Christians4Palestine
Abraham, Jesus and Jewishness and Christian Identity
(From a Lecture by Gary Burge, at Christ at the Checkpoint, Bethlehem)
Abraham
Only one country in the world seeks to justify their land claim through a DNA connection to Abraham, who lived 4000 years ago. See Genesis 15 re the link between Abraham and a plot of land.
Abraham was venerated in first-century Judaism. He was ‘righteous, a hero, an astronomer and philosopher, and perfectly obedient to God.’ Through him you were intimately connected to God and his blessings – including a land grant.
But those privileges weren’t automatic. Abraham’s blessing also included a requirement to ‘Be a Blessing.’ It was Covenantal. Land blessings were relational, not transactional.
Strands of Judaism said that you had to 'participate in the qualities of Abraham's life if you were to be known as his disciple'. Faithfulness was important, not just DNA.
The New Testament, a Jewish record, talks a lot about Abraham. St Paul talks of his faith, and in Romans 11, verse one, he describes himself as 'an Israelite of Abraham's seed.
The promise to Abraham was that the blessings were not just for a strip of land, but the entire world.
In verse 17, Abraham is the father of many nations because they now share in the faith, becoming part of his Family tree.
Jewishness
Judaism already knew that Abraham's faith was non-negotiable. Right behaviour, justice and mercy were required. Failed behaviour led to two Exiles. It's not just about DNA. Someone can still be ethnically and culturally Jewish, but, as Paul says in Romans 2, circumcision can become uncircumcision.
Elsewhere, the New Testament also asks who was really a child of Abraham. In Matthew3, v 7-10, John the Baptist says, 'Do not presume to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father. God could raise up children from these stones. Bear fruit.’ Pure ethnicity had its limitations.
In Romans 9:7, St Paul says, 'Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.' Merely being children of Abraham was not enough.
The New Testament redefines what it meant to be truly children of Abraham. The true children of Abraham now were the followers of Jesus.
There’s been a long and complicated conversation about Jewish identity in Israel. Is it ethnicity? Is it a culture? Is it belief?
We need to think in a Christian way about matters of faith and privilege; about carte blanche pronouncements regarding who owns Jerusalem, and Abraham’s 'Land of Promise.’ The Bible should not be weaponised to score political points. It should be deployed to instead promote a God-honouring peace
What does Jesus say?
In John Chapter 8, Jesus’ opponents disagree with him and Jesus labels them as 'slaves to sin'.
They say they are Abraham's children, and Jesus says, 'If you were his children, then your conduct would be like Abraham's. But your conduct betrays you.' Their father is the Devil, 'so you try to kill me.' Conduct reveals a person's true identity. You may be a descendant, but not really a true Son.
He says, Abraham ‘saw my day’ in the far-off future. The Messiah descending from his line,
So, attachment to Jesus exceeds the value of attachment to Abraham.
What is our real Christian Identity?
St Paul says that 'those who hold faith in Christ are also Abraham's children, regardless of race.'
This is ‘Messianic Fulfilment,’ not ‘Replacement Theology’.
The church continues Abraham's legacy because it is a community of Jews and Gentiles who together reflect Abrahamic faith and the Nicene Creed.
See also Galatians 3:15. 'Abraham is defined by faith, and righteous without circumcision'. So, uncircumcised people of faith are also children of Abraham.
See also Galatians 3:9. Gentile people of faith are blessed along with Abraham.
Finally, Paul also promotes Abraham as the ideal model for Gentile Christians. His righteousness attained by faith, not circumcision. He is the father of all who now have faith. See Romans Ch 4v13.
The New Testament clearly states that the family of Abraham now includes all those who share his faith. Christians are children of Abraham, period. Including the Palestinian church.
No one inherits ‘Free-Floating’ privileges loosed from a responsibility to behave justly.
Christian values must promote charity, generosity, forgiveness, and humility. As seen in the Beatitudes.
Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the Earth, see Matthew 5v5.
Not Blessed are those who fight for religious privilege. So, for the Settler movement: they may be descendants of Abraham but not his true sons and daughters.
That's precisely the line of John the Baptist, of Jesus and of Paul. When used for entitlement, religion is generally connected to sin. It’s not about DNA. Abraham was the father of many nations.
It’s like we’re living in John Ch 8 again - right now. With the same debate taking place.
Our Palestinian Christian friends are also Abraham's children. They also have rights requiring honour and respect.
