The Lausanne parliament announced Wednesday that the keynote speaker at the 4th Lausanne World Evangelism Conference openly criticized Israel. dispensational eschatology. Many of the 5,000 delegates in attendance were offended when: ruth padilla debostan associate professor at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, claimed that Israel was also involved in the violent war by taking hostages. She further said that evangelicals were too quick to side with Israel.
“There is no room for indifference towards all those suffering from the scourge of war and violence,” she said. “The world is surrounding the uprooted and destitute people of Gaza, the hostages and their families held by both Israel and Hamas, and the Palestinians threatened in their own territory.”
She continued, “However, too many evangelicals around the world simply 'side with Israel' in a critical manner and remain indifferent to the suffering of Palestinians.”
DeVost's remarks were made just days before October 7, 2024. One year anniversary of Hamas terrorist attack on Israelwhen terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people and captured 254 hostages. As the war between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate, many delegates believe DeVost's comments are politically forced and misguided.
During DeVorst's 16-minute speech, she also commented that “the theology of colonialism…justifies and funds oppression under the guise of dispensational eschatology.”
Shortly afterward, Congressional Secretary David Bennett apologized to delegates in an email, asking for forgiveness from those who had been offended by DeVost's stance on dispensational eschatology and Israel's response to Hamas terrorist attacks. .
dear friends
The Lausanne movement is a diverse community. we, Lausanne Covenant, manila manifesto and Cape Town initiativeswe include a very diverse population from cultural, theological, historical, and political perspectives. We seek greater wisdom in the advancement of global mission, and we strive to be both theologically and strategically sound in order to fulfill Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey all. We aim to create a space where discussions can take place. he commanded.
The speakers we invite to our meetings come from a variety of perspectives. Even though they each affirm the foundational documents, they sometimes disagree with each other. Their statements do not necessarily represent Lausanne's “official” position. However, in the spirit of Lausanne, we strive to be courteous and respectful listeners in our interactions with each other.
We encourage speakers to submit their scripts in advance to assist with clearer presentation, realistic planning of timing, and communication between presenters in advance, and to assist with translation into other languages. I'm asking for it. However, in some cases, a presenter may not be able to check carefully enough in advance the exact language and tone that they will use, or they may not be able to predict how their words will be received by a diverse audience. .
As Secretary of Congress, I took a critical tone in my presentation this week to “dispensational eschatology,” insinuating that it contributes to violence and injustice, and suggesting that many theologies are misused and misapplied. I would like to apologize for not pointing out what has happened. as a justification for violence. That same presentation referred to the suffering of the Palestinian people, but did not express equal empathy for the suffering of the Israelis, and many other peoples and nations of the world currently engaged in violent conflict. They also did not properly express their concerns.
At this conference, we recognized the grave suffering and indignity experienced by those involved in dispensational theology, Jews, and those engaged in the service of Jews and Israel. The Lausanne team, including myself, could not have thought through the wording of the presentation carefully enough in advance or anticipated the hurt and misunderstanding it would cause.
As your brother in Christ and on behalf of our Lausanne leadership, I ask for your forgiveness.
Sincerely,
david bennett
council director
“There are so many expressions of injustice in our world, but in just 15 minutes, such a deep and far-reaching theme and its related complex scenarios are covered in a biblical and “Is there anyone who can approach it thoroughly and responsibly from a theological perspective?” ? ”
Still, DeVost reaffirmed his statement that innocent Gazans are being treated unfairly, saying, “I am convinced that this is a current judicial issue for which we, as Christians, have a particular responsibility.'' Let me explain. In fact, the Hamas attack was almost a year ago, which is abhorrent and absolutely reprehensible, and as I write, the people living in Israel, the Jews. Palestinians, Palestinians, and others are being threatened, while the long-standing suffering of the Palestinian people is being exacerbated. Attacks on Gaza since October 7 have killed more than 40,000 people, many of them children. Furthermore, attacks by settlers in the West Bank are increasing. ”
She went on to clarify her statements regarding dispensational eschatology, saying, “I am in no way denying dispensational theology in its entirety, much less my sisters and brothers who follow that position. may cause pain,” he said. Sorry, but what I'm listing is a troubling theological rationale that some people uphold to do injustice to certain other people. ”
Meanwhile, Tim Adams, executive director of the International Evangelical Student Fellowship, said in an email: christian daily international He stated that he believed “…this apology is completely contrary to the spirit of Lausanne.” “Within the theological framework agreed in previous Lausanne statements, Lausanne has been a place to bring people together to overcome barriers and come together to fulfill the Great Commission,” Adams said. In short, Adams believes that “this apology will cause more division than unity.”
Photo courtesy: ©Facebook/ruth padilla debost
