Facing the New Jerusalem: Overview
Why This Conference
Because even as he turned his face to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51), the followers of Jesus today must confront the hard
realities of pain and suffering in the land of promise. Because many Christians and churches, with many
Muslims and Jews, are committed to peace, justice and reconciliation with alternatives to Christian Zionism and
Replacement Theology. Because our Palestinian Christian sisters and brothers have called us to hear their cry
for reconciliation by better understanding our own faith. Because we are called to challenge the false teaching
that undermines the biblical message of love, mercy, and justice present in the insidious form of Christian
Zionism pervasive in our own traditions that remains silent in the face of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Conference Mission Statement
We aim to empower the many Christians and their churches, with many Muslims and Jews, who are committed
to peace, justice and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel, with alternatives to Christian Zionism and
Replacement Theology. We are called to challenge the false teaching that undermines the biblical message of
love, mercy, and justice, present in the insidious form of Christian Zionism, often pervasive in our own
traditions, and that remains silent in the face of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Who Should Attend?

Christians, Muslims and Jews who want to learn from and engage with Palestinian Christianity.

Leaders locally and nationally of Christian denominations

Members of churches’ outreach units and service committees

Faculty and students from theological colleges and seminaries

Leaders of ecumenical networks
Objectives of this Conference
1.
To educate participants on the history and theology of Christian Zionism in Canada and the U.S. and on
how its manifestations represent a barrier to peace in the Middle East.
2.
To empower denominational leaders with a deeper understanding of active and passive Christian Zionism
so that they can educate their members on this aspect of engaging their faith with integrity.
3.
To galvanize church-related organizations, faith-based groups and civil society groups who are working in
solidarity with the churches and who affirm the role of the churches in challenging spurious charges of
anti-semitism and being anti-Jewish .
4.
To equip churches, seminaries and teaching centres with updated scholarship and information on the
churches’ stand on Christian Zionism.
5.
To support Christians in Canada with the knowledge, resources and confidence to participate more actively
and effectively in the wider public discourse regarding Canada’s role in Israel Palestine and foreign policy
in the Middle East.
6.
To spread the word through the anticipated 200 participants including students, and by providing
online access to proceedings during and after the Conference.
Questions?
Please contact us at: [email protected]