Bishop's waning over Christian Zionism

By Mark Porthouse for Ekklesia

02/09/06

Cardinal Michel Sabbah, Roman Catholic Archbishop in Jerusalem, Israel, has signed a joint inter-denominational statement criticising Christians that hold the belief that modern Israel should be defended in order to fulfil Biblical prophecies. Sabbah is known for his work towards reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. The declaration of August the 22nd is a call for a turn from militarism, this time directed at fellow Christians who they urge to “break their silence and speak for reconciliation with justice in the Holy Land”.

With Archbishop Swerious Malki Mourad (Syrian Orthodox), Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal (Episcopal Church of Jerusalem and the Middle East) and Bishop Munib Younan (Evangelical Lurtheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land), Sabbah calls “upon all people to reject the narrow world view of Christian Zionism and other ideologies that privilege one people at the expense of others.” The Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism rejects the justification of “colonization, apartheid and empire-building” that it states follows from “Christian Zionism and its alliances” with state and government. It urges peace and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians recognising that the latter are “one people, both Muslim and Christian.”

"Justice alone guarantees a peace that will lead to reconciliation with a life of security and prosperity for all the peoples of our land. By standing on the side of justice, we open ourselves to the work of peace - and working for peace makes us children of God," the statement concludes. The statement follows similar warnings two years ago from the then Archbishop of York David Hope, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

They suggested that theological work needed to be done to counter biblical interpretation of from outside the mainstream of the tradition which had “become increasingly influential in fostering an uncritical and one-sided approach to the future of the Holy Land.”