May 2, 2024
Southern Baptist "leaders"-along with Yaroslav Pyzh, president of Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, and Valerii Antoniu, president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine-urged U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a member and former official of their denomination, to get the votes needed to send more U.S. taxpayer dollars to Ukraine.
Not all Baptist Christians support U.S. foreign aid to Ukraine. I certainly don't. In fact, I don't support foreign aid to any country. And many conservative Christians would agree with me.
However, when it comes to U.S. foreign aid to Israel, most conservative Christians-Baptist or otherwise-suddenly lose their aversion to foreign aid.
The $61 billion in foreign aid that Speaker Johnson was able to get passed included $26 billion in aid for Israel. In the House, 21 Republicans joined 37 Democrats in voting against the aid bill. In the Senate, 15 voted with 2 Democrats and an independent against the bill.
Sandra Hagee Parker, chair of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, praised Johnson for his "fortitude" in pushing for the "vital issue" of Israel aid. "The enemies of America are watching and waiting to see what America does, and we should do everything in our power to have Israel's back," she said.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations:
Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid since its founding, receiving about $300 billion (adjusted for inflation) in total economic and military assistance.
The United States has provisionally agreed (via a memorandum of understanding) to provide Israel with nearly $4 billion a year through 2028.
Israel has been using American-made weapons against its foes, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, for decades.
Christians who support foreign aid to Israel seek to justify the looting of their fellow Americans by saying a number of things, many of them biblical, and many of them true.
But regardless of what they say, I have just one question for those Christians who support foreign aid to Israel: How much are you willing to give?
In what follows, I give what they say followed by my question, and I think it is a legitimate one.
Jews are God's chosen people. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
God will restore Israel during the Millennium. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
The Bible says that God will bless them that bless the Jews. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Israel is an ally of the United States. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Antisemitism is on the rise. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Islam is a false religion. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Hamas started the war. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Israel has the right to defend itself. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Hamas rejects Israel's right to exist and is committed to its destruction. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Jesus was a Jew. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Jews and Christians worship the same God. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Jesus Christ was the king of the Jews. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Jesus Christ is the lion of the tribe of Judah. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
God gave Israel the Ten Commandments. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Jews and Christians are both children of Abraham. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
The writers of the Bible were Jews. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
God gave the Jews the land of Israel. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. Okay, so how much are you willing to give?
Hey Christians who support foreign aid to Israel-put your money where your mouth is. Write out a check to the government of Israel or the IDF. Buy a bomb, bullet, or missile from a U.S. defense contractor and send it to Israel. Reach into your wallet and pull out some cash for Israel. Go door to door in your neighborhood and collect money for Israel.
Hey Christians who support foreign aid to Israel-you aren't going to do any of these things, are you? In fact, the thought of actually doing something yourself never crossed your mind. Shame on you for wanting the broke and bankrupt Uncle Sam to go further into debt and send money that he doesn't have to a foreign government.