Does Anyone Care About Arab Christians?

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Blueridge Believer

Puritan Board Professor
The plight of Arab christians

This unfortunate group of people is caught in the middle of tensions between Jews and Muslims. While many Christian Arabs sympathize politically and culturally with their fellow Arabs over the Jewish people, they nonetheless are often targets of scorn from Arab Muslims. What is most shocking, however, is that Christians of Arab descent are non-issues in the minds of most Western Christians. Arab believers are most notably ignored by many Christians in America who believe fervently in the dispensational, pre-tribulational, premillennial view of Bible prophecy.
 
This is a very sad situation. My wifes uncle was a missionary in Palestine (Bible Pres) for years and he told many stories of American Christians who would come to his town and would not go to church with Palestinian christians because they were told by (Jewish) tour guides that they "were all terrorists".

He said that thousands of local christians would be worshipping in their local churches while the Americans would hold a service in the hotel to pray for the Israeli army to kill all the Arabs so that "Jerusalem would have peace".

The stories he told about American Christian indiference would make you feel sick.

These brothers suffer from all sides; Israeli, & Muslem persecution and western Christian indifference.

We should remember to pray for them.:pray2:
 
When I look back at the years I spent spewing forth the doctrines of dispenstionalism one emotion comes over me time after time. SHAME.
 
I find some of this to be broadbrushing. Yes, I can understand the Christians believing the tour guide out of ignorance (thinking that the Arab Christians must surely be siding with the other Arabs due to background...common issue amoung men). However, when I was a dispensational, we NEVER prayed the Arabs would "be killed so the Jews could have peace"!!! We prayed for the "Peace of Jerusalem" (however that would come about) and we prayed for the salvation of all those involved. Voice of the Martyrs, I believe, even put out articles about the Arab Christians and that was a highly recommended periodical amoung the Dispensationalists. Seems like some of this is assumptions or stretches. Concern for Israel being seen as aggression against the Arab Christians. Perhaps the tour guide never mentioned these Arabs were Christians.

I can see a million scenarios playing out as to the whats and whys of the situation.
 
I find some of this to be broadbrushing. Yes, I can understand the Christians believing the tour guide out of ignorance (thinking that the Arab Christians must surely be siding with the other Arabs due to background...common issue amoung men). However, when I was a dispensational, we NEVER prayed the Arabs would "be killed so the Jews could have peace"!!! We prayed for the "Peace of Jerusalem" (however that would come about) and we prayed for the salvation of all those involved. Voice of the Martyrs, I believe, even put out articles about the Arab Christians and that was a highly recommended periodical amoung the Dispensationalists. Seems like some of this is assumptions or stretches. Concern for Israel being seen as aggression against the Arab Christians. Perhaps the tour guide never mentioned these Arabs were Christians.

I can see a million scenarios playing out as to the whats and whys of the situation.


You bring out a good point dear lady, but I believe he is pointing this article toward the Hagee/Falwell types.
 
Thank you, Mr. Farley...I'm not familiar with Hagee and Falwell very much, they are a bit on the funnyfarm side. The more fundamental dispensationals take missions to various cultures seriously regardless of political persuasian.

I also admit, I can understand how this appears to the Arab Christians and the minister. I'm just saying that there is much misunderstanding on both parts involved. It would help if there were those that would seek to go and come back and speak with these churches here. I know the Presbyterian missions seem to be pretty good about that.
 
The sad thing is that most Dispensationalists do not if ever acknowledge Arab Christians. They are seen as second class Christians. Much of the same way as Reformed Christians are viewed in America by popular evangelicals.

We have more in common with Arab Christians than a non-believing Jew. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ! What upsets me about dispensationalism is the absolute worship and idolatry of Israel and Jewish people.

The question that I propose to dispensational Christians is this: How can God bless the nation of Israel when, as a whole the entire nation curses his son?
Orthodox Jews in Israel will not even pronounce the name of Jesus they use a derogatory term to refer to him.

