In Touch Quarter 3 - 2012

Christian Friends of Israel
IN TOUCH No.172 3rd Quarter 2012
You, our God
are famous in Judah and honoured
in Israel.
Your home is on Mount Zion
Psalm 76:1-2
in the city of
peace.”
In this
issue:
David
Dolan
sends a
special
report
p.4-5
Keren
Pryor
teaches us
on Jewish
ethics p.6-7
Jews and
Christians
unite to make
a stand for
Israel p.10

JERUSALEM:
TRAMPLED & RESTORED
In Touch
is the newsletter of
Christian Friends of Israel
UK
CFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by
means of practical and moral
support, and to serve the Church in
teaching about God’s purposes for
Israel and the Hebraic roots
of our faith.
CFI also produces a monthly News
Report, a monthly Prayer Letter and
a Middle East Update CD/MP3.
Please send for full details of the
practical projects and also of the
many teaching resources available.
As an educational charity,
we carry a variety of
resources relevant to our
purpose. We do not
necessarily endorse every
view expressed by our
guest writers or authors
of these resources.
Published by:
CFI Communications
PO Box 2687
Eastbourne
BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810
Fax: 01323 410211
Email: info@cfi.org.uk
Websites: www.cfi.org.uk
www.isrelate.com
www.keshercourse.org.uk
Registered Charity
No. 1101899
Front Cover Image:
Copyright © Bibleplaces.com
Jacob Vince writes on the history of God’s holy city
I
am currently
r e a d i n g
S i m o n
Sebag‘s book
‘Jerusalem –
the Biography.’
It makes for
sobering reading
when you see Jerusalem’s plight
over the centuries and millennia;
and more particularly in the last
one hundred and fifty years or
so before its return to Israel’s
sovereignty. There appears a
kind of frenzy of nations literally
trampling over and around
Jerusalem. Nominally under the
control of the weakening Turkish
Ottoman Empire, ‘tramplers’ from
the north, south, east and west
include Emperors, Princes, Dukes,
Politicians, Romantics, Writers,
Archaeologists and Pilgrims -
French, British, Russian, Prussian,
Albanian and American to name
but a few.
All these interact and intermingle
with a whole array of residents
and religious communities,
having built up over the years,
including Muslims, Greeks and
other Orthodox, Catholics and
Franciscans, Armenians and
Evangelicals. Alongside these
and interspersed through the
years is an historically resident
Jewish community expanding and
contracting as other beleaguered
Jewish communities from around
the world swell their numbers,
many times oppressed, other times
aided by Jewish philanthropists
and extended a degree of
protection and support from
certain diplomats and evangelicals.
There are also Arab residents,
specifically a number of powerful
families exercising different levels
of control in the mix, having come
from varying historic migrations.
Records over the period show a
city greatly distressed or ‘trodden
down,’ swelling with visitors at
certain festival times, but otherwise
sparsely populated and with much
squalor. Many of the nations
involved purchase tracts of land,
take possession and build various
‘quarters,’ primarily for the use of
their own national communities.
How is it that over the centuries
so many have found or created a
connection with Jerusalem? It has
little to commend it in terms of
natural resources, it barely features
on the international scene until
the first century, with Jerusalem
“No other city is mentioned in this way, for which
we should pray for its peace”
not even mentioned in Herodotus’
‘Histories’ circa 415 BCE, which
describe the broader region in great
detail.
Jerusalem’s earliest name ‘Salem’,
is mentioned four times in the
Bible, first when Abraham meets
Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), then
in a Psalm of Asaph, “in Judah God
is known; his name is great in Israel.
His tent is in Salem, his dwelling
place in Zion” (Psalm 76:1-2), and
two times in the letter understood
as written to the Hebrews (Hebrews
7:1-2).
The name ‘Jerusalem’ itself does
not appear even once in the Law
(Torah). It is first mentioned in
the first of the former Prophets,
‘Joshua,’ after Ai had been taken
at the second attempt (Joshua
10:1). Later it is King David that
routs Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-
2 // IN TOUCH

12). A Psalm of David focuses
particularly upon Jerusalem, with
the exhortation to “pray for the
peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
Whilst this instruction is given just
once in the Bible, no other city is
mentioned in this way, for which
we should pray for its peace, and,
as one of the Songs of Ascents, this
Psalm would be recited on the way
up to Jerusalem every Passover.
So when Jesus approaches
Jerusalem, this Psalm, it would
appear, is in His thoughts as He
weeps over Jerusalem: “If you, even
you, had only known on this day
what would bring you peace” (Luke
19:51). Later, in Jesus’ discourse
about Jerusalem, He states that,
“Jerusalem will be trampled on by
the Gentiles until the times of the
Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)
This trampling has been seen
throughout history as illustrated
above. Whilst the timing and
outworking of God’s proceeding
plan is ‘His’ prerogative, Jesus
concludes His discourse by
exhorting his disciples to, “Be
always on the watch, and pray.”
