Issue-oriented and thematic papers for PfL’s advocacy work, including statements, campaign materials, articles and updates on developing issues; and links to related resources and information
Palestinian Christians draw a line in the Sand
Issued by KAIROS THEOLOGIANS FORUM, South Africa
2009 DECEMBER 16
Almost 25 years ago, Christians in South Africa produced what became known as the “Kairos document”. This document drew a line in the sand between those who supported apartheid together with those who tried to be neutral about apartheid vs. those who believed that apartheid was a sin and a theological heresy. It was immediately rejected by then Pres PW Botha and was also condemned by those in the church who did not agree with its contents. But it was one of those rare times when “theology made news” because of the clear and prophetic nature of the statement.
On 11 Dec 2009, at a conference in the town of Bethlehem in Palestine where Jesus was born, and a few days before the Church celebrates the birth of Jesus, Palestinian Arab Christians drew a similar line in the sand: affirming the Christian faith as part of the Palestinian reality; condemning the occupation of Palestine as sin and its justification by some Christians as far from the teaching of Christianity. They launched the Palestinian Kairos document, called “The Moment of Truth”. It is an unprecedented and united statement by Christians in Palestine that chooses the logic of love and refuses to hate the occupier.
This love, from a foundation of faith and hope, calls for the intensification of the non-violent resistance to the Brutal Israeli occupation—including the use of boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the state of Israel.
The Moment of Truth asks Christians across the world to examine their faith and their reading of the Bible and to cleanse it from what could be called “Occupation Theology”—false teaching that leads either to silence about the occupation or outright support for the illegal Israeli occupation and thereby causing injustice and death in Palestine. Just as the world condemned apartheid, it is clear that the time has come to condemn the illegal occupation in the name of Him who was born to set all people free and to bring peace.
Three South African Christians—two of whom had been involved in the South African Kairos process—travelled to Bethlehem to express support for the Palestinian document, and to show that there was a link between the two processes. They carried with them good wishes from a number of South African Christians, and a message of support from Archbishop-Emeritus Desmond Tutu. For a copy of his message to the Conference or for a copy of his letter supporting this statement, please contact one of the people listed below. You can also obtain a copy of the full Moment of Truth document from the people below, all of whom attended the Bethlehem Conference.
Any question related to this statement can be directed to
Dr Stiaan van der Merwe
Tel: 082 574 6201
email: stiaancoachingsa.co.za
Rev Edwin Arrison
Tel: 084 735 1835
email: earrison78telkomsa.net
Rev Solomuzi Mabuza
Tel: 082 420 8341
email: mabuzasoukzn.ac.za
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