Tell me if you think this is true or not.... We all see events in our own lives and in the world around us through whatever paradigms we operate from. In fact, Id suggest its almost impossible to do otherwise. For instance, this current conflict I keep talking about in Israel and Gaza. If you believe that Israel is right, then everything that happens in this war - like over 200 Palestinian children being killed - will be seen through that prism. You might say the Hamas was hiding among them. Or that they were unfortunate collateral damage in a war Israel cant help because Hamas wants to destroy Israel. So its just the sad cost if war. If you are pro Palestinian and an Israeli citizen gets killed (2 have) then you say its the cost of Israel oppressing Palestinians. And on it goes. You cannot see the other side. When you add the theology of all this land belongs to Israel anyway, because the Bible said so, then youre really stuck in a certain way of interpreting events. You basically HAVE to see everything that Israel does in a positive light. Then the Palestinians (and about 100 million other Arabs who now live on that promised land) shouldnt even be there. Since all the Arabs from the Tigris and Euphrates (Baghdad) to the Nile river (Cairo) arent likely to be moving anytime soon, youre stuck in a strange theologically position sort of hoping for Armageddon or something like that so the ancient children of Israel can re-occupy the land promised to them (ignoring that Jesus clearly said that Gods new kingdom is within you, not physical). Part of what I enjoy about posting here is that it help me see my own biases. I am quick to point out Israels faults and slow to point out the Palestinian ones. But I know that. Its difficult for me to see anything that Israel doss as positive. I know that, its easy for me to sort of forgive the Hamas because they have no choice....or something like that. And I know that. Its my weakness. But when a handful of you post here without any self awareness of your biases its discouraging to me. You politically and theologically think Israel can do no wrong and that the Palestinians all want to destroy Israel. Silliness. At least walk five feet in the others shoes. At least pretend to try to love your enemy. To bless them. To pray for them. I know, its hard. Im doing it with Israel and my Israeli friends, its hard for me. Its the PhD level of Jesus-following. Im still working on my BA.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 09:32:21 +0000
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