The problem of Israel
How can churches achieve a balanced view without compromising the Gospel?
‘When I affirm my belief in the promises of God to Israel, someone always comes along to take away my freedom’. This was a confession made to me by a Pastor I was visiting. I spend quite a bit of my time speaking to church leaders about Israel and their churches. Many have a story about people in their church who have an unhealthy focus on Israel to the point of obsession. And for some pastors, parking the whole subject is the easiest option.
Take the pastor I quoted. He has no problem with the eternal covenantal promises to Israel, he can see it very clearly. But he has had trouble navigating what that means to him and to his church. Bringing together generic pastoral experiences, I have heard many pastors who have had it in the neck from those who claim to love Israel telling them which version of the Bible they should use, the necessity of Davidic dancing, the compulsory display of the Israeli flag, singing the Hatikvah, etc., etc., etc. All of which are permissible, but not obligatory.
But they have experienced people in their churches who say, effectively, if you understand this truth, if you see God’s covenants with Israel then you and your church must do this. There are two issues arising from this; firstly what these individuals are telling you to do and secondly the word ‘must’.