(Luke 21:36)
JERUSALEM DAY:
A HISTORIC EVENT
Robin Benson reports on a “unique” event, recently held in London
Sunday evening, May 20th
2012, saw a unique – some said
‘historic’ – gathering of about
300 members from both the Jewish
and Christian communities in the
main auditorium of the Emmanuel
Centre, Marsham Street, London.
The purpose: to celebrate together
‘Jerusalem Day 2012’ (or 5772 in the
Jewish calendar), and the special
place that this city has in the hearts
and minds of both groups.
Christian Friends of Israel (UK)
and the Zionist Federation (ZF) were
the main sponsors of the meeting,
but strong support was also offered
by Bridges for Peace, Ebenezer
Operation Exodus, ICEJ, Anglican
Friends of Israel, Methodist Friends
of Israel and Baptists 4 Israel.
Although gathered mainly from the
London and Greater London areas,
there were some who travelled all
the way from the West Country and
the Midlands to attend and support
this event.
The meeting was chaired by
Professor Eric Moonman, Co-
President of the ZF, and the
line-up of special guest speakers
included HE Daniel Taub, the
Israel Ambassador, Geoffrey Smith,
former UK Director of CFI, Atashi
Zeidan (a former member of the
Knesset from the Druze community
in Israel), and David Nekrutman,
Executive Director of the Centre for
Jewish-Christian Understanding
and Co-operation, which is based
in Efrat, Israel. David can be seen
in the centre image below, as he
addresses the audience standing
in front of the novel and thoughtprovoking
timeline of Jerusalem’s
history created by Geoffrey using
an improvised clothesline!
Everyone in attendance remarked
on what a great evening it had been,
and there are already plans in the
pipeline to repeat it with something
similar next year, when due to the
Jewish calendar, Jerusalem Day
will be on May 8th. Make a note
and plan to join us if you can.
NB. An edited audio CD with the
content from all the main speakers
from the evening is available, for
a donation, from CFI-UK. Please
request your copy using the
accompanying Response Form, or
contact the Eastbourne office using
the details on Page 2.
Left: Eric Moonman, Co-President
of the Zionist Federation, Above:
David Nekrutman stands infront of
a timeline of Jerusalem’s history,
Right: The Israeli Ambassador, HE
Daniel Taub, enjoys Geoffrey Smith’s
message.
Images courtesy of the Zionist Federation
CFI.ORG.UK // 3

WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST
David Dolan, a journalist living and working in Israel, writes this update, which
combines the political and prophetic.
The essence of all biblical
prophecy is nothing less than
news that has not yet transpired.
It is history (His story) revealed
before it has actually unravelled on
the world stage. In other words, it is
hardly divorced from the news.
I have been getting inquiries
concerning the possible connection
of the growing Syrian conflict with
prophecies found in Isaiah 17, Psalm
83 and Ezekiel 38-39. I have long felt that Isaiah 17 is most
likely the next major end-time biblical prophecy that will
unfold in the turbulent Middle East. This prophecy seems
to be echoed by a similar one found in Jeremiah 49: 23-27,
which tells of a future time when “panic” would grip the
Syrian capital city, Damascus, as its “young men fall dead
in her streets” and the city’s walls are “set on fire.”
As most of you will already know, Isaiah’s prophecy
begins with the total destruction of Damascus, which
the seer foretells will become completely uninhabited
with only “flocks” of animals wandering around in its
ruins (Isaiah 17:1-2). Located fifty miles inland from the
Mediterranean Sea east of Lebanon, the historic city is
home today to nearly two million people, with another
half million living in its suburbs.
Isaiah’s stark prophecy goes on to speak of Israel
suffering greatly during the same time frame, implying
that an intense war between the two longtime enemy
countries stands at the heart of the jarring oracle. It
mentions that while Damascus will be “removed from
being a city” and “sovereignty” will disappear from it as
well (17:1,3), the “glory of Jacob will fade, and the fatness
of his flesh will become lean” (17:5). As bad as that sounds,
the Hebrew prophet is foretelling that Israel will NOT be
destroyed as Damascus will be, but instead “gleanings
will be left in it like the shaking of an olive tree” (17:6). So
many “olives” will be shaken off the Tree of Israel, but by
no means all of them. Isaiah uses the olive tree analogy
later on in Chapter 24, which speaks of the final judgment
of the world, giving further evidence that Isaiah 17 is also
an “end time” prophecy.
Note that in the very first verse, the great Hebrew
prophet wrote that, “Damascus is about to be removed
from being a city.” So was this prophecy fulfilled in or near
his time on earth, meaning around the 8th century before
the birth of Christ? There is no evidence at all to suggest
this was the case. In fact, Israel’s sufferings during that
era were largely due to internal wars and invasions from
the Persian and Babylonian empires, not conflicts with
Damascus per se. Although historians say the renowned
Syrian capital city has been conquered at least 17 times
during recorded history, it has never been destroyed and
4 // IN TOUCH
abandoned as Isaiah foretold would one day take place.
