Nationalism ≠ Gospel

     Years ago, my husband and I were excited to learn that some dear friends of ours were going into mission work in the land of Israel.  We were quick to pledge our support, since they were not affiliated with a denominational support network such as the Southern Baptist IMB.  We received regular reports on their work over the course of  the first year.  After a while, we both began to have concerns over the things we were hearing, or more accurately not hearing in their letters.  They were laboring in the flocks and vineyards of families living in the area known as the west bank.  They were hosting foreign travelers and essentially acting as tour guides.  They talked a lot about old testament prophecies, Sabbatarian stuff, assorted bits of legalism, and of how much the locals enjoyed the musical talents of their children.  The one thing we never heard was the gospel.  My husband tried asking a few probing questions to see if it was just a missed communication, but our initial concerns were accurate.  They were not preaching the Gospel at all.  They were becoming increasingly immersed in a strong form of Israeli nationalism.  After some time, we felt we had to remove our financial support, but I'm sure it was of little consequence since they had found a wellspring of acolytes who itched right where their "ministry" scratched.

     Last night, I discovered they were to be featured on a religious broadcast from somewhere in Texas.  My husband and I watched it on streaming video and listened intently to see if we heard anything remotely akin to a change in their message.  Over an hour of dialogue and a lengthy prayer later-- nothing.  Nothing but nationalism.  How can you truly claim to love the people of Israel and continue to withhold the message God uses to save sinners?  It's very perplexing to me.  Almost as perplexing as "ministries" and pastors who neglect the truths of Gods word in favor of American nationalism.  I suppose Paul's could have joined the nationalists of his day but instead "determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."  I wonder what he knew about the Gospel message that some "evangelicals" have forgotten today.  Is our confidence in the constitution or the Gospel?  Which is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes?