That is one of the most disgusting pieces of political tripe that I have ever seen come from a church that supposedly believes in the truth of the Word of God.
Just reading that makes me livid. He has eyes but he is blinded to the truth. Ears but he chooses not to hear the truth. Or worse, he lies to decieve his flock.
This supposed “bishop” makes me want to scream at him. In fact, what he has just directly said is that it is the official position of the ELCA to (potentially) enter the end times of Revelation and INTENTIONALLY BE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE FORCES ARRAYED AGAINST ISRAEL! How can he possibly reconcile that? He did not merely state that the situation was hard for the people of the region and he hopes they all find salvation and peace... no, he went entirely past that and suggested that Israel should plot its course by the decisions of atheistic leaders and its heathan enemies. ?!?!?!?!?!?!
“The welfare of the people of Gaza and the safety of Israelis will be served by opening the monitored border crossings in a secure manner for aid, trade and commerce.”
Say WHAT? The welfare of the people of Gaza will be improved if and when Israel is able to build a large enough buffer around their tiny nation of those that do not want to kill them all by rockets, bullets and bombs. That won’t happen by allowing (MUSLIM!!!) terrorists to rearm over and over.
We also know that many terrible things will happen to and around Israel in the end times. Prophecy can not be changed, but as no one knows the timing of prophecy Israel must certainly do all they can to be secure until then.
It is impossible to read this and come to any conclusion other than this man is using his position to advance something completely unrelated to the Church.
I appreciate the support from all of you and sad to see all of the other horror stories from you who are ex-ELCA.
God makes it pretty clear in the Bible that those who stand with Israel are blessed and those who don't? Well we all know the answer to that.