So why did the prophet write that the city’s demise was
“about to” take place? Many scholars believe, as I do, that
this is what is widely known as the “prophetic tense.”
This occurs elsewhere in prophetic biblical literature
when something extremely important and life changing is
described as either being imminent when it is not actually
looming in an historic timeline, or as if it had already
occurred, which is an even more dramatic prophetic voice
to employ.
The potential for a massive armed conflict between
Israel and Syria at this time is quite obvious. I was struck
by the comments from a senior Israeli army commander
recorded in last Friday’s Jerusalem Post newspaper and
other Israeli media outlets. Addressing his troops at the
end of a major military exercise held in the Jordan Valley
to prepare for possible war with Syria and Lebanon,
Nahal Brigades commander Colonel Yehuda Fuchs said
“We are prepared for war, which draws closer with every
day that passes.” This came two days after air raid sirens
were sounded all over Jerusalem last week as part of a
three day drill to test the capital city’s readiness for a
major missile attack. While I knew from the news that
such action would take place, many others missed that
information, causing some momentary panic as the loud
rising and falling wailing went on for around two minutes
just before 5:30 in the afternoon.
An earlier commentary by one of Israel’s most respected
columnists, Chemi Shalev, focused on the depth of
conflict that is at the centre of the current fighting inside
Syria. Writing for the Ha’Aretz (The Land) newspaper
on June 1, he pointed out that the escalating conflict is
mainly about the survival of the minority Alawite Assad
regime in the face of majority Sunni Muslim attempts to
topple it. He noted that the two rival Islamic groups have
been viciously battling each other for many centuries.
With each contemporary Alawite atrocity (the sect is an
offshoot of the Shiite wing of Islam), the chances that
Assad will obey Hillary Clinton’s repeated demands,
echoed by many other Western officials, to immediately
give up power, fade ever further into the waning sunset,
he wrote. The Syrian dictator and his cronies are not about
to forget what happened last year to Hosni Mubarak or
to the late Muamar Kadaffi. Shalev opined instead that
the international demands are mainly forcing Assad
and his cronies into a corner (which I agree is the case),
and the only way out might be an attack upon Israel. He
warned that the vicious Syrian regime has a huge army
at its disposal- at least 300,000 men, about twice the size
of Israel’s full-time forces- and one of the world’s largest
chemical weapons arsenals, plus a massive stockpile of
long, medium and short range missiles, mostly supplied
by Russia.

This leads Shalev to conclude that Syrian strongman
Bashar Assad may choose what he calls the “doomsday
option.” He wrote that: “Faced with his own political
demise and convinced that his people may face murderous
retribution, it is not too outlandish to imagine a scenario in
which Assad comes to believe that a conflict with Israel or
an all-out regional war is his best remaining option. He is,
one should never forget, capable of wreaking havoc and
destruction not only on most Israeli cities but also on Turkey,
Cyprus, Jordan, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and this before
one factors in Hezbullah, with its 50,000-plus stockpile of
rockets and short range missiles, and Iran, which views the
Assad regime as an irreplaceable strategic asset and which
may also come around to viewing a regional conflagration
as a way of overcoming crippling sanctions and growing
isolation.”
As I often point out when speaking to audiences around
the world, Israeli leaders have long made clear that they will
not be the first to introduce weapons of mass destruction
onto the regional stage. However they then make equally
clear that they will be the second to do so if such weapons
are used in any significant way against the tiny state of
Israel, just 280 miles from north to south and less than 30
miles across in most places. Of course, this is meant to be a
deterrence to such a heinous non-conventional attack, not
a threat to launch one out of the blue. Still, Israeli leaders
mean it when they say they will not sit idly by while their
determined enemies attempt to “complete what Hitler
began,” as the late Iranian
leader Ayatollah Khomeini
often puts it. The implication
from Isaiah’s prophecy,
buttressed by Jeremiah, is that
Damascus will be destroyed by
something akin to powerful nuclear warheads, which would
leave deadly radiation in their wake. This would preclude
human occupation for some time afterwards, but not the
influx of animal flocks that would naturally be unaware of
the lingering deadly nature of invisible radiation.
Are we on the verge of the fulfilment of Isaiah 17?
Obviously no human being can say for certain, at least
not without a revelation from the ultimate Author of the
prophecy, the God of Israel. I do not claim to have such a
revelation. However having studied this prophecy for over
35 years, and given my work as a journalist for three decades
in this roiling region at the centre of the world, I would say
the prospects are now quite high. Would this be the possible
opening scene in another prophecy found in Ezekiel 38 and
39 as some suggest? I personally do not think so, since that
prophesied invasion is said to be led by a great power located
to the “far north” of Israel, which many, including myself,
assume to be Russia. The increasingly autocratic Putin
government does not seem ready to intervene militarily at
this time to save Assad’s widely condemned regime.
