As of Thursday night, Oct. 12, more Palestinians had been killed by Israeli military operations than Israelis killed by the surprise Hamas attack that began a new round of violence in the Middle East Oct. 7. Further, the nation of…
SBC ethics agency publishes ‘Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel’
The Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has issued an “Evangelical Statement in Support of Israel” that has been signed by dozens of Baptist and evangelical leaders and is open for others to sign. The Oct. 11 letter…
Worldwide communion invited to Thursday Ecumenical Service of Lament over Israel and Palestine
A group of Palestinian Christians advocating nonviolent solutions to conflict in the Middle East will hold an online Ecumenical Service of Lament Thursday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. “In these grievous times, we aim to offer an…
Keep preaching, even when it doesn’t make sense
One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, painter Pablo Picasso, once said, “The world today doesn’t make sense, so why should I paint pictures that do?” It is quite the statement from someone who painted more than…
‘Two-state solution’ was deemed less likely even before the current war between Israel and Hamas
Even before last weekend’s Hamas attack on the state of Israel, a growing share of Israelis believed the prospects for a two-state solution were fading. A “two-state solution” was a promise of post-World War II ideology that would have created…
My heart and my mind are in conflict about Israel and Hamas
The unexpected Hamas incursion into Israel, and the resultant deaths that are yet occurring, bring to mind our own experience of 9/11. The rhetorical choices made after 9/11 included labeling the attackers as “terrorists” rather than “criminals,” designating 9/11 as…
Violence begets violence: Hamas’ Pyrrhic victory
Pyrrhic victory: “A victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that is tantamount to defeat. The phrase originates from a quote from Pyrrhus of Epirus, whose triumph against the Romans in the Battle of Asculum destroyed much of…
Here are some ways to listen to Palestinian Christians
With war raging once again in Israel and Palestine, it seems far more people have opinions to proclaim about it than openness to listening. After the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas in which more than 1,600 people were killed…
Christian and interfaith tours to Israel canceled, while some already there are stranded
Being in Israel during the outbreak of war is like witnessing the unfolding of history in its most horrible and violent aspects, George Mason said Oct. 9 from near the Sea of Galilee. Mason had been in Jerusalem two days…