This topic hit close to home for me because 5 years ago when I went to Israel all I saw was a worship of Jewish people from Dispensational Christians. As a result of their foolish zeal to support Israel on its civil issues; Dispensationalists have done more to hinder the gospel in the Middle East than to spread it.
 
I'm with LadyFlynt on this one. I've known many dispensationals who do not support Christian Zionism, and recognize that unbelieving Jews are enemies of the gospel even if they believe that they are in some sense beloved in the eyes of God (Romans 11:28). It is unfair to characterize dispensationalism or dispensationalists this way.
 
Actually what really shocks me is that there are a LOT of North American Christians (Reformed, Dispensational, you name it), who not only are unaware of the plight of Palestinian Christians, but are unaware they exist! They think they are all Moslem. Part of it is the fault of mainstream media, they always or almost always present problems as Jewish/Moslem. Not that North American Christans are foolish mind you! Many simply do not know about that aspect.
 
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Mr. Crim hit the nail on the head. It's not an ignoring thereof, but rather ignorance on the part of many that such exists. The people are not always to blame for their ignorance. It helps when mission boards and others (like VM) speak up and inform others of such an existance.
 
hagee_200.jpg


What Arab Christians?
 
My wife's family are rabid evanjellyfish zionists. I just stay quiet in order to keep the peace (what little I see of them).

Once I said, "I'm not a dispensationalist." My father-in-law BELLERED back. "YOU ARE TOO A DISPENSATIONALIST!!".

That's the last time I broght that up. In fact, now, every time there's a protest or fist fight at the temple mount I print out the story and bring it to him. He get's so excited and is sure that Christ is about to return any minute. He thanks me profusely. He's an old man. This is easier.
 
The sad thing is that most Dispensationalists do not if ever acknowledge Arab Christians.

What facts do you have to back up this assertion?

I know firsthand of missionary minded dispensationalists who have a deep abiding love for their Arab brethren. Did you know that the Plymouth Brethren have made a great impact for the gospel in Egypt? I have met many of these brothers and sisters who have been lovingly accepted by their brothers in the West.

I'll make an assertion myself, and as proof I would be happy to cite more than a few posts on the PB. The assertion? There is such a strong anti-dispensationalist and anti-Israeli sentiment with some PB posters that they are wont to throw accusations against the wall and hope that they will stick in the absence of evidence. Brethren, this ought not be! If you have factual evidence to present then do so. If not, be careful lest you be found to be slandering a brother or sister in Christ.
 
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Lady Flint,

I think my wifes (late) uncle was frustrated by the fact that American Christians would not even acknowledge the persecution he was seeing from 2 sides--because in their minds Arab=bad, Jew=good with no ability to recognise that these were brothers in Christ.

He would be greeted with enthusiasm by the America Christian tourists until they found out his ministry was (primarily) to Arabs & Palistinians and not to "Gods Chosen People".

I know that there are pleanty of Dispensationalists who don't hold this view--He was one himself(!), but the fact remains that this is a huge blind spot for many western christians.
 
Actually what really shocks me is that there are a LOT of North American Christians (Reformed, Dispensational, you name it), who not only are unaware of the plight of Palestinian Christians, but are unaware they exist! They think they are all Moslem. Part of it is the fault of mainstream media, they always or almost always present problems as Jewish/Moslem. Not that North American Christans are foolish mind you! Many simply do not know about that aspect.

:ditto:
 
What facts do you have to back up this assertion?

I know firsthand of missionary minded dispensationalists who have a deep abiding love for their Arab brethren. Did you know that the Plymouth Brethren have made a great impact for the gospel in Egypt? I have met many of these brothers and sisters who have been lovingly accepted by their brothers in the West.

I'll make an assertion myself, and as proof I would be happy to cite more than a few posts on the PB. The assertion? There is such a strong anti-dispensationalist and anti-Israeli sentiment with some PB posters that they are wont to throw accusations against the wall and hope that they will stick in the absence of evidence. Brethren, this ought not be! If you factual evidence to present then do so. If not, be careful lest you be found to be slandering a brother or sister in Christ.