Israel is said to be “living securely” in its land (Ezekiel
38:8) when the massive invasion takes place, which it is
clearly not doing at present, with preparations for massive
missile strikes from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and possibly
Syria, ongoing. Also the main goal of the invasion foretold
by Ezekiel’s pen is revealed to be the destruction of Israel,
which does not seem to be in the current interests of the
Kremlin. Putin and his comrades surely know that any such
Russian invasion would undoubtedly spark off a worldwide
nuclear showdown with NATO nations, not to mention with
“The Middle East is currently
reeling like it has not done since at
least 1973.”
Israel itself. More than that, the massive invasion forecast
by Ezekiel, also involving Libya and possibly Sudan along
with Iran, ends with the salvation of all Israel and the divine
ingathering to Israel of all Jews living outside of the Jewish
state (Ezekiel 39: 27-28). These seem to be occurrences set to
unfold at the conclusion of the prophesied end-time “Great
Tribulation,” also know as the time of Jacob’s Troubles, and
not at its beginning. Note also how closely the description
of what occurs to the invading armies in Ezekiel’s prophecy
dovetails with what is predicted to occur in the New
Testament book of Revelation at the end of the final battle
of Armageddon.
Psalm 83 is said to involve eight regional enemies of Israel
who “conspire together” to destroy the Jewish state. I noted
in my book “Israel in Crisis” that seven of the ten named
conspirators were located in what is today the Arab country
of Jordan, along with northern Saudi Arabia. This indicates
to me that as long as the pro-Western Hashemite royal family
rules from Amman and holds onto the late King Hussein’s
1994 peace treaty with Israel, this prophecy is not ready to
be fulfilled.
However with over 100,000 Syrian refugees now pouring
into the small, financially troubled country, and with
revolution and upheaval sweeping most parts of the Arab
world, the chances for instability and political chaos in Jordan
increase every day. The ascent of the extremist Muslim
Brotherhood to power in Egypt (amazingly facilitated
by the US and other Western powers) surely strengthens
radical Islamic Arab forces
everywhere in the region,
with the stepson Hamas
movement - which is very
popular with many Jordanians
who claim Palestinian descentincreasingly
active in the country. It should also be noted that
even if the Assad regime is somehow overthrown in Syria
despite strong support from Russia, Iran and Hezbullah, any
replacement Sunni Muslim government seems increasingly
likely to be at least as hostile to Israel as Assad has been,
meaning the seeming military clash alluded to in Isaiah 17
would remain an active possibility at any time. Of course,
a military strike by Israel and/or the United States and its
allies upon Iran’s multiple nuclear sites- increasingly likely
as defiant Tehran digs in its heels- could spark off a regional
war that ends with the destruction of Damascus. Only time
will tell, but with the way things appear at present, it might
not be a long time!
I suspect that Psalm 83 might be the Arab world’s ultimate
response to an Israeli destruction of Damascus, which is
one of Islam’s holiest cities on earth. However it is certainly
possible that some future war will begin with Isaiah 17 and
then be quickly followed by the joint anti-Israel attack plan
unveiled in Psalm 83 (which historians also say never took
place in ancient times), or vice versa. Only the Good Lord
knows for sure. One thing is certain…the Middle East is
currently reeling like it has not done since at least 1973. That
being the undeniable case, thank you for your prayers, and
may the will of the Sovereign Lord be done on earth even as
it is in heaven!
NB. CFI-UK distributes David Dolan’s monthly ‘Israel
News Report’. This is available on a paid subscription basis.
For more details, please contact the Eastbourne office.
CFI.ORG.UK // 5

BE A MENSCH!
This is an installment from the present series of weekly email studies by Keren
Hannah Pryor on Pirkei Avot, (The Ethics of the Fathers)
Considered one of the
greatest distillations
of teaching on the
development of character
and elevation of the spirit,
the tractate of six chapters
is possibly one of the most
studied pieces of Hebrew
literature.
Avot 2:6 He [Hillel] used to
say: A boor cannot be fearful
of sin; an unlearned person
cannot be scrupulously pious;
the bashful person cannot
learn, and the quick, impatient person cannot teach; anyone
excessively occupied in business cannot become a student [of
the Scriptures] ; and in a place where there are no leaders,
strive to be a leader.
He used to say: A boor [empty-headed man] cannot
be fearful of sin;
Hillel is evaluating different characteristics that
display a person’s regard for the Torah and his
relationship to it, which also reflects his view of the
One who gave His Word. He observes that the boor
does not fear sin because he cannot grasp the concept
of sin and its implications, which are addressed and
clarified for mankind in the Torah. The Hebrew, bur,
also means “an empty field in which nothing has been
planted.” 1 No seeds of knowledge of God and His truth
have been sown in his mind that could take root and
flower.
