Anti-Semitism in the Church

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Comment by Daniel Hennessy on January 7, 2009 at 8:12am

Below is the text of a Letter to the Editor that I submitted to the three major local dailies here in the Finger Lakes region. It has appeared in at least one of them and I have only received positive feedback via email and phone... so far:

Israel Must Defend Its Citizens From Hamas

Israel must defend its citizens from Hamas.

Hamas must cease to bombard neighborhoods of innocent Israelis with rockets fired from civilian bases in Gaza, using its own citizens as human shields.

Israel withdrew from all of Gaza more than three years ago in hopes of peace and the two-state solution they have actively pursued since 1948. Hamas, which started this conflict with unrelenting rocket and mortar attacks on unarmed Israeli civilians—6,464 launched from Gaza in the last three years—deliberately places its weapons in and near the homes of its own people, using collateral human casualties caused by Israeli defense operations as hubris for its political public relations objectives
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This is not the behavior of a government pursuing a legitimate cause, it is the behavior of terrorists.

Israel has an obligation to defend its citizens from the threat of Iran-backed terrorists now – just as it did when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel not long ago. Israel is no different from any other sovereign nation that must protect their citizens from those who would kill them. It is so scrupulous about civilian life that, risking the element of surprise, it contacts enemy noncombatants in advance to warn them of approaching danger.

Israel and the Palestinians need a lasting peace—which will only come when Iran-backed terrorists—to include the sitting Hamas authority in Gaza—are defeated.

The issue in question is not Israel's actions in defense of its civilian population, but the antecedent acts of terror: Hamas must cease to bombard neighborhoods of innocent Israelis with rockets fired from civilian bases in Gaza, using its own citizens as human shields.

Israel must defend its citizens.

I am working with my pastor to organize an event in support of Israel and the Jewish people as well. This is the time to be the opposite of silent. It is the opportunity to be at our saltiest and brightest in terms of light. We must shout it from the rooftops that Yeshua is Messiah, that the Jews are His people, that He has not forgotten them and will not forsake them, and that the need to make a decision is urgent in order to wind up on the victorious eternal side when the King returns for His people. -- dah

Comment by Daniel Hennessy on December 31, 2008 at 2:51pm

Shalom to one and all... below is a timely message from Rabbi Marvin Heir at the Simon Wiesenthal Center (I do not send this regarding donations, etc., just as a timely comment on the conflict in Israel with Gaza/Hamas) :

December 31, 2008

Dear Daniel,

As I write this, there are well orchestrated worldwide protests blaming Israel for the events in Gaza.



But you and I know the truth: That Israel has launched this operation after seven months of daily rocket attacks endangering 500 thousand citizens.

Israel is finally doing what every country would do.

As for civilian casualties, the world knows that Israel is not at war with civilians. It is not Israel that deliberately places rocket launchers adjacent to schools, in mosques, and near shopping centers. It is terrorist Hamas and its culture of death that has such little regard for human life.

This is the message that I have been delivering in numerous media interviews and editorials.

Make no mistake; the campaign against Israel will be a long and hard one. But we are committed to continue to be on the frontlines - as an NGO at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, the Organization of American States (OAS), the OSCE, and through our offices in the U.S., Toronto, Paris, Buenos Aires and Jerusalem.

It is during these times of crises that we especially need your support.

Thank you for your continued support of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Rabbi Marvin Hier
Founder and Dean

Comment by Daniel Hennessy on December 30, 2008 at 3:53pm

Those of who know our direct connection to Israel ought to be concerned, in my opinion, about Pastor Rick Warren having any role whatsoever in the Obama Administration, even if it is limited to the Inauguration Ceremony. If the photo above uploaded correctly, it provides a view of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad (L) receiving a souvenir from U.S. Reverend Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and pastor of Saddleback Church, following their meeting at Al-Rawda Palace in Damascus 12 November 2006.

"Syria," Pastor Warren told his viewers back home by video, is "a moderate country, and the official government rule and position is to not allow extremism of any kind." This is a highly original way to describe a regime that is joined at the hip with the Iranian theocracy, that is the patron of Hezbollah in Lebanon, and that is the official and unabashed host of the fugitive Hamas leadership whose military wing directs massacre operations from Damascus itself. According to an un-denied report from the Syrian state news agency, SANA, Warren followed his Assad meeting with another get-together, this time with a mufti. The resulting press communiqué read like this:

“The Mufti called for conveying the real image of Syria, national unity and its call to spread peace, amity and justice to the American people which the U.S. has distorted their image throughout the world. Pastor Warren expressed admiration of Syria and the coexistence he saw between Muslims and Christians, stressing that he will convey this image to his church and country.”
Pastor Warren also made this comment in his broadcast to his megachurch in CA:
“In fact, you know Saul of Tarsus—Saul was a Syrian. St. Paul, on the road to Damascus, had his conversion experience, and so Christians have been here the longest, and they get along with the Muslims, and the Muslims get along with them. There's a lot less tension than in other places.”

We should remind our fellow brothers and sisters that our allegiance to Israel demands some sincere scrutiny of the actions of fellow believers who engage in damaging behavior as regards Israel. This is only right and good to do, speaking the truth in love. It is my opinion that we must not become overly "politically correct" regarding norms and values of "correct" Christian culture to the point that we remain silent as regards Israel, the Jewish people, and the military events currently at hand.

