Evangelical Leaders Reiterate Call for Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine
Over 80 educators and ministry heads affirm efforts to negotiate lasting peace, and warn of consequences of failure.
David Neff
November 28, 2007
This week the Bush State Department is devoting its full diplomatic efforts toward bringing a two-state resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Over the past few months, they have put on a full-court press to gather a broad representation of Arab world leaders to join Israeli and Palestinian negotiators for a historic meeting in Annapolis, Maryland. Now, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas have agreed to a program of sustained and focused negotiations throughout 2008. With these cautious but hopeful beginnings, over 80 evangelical leaders have signed a statement indicating their belief "that the way forward is for the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a fair, two-state solution." These leaders—including Christian college and seminary presidents, denominational heads, and other ministry leaders—pledge their "ongoing support for the security of Israel," and state that "unless the situation between Israel and Palestine improves quickly, the consequences will be devastating" for Israel. Palestinians with little economic opportunity "are increasingly sympathetic to radical solutions." The full text of their statement and the list of signatories follow. An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine
As evangelical Christians committed to the full authority of the Scriptures, we feel compelled to make a statement together at this historic moment in the life of the Holy Land. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is near a momentous turning point. The strife has continued—sometimes simmering, sometimes exploding in terrible conflict—for decades. In the context of our ongoing support for the security of Israel, we believe that unless the situation between Israel and Palestine improves quickly, the consequences will be devastating. Palestinians—especially the youth who have no economic opportunity—are increasingly sympathetic to radical solutions and terrorism. As a result, the threat to Israel's security is now greater. Likewise, the threat to America's national security is greater. Because so many of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims see America through the prism of Israel-Palestine, the longer the current situation continues, the more likely it is that anti-American attitudes, policies, and terrorist activities will increase dramatically among Muslims worldwide. As evangelical Christians, we believe our faith compels us to speak a word together at this crucial moment. The Bible clearly teaches that God longs for justice and peace for all people. We believe that the principles about justice taught so powerfully by the Hebrew prophets apply to all nations, including the United States, Israel, and the Palestinians. Therefore we are compelled to work for a fair, negotiated solution for both Israelis and Palestinians. We resolve to work diligently for a secure, enduring peace and a flourishing economy for the democratic State of Israel. We also resolve to work for a viable permanent, democratic Palestinian State with a flourishing economy that offers economic opportunity to all its people. We believe that the way forward is for the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a fair, two-state solution. We are encouraged that the Israeli and Palestinian governments have officially endorsed a two-state solution and that polls demonstrate that solid majorities in both Israel and Palestine embrace this path. We call on all evangelicals, all Christians, and everyone of good will to join us to work and pray faithfully in the coming months for a just, lasting two-state solution in the Holy Land. We call on all involved governments to work diligently toward this goal. And we covenant to pray for the leaders of all the nations engaged in this effort, hoping for them the blessing of our Lord, who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." As we work and pray, we are strengthened by the truth that Christ will return some day to complete his victory over sin and injustice, and we are empowered by the knowledge that until He comes again, He summons us to support the things that promote peace and justice for everyone in the Holy Land. Signatories of An Evangelical Statement on Israel/Palestine Thomas Armiger, General Superintendent
The Wesleyan Church Gayle D. Beebe, President
Westmont College David Black, President
Eastern University Marilyn Borst, Director of Global Ministry
Peachtree Presbyterian Church Ed Boschman, Executive Director
U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches David C. Brown, Chair
Evangelical Child & Family Agency George K. Brushaber, President
Bethel University Gary M. Burge, Professor of New Testament
Wheaton College Tony Campolo, President/Founder
Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education R. Judson Carlberg, President
Gordon College Joseph Castleberry, President
Northwest University Paul A. Cedar, Chairman
Mission America Coalition Thomas A. Curry, Senior Minister
Round Lake Community Church Craig C. Darling, U.S. Director
India Rural Evangelical Fellowship Murray Dempster, President
Vanguard University G. Blair Dowden, President