In our Father’s great mercy
and love for all His creatures,
we know that He sows seeds
of knowledge of Himself in
unique and individual ways
as well as in the wonder of His Creation. As the Psalmist
describes: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and
the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1)
and “The heavens declare his righteousness, for God
himself is judge! Selah.” (Psalm 50:6)
Perhaps, as in Yeshua’s parable of the sower, the seed
is sown but if a heart is hard like stony ground, or if
seed is lost or choked by thorns, it will not take root
and grow and produce fruit (Luke 8:5-15).
A boor views life as a natural right, and believes
that one should gain from it whatever will be to one’s
physical advantage and benefit. In this context, it is
worth considering a quote of Albert Schweitzer’s: “As
6 // IN TOUCH
“I always wondered why somebody
didn’t do something about that, then I
realised I was somebody!”
soon as a man does not take his existence for granted,
but beholds it as something unfathomably mysterious,
thought begins.”
...an unlearned [in Torah] person cannot be pious
[devout];
The Hebrew term translated here as ‘unlearned’ is
am ha’aretz, a worldly person. He or she may have an
awareness of God, and enough fear of sin to perform
outward ‘religious’ duties, but if the majority of one’s
focus and attention is on material matters and the “cares
of the world” and time is not taken to study the Word
devoutly in order to grow spiritually, a person will not
grow in holiness and in intimacy with the Father.
When one does not learn and grow in understanding
of the Almighty, through His eternal and Living Word
of truth, one cannot devote oneself to walking more
fully in harmony and accord with His good and perfect
will.
...the bashful person cannot learn, and the quick,
impatient person cannot teach;
The Sages of Israel generally praise the qualities of
humility and quiet sensitivity. However, a negative
and unhealthy form of shyness prevails when a person
suffers from fear of embarrassment. In a classroom or
learning situation this form of self-consciousness is a
hindrance and will inhibit a student’s progress. If one
is afraid to make mistakes and to ask questions when
something is not understood, or in order to probe more
deeply into a subject, answers will not be found and the
opportunity to learn will have been lost.
Historically, and sadly,
in church settings and
in Christian education
in general, the asking of
questions was frowned upon
and even strongly discouraged. For many centuries
this caused a literal ‘Dark Ages’ in the Church in the
area of learning and spiritual growth and resulted in
a majority of am ha’aretz sitting silently bound in the
pews. Happily, during the past century, with greater
accessibility to the Word of God and the growing
awareness and understanding of the Jewish Roots
of Christianity and its Hebraic heritage, the heart of
this silent majority is again being stirred and healthy
dialogue and questioning are ensuing.
In connection with the “bashful” student, and likely
the actual cause of bashfulness in many students, an
impatient teacher who is easily angered will not teach

effectively. Students will be afraid to enquire, fearing
they will be rebuffed or scorned and little godly
knowledge will be imparted or received.
...anyone excessively occupied in business cannot
become a student[of the Scriptures];
When a person deeply values the Word of God and
desires to grow in knowledge thereof, it becomes a
high priority in his or her life. While the need to earn
a living and to provide for the physical needs of life
are obviously important and require diligent effort, the
less obvious needs of the nurture and provision for the
prospering of one’s spirit also require diligent care and
attention.
...and in a place where there are no leaders, strive to
be a leader.
This Hebrew verse can translate directly as, “In a
place where there are no men - anashim, strive to be
a man - ish”. William Berkson offers a worthy modern
translation, “In a place where there is no person to make
a difference, strive to be that person.” 2 Which reminds
me of an anonymous quote I saw recently, “I always
wondered why somebody didn’t do something about
that, then I realised I was somebody!”
In Yiddish this type of human being - a caring,
capable and responsibly aware person, who when he
sees the right thing to do strives to do it - is called a
mensch (rhymes with bench). One should purpose
to be a mensch in every situation. Particularly when
there is not another mensch to stand up and take
responsibility, one should courageously do one’s best
to do what needs to be done.
Leo Rosten describes a mensch in his classic, The
Joys of Yiddish: “To be a mensch has nothing to do
with success, wealth or status. ...The key to being a
real mensch is nothing less than character.” 3 He or she
is simply decent and has a combination of an ethical
backbone and a genuine transparency that reflects the
light of their Creator in whose image they are made.
May we be mensches...for His glory.
1. Irving M. Bunim, Ethics from Sinai Vol 1; 153 2. William
Berkson, Pirke Avot; 70 3. Leo Rostin, The Joys of Yiddish; 237
NEW AREA REP
Matt Elwick was born in 1975 and grew up in
Swindon, Wiltshire. He found faith in Jesus
in 1993 at the age of 18 while searching for a
“meaningful purpose” to his life.
Attending Bible College in Brighton from 1996 to 1997,
Matt would go on to be involved in church missions
both in the UK, and abroad in Ukraine
and Bulgaria.
Matt married Imogen in January 2002
before the couple moved to Swansea to
go to university. Matt studied Electronics
and Imogen studied Biology.
Matt and Imogen left Swansea in 2008
and moved back to Swindon for work
reasons and also to be closer to Imogen’s
parents.
