads, take action to ease the suffering of people who are oppressed regardless of their religious affiliation. We think beyond the labels.
I suspect that’s the sort of “support” you can get behind, Roger. I appreciate you.
Wow! Yes you hit a nerve, or your ‘new friend ‘ hit a nerve, that I would like to hear comments on!
I would really love to follow this thread, and or to hear from you of any resources that grapple with this in a ‘sensible’ manner!
Thank You, Shane for all that you do to extend HIS Kingdom!
Hey Ted! Thank you for reading. When you have thoughts to share on this, I’m ready to read them! Blessings.
Hey Friend. Maybe what’s true of the whole is not true of the parts. I know, I struggled with psychology. I just don’t think about Muslims in this way. Actually, it never crossed my mind until you wrote this. You know I’m growing in my pursuit of love for Muslims. It seems easy to say God loves them and I must as well. I’m studying how to make that bridge. Still many flaws, but headed in the right direction. I’m taking a Muslim barista from Starbucks to play golf soon. Trying to build my faith as well as learn more about his.
Don’t really know what I’m saying, but you know me so I’m sure I’ll get a pass.
Love your heart for Muslims Brother.
Hey JC!
I hope you all are doing well. Thank you for reading my stuff and taking time to respond. I’m honored. Please forgive my delay in getting back to this.
How fun to hear you’re taking a Muslim barista golfing! I can’t wait to hear how that goes or went! (I’m thinking there are a least a couple of jokes in there somewhere!)
Bless you, brother!
I think that if we understand Old Testament prophecy about Israel, the end times, and the age to come, we would not come to conclusions you suggest the evangelical church has today. Rather, we would understand that Israel has a divine right to be in the land as promised ONLY when she is in right relationship to the Lord (Deut. 29:24-28; 30;1-5). We would understand that in the Millennium and age-to-come, God says that Egypt, Israel, and Assyria [today’s northern Iraq, southeast Turkey and northern Syria] will be as one people before Him (Isa. 19:23-25); therefore we must pray for the salvation of the Muslim as much as we pray for the salvation of the Jew. As a Church, we must learn how to stand for the truths, doctrine, and standards of God’s Word on the one hand, yet act with love and compassion towards all men on the other.
Kathi,
Wow, what an interesting and compelling reply. Thank you. I’m thinking about asking you to write my email some week!
In July of 2018, to took “A Graduate Course in Islam and the Geo-politics of the Middle East,” taught by Dr. Nabeel Jabbour. The course was filled with solidly documented information. My response to what I learned from Nabeel is available on his blog: https://www.nabeeljabbour.com/blog/2018/12/20/doug-bastian
Thank you for sharing that, Doug. Still bummed about NJ’s early passing.
I think a Christian can love Israel but not necessarily agree with everything the government does. I think a Christian should pray for the peace of Israel because it is commanded in the Bible. I think we should love Muslims but still be discerning about them. They do need Jesus as their savior and should be witnessed to.
Linda,
Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and taking time to comment. I love this, “I think a Christian can love Israel but not necessarily agree with everything the government does,” and pray that more Christians agree with you than it sometimes appears.
I read an interesting take on the Prodigal Son the other day. The comparison was the younger son is the Jewish people and the older son is the church. How does the church react to the younger son? It compelled me to pray even more that the younger son (the Jewish community) will come back to the Father. Now the question is where Muslims and others fit into this picture? God wants all people to know Jesus ! Prayer for all people to know HIM! That is the important idea in my mind.
Hey Melanie,
Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and taking time to comment.
Sounds like an interesting study on the Prodigal Son. How cool.
Could hardly agree more with this, “Prayer for all people to know HIM! That is the important idea in my mind.”