Huntington University Robert P. Dugan, Jr., Retired
National Association of Evangelicals Merrill Ewert, President
Fresno Pacific University Leighton Ford, President
Leighton Ford Ministries Arthur Evans Gay, Minister-at-Large
Evangelical Initiatives International Jules Glanzer, President Elect
Tabor College Vernon Grounds, Chancellor
Denver Seminary Ronald Habegger, President
Fellowship of Evangelical Churches Jack Haberer, Editor
The Presbyterian Outlook Mike Hagan, President
Sioux Falls Seminary Stephen A. Hayner, Professor
Columbia Theological Seminary Dennis Hollinger, President
Evangelical Theological Seminary Jim Holm, President
Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary John Hubers, Former Director of Reformed Church Mission Program,
Middle East and South Asia
Reformed Church in America John A. Huffman, Jr., Pastor
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach
Board Chair, Christianity Today International Ken Hunn, Executive Director
The Brethren Church Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor
Northland Church John K. Jenkins, Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Glenarden Bruce W. Jones
National Association of Evangelicals J. Ellsworth Kalas, President
Asbury Theological Seminary John F. Kim, Interim President
Northern Seminary Peter Kuzmic, President
Evangelical Theological Seminary (Osijek, Croatia) Duane Litfin, President
Wheaton College Jo Anne Lyon, CEO
World Hope International V. James Mannoia, President
Greensville College Molly T. Marshall, President
Central Baptist Theological Seminary Kevin T. McBride, Senior Pastor
Raymond Baptist Church Larry J. McKinney, President
Simpson University Gregory A. Monaco, Associate Field Director,
Youth for Christ/USA Royce L. Money, President
Abilene Christian University Richard Mouw, President
Fuller Theological Seminary Shirley A. Mullen, President
Houghton College Mike O'Neal, President
Oklahoma Christian University David Neff, Editor-in-Chief
Christianity Today Glenn R. Palmberg, President
Evangelical Covenant Church Earl F. Palmer, Minister
University Presbyterian Church Linda Pampeyan, Consultant
Leadership Renewal Center Ted W. Pampeyan, Director
Leadership Renewal Center David L. Parkyn, President
North Park University Roger Parrot, President
Belhaven College Jerry Pence, General Superintendent
The Wesleyan Church Rita Rihani, Professor of Arabic
North Park University Bob Roberts, Pastor
Northwood Church Bill Robinson, President
Whitworth University Haddon W. Robinson, President
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Leonard Rodgers, Executive Director
Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding Andrew Ryskamp, Director
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee Michael G. Scales, President
Nyack College/ATS Chris Seiple, President
Institute for Global Engagement Robert Seiple, Former Ambassador-at-Large
for International Religious Freedom Ronald J. Sider, President
Evangelicals for Social Action James Skillen, President
Center for Public Justice Wallace Smith, President
Palmer Theological Seminary Glen H. Stassen, Lewis Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics
Fuller Theological Seminary Gary W. Streit, President
Malone College Joseph Tkach, President
Worldwide Church of God Paul Vicalvi, Chaplains Commission Executive Director
National Association of Evangelicals Harold Vogelaar, Professor Emeritus
Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago Berten Waggoner, National Director
Vineyard USA Don Wagner, Professor
North Park University John Wagner, Pastor
Andover Congregational Church Jon R. Wallace, President
Azusa Pacific University Jim Wallis, Editor
Sojourners Bob Wenz
Renewing Total Worship Ministries Luder G. Whitlock, Executive Director
The Trinity Forum John P. Williams, Jr., Regional Director
Evangelical Friends International - North America Craig Williford, President
Denver Seminary Earl L. Wilson, General Superintendent
The Wesleyan Church Larry E. Yonker, Vice-President
The Elevation Group Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today.
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Related Elsewhere:
To add your signature, e-mail (evangelical.statement@gmail.com) or fax (610-649-3834) your name, title and organization. The New York Times published an earlier letter to George Bush with the list of signatures. Christianity Today's September editorial on "What It Means to Love Israel" addressed theological ideas behind support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Christianity Today's previous articles on Israel and the Jewish people include: Opinion Roundup: The Evangelical View of Israel? | Evangelicals are more diverse on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than we are led to believe (June 1, 2003) Christian History Corner: Zion Haste | Does the passion of a few nineteenth-century Chicagoans still influence American policy in the Middle East? (January 1, 2002) The Chosen People Puzzle | When it comes to relating to the Jewish people, should we dialogue, cooperate, or evangelize? (Richard J. Mouw, March 5, 2001) CT Classic: Do Jews Really Need Jesus? | What evangelicals believe about evangelization of the Jews—and whether the Holocaust makes a difference in that task. (October 8, 1990) David Neff met with Condoleeza Rice in October to discuss evangelicals and Middle East politics.
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