Three years ago, the couple began to
look into the History of Israel and the Jewish roots of
the Christian faith.
Speaking about his interest in the land and people
of Israel, Matt says, “I believe that the story of modern
Israel is a miraculous one and important when
considering God’s word to restore Israel and to provide
a saviour for mankind through the death & resurrection
of Jesus.”
Matt’s revelation of the importance of Israel had had
a number of benefits, including a recent job!
“I received my job at an Electronics
manufacturer by being asked to do a
presentation on something that I was
passionate about,” Matt explains. “I did
a 20 minute presentation on ‘The six day
war’ and got the job!”
Matt tries to stay fit and healthy by
playing squash on a regular basis and
going on long walks with his family.
Imogen loves God’s creation, is a gifted
puppeteer and is about to begin a career
in teaching this September. They have two boys whose
favourite programme is Top Gear.
Matt can be contacted by email at: mattandimmy@
gmail.com or mobile: 07881 895410.
CFI.ORG.UK // 7

~d'a' Adam
Hebrew Word
Study with
John C. P.
Smith
We are living in unsettling times. The world
is changing rapidly. Cords which once gave
cohesion to Western society, inherited from
centuries of beneficial Christian influence, are fast
unravelling. For instance, the unrelenting drive to force
the normalisation of homosexuality, which would
arguably mark the end of Christian-based society, has
reached a seemingly unstoppable momentum.
The prophetic words of Psalm 2 speak powerfully
into our times: “The... rulers take counsel together, against
Yahweh and against His Messiah: ‘Let us break Their bonds
in pieces and cast away Their cords from us’” (Psalm 2:2-3).
Sadly, many are desperate to cut ties with Christianity,
to break free from Biblical standards; even if it means
criminalising Christians. But the Bible says: “Woe to
those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for
light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes...
Who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from
the righteous man!” (Isaiah 5:20-23)
With an anti-Christ(ian) current permeating society,
gaining strength by the week, Believers face a stark
choice: to resolutely swim against the prevailing
tide and endure any consequential persecution; or to
drastically compromise on Biblical teaching in order
to conform to the thinking and standards of the world,
which mostly views the Bible as irrelevant. Tragically,
though not unexpectedly (see Matthew 7:15-23 on “false
prophets”, Matthew 13:24-30 on “tares among the wheat”,
and 2 Timothy 4:3-4 on “itching ears”), there is evidence
of the latter—namely the abandonment of sound
doctrine, which in Yeshua’s terminology is “abolishing
Torah.” (Matthew 5:17)
For instance, in his chapter on “Adam and Eve” in
the book Should Christians Embrace Evolution?, Michael
Reeves notes that there has been a great willingness
amongst Evangelical Christians to interpret Adam
and Eve as mythical or symbolic. But he argues
convincingly that neither Old nor New Testament
support such an interpretation. His conclusion is that:
“The historical reality of Adam is an essential means
of preserving a Christian account of sin and evil, a
Christian understanding of God, and the rationale for
the incarnation, cross and resurrection. His physical
fatherhood of all humankind preserves God’s justice in
condemning us in Adam (and, by inference, God’s justice
in redeeming us in Christ) as well as safeguarding the
logic of incarnation. Neither belief can be reinterpreted
without the most severe consequences” (page 56). In
other words, compromising the plain teaching of God’s
Word in Genesis about Adam, undermines essential
doctrine, including even the Gospel.
If you think this is an over-reaction, take a look at
a recent book, Christianity in Evolution, by theistic
evolutionist Jack Mahoney, emeritus professor of
moral and social theology at the University of London.
In his Introduction, Professor Mahoney argues “that
accepting evolution leads to dispensing with the need
for traditional Christian beliefs in original sin and the
‘fall’ of the human race from divine favour” (page x).
Indeed the book explores a number of far-reaching
consequences which re-interpreting Adam has on a
range of beliefs and practices. In the Catholic journal,
The Tablet (26/11/11), Clifford Longley’s column
enthusiastically endorsed Mahoney’s book, while
nevertheless conceding that it is “pulling down some
of the pillars of Christian doctrine”. But Longley sees
this as a “necessary evolutionary process”. Indeed, he
argues: “As times change, Christianity has always had to
evolve to remain credible”. Such compromised thinking
demonstrates what can happen when man’s ideas take
precedence over God’s Word.
In any case, non-Believers are not always impressed
when Christians try to accommodate popular thinking.
In Walking Through Shadows, medical doctor Carl Wieland
recounts how, as an atheist, it made no sense to him for
Christians to tell him that they believed in evolution
and/or geology’s long-age system. “I would point out
that if they believed God used evolution, then He used
death and suffering to create... that God superintended
a world for hundreds of millions of years of watching
the strong wipe out the weak, animals rip each other’s
throats out, and so on. He only got around to making
man after an apparent trial and error process with lots
of purposeless creations... calamities, extinctions, and
disease along the way. Then, finally, He calls it ‘all very
good’?” Furthermore, Wieland admits: “Importantly,
evolution and/or the millions of years also meant to
me that the words of Jesus Christ were mistaken. For
example, in Matthew 19:4 and Mark 10:6, Jesus makes
it clear that He believes that people were there from
the beginning of creation” (pages 32-33), not the endresult
of a very long process. Wieland, now a Christian
and a young-earth creationist, is Managing Director of
Creation Ministries International.
