{"id":42271,"date":"2025-10-16T10:56:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T17:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=42271"},"modified":"2025-10-16T10:56:40","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T17:56:40","slug":"oofda-frequently-translates-to-a-feeling-of-being-overwhelmed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/oofda-frequently-translates-to-a-feeling-of-being-overwhelmed\/","title":{"rendered":"Oofda \u2013 Frequently translates to a feeling of being overwhelmed."},"content":{"rendered":"

Current Assumptions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

When it comes to the topic of Israel\/Palestine\/Hamas\/Gaza I only have one word that immediately comes to mind. It is a Scandinavian word we use often in Minnesota \u2013 oofda. This topic is so complex, so nuanced, and so deeply historically tangled it is very difficult to wrap my mind around. At the heart of the issue are two entities, with two distinct worldviews, fighting over the same piece of land that they both have historical and religious ties to.<\/p>\n

With that said, my current assumption is more nuanced than the assumptions I was raised in. I was raised in a conservative Evangelical church where Israel was always the \u2018good guys\u2019 and Palestinians were always the \u2018bad guys.\u2019 In a recently published book from Palestinian theologians, they epitomize this perspective as, “For some Western Christians, especially Evangelicals, the establishment of the settler-colonial regime in 1948 was seen as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.”[1]<\/a> My church\u2019s dispensationalist viewpoint led many to believe that heaven was very near, therefore Israel must be supported at all costs. I have grown to question these initial assumptions and challenge their nationalistic tendencies.<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

Historical and Regional Realities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both Jewish and Palestinian people trace lineages back to Abraham and claim long-rooted historical ties to the land \u201cbetween the river and the sea.\u201d There are many historical religious sites within the land that have exchanged hands a few times. This land is the center of all three major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. While it would be lovely for the land to be shared and peace to exist on a more permanent basis, it is unlikely to occur anytime soon.<\/p>\n

As all the authors this week detailed, there isn\u2019t much room for engaging in a multi-cultural society. Historian Howard Sachar writes, \u201cIt was significant that during the first two decades of Israeli independence, the Arab nations underwent some twenty political revolutions\u2026None of the successor military regimes dared adopt less than a hostile policy toward Israel for fear of losing popular support.\u201d[2]<\/a> He then continues, \u201cAs the Israelis saw it, the Arab purpose was single-minded and all-absorptive. It was flatly committed to the destruction of Israel as an independent state.\u201d[3]<\/a> More recently, Douglas Murray writes “The Israeli government knew–and the Palestinian Authority had always made clear–that no Palestinian state could have Jews in it. The one absolute clear precondition for such a state was that no Jews could exist within its borders.”[4]<\/a> Ideologically, there is no room for a plurality of religions or cultures. How might the two exist in the same location when the opposing side wants total eradication? This same sentiment was expressed in the book Hamas <\/em>as well, \u201cFor Hamas, the removal of the Zionist state is a necessary condition to achieve its ultimate goal\u2014a Palestinian state governed in accordance with Islam.\u201d[5]<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Israel, as a nation, sits as the lone Jewish nation amidst a sea of Islamic majority nations. After enduring the horrific assault of the Holocaust, they are primed to defend themselves at all costs and they have the backing of many Western nations to do this.<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

The Ethics of Warfare:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Generally speaking, I adhere to a more pacifist approach, but I see the limitations in this. I have read about Just-war theory and understand its approach to war. However, as a follower of Jesus I see his kingdom-centered approach to his ministry. Jesus did not lead a revolution or start a war but rather highlighted a confrontative but not combative approach. Will war be an approach that ever truly wins? Isn\u2019t everyone a loser in a war? Can one worldview fight against another worldview when one perspective is, “We love death more than you love life.” I heard it from al-Qaeda, from Hamas, from ISIS….How could anyone overcome a movement–a people–who welcomed death, who gloried in death, who worshipped death?”[6]<\/a> If death is seen as a victory and is glorified then is war giving them what they are desiring?<\/p>\n

My pacifist approach was challenged last week in Cape Town as we saw the effects of apartheid and heard from the different speakers. Father Lapsley wrote in his book about how he was moved to endorse a more aggressive approach. He writes, “Non-violence becomes most problematic when the oppressor in no way recognizes the humanity of the oppressed.”[7]<\/a> After October 7th, Israel certainly had a reason to defend herself and to retrieve the hostages that were kidnapped. Yet, they are not just fighting Hamas–a terrorist group–but rather a democratically elected government that blurs the lines between the two. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a choice between resistance and politics, it was to protect the resistance\u201d[8]<\/a> highlights how Hamas has blurred the line.<\/p>\n

