The horrific attack in Israel on Oct. 7th has now spread throughout the Middle East and is even causing unrest in our own country. Many are concerned about the war in Israel, and that it might become World War III. What’s interesting is that both Jews and Muslims claim Abraham as their father and trace their roots back to him. Where does the Christian faith come in, and why do both groups dislike Christians? I am not qualified to comment on the complicated history and politics of that part of the world, and it is complicated! I would, however, like to offer a moral and spiritual perspective.
From a moral perspective, the brutal killing of innocent people is never acceptable. No movement, political or religious, is justified in this kind of action. It is evil, it does not solve anything, and if evil is tolerated, it will spread. If the bully on the playground isn’t restrained or removed, he will terrorize the whole playground. We’ve had our own 911 to teach this to us.
From a spiritual perspective, here’s a very brief overview of what the Bible says about this. In the beginning, God gave His first created man and woman, Adam and Eve, the freedom to choose, and they chose to reject His authority (Genesis 3). The consequence was the entrance of sin into the world, and it has infected every human being. This is why there is evil, war, disease, and a lot of other painful things in the world. God planned, however, from the beginning to provide a deliverer. If we look carefully at the time sin entered the world, we can see God’s promise of a person (called “seed”) who would deliver a head blow to Satan, the one who deceived Adam and Eve (Genesis 3).
Fast forward several generations and we see God promise Abraham he would be a blessing to the world through his seed (descendant) in Genesis 12. Fast forward again and we see God promise Abraham’s descendant David that he would have a descendant who would rule and reign forever (2 Samuel 7). You guessed it, the descendant is Jesus, the Son of God, who came to break the power of sin to condemn and control us. This is why we celebrate His birth (Christmas), and eagerly await His return (John 14:3) to take His throne and rule over the whole world in justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7). There are many other Scriptures that weave God’s plan and promise throughout His Word.
What does this have to do with Jews and Arabs and Christians today? While Israel has suffered God’s discipline many times throughout history for rejecting Him and His Son Christ Jesus, God will not destroy the people through whom He has and is bringing His promises to the world (see Romans 11). In God’s plan there is redemption through faith in Christ for the Jewish people, and for Gentiles, which includes us and Arab people. As Christians, we cannot support the killing of innocent people or a commitment to the destruction of the Jewish people, or any people or any nation. We must love Jew and Muslim alike, and desire and pray that both will recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).
We cannot let this tragic war cause hatred toward other innocent people, including those we might disagree with, to rise in us!
May the love of God fill your heart this Christmas and inspire faith in His Son (John 3:16).
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Dan Krahenbuhl is pastor of Monroe Bible Church.