Sha'alu shalom Yerushalayim, in Messiah's love and strength,

Daniel

Comment by Daniel Hennessy on December 30, 2008 at 3:44pm

'Shalom Too Voos...

This is a great object lesson to be used to emphasize the reality of our Jewish heritage to those as yet unaware... Toda raba.

Shalom in Messiah, sha'alu shalom Yerushalayim...

Danile

Comment by Daniel Hennessy on December 30, 2008 at 3:37pm

For months now, the Palestinian terror group Hamas has been shelling Israeli cities with little in the way of an assertive response. But this weekend, which capped a week when at least 300 Hamas-fired rockets and mortars pounded southern Israel, the Israeli government has at last decided to retaliate.

I am hoping that we who love the people we share in the promises of, the Jewish people, are speaking soundly and firmly in defense of Israel during this moment of escalating tension. Many people have absorbed the misinformation of mass media and see Israel's defensive actions as "extreme" and even "unnecessary."

May we not be like the Church of Eastern Europe of the 1930's. Rather, may we be salt and light in our stand with the Jewish people, with Israel. And may our salt and light stay potent and bright throughout this event and the events that are prophetically likely to follow.

Shalom in Adonai Tz'vaot, the L-rd of Hosts,

Daniel

Comment by Dawn on December 30, 2008 at 2:17pm

Thanks Paul for the post and update. Prayer is indeed urgently needed.

Comment by Paul Sherbow on December 29, 2008 at 10:33pm

Shalom All,

Please click and read.

It is Urgent.

Paul

Comment by Paul Sherbow on December 28, 2008 at 11:47pm

tune it to www.inspiredfaith.org We are live from Israel right now

Paul

Comment by Daniel Hennessy on December 28, 2008 at 11:29pm

Shalom Maria... It is clear that your heart is in the right place and that is what matters... Thank G-d for individuals like you who have not forgotten His people or His ways! You are a great encouragement in this regard...

Shalom Paul... Thank you for your encouraging words. Until our Christian brothers and sisters realize that the Messiah Yeshua Himself is our shalom and that he has made us both one and has broken down the m’chitzah, dividing wall which separated us, we will be as if separate branches of the same olive tree. I agree. People will wake up to anti-Jewish sentiments only when they realize the deeper truth of G-d's Torah--all of it--to include the ways of second temple Judaism as observed and taught by Messiah Yeshua and as confirmed in Messianic Covenant Torah (New Testament).

I am concerned that I detect the influence of anti-Jewish sentiments in the resistance of some Christians to accept that we are in-grafted, adopted, citizens of Israel and contend with the idea that we are as if it were a heresy. These are those who contend that "the Church" is the sole vehicle of redemption in G-d's plan, when it is clear throughout the Scriptures that Israel is the sole vehicle of redemption. Unfortunately, I have encountered this rather extreme reaction among those who consider themselves to be in the Body of Messiah. I think it is the result of previously taught anti-Jewish/antisemitic teaching and yet, it is retained and not given up by some. "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the L-RD" (Proverbs 16:20). It is as if a pride in a false, triumphalistic form of Christianity has taken them in its grip, to the point where considering Jesus as a Torah-observant Jew is an insult to "their faith." Thanks be to G-d I've not encountered too many who are rigid or extreme in this anti-Jewish attitude, but those that are protest the teaching of our Jewish foundation as if it were a heresy.

I am thankful for your ministry, especially as it is in eretz Yisrael, the land given to Avraham. I, too, am seeing the Ruach move people's hearts toward the truth of the whole of Torah, and it is a thing of wonder to behold. My wife and children now accompany me on a regular basis to a local church where the appointed times of the L-rd are being acknowledged... this is a huge breakthrough in our community. After having a few discouraging experiences, I was not comfortable with my family participating in a local assembly that was indifferent or against the ways of the L-rd as taught and observed by Yeshua Himself. It is a wonderful thing to be part of a local congregation that is opening its heart to the ways of Yeshua. Thank you for your comment....

Shalom in Messiah and toda raba to both of you...

Daniel

Comment by Paul Sherbow on December 28, 2008 at 12:04pm

Shalom Daniel,

From a Jewish point of view, there are the out right anti-jewish teachers but also, many have been taught what they believe is a truth and it has gone from generation to generation for 1900 years so it HAS become truth to many and they find it hard to think diffferently.

I see the amazing work of the Father almost everyday. Many people are walking away from "religion" and finding the truth on both sides of the Holy Highway He has prepared for us.I fnd the Jewish people leaving Rabbinical Judasim and the Christians leaving the man made rules, regulations and teachings of the churches.

The seperation between Christian and Jewish Believer will remain until all eyes are opened to the fact that we need to become ONE in the Body of the Messiah and in doing so understand there is just ONE way to walk His Highway and not many and we may not chose as individuals what pleases God. He tells us what pleases Him through the teachings of His Son.

My ministry deals with Christians around the world who want to know more and become thirsty for the truth of God's Word. This is the only way to wake people up to the anti-jewish feelings and to understand where we are supposed to be.

In HIS Service
All Day Everyday

Paul

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