Larry King is not known as a tough interviewer. Yet with smooth-talking pastor and author Joel Osteen, he went for the jugular, asking whether Jews and Muslims must believe in Christ to go to heaven. And Osteen blinked: "I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know."
While Osteen later apologized for seemingly downplaying the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, the pluralistic pressure to waffle on this issue is intense. Several mainline denominations support a two-covenant theology, which holds that Judaism and Christianity are parallel, divinely guided paths to God. In addition, in 2002 the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released a document, "Reflections on Covenant and Mission," affirming that "Jews already dwell in a saving covenant with God."
Stan Guthrie, CT Website, March 25, 2008
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OPINION \ Apr 17, 20087681The president of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary presents some guidelines, clarifications and words of encouragement.
Many have been asking about the status of evangelicals in Jordan. This has come as a result of some alarming reports and press releases in the eastern and western media. Yet it is time now to take a new look towards a brighter future for the wonderful country of Jordan. A fresh analysis of the situation is essential to move forward. Christians in general and evangelicals in particular can glean and also offer some words of wisdom to help build a model country that the world would be proud of.
By Imad Shehady, Special For "Come and See" -
OPINION \ Mar 10, 20083833An amazing sermon about mere Christianity by an American Jew, published in the Israeli press: Bradley Burston writes an article about “Christian America” in Israel’s Haaretz. He quotes lots of verses from the new testament and comes to the conclusion that Christians in America “need to pay more attention to the words and the works of Jesus, and less to those who speak with anger, bitterness, vengeance, and exclusionism, in his name”.
It is outstanding to see how powerful the teachings of Jesus are, even when read by people who do not believe in Him – while how big of a stumbling block some Christians have became.
Bradley Burston, A Special Place in Hell, Haaretz, Feb 26, 2008
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OPINION \ Jan 28, 20085335Norman Jameson was part of a group of editors from the Southern Baptist Convention who visited Israel this month with an invitation from the Ministry of Tourism.
Before he sent his main story about his trip to Israel to the Biblical Recorder page designer, he sent it to Botrus Mansour, general director of the Nazareth Baptist School for his review. He met with Botrus during his visit to Nazareth and claims that Botrus was "greatly disappointed" in what was written.
The following is what the editor of the Biblical Recorder wrote after this reaction from Mr. Mansour.
Norman Jameson, The Biblical Recorder, Jan 24, 2008
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OPINION \ Jan 15, 20088495A Messianic Pastor from Israel writes a response to “Christian Leaders Invite Muslims to Love God, Neighbors”. We publish it here:
This Sunday some of us are going to Bethlehem to worship with Arab brothers and sisters in the joy of our God. Next weekend our congregation (actually the Lord Yeshua's congregation) will be host to over 40 teenagers from that same area. Today happens to be the shortest day of the year, when the light of day in the darkest of seasons is at its briefest in this part of the globe. A little light can dispel even more darkness; how much more the sun the blackness of night; how much more even does the Light which is the Word of God, and who is Himself the Lord Jesus Christ, dispel the darkness of lies!
Howard Bass, Special for Come and See. Written in Dec 21, 2007
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OPINION \ Nov 19, 20075161The following is an article by Dr. Salim Munayer on the role of Christians in Peace-Making. Salim is the Director of Musalaha, a non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Salim wrote this article in response to an email from a Christian group urging all believers to speak out against the upcoming peace conference to be held at Annapolis
Salim Munayer, Special For "Come and See", November 19, 2007
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OPINION \ Nov 13, 200710700The Jerusalem Post Christian Edition is sponsored by the “International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem”. It came under fire from one of its readers for publishing an article by Rev. Alex Awad, a Palestinian pastor from Jerusalem.
In an article titled “Stop Deportation of Friends”, Rev. Awad speaks about the way the Israeli establishment treats Christian workers in Israel who come to Israel to do good. The following is the angry letter sent by Wallace L. Cooper from Arizona to the editor of the Jerusalem Post Christian Edition and Rev. Awad’s response to the allegations.
Special For "Come and See", Nov 13, 2007
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OPINION \ Nov 07, 20079244The online bulletin board posted on the ‘Come and See’ website provides a forum for debate. One dispute of particular interest that arose over the weeks following Rami Ayyad’s martyrdom in Gaza. This dispute erupted mainly between three people using the names ‘Jim’ (From the “International Christian Embassy” in Jerusalem, and ‘Khaleel’, and ‘Safa’ (Who introduced themselves as Palestinian Christians) and centered around the on-going tension between Christian Zionists from one side and Palestinian Christians from another side. Below is a record of the conversation.
Special For Come and See
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OPINION \ Oct 10, 20075026Today I wept. I had just read these words in the Jerusalem Post: “The sleeping giant of Christian Zionism has awakened. There are 50 million Christians standing up and applauding the State of Israel.” This was written by Pastor John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel.
Does Pastor Hagee count me in that number? Through my tears I realized that American Christians have made the state of Israel an idol. I shuddered at the reference to Israel as “the only democracy in the Middle East.”
Steve Steiner, Special For "Come and See", October 10, 2007
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OPINION \ Oct 02, 20077430This summer, Pastor Alex Awad from East Jerusalem’s Baptist Church lost a lamb from his flock. Linda Finamore, a volunteering teacher at the ‘Jerusalem School’ in Bethlehem for the past eight years, was denied access to re-enter Israel after her summer vacation in the US. But why does Israel turn its back on good-doers?
By Maria Hjort, Special For "Come and See", Oct 2, 2007