CONTRAST and CONFLICT
prayer beads, mosques and min- nerets everywhere. There are Ro man Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and all of the rest. That includes the mystics of Bahai, the rigid or thodox of Judaism. The presence of evangelical Christianity is sadly enough far in the minority. One has to look long to find those areas where the Gospel is really preached. Military camps are in evidence everywhere and potential conflict is always at hand. It has been lik ened to a powder keg in the pres ent state of affairs. It is a marvel of God that there has not been more conflict than already seen. War is coming, but just when no one knows. All is being prepared for the grand finale of history. As you walk through the land the heart is again and again chal lenged and warmed. Ours is an incomparable opportunity now. This is the missionary thrust of go ing over to the Holy Land. I trust it will be your purpose to do that in the very near future. No man knows what a day may bring forth. The coming of our Lord draws nigh. The time, the hour is short. Dr. Charles L. Feinberg is the Dean and Professor of Semitics and Old Testament at Talbot Theological Seminary. Page 9
government will sometimes put them to work in fields, using very primitive methods. There is a definite contrast with modern developments in newer Jewish cities. Both American and European cars, bicycles and buses are used in abundance. In Tel Aviv there are many shops as mod ern as any in the world, with com parable prices, too. Education is excellent in Israel as compared to other neighboring states. The Land of Promise is also marked by "churchianity." Many sacred places have been preempted by different religious groups. Doubt attaches to many of the identifica tions of places of the earthly min istry of our Lord. There are many different orders of priests, nuns and lay orders found in the Holy Land. In addition to Catholicism there are other sects, groups, divi sions and denominations. It is no wonder there is so much confu sion. One sees indecision, uncer tainty, purposelessness and a lack of direction. It is claimed that there are over 70 languages spoken on the Western side of the Jordan, in Israel proper. Not only linguisti cally, but also socially there can be many problems. The religious confusion is certainly rampant. Those of the Islam faith have their
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