Curated topics for a disillusioned church
All of the curated articles on Sunday to Saturday.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable conflict between Israel and Palestine, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman sheds light on the intricate, compassionate narratives of Arab Israelis, Jaffa Palestinian refugees, and Israeli Jewish individuals collaborating for peace.
By Lynne Hybels | HuffPost.com Published in December of 2011 SUMMARY: Christian life is full of tension. The tension of…
A large swath of evangelical Christians unequivocally support Israel thinking that the nation-state is a fulfillment of prophecy. Bible verses are cherry-picked to support the claim, but pastor Jonathan Martin says that that view misses the overarching story of the Bible and that our hope is not in a nation-state, but in Jesus.
A detailed history of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict that is updated with each new conflict.
Our human nature wants to live in a black and white world where there are good guys and bad guys, yet we are living in a fallen world where evil people can do profound acts of kindness and good people can do terrible evil. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a perfect example. Pastor Luke Veronis calls for a Christ-centered worldview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that acknowledges our shared humanity while rejecting dehumanizing statements and recognizing the potential for good and evil in all individuals.
Depending on who you talk to, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is Israel's fault, while others say it is Palestine's/Hamas' fault. Part of the issue is that the people discussing the conflict do not have a shared issue or, for Christians, are letting their eschatological views sway their opinions. But Matt Darvas says there is clearly one side to pick if you are a Christian - and that is the side of the peacemakers.
While this was penned in 2012 after President Obama was re-elected, just cross out Obama and put Trump or Biden or whoever our next president is and the truth still rings out. Yes, we are commanded in the Bible to honor our leaders. Yes, we should pray for them. And yes, we should continue to advocate for justice with respect and humility.
Pastor Brian Zahnd of Word of Life (Saint Joseph, Missouri) offers a ten-point guide encouraging Christians to approach politics with humility, love, and civility. Zahnd stresses that while political engagement is important, it should not overshadow the core Christian values of love and unity.
No political party, candidate, or law can have a Christian's allegiance. If one of those political entities does, it is political idolatry. Pastor Cameron Triggs of Grave Alive (Orlando, FL) provides several principles, including that candidates are fallible and neither party is Christian, as ways to keep our idolatry in check.
Mental health counselor William Bowes says that pride, the moralization of politics, and the politicization of morals are three major reasons why people are contentious when discussing politics. How do we solve those issues as Christians? By turning off cable news and learning about different perspectives, by treating everyone with dignity and respect regardless of their political views, and by engaging in conversation with an abundance of humility.
Sunday to Saturday 
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