I was citing first hand accounts of a life-long missionary family. Does that count as factual?
 
I'll make an assertion myself, and as proof I would be happy to cite more than a few posts on the PB. The assertion? There is such a strong anti-dispensationalist and anti-Israeli sentiment with some PB posters that they are wont to throw accusations against the wall and hope that they will stick in the absence of evidence. Brethren, this ought not be! If you factual evidence to present then do so. If not, be careful lest you be found to be slandering a brother or sister in Christ.

:agree:
 
Kevin, you accused dispensationalists as a whole. You said "most Dispensationalists." How can you build a case against an entire group based on one experience? Lady Flynt was right. Broad brushes are being used. Let's hope no one uses the same standard of criticism against Reformed theology.
 
My wife's family are rabid evanjellyfish zionists. I just stay quiet in order to keep the peace (what little I see of them).

Once I said, "I'm not a dispensationalist." My father-in-law BELLERED back. "YOU ARE TOO A DISPENSATIONALIST!!".

That's the last time I broght that up. In fact, now, every time there's a protest or fist fight at the temple mount I print out the story and bring it to him. He get's so excited and is sure that Christ is about to return any minute. He thanks me profusely. He's an old man. This is easier.
Sorry Bob.........the YOU ARE TO A DISPENSATIONALIST.........is well too funny! My Father in Law believes much the same as yours does, I do the same as you......I never discuss it. :D :D :D
 
Kevin, you accused dispensationalists as a whole. You said "most Dispensationalists." How can you build a case against an entire group based on one experience? Lady Flynt was right. Broad brushes are being used. Let's hope no one uses the same standard of criticism against Reformed theology.


I'm sure there are some Dispensational's who support the Arab christians brother Bill. Of that I have no doubt. Can you name me one prominant Dispensational though who does not believe that physical Israel is the seed of Abraham and that the Body of Christ and the seed of Abraham are two different things? The ones I am in contact with here in my area are ate up with dual covenant theology.
Now I know that there are Dispensational lites out thier like Macarthur who would not go there but among Dispensationalists of various denominations they are the minority.
 
What facts do you have to back up this assertion?

I know firsthand of missionary minded dispensationalists who have a deep abiding love for their Arab brethren. Did you know that the Plymouth Brethren have made a great impact for the gospel in Egypt? I have met many of these brothers and sisters who have been lovingly accepted by their brothers in the West.

I'll make an assertion myself, and as proof I would be happy to cite more than a few posts on the PB. The assertion? There is such a strong anti-dispensationalist and anti-Israeli sentiment with some PB posters that they are won't to throw accusations against the wall and hope that they will stick in the absence of evidence. Brethren, this ought not be! If you factual evidence to present then do so. If not, be careful lest you be found to be slandering a brother or sister in Christ.

Ok, I should re-phrase my position and statement. I apologize for the broad brush please forgive me.

In my circle of friends, acquaintances, and Dispensational Bible teachers that I have personally been exposed to there seems to be a lack of consideration for Arab Christians. In order to gather factual evidence this would take some time for me to compile. My statement should have been worded this way, as a whole there seems to be little emphasis on Arab Christians in the circles that I am familiar with. Obviously, this may not be true for other such dispensationalists and this is where I was wrong in my statement.

Grace and Peace
 
I confess that I seldom think about Arab Christians and i'm no longer a Dispensational.

One humbling moment for me came when my car was broken down here in Texas and AAA sent a tow truck and the guy on the phone had a distinct middle eastern accent and was having difficulty finding me.

I was getting annoyed and impatient inside with the delay, when he arrived he was a middle eastern man who popped my hood and looked at me and asked to my surprise "Are you a Christian, brother?"

I said yes and answered what church I attended and then he fixed my car quickly and said "Me too, I was born in Bethlehem."

I shook his hand and he drove off, honestly looking at him I never would've guessed he professed to be a Christian.
 

