THE PALESTINIAN CRY: Through Lebanese Lenses
When observing the Gaza conflict, it, therefore, becomes an absolute necessity to listen to those who are directly affected, to those for whom the war is not a news broadcast but a deep reality – to those with skin in the game. It’s important to consider this context when discussing the conflict in GAZA.
A LIFE IN GAZA: great value BUT little dignity.
On 7 October 2023, when Hamas crossed the southern borders of Israel and killed 1,139 people, a moral question arose that sadly escaped the lips of many believers: What is the value of a human life? On that fateful day, value and dignity collided – and, sadly, value won.
THE GAZA CONFLICT AND BUBBLE-BASED-BELIEVERS
We now live in a season of bubble-based-believers. The conflict in Gaza has subtly turned Bible-based believers into bubble-based believers. It has alienated followers of Christ and firmly placed us into “bubbles” of allegiances. If you are in the crowds today don’t disregard the words of your Saviour. It still applies today to Hamas as much as it did to Nero and the Roman persecutors. Times might have changed but Christ didn’t, and neither did His teachings.
“STATISTICS IN GAZA DON’T BLEED” – Think again
“Statistics don’t bleed”, or at least, so the saying goes. This is the sad reality of Gaza today. So how do we explain the enormity of the situation in Gaza without simply mentioning numbers? Consider the following …
GAZA – Creating space for the God of love
Here is a sobering thought: love cannot coexist or be contained in the same heart that is filled with fear, suspicion and hatred. We cannot have Christ and not have unconditional love. It is as simple as that. If you hate Hamas, the space for a God of love is occupied.
JUSTICE AND COMPASSION: The challenge is in the balance
How do we respond to the conflict in Gaza? Do we seek justice with punishment or justice with compassion? Only one will lead restoration.
HIS LAW IS LOVE AND HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE: A Palestinian Israeli Christian reflects on Christmas, justice, and war in Gaza.
We are now celebrating Christmas. How can we embody the Prince of Peace for both Palestinians and Israelis? This essay was written by Dr. Yohanna Katanacho, a Palestinian Israeli Christian. The essay brings Christmas in dialogue with the current painful realities in Israel/Palestine. Remember to pray for us this Christmas!
THE “GOSPEL” ACCORDING TO ISRAEL: A message conceived in hell.
Extremely disturbing from a Christian perspective is the terminology used by the Israel Defence Force (IDF) for their latest AI weapons system used in the conflict in Gaza. It is named “Habsora” (“The Gospel”), a system that is aimed to quickly and automatically identify and eliminate targets, much faster than older methods.
THEM VERSUS US: Vices that the Gaza conflict exposed
A Christian vice that is currently under a magnifying lens for all to see is how believers look at wars through dualistic lenses. For many believers, the killing of a baby in Israel is more detestable than the dismembered body of a baby in Gaza. We seem to obtain the unbiblical ability to view the value of life based on our cultural preferences and preconceived biases. We divide people, nations, religions, and even the value of souls into “them” and “us”. Dualism is the sin of our season.
CLAY VERSUS WAX: what the Gaza conflict exposed
Our response to the conflict in Gaza has more to do with the content of our hearts than the convictions of our faith. Yes, how we respond to the conflict in Gaza reveals more about us than the conflict itself. This is a sobering thought, especially once we start examining our own hearts.