ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 3, 2024
I talked about this subject a couple weeks ago, but I will confess to you that I remain challenged when it comes to finding the right words or some sort of sensible way of talking about the violence between Israel and Gaza, complicated by Hamas, Iran, and other players. And I was looking forward to our Interfaith Prayer Walk that was canceled out of concern for possible severe weather. There was something hopeful in my heart as I imagined walking to different prayer stations, including those from the Jewish and Muslim faiths. These are people I know, and as a whole, they are committed to the ideas of peace, understanding, reconciliation, and healing. Even those who have family in the Region speak with great hope of finding a way forward where everyone, no matter where they live or what religion they profess, can live in a spirit of security and calm.
Again, I don’t have an answer, and sadly, I do not believe there is one simple answer that will untangle the complexity of the situation. What I would prayerfully request is for people to try to hold in an empathetic tension what might appear to be competing ideas. There is no way of justifying the brutal and indiscriminate attack on Israel, and there is no way of justifying the brutal and indiscriminate response. I recognize that I probably work from a naive and a glass half-full mindset. There is a part of me that must believe that what I have learned from the life of Jesus is not idealistic nonsense run amuck. I think about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. As Apartheid began to unravel and white minority rule was replaced with the leadership of Nelson Mandela, it was Desmond Tutu who offered a way forward. Many people laughed at the notion of finding reconciliation, though it was honest confession, the sharing of painful truths, and victims facing those who had perpetrated the violence that created a pathway forward. It was not perfect, but South Africa found some resemblance of peace through a process that was gut-wrenching at times, but also recognized that true healing and reconciliation require everyone to tell their stories. Maybe there is something for us to learn in this moment.
Your gift to this world, O God, came with the name Prince of Peace. May we be those who honor and serve the way of peace. Amen.
3 thoughts on “05-03-24”
Please note that I’m simply participating in a healthy exchange of ideas and views.
Bruce, I don’t know whether to say “God bless your loving heart” or to blurt out “Hell’s Bells!” which was my mother’s version of cursing when some or all of us eight sibling would totally exasperate her. I still don’t know what it means but be assured it only parted her lips when we did or said something really wrong.
For you write that there is no way of “justifying the brutal and indiscriminate response” of the Israeli government is so cockamamie that I am left with little discretion as to whether you’re reacting from a very tainted view or if you’re really just that ill-informed. – Though in reality I’m sure that you are simply mournful for the loss of lives.
People can argue about the geographical and resources disputes between the Palestinians and Israelis, going back to the Ottoman Empire, the roles of Jordan & Egypt and the British declaration and all the issues with Lebanon, Syria and of course Iran– all of which simply distorts from the real concern at hand, and that is that there is real evil in this world.., and it’s not the Israelis.
This level of evil from Lebanon, Syria and in particular Iran, rivals the worst actors in history. Brutality, Power and Hate. – The Israelis are at risk of being totally eradicated and not just “From the river to the sea”, but totally removed from the face of earth. – This is not just a fight for Israel to exist, but for the Jewish people to exist at all. For years antisemitism around the world has been growing at an alarming rate. Mostly due to false accusations, envy, political gain from liberal parties and the most alarming of all is from these ‘fair-weathered’, anti-everything activist protesters who get much media exposure which makes it ‘cool’ for others to join in. Add to the fact that these protests are fueled by professional instigators and you have worldwide hate, absolute hate for the Israelis. Furthermore, most people at these protests don’t even have a clue as to why or what they are protesting.
It is true that a large portion of the Palestinian population was not involved with the Iranian backed Lebanese Hezbollah terrorists who were responsible for this slaughter, and yet a majority of the Palestinian people still hate and raise their children to hate the Israelis. – Whether it be Hamas who is normally associated with the Palestinians or any of the other groups from Iran’s terror network, the Israelis are in constant danger from attacks and killing of their people.
But to say that the Israeli military is responding in a brutal and indiscriminate way is so untrue and frankly harmful by fueling the antisemitic fire that I wish you would reconsider your statement.
