Secular people of whatever background do not know this covenant experientiallly, though they may know it culturally or cerebrally.

God, as revealed to Abraham, beckons humans to be in relationship with him above all other gods, competing philosophies, political ideologies, etc.

I speak as a non Jew and as an Independent American voter. My vote will count, but so will the votes of each reader here, and the person we vote for could very much affect Israel.

I’m inclined to wonder that if we will have an “end of days” scenario in the next four years (and it may be 200 years or 2000 years away) as the ancient Hebrew prophet Zechariah painted would pit ALL the armies of the earth against Israel. If so, which of these 2 men would most likely be the one who does not side with protecting Israel and caves to various constituencies and to Israel’s enemies?

In my view, Jews and others can’t let political loyalties be they “yellow dog” Democratic or “forever red” Republican sentiments determine how they answer this question…in this coming election cycle or the ones thereafter up until the end of time.

Look at the words of these men in all scenarios and before all audiences and how often they have flip flopped back and forth on the matter of Israel.

Look at their deep level emotional attachments — including any back to their childhoods that shaped their formation and how they see the world or how they want to shape they world to fit a political ideology. Which humans — personal friends, academic advisors, and/or spiritual leaders shaped them and HOW?

Look at their actions, past and present.

Look at the number of times either man has voted Present to avoid “being known” or having a record.

Look a their character…and doing anything for political expediency either to gain power or to keep power at all costs speaks to the character issue.

If Iran and its allies are allowed to attack Israel, it’s not just their “Zionist” enemies who “get it”. It’s all people in the land…Muslims, Christians and others. Its nuclear winter for the area and for those in neighboring non-Jewish nations.

I care very much about what happens to Jews here and abroad…and to all people.
I also have strong suspicions about which of the two men running for President is not likely to equivocate when push comes to shove with Iran (and it’s coming) or whose life speaks of character at every part of his development.

By the way, if you read all of Zechariah — whether you are a religious or secular Jew who is agnostic — the God of Israel comes through and saves Israel at the end of days. That is the good news in this picture.

It’s not what an American President does NOT do which is why I do not follow man in the end and why whomever we elect will not deliver in the end.

1 Samuel tells us God gave Israel a king because they, then, at that juncture, wanted to be like the other nations. Implied is that God was written out of the equation to some degree but as I see things — as a non-Jew looking in — He can be relied upon when called upon in spirit and truth.
Ultimately it is not the land of Israel that save us or Jews.
It is the God of Israel, and those who are Christians have learned about this God both through Jesus and Jewish Holy Writ.

Thanks for replying to my comment on your blog post, I will link to it here for others to see (and give you some Google goodness:-)
http://joederbes.wordpress.com/2011/01/12/left-behind-theology-has-consequences/
(if the link broke, here is a shortened URL:
http://goo.gl/YPMoG)

anyway, your comments here are a bit off topic, but I guess one good turn deserves another, so I will pursue the conversation here, and thanks for helping me get Google goodness:-)

I am afraid that you are attacking a straw man. I have seen many real checks written out by Evangelical Christian friends of Israel, and none were ever blank. They were all made out to non-profit organizations after due diligence.

If you mean that “too many” pro-Israel Christians support Israel even when she makes mistakes, well, that is called Being A Friend. Abandoning a friend in trouble, or even worse, kicking him when he’s down to make yourself look good in the eyes of your friend’s attackers, well, i will leave it to our readers to decide if that is something good or bad.

And if you are upset with people defending Israel’s mistakes, the ones she admits to, well, I see very few people like that. In fact, I have a lot of pro-Israel friends, and I can’t say I know _anyone_ like that.

But Joe, let’s establish some common ground before we go further. You wrote:
“There are many good reasons to support Israel.”

Can you please list two or three, maybe embellish upon them a bit, to clarify that we are in the same ballpark, but especially that we are on the same team..

Thanks and God Bless!
Gidon

Hello, I just found your blog. I am pleased that you thought enough of my post on “Left Behind” theology to leave a response. I gladly welcome those with differing points of view who wish to have a civil discussion.

There are many good reasons to support Israel. My concern is when support for Israel becomes a blank check for them to act in any way they wish toward their neighbors, without any regard for consequences. Unfortunately, much of the support for Israel that I see among my fellow evangelicals has this “blank-check” quality.

My larger concern is this: We as evangelicals have an important message–Christ crucified and resurrected, who is the hope for all people and nations in the world, regardless of political or national affiliation. When we allow our movement to be hijacked by other agendas (no matter what they are), it is never a good thing.

I hope this brings some clarity to the issues I am seeking to address.

Joe