DETROIT, Mich. — Commissioners of the Presbyterian Church (USA’s) 221st General Assembly upheld a committee recommendation to disapprove an overture asking for a clear interpretation distinguishing between Biblical and modern Israel.
Commissioners voted 506-72 (88 percent) in favor of the recommendation from the Committee of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations (Committee 7) during Thursday’s night plenary session at the Cobo Center.
Committee 7 disapproved the recommendation by a vote 53-8 earlier in the week but with a comment that read, “Though the committee voted to not to approve Item 07-01, we take very seriously the matter of language, specifically around the use of the term ‘Israel,’ and the tension around it. We hope the discussion and education about the use of language continues.”
An overture from Chicago Presbytery asked that the assembly distinguish between Biblical terms for Israel and those applied to the modern state of Israel in Christian liturgy.
Commissioner Jim Latta of Shenango Presbytery voiced opposition to the motion that the GA not approve the overture.
“By disapproving this motion, we leave unclear the relationship between Biblical Israel and modern Israel,” he said. “We ignore the opportunity to clarify.”
Business Item 07-01 requested that the GA develop educational materials , with the help of Presbyterian seminaries, for clergy, musicians, worship leaders and Christian educators regarding the “ancient Israel/modern Israel” distinction. It also asked that ecumenical partners of the PCUSA, nationally and globally, be informed of the action, especially those in Israel and Palestine.”
The overture was brought about by the publication of Glory to God, The Presbyterian Hymnal, 2013, which has a section of hymns under the heading: “God’s covenant with Israel.” It notes that the use of the phrase “God’s covenant with Israel,” is open to interpretation by the reader/singer, and the overture asked for a denotation if it referred to “Biblical Israel” or the “modern State of Israel.”
Jim Reisner, commissioner from Albany Presbytery, noted that the “language issue is important, but this particular overture does not provide the proper platform for this to take place.
“To ask the publisher to make this change is not within the purview of this assembly to act,” he said.
Elizabeth O’Neill, a commissioner from Sheppards and Lapsley Presbytery, said approving the item would have been an expression to show that “we stand with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We need to recognize our capacity to inflict harm often comes through our language.”
In other business, by a show of cards, commissioners gave overwhelming support for Business Item 07-02, the interreligious stance of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
The measure was approved 59-4 with amendments to its text by the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee.
It gives guidance to help the PCUSA relate to other religions in local neighborhoods and communities as well as in other places around the world. The stance indicates “The Presbyterian Church (USA) at all levels will be open to and will seek opportunities for respectful dialogue and mutual relationships with entities and persons from other religious traditions. It does this in the faith that the church of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is a sign and means of God’s intention for the wholeness of all humankind and all creation.”
The rationale observes that Interreligious interactions are not limited to just one aspect of living, and implications of loving religious neighbors as ourselves must pervade all areas of life together. It includes nine spheres of life which interreligious understandings are challenging and need to be acted on by the people of God. Those spheres include: human needs, social justice, mission emphasis, conflict, families, education, communities, congregations and workplaces.
“This stance encourages us to think about concrete ways we can engage in interfaith relationships … to follow Christ’s call to work for God’s kingdom,” said John Vest, moderator of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee.
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A blatant attempt to separate ancient (good) Israel from modern (bad) Israel. God’s covenant with Israel was forever. It did not expire in 1947.
Jim, are you a better theologian than this one?
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.
Matthew 21:42-43 ESV
http://bible.com/59/mat.21.42-43.ESV