Fact: Any group of Israeli soldiers no matter if its a full brigade or a platoon or simply a 3 man patrol has to get permission from a ethics board before any action can take place. That is to say that if a military plan or response is to take place it first has to be approved by this group consisting of religious leaders and public affairs members from all political parties, which also consist of elected Palestinian members. Even a small group of soldiers being fired upon has to have permission to fire back. What other military in this world operates like that? – Furthermore any semi major military action is announced days in advance in order for the innocent to flee the danger area. – No, the Israelis have been very strategic in their approach and maneuvers. Of course in any war (and this is war mind you) there is the chance of civilian casualties especially when they are placed in harms way on purpose for the reason of propagandizing the death toll to further spread antisemitic hate.
The sum total of all this that there are Absolutes in this world. Absolute facts, absolute truths and the absolute necessity for justice. * Fact is that the Israelis are fighting for their very existence. Anyone with eyes and ears knows that the Iranian nuclear facility is not for the purpose of generating power but to acquire warheads which will immediately be used on Israel. – The Iranians should have never been allowed to get to this close. It should be totally destroyed immediately by either the Israelis or the U.S. with or without a coalition of allies. – Fact is every radical Islamic hate groups with the blessing & support from some major geopolitical backers are never going to stop in their efforts to eliminate the Israelis.
*Truth is that the Israelis are not responding irrationally nor frantically. – Truth is the Palestinians are many times killed by the terrorist groups themselves to make the casualties count appear higher.
The Israeli military are excoriated every time they attempt to respond to terrorists. What other country is spanked by much of the world before it has acts against attacks? – Truth is no other country would or could have as much restraint as Israel does. The attacks on October 7th would have been equivalent of 40,000 people murdered in the states on 9-11… only a lot less barbaric. Are you not aware of just how inhumane those mutilations were? It rivals anything that the Nazis did in WW2.
*Justice is for everyone of these hate groups to be totally obliterated from the face of this earth once and for all. – The Iranian nuclear plant should be flattened immediately and never allowed to be rebuilt.
*Justice would be for more people realize that this has very little to do with the Palestinian people but everything to do with the so-called radical Islamic ‘Holy War’ and all the Madness associated with it like the brain-washing hate breed into children from birth. – Yes this includes the Palestinians as well, but it is well known that they are but puppets of every Jew hating country in the middle east.
*Justice would be for everyone to be aware of just how horrific and nauseating the attack on October 7th really was. – The truth is there from eye-witnessed and verified accounts.
Thanks, Tim! I do not disagree with your thoughts. As I said in the Etching on May 3, “There is no way of justifying the brutal and indiscriminate attack on Israel…” But even many military experts are baffled by the approach Israel is taking, and then, as people of faith, we must explore the deeper question of why this continues and how Israel’s current approach (not that they should have stood by silently) is strengthening worldwide those who will seek to do violence against Israel. In just the last 40 years, you can look at the back and forth, the claims of retaliation and the need to defend, yet again and again (on both sides), civilians, including children, were the majority of the casualties. My understanding of the Christian faith, and I believe it is found in Judaism as well, invites me to look for a third way, God’s approach, that does not fit any previously imagined possibility. Hamas, like Christian Nationalism, is a group of people who only use some of the rhetoric of religion to provide a smokescreen for their pursuit of wealth and power, nothing else. Biblical justice is not the retribution, but the mending of the brokenness, including reconciliation and a new way forward for all. If I let go of that hope and belief, I sort of let go of most everything my faith rests upon.
To say that one accepts only the God of Israel and Jesus Christ is to say that one rejects as ultimate any human being, any culture, any political party, any artistic form, or any set of ideas. A Christian is someone who, at the most fundamental level of his or her being, is centered on the one God of
Jesus Christ. – You’re a good Christian.
I truly believe that the Israeli people as a whole, want peace with everyone in this world, no matter what God they pray to or what they believe. I not only agree with your view, I wish that real lasting peace could be brokered today. I wish I could stop there, however I simply don’t ever see that happening.., ever.
Every generation (loosely defined) thinks that certain issues have never been as grave, mostly because they are witnessing it firsthand – be it war, financial crunch, social injustice or political B.S.
But from the Crusades to Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ peace prevailed without a clear winner.., here I don’t think peace will ever be possible until Israel totally defeats all her enemies. Mind you it is indisputable that Israel is but only a stepping stone.
Bruce, I realize my timing is always off when I reply to to one of your posts, but while I truly enjoy your writings I seldom have the chance to read them except on a random Sunday afternoon.
I do have a matter of concern from a couple of weeks ago that I want you to read if you would, but I think you would find it inappropriate to post on a public forum. – I hope someone, if not several have already had this conversation with you.