Todd M. Davis – 1/11/09

This page was last updated on January 14, 2009.

Paying the price for bad theology; Todd M. Davis; Beaver County Times; January 11, 2009.

Mr. Davis previously wrote equally insightful letters entitled “U.S. sees through Israel’s eyes” and “Don’t be fooled by low gasoline prices.”

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Why does the United States ferociously support Israel as it gradually confines and removes the indigenous Arab people from that region?”

[RWC] I suggest you read Mr. Davis’ previous letter on this topic.

“The latest assault on Gaza is but one more step in the slow and terrible process. Bad theology is part of the answer.

“Late in the 19th century, John Nelson Darby broke with the historical Christian interpretation of the church as being the spiritual Israel.

“Instead, he taught that Israel should he understood to be a geo-political state created for Jews only.

“Furthermore, according to Darby, Christ could not return and rapture his church away until after the Jews created their state.

“Darby’s view is called premillennial dispensationalism. This most popular theology is seen in the best-selling ‘Left Behind Series,’ among others.

[RWC] At the risk of displaying ignorance, I never heard of Mr. Darby or “premillennial dispensationalism” before this letter.

“Darby’s misguided ideas teach that we must create an ethnically pure state of Israel before Christ can return.

“Hence, our religious conviction allows us to easily support Israel’s assault on Palestinian people who are seen as mere obstacles in the way of God’s greater purpose.”

[RWC] What allows Mr. Davis to support or ignore Palestinian Hamas terrorists launching missile attacks on Israel and conducting suicide bombings when possible? For whatever reason, folks like Mr. Davis condemn Israel for defending itself when Palestinian terrorists start the battles.

“In some measure, thanks to Darby, we find it difficult to question Israeli policy because we are afraid that we might be going against God himself.

“I would simply say that any view of God that does not offer hope, opportunity and blessing to all the sons of Abraham needs to be flatly rejected.”

[RWC] My position regarding Israel has nothing to do with religion. As I wrote in a previous critique, “If you want to argue whether or not the UN was right in forming Israel, you have a legitimate argument. The fact is, however, Israel has been a legitimate state for 60 years and has been under attack the whole time. While the Israelis aren’t saints, Mr. Davis’ letter is fantasy.”