This is a guest post by Levitt on a Palestinian Solidarity Campaign meeting that Stephen Sizer addressed. – Part 1.
When you first meet Stephen Sizer it’s hard to see what the fuss is about. I heard him at a recent “The Middle East Conflict, a Christian Perspective” meeting. He is a small framed, grey haired individual, with glasses. He dresses smart casual in beige jacket, with Oxford blue cotton shirt. He looks as gentle as a sheep. His speech is temperate, soft, and sounds kind, compassionate and concerned. He carefully chooses his words, frequently pausing to craft his sentence prudently. His presentation is persuasive, with colourful well-organised slides. He speaks with an air of authority on many subjects regarding Israel such as its geography, history, religion and politics. But don’t be deceived by the sheep’s clothing, when you study his words closely you’ll see his wolf’s teeth.
Sizer at a PSC conference
Speaking to a modest group of about two dozen, Sizer says of the church, there is, “a reluctance to speak out on Palestine, because of our guilt, for the Holocaust and the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of Christians in Europe over 100’s of years, and we should repent of that, and get over it, and make sure we treat Jews and Arabs the same.”
Firstly I agree that Jews and Arabs should be treated righteously and fairly. The conflict is complicated, and every follower of Yeshua, Jew or Gentile should pray and hope for the peace of that land and for justice to be done. I would hope that whatever our religious viewpoint no one wants to see a fellow human suffer whatever their race or religious viewpoint. The church should do more to speak up against oppression all over the world.
But lets get back to Sizer, who treads on dangerous ground. He states that the church should repent of its guilt in European history. The shocking truth is that the Church has some responsibility for centuries of hatred and violent persecution, which was often been inspired by erroneous Christian theology. Christians should feel deep sorrow for the atrocities, which have been committed in “Christ’s” name. Although there were brave people, the church in general in the Holocaust didn’t do enough to defend or help the Jewish people. For this we must be deeply sorry, and never deny the church’s responsibility. But according to Sizer, we should just get over it. Worse still he says the church’s sin is not so much it’s behaviour toward the Jewish people, but the sin is the guilt that some Christians still feel about that history of Church anti-Semitic violence and murder.
I am not against speaking out. We should help the oppressed and marginalised. However Sizer has a disproportionate interest in the minor injustices of Israel as a Nation. Why does he never mention the major injustices throughout the world? When does he speak of North Korea, China, Iran, the Arab world, I could go on? Speak up if you want, Sizer, about the injustices the nation of Israel has committed. No nation is perfect. But why do you focus just on Israel and no other nation? There are two sides to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But why do you unexplainably present only the Palestinian side. I fear you discriminate and have a prejudice against the Jewish people and the Nation of Israel. You may speak softly and not say directly, but your words don’t deceive me.
Thanks Levitt, a very insightful review and am looking forward to part 2 and maybe 3!
Yes, thanks Levitt. Well put.
It goes without saying, there are innumerable problems with Sizer’s thinking. For one, he says there is, “a reluctance in the church to speak out on Palestine, because of our guilt, for the Holocaust and the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of Christians in Europe over 100’s of years…”
So, if I have this correctly, many don’t speak out in support of “Palestine” because of Holocaust guilt? What if many people just completely disagree with him? What if they choose to support Israel? What if they simply see through the campaign of lies? What if they’re against terrorism, or the notion that a “Palestinian” nation ever existed or should? I suppose, in his mind, the “truth” is so obvious that it’s just impossible for someone to disagree with. If they do, it must be because of guilt over the Holocaust. Sizer’s mind is diseased.
I can’t even get into the “we should repent of that, and get over it” remark right now – I just hope I get to meet him in person one day, but I wanted to mention that his, “make sure we treat Jews and Arabs the same.” is absolutely ridiculous. Is he out campaigning for the rights of Israelis? Of course not! How, then, is he possibly “treating Jews and Arabs the same” or encouraging others to?!
I (really) wish that Sizer would put his money where his mouth is and move from his cozy dwelling to the front lines of the conflict. Take up the cause and become a “martyr” for freedom. But it’s far too safe and easy spouting off to the predisposed from behind a podium.
Thanks Luke. There are many wrong and hypocritical statements he makes its difficult to know where to start!
Thanks Gev. People need to know the truth regarding Sizer.
Levitt it seems as if Sizer has read your post and totally dismissed it, he has posted on his blog today and calls himself Shaun the Sheep, who is flying to Israel today.
Shaun the Sheep. I think the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red Riding hood is a better fit. Of course we all know how that story ends.
I actually like him referring to himself as Shaun the Sheep. Just as Shaun is a soft, brainless, lump of clay being molded by his creators to perform for an audience, Sizer is precisely the same – neither adorable or endearing, though. Now that I think of it, Sizer much more closely resembles Victor Quartermaine – in both appearance and intent.
LOL Luke
Hope the sheep-shearers are on hand to meet Shaun to make sure he is shorn upon entry, he is certainly one sheep who has gone astray after his own way!
Satan is the father of lies. Satan’s sheep would be more accurate for him. (Shaun is too nice). However, one day he will stand before a just and righteous God and will regret all of his lies then.
Fight on brother and expose that man for what he really is. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” He says “love the Jews His chosen people.” Bet that gets up his nose.
His persistent support for the old and subsequently renounced UNGA ‘Zionism is racism’ resolution shows his real colours. Anti-Zionist, anti-democratic and anti-Semitic to the core.
cpsoper very fair & accurate analysis
Oh well Sizer has been editing his blog posts again and has mysteriously changed the name of his sheep, no longer Shaun… wonder why!?
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I ran across Stephen Sizer on http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/israels-right-to-promised-land when I was researching and reviewing what I believed and had been taught, because I’ve had a lot of questions.That’s when I started running into terms like dominionist and reconstructionist. I had never heard of those terms before. I’m sure you know his web site: http://www.christianzionism.org/Article/Sizer07.asp Just to be up front; I’m a 9/11 Truther, I believe God’s not through with the Jews, they are very much part of his plan, I believe Jerusalem is to stay the capital of the Jewish people. I support this party to get into the Knesset so all the people of Israel can be represented. So there can be fairness and freedom for all and especially religious minorities like Messianic Jews in Israel. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Avi-Lipkin-and-the-Bible-Bloc-PartyGush-Hatanakhi-Party/109383632420837?ref=ts