According to my first Google hit: a hot potato is “a controversial issue or situation which is awkward to deal with”. Israel and Calvinism definitely fits the bill. So why talk about two seemingly unrelated subjects with the likelihood no-one will agree with me entirely and some will strongly disagree and could be offended?

But since people I care about are disturbed by the way others approach these subjects, to the extent I have seen good people fall out who take different views on one or both of these subjects, I have decided to write now this what I have come to categorize as a “stake in the ground” post. Following the recent invasion of Israel and the massacre of many of its civilians by Hamas terrorists based in Gaza (see here for my take on what happened soon after the original attacks) there have been many developments, with many reactions, often seeing people take sides, along with much media coverage.

I want to say from the outset that I do not have many of the answers to matters concerning the State of Israel today and the rights and wrongs, whys and wherefore of the current situation, at least from a human point of view, and one reason for this is I don’t know all the facts. While, if were to do more research, I may know more to express a better informed, rounded view, there is a lot that is claimed on all sides that is not easy and often not possible to verify. While tempted to express a view, I have tried to be circumspect by not strongly taking sides, noting that many I am in contact with have done so. However, as a watchman on the wall, I have been doing a lot of watching and I am merely sharing what I am seeing.

The first thing to say is my main research project for the best part of a year has been toward writing my next book: “Priests of the Bible”, and it is relevant. A lot of that is to do with the history of Israel, beginning when God called Abraham to be the founder of the Jewish nation, until New Testament times. My interest in Israel is primarily the people, especially the true descendants of Abraham (and who is to say who are and who are not), who remain God’s chosen people, and while I believe Bible prophecy tells us of more troubled times to come, ultimately there is a wonderful future centred around the millennial reign of their Mashiach, Yeshua, the very one who most of Israel rejected when He lived on earth.

Unlike much of Christendom, I reject the notion Israel has been replaced by the Church when it comes to who it is God wants to bless, and He has a plan for both Israel and the Church. Notwithstanding my view that the State of Israel is led and influenced by ungodly actors with an evil agenda (including those traceable back to Edom), I believe in the rights of true Israelites to dwell peaceably in the land, as well for existing residents.

I have long been pondering on Israel and the sentiments of people who range from those who are very much pro-Israel, notably from my own camp, theologically speaking, to those who are decidedly not, seeing Israel (the State) as oppressors of the Palestinian people, who is my recent article I have identified as Arabs who live or once lived in the land of Israel. Six years ago, I wrote an ebook titled “Israel and the Middle East” (see here) where I shared my findings and views (most are still applicable), and am using this opportunity to give an update in the light of these recent events, although Israel has never been far from the centre of happenings on the world stage, and I believe this will be increasingly the case.  

I have listened to credible arguments from both sides on the rights and wrongs etc. of what has gone on ever since Israel became an independent state in 1948, and am sharing my thoughts, especially in the light of recent events. I have no doubt the recent attacks by Hamas were evil. I also understand why Israel (the State) have decided to take measures to destroy Hamas and do whatever it takes to provide security for its people.

Furthermore, I find demonstrations in support of Hamas reprehensible, although I support the right of those who wish to demonstrate when they perceive there has been an injustice, in this case directed against the Palestinians living in Israel. Of particular concern is the attacks we are seeing outside of Israel on Jews and an increase in real anti-semitism, including physical violence toward Jews, something that has been seen throughout Jewish history.

The tragedy is in this conflict innocent people are harmed and killed on all sides (as invariably happens in war) and also what happens is truth is a causality and news is censored making the facts harder to determine, not helped because the Unholy Trinity (media, politicians, elites) lie. I don’t know enough to say if the Israeli actions are proportional to, and collateral damage justified by, what is required, and how true the claims by either side of atrocities.

My ears have been bent by people advocating a full time invasion of Gaza and countries aiding Hamas and Hezbolla to those either urging a full scale war on Israel or at least an immediate cessation of all hostilities. As we reflect on the words and actions of many players, pro- and anti- Israel, we have to brace ourselves for a full scale war, including those spoken about in Bible prophecy.

I am perplexed (although on reflection, given what I believe to be true, perhaps not) that the bad actors supporting Ukraine and castigating Russia and its allies in that conflict (USA under Biden, NATO and the EU) are doing more or less the same with the Israel conflict. Similarly, I note accusations of antisemitism of those critical of Israel’s leaders. It seems to me this is done by those whose ideology is Zionism and some of these are not sons of Abraham but rather a mix of the descendants of the Edomites following the Babylonian exile, the Khazarian mafia, and their Ashkenazi Jew descendants that include the Rothchild dynasty and other bad “Jewish” actors, and whoever is the Synagogue of Satan”.

