I really want to believe this is the workings of a very active minority in the church.And with this statement the Canadian minister has surely put his finger on the pulse of what's behind organised Christian anti-Israel sentiment, not just in Canada but across the world. Well-meaning, sincere and objective individuals aside, there is clear evidence of a one-sided, ideologically-driven and frantically active minority of Protestant elites who, despite commanding little by way of wider grassroots support, nonetheless set about exploiting and capturing the system. In such cases it has less to do with peace than ideology.
I'm frequently reminded of how Marxist-Leninism historically employed similar strategies. It worked initially, of course, but inevitably the house of cards always eventually came tumbling down. One might think they can manipulate the grassroots, but history indicates that over time they usually see through it all.
Read the full report on the UCC here.
1 comment:
I think there is a degree of ideology on both sides - i.e. how many CZs have links to right wing politics in the US and UK ?
There is though a genuine evangelical interest in social justice issues that is influenced by such things as the campaign for the abolition of the slave trade - the Wesley's preaching in the open air to the poor etc. I am not sure there is much of a left wing conspiracy driven by socialist groups to take over the grass roots. The keen grass roots are already open to social justice issues. In fact there is a tendency amongst many evangelicals to be wary of anything to do with JN Darby's dispensationalism because of its links to exclusivity and excessive legalism. Many in the charismatic house church movement came out of the Brethren, partly because of its holy huddle mentality. Suddenly they were filled with the Holy Spirit and found a more hopeful eschatology based upon love for Christ and a renewed Christian Church, with a commitment to work for peace, justice and reconcilliation in the world.
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