Christians leaders have started reacting to to the news that President Donald Trump has recognised Jerusalem as capital of Israel.
While some – especially American evangelicals – were passionately in favour, and others – especially Christians with deep roots in the region – were passionately against. For Christians however, Jerusalem is where their faith’s foundational events unfolded.
Paula White, a megachurch pastor from Florida who is a member of the president’s faith advisory council, said:
“Evangelicals are ecstatic, for Israel is to us a sacred place and the Jewish people are our dearest friends.”
She has repeatedly hailed Mr Trump as a man uniquely sensitive to God’s “divine plan” and willing to take counsel from Christian leaders like herself.
On the other hand, Pope Francis spoke of his “deep concern” about the situation created by Mr Trump’s move, given the disruption of a delicate equilibrium in the governance of the sacred city and its holy sites.
“I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to ensure that everyone is committed to respecting the status quo of the city, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations,” he said on December 6th.
Some 13 leaders of Jerusalem’s traditional Christian communities, including the Orthodox and the Catholics who are guardians of the city’s holy places, warned of “increased hatred, conflict, violence and suffering in Jerusalem and the Holy Land” as a likely result of Mr Trump’s initiative.
In summary, some Christians expect the establishment of Israel, and by extension the acceptance of Jerusalem as its capital, to lead to God’s final triumph. Others fear the latter development could lead to war. And some believe both those things.
Source: The Economist
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