TBC NewsWatch

PRESBYTERIAN DIVESTMENT STOKES ANCIENT FIRES

FrontPageMag.com, 7/8/14, “Presbyterian Divestment Stokes Ancient Fires” [Excerpts]: Many Christians were in shock recently when the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (PC/USA)...voted to divest from three major international companies that do business in Judea, Samaria and Israel. While the PC (USA) asserts that they are not (at all) motivated by anti-Semitism and they take “no position” on Zionism, they nevertheless lay all problems in the area at Israel’s feet, blaming the so-called “illegal occupation.” However, a recent article by NGO Monitor has found strong evidence of underlying anti-Semitism in the PC (USA) leadership.

In some more liberal leaning activist denominations like PC (USA), the agenda includes Israel. The Methodists, Presbyterians (USA), the Scottish Reformed Church and the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Church of England, the United Church of Canada, and the World Council of Churches all seem to have a stake in proposing schemes to punish Israel.

The most vocal...are Christian pastors and leaders like Stephen Sizer (Anglican), Naim Ateek (Anglican), and Gary Burge (Evangelical/Protestant). [In] Sizer’s recent book Christian Zionism: Road-map to Armageddon?, you will discover [that] Christian Zionism is a plot to undermine the USA and the world. Steven Sizer speaks around the Western and Islamic world against Christian Zionism and Israel’s right to continue to live in the land of its ancestors.

In her recent column, Melanie Phillips wrote, “Within the Protestant world, many churches are deeply hostile to the State of Israel—What is less known is the more disturbing fact that this perverse animus is increasingly fed not by the politics of the present moment but by theology.”

The theology...is known by a variety of names but is undergirded by the concept of “Replacement Theology.”...also called “Supersessionism,” energized a paradigm of anti-Judaism that informs some of Western Christianity today.

This Replacement concept is the framework for the most virulent forms of the anti-Zionism we currently see. For PC (USA) or the Scottish Church or any of the others who demonize Israel to admit to anti-Semitism might bring world criticism. So they couch their concerns in words and actions that are subtle inversions of the truth like calling Judea and Samaria “illegally occupied.” When Jordan actually did “illegally occupy” Judea and Samaria from 1948 to 1967, the world heard not a peep of opposition from these churches.

Within Protestantism, Catholicism, and the Orthodox Churches today there are, of course, some denominations more extreme than others. Protestant Evangelical groups (Bethlehem Bible College, Sabeel) for example, hold conferences, like Christ at the Checkpoint, with the underlying purpose of nullifying Jewish claims to the Land of Israel and dubbing Jesus a Palestinian. Partnering together at the bi-annual Christ at the Checkpoint Conference are notables such as Sizer, Ateek, Lynn Hybels (Willow Creek Church) Tony Campolo (Eastern University) and other advocates of disabling Israel and replacing her with a one-state Palestinian solution.

Evangelical Christians, those who interpret the Bible literally, have been among Israel’s best and most loyal friends. But the winds are shifting yet again as more and more Christian Evangelicals are lured by a pro-Palestinian, pro-“peace and justice” narrative. Some Christian/Israel loyalists are concerned about this trend and are working to counter it. A few rays of light and hope peek through the cracks with groups like Christians United for Israel, Friends of Israel, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, and Bridges for Peace among them.

(http://goo.gl/V8tJqz)

[TBC: Paul Wilkinson’s excellent resources Understanding Christian Zionism and Prophets Who Prophesy Lies in My Name address this critical issue.]

PAULA WHITE'S BREAKTHROUGH DONATIONS

ChristianPost.com, 7/11/14, “Pastor Paula White Claims July Is ‘Prophetically Designated for Victory Over Enemies;’ Suggests $229 ‘Breakthrough Seed’ Donation” [Excerpts]: In a newsletter emailed to supporters...Florida pastor Paula White claims that God has shown her that “this is a season of victory for His people.” The Christian minister also reveals a strong feeling “that a seed of $229 in accordance with 1 Chronicles:22:9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
See All... is a breakthrough seed for the month of July,” and declares to recipients of her newsletter, “Do not hesitate to follow a prophetic instruction!”

White, who formerly led Without Walls Church International with ex-husband Randy White, is senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida.

In a newsletter emailed on Thursday to Paula White Ministries supporters, and titled “This Email Will Change Your Life!” White asserts: “YOU are on the verge of complete breakthrough in every area of your life. Spiritually, Financially, and Relationally God has shown me that this is a season of victory for His people.”

“As I went deeper in the Spirit the Lord revealed that before the breakthrough comes, certain things must be dealt with. Specifically, there must be a complete defeat of your enemies! I need to explain the importance of this to you, so do not let this email go unread,” the newsletter signed “Paula” adds.

White goes on to suggest that 1 Chronicles:22:7-8 [7] And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: [8] But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
See All... reveals that King David was unable to fully realize his dream of building the Temple because “he only secured complete victory over his enemies at an age too old to build!”

“This is why God told me to specifically address the area of defeat over enemies,” White declares, continuing in all caps: “JULY IS PROPHETICALLY DESIGNATED FOR VICTORY OVER ENEMIES FOR THOSE WHO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH ME IN THIS SEASON! DO NOT HESITATE!” It was not clear if the “me” in the minister’s newsletter refers to herself, or if she is claiming to speak on behalf of God.

After breaking down what she says are the “7 principles” recipients of the newsletter “must know,” White insists that they also “must know” how to “legally engage the enemy” in their life “for his unconditional defeat.”

“Part of the legal engagement is in your following prophetic instruction,” explains the newsletter. “July is YOUR month of deliverance from your enemy. After July, you will enter your season of rest that you may accomplish your dreams.”

White goes on to insist that she has a special teaching that will help supporters attain deliverance from their enemies.

“But first you must get what I have to teach you,” writes White.

“I feel strongly that a seed of $229 in accordance with 1 Chronicles:22:9Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
See All... is a breakthrough seed for the month of July. It is a turnaround, God ordained, demon slaying, abundance bringing seed. Not only will this seed defeat your enemies, but I believe it will bring about an unexpected abundance of miracles. Do not hesitate to follow a prophetic instruction!”

(http://goo.gl/Gn3geQ)

[TBC: “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter:2:3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
See All...).]