Personally, my perspective is that Israel has a right to defend herself against terrorism, especially state-backed terrorism. However, it is easy to go from the oppressed to becoming the oppressor. When this occurs, you have lost the plot line and the support of many. A recent look at the ANC in South Africa highlights how they have now become the oppressors and the pendulum has swung too far. Likewise, Israel swung the pendulum too far and it will only illicit more violence and resentment.<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

The Language of Apartheid and Genocide:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Douglas Murray writes, “Because in this era war is not just waged on the battlefield, but in the efforts to delegitimize a conflict abroad, turning victims into culprits into victims.”[9]<\/a> The battle of language rages on. Is what was going on in Gaza genocide? Is the push of Israeli settlers into Palestinian territory an act of apartheid? Both sides argue for their own use of terminology and often they do not mean the same thing. We must insist on using terminology with similar definitions when discussing hot-button topics. It is also important that we not simply use trigger words simply to use a trigger word. However, there are times that these words can and should be used to highlight what is going on.<\/p>\n

Yet, this is where I think it is important to listen to voices that have reach beyond where we normally get our information. In every essay written in \u201cThe Cross and the Olive Tree\u201d by Christian Palestinian theologians they declare the onslaught against Gaza a Genocide. Recognizing that their voices are biased, we must listen to their perspective and give credit to the role they play.<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

Responding to this Theologically:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A couple of thoughts permeate my perspective here. First, both sides have historically committed wrongdoings and neither side has been morally upright. Secondly, tit-for-tat is never going to get us anywhere. Thirdly, we must guard against nationalism that does not allow for a common humanity to develop together. Fourthly, both Zionists and Hamas-Palestinians are humans created in the image of God and what is being fought is a battle that is beyond humanity and enters the spiritual realms. Fifthly, poor theology has led to uninformed and poor decisions.<\/p>\n

One of the Palestinian theologians argues his case for an alternative imagination. To imagine something different he argues that we must acknowledge the truth of what is going on and lament the course history has taken. He states, “Without lament–without a sacred witness to the brutality of the present moment–an alternative imagination cannot be born.”[10]<\/a> As leaders, we must lament the ongoing tragedy that is Israel\/Hamas and pursue a new dialogue, born in an imagination that holds a high value of humanity as image-bearers and a high value of the reconciliation and hope that the future might bring. Is not this the work of the kingdom of God?<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

Oofda.<\/p>\n

__________________________________________________<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> John S. Munayer and Samuel S. Munayer, eds., The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza<\/em> (Orbis Books, 2025), 15.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Howard Morley Sachar, A History of Israel: From the Rise of Zionism to Our Time<\/em> (Oxford Univ. Press, 1993), 429.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Sachar, A History of Israel<\/em>, 430.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Douglas Murray, On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization<\/em>, First edition (Broadside books, 2025), 4.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Milton-Edwards and Farrell, Hamas<\/em>, 17.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Murray, On Democracies and Death Cults<\/em>, 196.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Father Michael Lapsley, Redeeming the Past: My Dourney from Freedom Fighter to Healer<\/em> (Self, 2011), 87.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Beverley Milton-Edwards and Stephen Farrell, Hamas: The Quest for Power<\/em> (Polity, 2024), 163.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Douglas Murray, On Democracies and Death Cults: Israel and the Future of Civilization<\/em>, First edition (Broadside books, 2025), xix.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Munayer and Munayer, The Cross and the Olive Tree<\/em>, 72.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Current Assumptions: When it comes to the topic of Israel\/Palestine\/Hamas\/Gaza I only have one word that immediately comes to mind. It is a Scandinavian word we use often in Minnesota \u2013 oofda. This topic is so complex, so nuanced, and so deeply historically tangled it is very difficult to wrap my mind around. At the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":205,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3485,3486,2967,3489],"class_list":["post-42271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-murray","tag-sachar","tag-dlgp03","tag-milton-edwards-and-farrell","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/205"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42271"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":42273,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42271\/revisions\/42273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}