Light Force: The Last Hope for the Middle East [Paperback]

If you are at all interested or involved in what is happening in Israel and Palestine, you MUST read it. Whatever your theological stance, you will find some parts of the book uncomfortable. And there is nothing wrong with that! It is also a good book for those involved in any ministry of reconciliation. Both Jews and Arabs need to stop seeing themselves as morally superior and as the victim.

If, like me, you are a Christian Zionist, it will broaden your perspective and, hopefully, give you a heart for your Arabic, Palestinian brothers and sisters who are suffering more greatly than Messianic Jews in Israel. But be prepared for some Israelis to be presented in a negative light - particularly in the way some of the Israeli soldiers treat ordinary Palestinians. And this time you can't blame the biased Western press! Be aware that Brother Andrew spends far more time with Arabic believers than Jewish - his mission is to the suffering, persecuted church and churches in Palestinian areas are suffering more than Messianic congregations. And be prepared for the fact that Brother Andrew shows love towards senior members of terrorist groups, including Sheikh Abdul Yassin and Yasser Arafat. Brother Andrew says, "There are no terrorists - only people who need Jesus".

When I first picked up the book, my level of curiosity was high. I had several questions and fears. How was a man of the standing and calibre of Brother Andrew going to tackle the highly controversial issues, both theologically and politically, that go with any discussion over Israel and Palestine, Islam and Christianity? Is he going to dodge them or tackle them head on?

What was heartening for me about his ministry is that he is encouraging leaders on both sides of the divide to build trusting relationships and then hold no holds barred discussions on the tough theological issues that divide believing Jews from Arabs. A major plank of Open Doors' ministry is Musalaha, which seeks to reconcile Jewish and Arab believers. One of the leaders of this ministry is David Loden, a Jewish songwriter and the leader of a Messianic congregation:
The Lord asked me if I loved Him. Of course, my answer was "Yes, I love you." Then He began to go down a list. "Do you love My children?" I thought of all those wonderful people we know around the world. "Yes, of course!" Then he said, "Do you love My Arab children?" I thought of the Arab brothers and sisters in Israel, in congregations in the north - they'd speak to our congregation; we'd speak to their congregations. "Yes, I do." Then He said, "How about My Palestinian children?" I told Him, "Lord, that's different. They don't believe about the Bible as we do. They don't believe as we do about Israel or end-time prophecies. And besides, You know they are our enemies." Even as the words came out of my mouth, I was flooded with a feeling of shame and betrayal.

Brother Andrew is uniquely suited to his task. He was himself a tough fighter in his pre-conversion days. He was brought up in an enemy occupied Holland during World War II. The leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah seemed to warm to him because of his background and his strong stance as a Christian.

He had the respect of senior terrorists in all the main groups in the area and he preached the gospel uncompromisingly to them.
Buy it now. And read it. And tell your friends to read it.