Monday, June 23, 2008
At CAMERA, Dexter Van Zile has a comprehensive look at that PC(USA) statement concerning anti-Semitism in the church (see: The Presbyterians Giveth, the Presbyterians Taketh Away): Presbyterian Officials Prepare for General Assembly With Bait and Switch Tactics. Dexter not only looks at the bait and switch inherent in this particular event, but also at some of the characters involved and where some of their theology is coming from. For instance, Rev. Dr. Gary Burge:
For example on page of 176 [of his book, Whose Land? Whose Promise?], Rev. Dr. Gary Burge interprets John 15:6 (a passage in which Jesus states “If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned”) as meaning:
The people of Israel cannot claim to be planted as vines in the land; they cannot be rooted in the vineyard unless they are first grafted into Jesus. Branches that attempt living in the land, the vineyard, which refuse to be attached to Jesus will be cast out and burned. (Whose Land, Whose Promise, Page 176)...
Dexter's piece is a good resource. Also, check out Jon Haber's piece in The Jerusalem Post: A divestment fiasco. A member of Jewish Voice for Peace makes an attempt at defense in the comments.
For a comprehensive critique of Christian anti-Judaism, including specific discussion of Burge, most helpful is the new book Future Israel: Why Christian Anti-Judaism Must be Challenged.
Will Spotts has also documented the controversy in Will's excellent blog. http://expresbyterian.blogspot.com/
Thing is, Burge's statements aren't even the worst in this Presbyterian / mainline denomination anti-Jewish conversation.
Thanks for linking this - Dexter's article is excellent.