Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism
Encyclopedia
The Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism is a document signed on behalf of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
(Catholic), the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
. It is dated August 22, 2006. The Declaration does reject Christian Zionism
, concluding that it is a "false teaching that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation." All of the above Churches in support of the Declaration are local and include Palestinian Christians.
Several reasons are given, among them the following. "The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ's love and justice today." "We call upon Christians in Churches on every continent to pray for the Palestinian and Israeli people."
The Jerusalem Declaration cites Micah
6:8, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Also, 2nd Corinthians
5:19, "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting sins against the sinners. He has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation." It begins with a quotation from Matthew
5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."
The Jerusalem Declaration condemns current Christian Zionist support for the territorial expansion of Israel, but affirms "Israelis and Palestinians are capable of living together within peace, justice and security". It supports non-violent resistance as the "most effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a just and lasting peace".
In general terms, the Jerusalem Declaration rejects "Christian Zionism" for substituting a political-military program in place of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings of Scripture are interpreted to center on "love
, justice
, and reconciliation
".
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem is the title possessed by the Latin Rite Catholic Archbishop of Jerusalem. The Archdiocese of Jerusalem has jurisdiction for all Latin Rite Catholics in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Cyprus...
(Catholic), the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East is a province of the Anglican Communion stretching from Iran in the east to Algeria in the west, and Cyprus in the north to Somalia in the south. It is the largest and the most diverse Anglican province. The church is headed by a President...
, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Jerusalem
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer is the second Protestant church in the Old City of Jerusalem . It is a property of the Evangelical Jerusalem Foundation, one of the three foundations of the Evangelical Church in Germany in the Holy Land...
. It is dated August 22, 2006. The Declaration does reject Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism is a belief among some Christians that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, is in accordance with Biblical prophecy. It overlaps with, but is distinct from, the nineteenth century movement for the Restoration of the Jews...
, concluding that it is a "false teaching that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation." All of the above Churches in support of the Declaration are local and include Palestinian Christians.
Several reasons are given, among them the following. "The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ's love and justice today." "We call upon Christians in Churches on every continent to pray for the Palestinian and Israeli people."
The Jerusalem Declaration cites Micah
Book of Micah
The Book of Micah is one of fifteen prophetic books in the Hebrew bible/Old Testament, and the sixth of the twelve minor prophets. It records the sayings of Mikayahu, meaning "Who is like Yahweh?", an 8th century prophet from the village of Moresheth in Judah...
6:8, "What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." Also, 2nd Corinthians
Second Epistle to the Corinthians
The second epistle of Paul the apostle to the Corinthians, often referred to as Second Corinthians , is the eighth book of the New Testament of the Bible...
5:19, "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting sins against the sinners. He has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation." It begins with a quotation from Matthew
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God."
The Jerusalem Declaration condemns current Christian Zionist support for the territorial expansion of Israel, but affirms "Israelis and Palestinians are capable of living together within peace, justice and security". It supports non-violent resistance as the "most effective means to end the illegal occupation in order to attain a just and lasting peace".
In general terms, the Jerusalem Declaration rejects "Christian Zionism" for substituting a political-military program in place of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The teachings of Scripture are interpreted to center on "love
Love
Love is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
, justice
Justice
Justice is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity, along with the punishment of the breach of said ethics; justice is the act of being just and/or fair.-Concept of justice:...
, and reconciliation
Reconciliation
Reconciliation may variously refer to:* Bank reconciliation* Truth and reconciliation commission-Religion:* Sacrament of Penance , also known as Reconciliation...
".