Only one expression of Christianity allowed in Israel

Never mind that there are thousands of Christian denominations worldwide.  According to the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which recently condemned Christian Zionism, they have the exclusive lock on what constitutes the only legitimate expression of Christianity in the State of Israel, or so he thinks. 

Their statement, which read, “The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem reiterate that they alone represent the Churches and their flock in matters pertaining to Christian religious, communal and pastoral life in the Holy Land,” was a true reflection of the monopoly on Christian faith they believe is solely theirs. 

Their laundry list of reasons as to why Christian Zionism is a threat to the Middle East, cited the following:

• Christian Zionism misleads the public

• Sows confusion

• Harms the unity of the flock

• Is politically connected with its own agenda

No explanations are offered as to how Christian Zionism results in the above accusations – just that it damages the status quo. But why should anyone claiming to be a Christian feel threatened by Zionism, when the concept is so clearly mentioned over and over again in the Scriptures?

Nothing captures the hope of Zionism better than Isaiah 14: 32(b), “The Lord has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.” In that verse, we understand the need for a Jewish homeland, providing a refuge for the persecuted among our own. Without that place of safety, Jews would continue to be hunted down, oppressed and slaughtered. 

Isn’t the job of a Bible-believing Christian to promote the ideals found within the pages of their book? So why is this perceived as a threat to the Armenian Apostolic Patriarchs?

Could it be that Christian Zionism appeals to Israeli Jews who feel supported, protected and affirmed by Christians, championing their right to establish a homeland in the place determined by God? 

Or, perhaps, Christian Zionism fosters a bond between Jews and Christians – one which does not promote exclusivity but, rather, respects the people who represent the roots of their own faith?

How does that mislead the public or sow confusion? Those bogus charges are the real political agenda, claimed by men who fear losing their power base and the grip they have on their brand of Christianity – one which only appeals to the anti-Israel segment of the faith.

Conversely, Israeli leaders know that they will never be at odds with Christian Zionists, because the good-will and deference, displayed by their support –while visiting or from abroad, is a solid, unwavering pledge, based on their adherence to the scriptures and also their genuine love for the Jewish people.

Those are the godly attributes with which the Armenian patriarchs are unable to compete, because that is not their persuasion. In fact, their position is one which has been highly critical of Israel. Claiming that they are treated as third-class citizens, there is more of a rivalry between them and the indigenous Jewish presence, which predates them by thousands of years. 

Ironically, they consider themselves to be an occupied minority, finding common ground with Palestinians, claiming to live as displaced individuals, whose future has no certainty. 

Despite Jewish and Arab acceptance of the Armenian community, prior to the establishment of the Jewish state, it was a sense of competition which eventually led to tensions with some Arabs. Nonetheless, Armenians were generally accepted and permitted to strengthen their community. 

Once Israel became an independent nation, a bitter internal rivalry took place between two clerics who were vying for the Patriarchal position. That rift invaded their entire community. From that point on, they suffered from continual conflict, within their own ranks, over one thing or another.

Presently, they side with Palestinians, advocating for a two-state solution. Obviously, that untenable position does not respect the Jewish people or their ancestral home. It also does not comport with the scriptures which are filled with the prophetic return of the chosen people who will, once again, inhabit Zion.

So, while this particular denomination of Armenian Christians claims to be the authority for all others who identify as “Christian,” they do not prescribe to whole sections of the Bible which are unambiguous about God’s plans and intentions for the people He calls His beloved!

It’s hard to see anything but jealousy at work and the choice to back the side which has made it clear that Jews should not inhabit one inch of what they refer to as Palestinian land. How do they hope to ever receive God’s blessings as a people or as a community of faith when their position is antithetical to His?

Instead, they have spoken of the “urgent need to protect Christian communities and our places of worship which extend throughout the West Bank where settler attacks increasingly target our churches and properties.”

If anything sows confusion, it would be this statement which conflates settler violence, which has nothing to do with Christian Zionists, the basis of their complaint.

If the Armenian church is focused on Christian Zionism as the real threat to their Middle East presence, why would they mention settler attacks? Do they think that busloads of Christian Zionist tourists are “targeting” their churches and properties? 

All of this is just a pathetic excuse, together with false accusations against Christian Zionists who mostly come here to pray for the safety of Israel and support the Israeli Jewish community. No one has ever registered any complaints, accusing Christian Zionists of having perpetrated attacks against the Armenian community or any other, for that matter.

From what can be ascertained, their gripe seems to be more grounded in their own petty rivalries, as well as an ongoing grudge they hold for the establishment of the Jewish homeland, which, in effect, ended their hold and influence on the area which they foolishly believed was theirs.

To the extent that they continue to align with the Palestinian Authority, they will be fighting against the One they claim to follow, because His specific instructions was for the inheritance to go to the Jewish people.  

Anyone attempting to interfere with that endowment is the real threat, and if they think that their interference will go unnoticed, they really have no idea of what awaits them.

In the meantime, given their hostility towards the Jewish state, they neither represent all Christians nor speak as the final authority of worldwide Christendom.