I ought to add that Edom has been a particular interest of mine, going back to the fall out between Jacob and his brother Esau (the founder of the Edomites). There has been a long Bible history of conflict between Israel and Edom, through characters like Doeg, Haman and Herod. The demise of Edom was the main theme of the Book of Obadiah. Interestingly, people I respect have different ideas about Edom. David Pawson argues Edom went away with the destruction of the Temple in AD 70; Baruch Korman argues today’s Edomites are the Palestinians that wish to destroy Israel under the Jews; Laura Sanger argues there is a link between the Edomites of the Bible and leading figures in the Zionist movement.

My biggest concern, and however I couch it, I might be accused of being a conspiracy theorist – Hamas was created by the Israeli deep state and its associates and Israel’s leaders knew the attacks were coming (with Bibi a villain rather that a hero). This was in much the same way as what happened with 9/11. Both events were allowed because there was an unwholesome agenda afoot. These false flags were the very things that made it possible.

I am also of the view (check out my blogs) that Planet Earth is run by an evil cabal who wish to kill or enslave humanity, and some of that cabal and their useful idiots pass off as being Jewish. There is much that is happening in Israel today that I find bothersome, not least practicing the same sins that their Old Testament prophets called them out for, and Israel was at the centre of pushing Covid.

Meanwhile, it is, for me, back to watching and praying (including for the Peace of Jerusalem and for the innocents (Israelis and Palestinians) that have been caught up in this conflict) and, for you, to watch this space as there will be monumental developments with the current situation in Israel being but a trigger, that will lead to the Ezekiel wars, the time of Jacob’s trouble and the rise of the Antichrist, welcomed as a peacemaker to start with but turning against the Jews but in the end they are rescued by their Messiah.   

So what has Calvinism got to do with Israel? I have friends who are pro-Israel, who have recently left their church (which also happens to be the church that I belong to) because they saw it as being too Calvinistic and in doing so downplayed the importance of Israel. It is reckoned with some justification that Calvin was not too keen on Israel as being part of God’s plan, given they had rejected their Messiah and that Calvin may have even held to Replacement theology. Eight years ago, I wrote an article titled “Four and a half point Calvinism (see here)”, where I set out the main tenets of Calvinism (under the acronym TULIP) and what I believed.

There are many issues facing the church and Calvinism (and its opposite – Arminianism) seemed to me as not being as high on the list as it once may have been, but it seems I may have been wrong. As the Preacher observed: “there is nothing new under the sun”. As with so much in life, views change, for we are all on journeys and for us all there is much to learn. As for my reservations, at this time:

T = Total Depravity – How can we say that a newborn baby is totally depraved?

U = Unconditional Election – Is not election conditional on our trusting in Christ?

L = Limited Atonement – Did not Christ die for the whole world and is not the offer of salvation for “whosoever will”?

I = Irresistible Grace – Do we not resist when we resist the pleadings of the Holy Spirit?

P = Perseverance of the Saints – Are there not texts in the Bible, e.g. Hebrews, that indicate we can fall away, and warnings and exhortations to persevere to the end?

I should add, for the church in question, there are views held by some concerning TULIP differing from that of the association of churches to which it belongs. The church can be definitely seen as Reformed (Calvin along with Luther are probably the most well-known figures among the leading lights of the Reformation, who between them believed differently, e.g. on Calvin’s views). The church accepts the principal beliefs of the Reformation, e.g. the supremacy of the scriptures, justification by faith alone, the priesthood of all believers, and that encapsulated in the five “Solas”.

While criticism can be leveled against against the Reformers for not going far enough, e.g. in its neglect of end times prophecy and the place of Israel in God’s plans, this is true of all movements in church history and it is worth noting that some of those who stood for “Reformed principles” did so at the cost of their lives, having challenged the authority of the Catholic church. Contrary to what some have said, those who adopt the Reformed position should not be accused of antisemitism without good reason. Another criticism, a little related to the subject of this blog, concerns the Reformers attitudes to the Gifts of the Spirit and End Times prophecy, where they got some/a lot of their theology (imho) wrong!

My own position is even if my church believed wrongly concerning these points, providing I am free to believe what my conscience and understanding of scripture tells me, since truth matters, differences in views concerning Israel and Calvinism would not be a hill for me to die on. No church is perfect and it is a matter of finding one we can serve and worship in, be taught God’s word and enjoy fellowship with fellow believers, mindful we are all far from perfect.

Our job is to live for God’s glory and to spread the good news of the Kingdom, a challenging task in the face of all what is happening now in the world, and for that we need all the help we can get, firstly from God but also from fellow believers, whatever their views on these two hot potatoes. As for how all this will work out, we commit it to the Lord who still sees true Israel as the apple of His eye, whose Word will not be usurped by Calvin or his like or anyone else.

Update 31/10/2024: A year on these issues remain as do differences in views. While there is no all ourt war involving Israel (yet, although the Bible teaches us there will be) we are getting closer. Differences remain, even among doctrinally sound and godly Christians, on the rights and wrongs of the different players in the conflict. As for Calvinism, good or bad or somewhere in-between, that same observation applies with me taking the view that God who predestines, elects etc. as he chooses, has also made all of us responsible and able (albeit by his free grace) to decide whether or not to choose to follow Him.