Thanks for the link brother. Hardly without it's pro-Israel after the flesh stance though.

http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=50

A Brief History of CAMERA

The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, or CAMERA, was founded in Washington, DC in 1982 by Winifred Meiselman, a teacher and social worker. Mrs. Meiselman formed CAMERA to respond to the Washington Post’s coverage of Israel’s Lebanon incursion, and to the paper’s general anti-Israel bias. Joining CAMERA’s Executive Board in the early days were such prominent Washington-area residents as Saul Stern and Bernard White. Win also recruited an Advisory Board which included Senators Rudy Boschwitz and Charles Grassley, Congressman Tom Lantos, journalist M. Stanton Evans, Ambassador Charles Lichenstein, Pastor Roy Stewart, and Rabbi David Yellin.


A very interesting read indeed.
 


CAMERA is a zionist lobby group. It criticises Palstinian Christians for criticising Israel for persecuting them because they do not also criticise Arab governments who have serious issues with the Jewish state. that is abit like criticising Chinese christians for offering criticism of the Bejing regime with out balancing that with a criticism of Americas Two-China policy.

True, but not relevent to the issue at hand.
 
Kevin, you accused dispensationalists as a whole. You said "most Dispensationalists." How can you build a case against an entire group based on one experience? Lady Flynt was right. Broad brushes are being used. Let's hope no one uses the same standard of criticism against Reformed theology.

Let me restate then, Bill.

Based on my personal experience as a student at 2 dispensational Universities, at several dozen dispensational "Bible Prophecy" (sic) conferences, based on many conversations with family members who served as missionaries in Palestine for decades, based on my degree in Biblical Studies from a dispensational school, based on attending 3 years of "south-Wide Baptist Fellowship", based on 15+ years of reading every month several dispensational magazines & newsletters, based on reading over 100 popular and scholarly (sic) dispensational books on "Prophecy & the Mid-East", based on working for 10+ years as a consultant specialising on "Evengelical Christians and the religious right" for Republicans and Independants, based on several semesters worth of courses on evangelism, jewish evangelism, and dispensationalism, based on many scores of hours spent at the library of the world headquarters of a Jewish mission agency reading the publications of that board and its missionaries, based on my familiarity of the sociological litt. about "American Bible Christians" i.e. dispensationalism, AND further based on my native good sense and powers of observation I would say;

That it is a fair and acurate summation of dispensationalism, as popularly held, by evangelical American Christians, that an unbelieving Israeli trumps a Believing Arab or Palestinian 9 times out of 10!
 
I'm well aware of CAMERA's efforts to bring balance to the coverage of Israel in the media, and thankful for them. The article I cited shows examples of Arab Christian distortion of the truth, and I note that no one is attempting to show that the article is factually incorrect. If we love the truth, we ought not to turn a blind eye to Arab Christian (or National Council of Churches) anti-Israel propoganda while condemning dispensational pro-Israel propoganda.

Arabic Christians (these terms need to be fleshed out, by the way, since not all Middle Eastern or Palestinian "Christians" are Arabic nor are they all by any means Protestant - there are Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Coptic, Marionite, Greek Orthodox and many other types) would do themselves a great favor by condemning Islamic terrorism / PA policies at least half as loudly as they do Israeli policies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestinian_Christian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Christians

Christian bookstore bombed by terrorists (April 15, 2007)
 
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The plight of Arab christians

This unfortunate group of people is caught in the middle of tensions between Jews and Muslims. While many Christian Arabs sympathize politically and culturally with their fellow Arabs over the Jewish people, they nonetheless are often targets of scorn from Arab Muslims. What is most shocking, however, is that Christians of Arab descent are non-issues in the minds of most Western Christians. Arab believers are most notably ignored by many Christians in America who believe fervently in the dispensational, pre-tribulational, premillennial view of Bible prophecy.

I care about them, the Muslims and the Jewish people there. How about you? How many Reformed Christians besides myself give a rip about the plight of Jewish people and the plight of Muslims? Sometimes, I feel like I am alone in the world. I hope I am not.
 
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