This Christmas, We Choose Liberation
by Jesse Steven Wheeler
At FOSNA, it is our firm belief that many—even most—of the requirements for justice and lasting peace in Palestine depend on factors specific to the North American context. Even so, we are also very much concerned with the fact that many Christians in the majority world often take their lead from American missionaries, American authors, American television and radio personalities, American seminaries, and other Christian groups here in this country.
All too often, the message sent and received is one of materialism and crass commercialism. Such messaging is even baptized under the guise of a so-called “prosperity gospel,” promising material blessing in exchange for faith (and financial contributions). When it comes to the Holy Land, that message quite often comes in the form of Christian Zionism and an unquestioning support for the state of Israel and its policies.
As an example, I was struck recently by the words of a young pastor from East Africa who mentioned that the only books read by religious leaders in his community were those of CUFI founder John Hagee. Yet, these are the types of resources being financed, translated, shipped, and sold in local Christian bookshops around the world, and the political ramifications of such influences are being increasingly felt. This is especially the case within the South and Central American contexts, despite the widespread presence of Palestinian, Arab, and other Middle Eastern diaspora communities.
In confronting the nefarious effects of Christian Zionism on the prospects of a just peace in Palestine-Israel it is therefore essential to consider how the message of Palestinian Liberation is being heard in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and elsewhere. Fortunately, we do think there is reason for hope.
Our Executive Director, Jonathan Kuttab, recently addressed the topic of Christian Zionism in a virtual event held in Thailand hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign on the occasion of November 29, the UN Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The event was attended by 500 people, and was viewed later by over 20,000. The Thai group seems to have been energized by this event, even sending a certificate of appreciation to our Executive Director. This gives us hope that people around the world are hungry for robust, contextual theologies of liberation and peace in contrast to manipulative, theologically shallow, and scripturally suspect justifications for domination, exclusion, and greed—of which Christian Zionism is a prime example, alongside such ideologies as Christian nationalism and historical evils like manifest destiny and the doctrine of discovery.
We are pleased to be part of a global movement for justice in Palestine and are particularly interested in presenting a Christian message of liberation, especially at Christmas time. For such liberation is integral to the Good News heralded by the angels on Christmas Eve in their proclamation that God is bringing about a new reality within this sinful, violent world. This is likewise the message of Mary’s song, the Magnificat, of God lifting up the poor and vulnerable and humbling the arrogant and powerful. Mary proclaims:
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.
The message of Christmas is not merely of tinsel and presents but of the joy of liberation! It is a celebration of the joy, justice, and peace found in Christ’s liberating reign as the fulfillment of prophetic promise. To quote our friend Rev. Alex Awad:
The good news this Christmas is that the stories recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are stories of hope for the hopeless. Their message is clear: God comes to save, rescue, and redeem his people. He comes to collide with the powers of political, military, and economic structures that oppress the poor to bring them freedom and peace. It is also clear from the incarnation narratives that God uses ordinary men and women, whom he anoints, and sends them out to do his work of salvation, rescue, and liberation.
To exchange such an amazing invitation to participate in Christ’s liberating reign, “on earth as it is in heaven,” for false theologies of violent domination, wealth extraction, and ethnic exclusion makes a mockery of the God revealed to us in the life and witness of Jesus Christ. It makes a mockery of the newborn king we celebrate each Christmas.
As FOSNA, however, we choose liberation.
Now, please enjoy some Fairuz.