It is a delusion of grandeur for men to think that they
know better than God; to state or imply that Scripture
is inadequate, and that it must be reinterpreted in light
of modern thinking. It is also a dangerous excursion
into folly—for compromise opens the door to yet more
compromise, in an alarming downward spiral. God has
always meant what He says; every single word! Indeed,
all Scripture—every “jot” and “tittle” (Matthew 5:18),
whether the account of Adam or the condemnation of
sexual immorality—is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16)
and worthy of our complete trust. Believers need to be
thoroughly grounded and immersed in God’s Word—
to “fulfil Torah” through correct teaching and application
of the Scriptures, right from the start.
The second part of this study will continue to
highlight the foundational importance of Genesis and
the significance of Adam, and examine the root ~da
(‘dm) and its derivatives.
“The God who made the world and everything in it... From one man He made every nation of men.” (Acts 17:24, 26)
8 // IN TOUCH

EMBASSY HOSTS CHRISTIAN
YOUNG ADULTS EVENT
Sam Hailes explains how the Israeli Embassy has brought together key young Christian leaders
At Christian Friends of Israel,
we have long recognised
the need to mobilise young
adults to discover God’s purposes
for the land and people of Israel.
Through Isrelate.com we’ve
sought to encourage young
Christians to consider the
“mystery” (Romans 11:25) of Israel
for themselves.
We are aware that CFI is just one of a handful of
ministries working towards this aim in the UK, so
we were delighted to hear the Israeli Embassy were
planning to bring everyone together.
One Sunday in May, around fifty young Christian
leaders gathered in Camden, London for a day of
teaching, training and equipping.
Funded and organised by the embassy, representatives
of all the major Israel-related Christian ministries
attended.
The day started with the Israeli ambassador Daniel
Taub leading what can only be described as a ‘Bible
study’! Focussing on a few key scriptures from the
Torah, the ambassador unpacked verses on Abraham
and Moses with impressive skill and insight.
The day offered the opportunity to network and build
contacts with others on the frontline of combatting
replacement theology on a local and national level.
The day featured a mixture of Jewish and Christian
speakers. Simon Barrett from Revelation TV gave a
presentation on the media and Israel while Andrew
White from Beyond Images gave detailed advice on
how best to advocate for Israel on a political level.
CFI-UK’s Chief Executive Jacob Vince and Tim
Gutmann from Mordecai Voice did a joint session and
Raheem Kassam (from The Commentator news website)
gave an excellent presentation on how best to use social
media in advocating for Israel.
Representatives from BICOM and We Believe in Israel
also gave short talks and there was opportunity for
feedback and questions from the floor at every point.
It was encouraging to spend a day conversing with
other like minded young adults and planning how we
can all move forward together.
There is still a sense that we are just at the beginning
of something. More prayer is needed for us to know the
way forward in reaching this generation. We lack neither
creativity or passion about this message. Strategy and
direction is what’s needed.
We continue to thank God for the friendships and
sense of camaraderie that is being built in the 18-30s age
bracket. We can do more together than we can apart. We
move forward mindful of the many CFI-UK supporters
who have gone before us and stood up for Israel for
many years. Your prayer and support means so much
to us all.
(Top down) Tim Gutmann from Mordecai Voice, Simon Barrett
from Revelation TV, Raheem Kassam from The Commentator,
and HE Daniel Taub, the Ambassador of Israel.
CFI.ORG.UK // 9

JEWS AND CHRISTIANS UNITE TO
SUPPORT HABIMA
Isrelate.com reports on the recent controversy surrounding a London theatre’s
decision to invite an Israeli theatre group to perform.
Israel advocates took to the streets of London outside
the famed Globe Theatre during the last week of
May to support an Israeli theatre group.
Habima were putting on their performance of The
Merchant of Venice in Hebrew as part of the Globe to
Globe festival, which included theatre groups from six
continents.
The festival saw all 37 of William Shakespeare’s plays
performed in 37 languages over a six-week period.
But Palestinian supporters had called for a boycott
of the Habima theatre group after they performed at a
West Bank theatre in Ariel.
Speaking before the performance, the Artistic director
of The Globe Dominic Dromgoole asked the audience
to respect the performers stating: “You’re not watching
politicians or policy-makers. You are watching artists
who are here to tell a story.”
Jewish and Christian supporters praised The Globe
for allowing the performance to go ahead and turned
out to express solidarity with the theatre group.
Around 60 Israel supporters gathered to wave flags,
chant and dance. 25 Palestinian Solidarity Campaign
supporters also demonstrated.
