As a Filipino peacebuilder shaped by the legacies of colonialism and resistance in our own land, I feel a deep kinship with the struggle of the Palestinian people. I write this especially to my fellow Filipino Christians — both Catholic and Protestant — who may have embraced Zionist interpretations of Scripture without fully considering their historical, ethical, and theological implications. The narrative that modern Israel represents the direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy has often been used to justify the displacement, oppression, and even annihilation of Palestinians. Yet emerging historical and genetic research reveals a truth that challenges this ideology: Palestinians themselves are the closest living descendants of the ancient Israelites (Finkelstein & Silberman, 2002; Atzmon et al., 2010).
Tag: Free Palestine
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2025/07/palestinians-as-heirs-of-the-ancient-israelites-a-filipino-peacebuilders-reflection-on-faith-history-and-justice/
‘2023 CHRISTMAS’ IS MORE OF A COMMEMORATION THAN A CELEBRATION
- By Lakan Sumulong
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26.December.2023
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26.December.2023
Christmas 2023 carries a somber weight, serving as a commemoration rather than a jubilation. The world, marred by conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, and various oppressive wars, casts a shadow on the season’s usual cheer. The heartbreaking inaction of the international community in the face of genocide and ethnic cleansing further dims the festive spirit. It’s a stark reminder of the unfathomable cruelty humans inflict upon their own kind, underscoring the urgent need for compassion, solidarity, and genuine peace in a world torn by inhumanity. The sermon titled “Christ Under the Rubble,” delivered by The Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor of the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, strikes a chord within me. If Jesus were to be born today, he will be found under the rubble. This poignant sermon resonates deeply, emphasizing the enduring strength found in faith and the embodiment of hope, especially as we experience Christmas 2023 in the context of a decolonizing process.
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2023/12/appropriate-and-authentic-2024-christmas-is-more-of-commemoration-than-a-celebration/
IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PALESTINIANS, PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF BOTH JEWS AND PALESTINIANS
- By Lakan Sumulong
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15.May.2018
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15.May.2018
This is where I part ways, theologically and ethically, with many of my Christian Zionist friends, many of them happen to be my ministry colleagues in the evangelical community. Standing up with the Palestinians. This is also a proper time to reaffirm my solidarity with my Palestinian sisters and brothers in Christ who are suffering under the …
Permanent link to this article: https://peacebuilderscommunity.org/2018/05/i-stand-in-solidarity-with-the-palestinians-i-pray-for-the-peace-of-both-jews-and-palestinians/
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