One onlooker in the pro Israel part of the demonstration
said: “I could feel the hate from the PSC, even at 80
yards!”
Supporters of the Zionist Federation, Stand With Us
and Christian Friends of Israel all attended the rally in
support of Habima.
Meanwhile, the performance itself was momentarily
disrupted when chants of “free Palestine” led to some
audience members being ejected from the venue.
Some demonstrators also stood with tape over their
mouths as a silent protest. Others unfurled banners and
Palestinian flags, but the performers continued with the
show undeterred.
Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, John Nathan
remarked that the event of a Hebrew language show of
a play considered by some to be anti-Semitic under Pro
Palestinian protest was “loaded with symbolism”.
Another ticket holder praised the theatre group for
a “very lively performance” which attracted “a very
rousing ovation, with several encores”.
The news comes in the same month as the Co-op
announced a boycott of products from the West Bank.
10 // IN TOUCH
Images courtesy of David Greer

CFI-UK RESOURCES
According to
Edwin Samuel
of the Jewish
Chronicle, this
Historical Atlas of
Jerusalem “should
be acquired by all
students of the
Bible”. Leading
historian Sir Martin
Gilbert is the official
biographer of
Winston Churchill
and the author of
over 80 books. This
c o m p r e h e n s i v e
atlas presents the history of Jerusalem with 69
maps and over 100 prints and photopgraphs.
B391 (Paperback: 133 pages)
UK Price: £23.50 incl P&P
Jerusalem, whose name
means ‘City of Peace’, is
unique among the cities of
the world - there is no other
which has an eternal destiny.
Presented by Lance Lambert,
this excellent two part DVD
documentary relates its
past, present and future in
prophesy. Part 1 traces past
prophetic history of the
Holy City, whilst Part 2 explores what the Bible
has to say about Jerusalem’s present and future
destiny. Discover that, as we move into the third
millennium of the Christian Era, the destiny of
Jerusalem and the nation of Israel are still central.
This documentary will bring you a message of
challenge and hope that you will not easily forget.
D4 (PAL DVD: 115 minutes)
UK Price: £13.00 incl P&P
Also available as a paperback,
written by Hugh Kitson, the
producer and director of the
DVD documentary.
B249 (Paperback: 335 pages)
UK Price: £10.50 incl P&P
Jerusalem Time Line
covers over 3,000
years of history,
from King David to
the modern state of
Israel. This handy
pamphlet chronicles
over 145 events and
70 historical figures,
condensing masses of
information into short,
punchy paragraphs
and easy to understand
diagrams. These 14
pages are perfect for
anyone wanting to
gain an overview of Jerusalem’s long history.
BT110 (Pamphlet: 14 pages)
UK Price: £3.50 incl P&P
£5.50
This biography of the
first bishop of Jerusalem
focusses on the 1840s,
which were instrumental
in determining the future
establishment of modern
Israel. A Jewish Bishop
in Jerusalem has been
described as a “wonderful
intermingling of geopolitics,
faith and human
endeavour.”
B237 (Paperback: 262 pages)
UK Price: £4.50
Under a Mushroom
Cloud analyses Iran’s
dual approach of
accelerating its nuclear
programme while
weaving itself ever more
tightly into the fabric of
the European economy
through thriving trade
and investment.
B339 (Paperback: 278 pages)
UK Price: £5.50 incl P&P
£4.50
CFI.ORG.UK // 11

UPCOMING
EVENTS
Come and find CFI-UK at the following events this summer...
New Wine Week 1 (London & SE
Royal Bath and Somerset Showground, Shepton
Mallet – July 21st to 27th:
Manned by the Hailes family
New Wine Week 2 (Central & SW)
Royal Bath and Somerset Showground, Shepton
Mallet – July 29th to August 4th:
Manned by the Vince family
New Wine (North & East) Newark and
Nottinghamshire County Showground,
Newark – July 28th to August 3rd:
Manned by Roy and Christine Sherrard, and
Tony and Gloria Greenwood.
ONE (formerly Grapevine) Lincolnshire
Showground, Lincoln – August 24th to 28th:
Manned by Robin Benson.
CFI-UK staff have also been invited to provide
resources stalls at:
Ebenezer Operation Exodus’ Annual
Conference – The Hayes, Swanwick
June 29th to July 1st.
CMJ Annual Conference – High Leigh,
Hoddesdon – July 20th to 22nd.
Finally, plans are also in progress for CFI-UK
staff to lead a weekend conference at Bethlehem
Methodist Church on the Island of Jersey in mid-
October with a Feast of Tabernacles theme. More
details in future mailings.
The guest speaker for
our annual conference in
September will be Rick Ridings.
Rick has been leading a dynamic
community of worshippers and
intercessors known as Succat
Hallel for over a decade.
He will be speaking at our
conference in Eastbourne on 21-
22 September, 2012.
Check out the new CFI-UK website
www.cfi.org.uk