Ted Cruz cites Genesis 12:3 as 'personal motivation' for supporting Israel in heated Tucker Carlson interview

Michie said:

Fmr. Ambassor David Friedman: Modern-day Israel is 'the same nation of Israel referred to in the Bible'

A contentious interview between conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz exploded in a fiery exchange over theology, foreign policy and national priorities after the Texas lawmaker appeared to equate the Israel of the Bible with the modern Israeli government.

While the roughly two-hour conversationposted Wednesday explored a number of topics including Iran, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the future of Syria, the interview took a heated turn when Carlson began pressing Cruz on campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which Carlson accused of lobbying U.S. politicians on behalf of a foreign government.

“That is not only not true, that is false,” Cruz said. According to OpenSecrets.org, Cruz has received more than $1.8 million from the pro-Israel lobby through 2024.

Continued below.

Ted Cruz cites Genesis 12:3 as 'personal motivation' for supporting Israel in heated Tucker Carlson interview

Tucker Carlson and Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, exploded in a fiery exchange over theology, foreign policy and national priorities in a Wednesday interview after Cruz appeared to equate biblical Israel

www.christianpost.com

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This is dangerous thinking on Cruz’ part. It could lead to Armageddon and it might even be thinking on his part to bring Armageddon on. There may be other good reasons to support and ally with Israel but Cruz is essentially saying “Israel right or wrong”.

Michie said:

Fmr. Ambassor David Friedman: Modern-day Israel is 'the same nation of Israel referred to in the Bible'

A contentious interview between conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz exploded in a fiery exchange over theology, foreign policy and national priorities after the Texas lawmaker appeared to equate the Israel of the Bible with the modern Israeli government.

While the roughly two-hour conversationposted Wednesday explored a number of topics including Iran, the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the future of Syria, the interview took a heated turn when Carlson began pressing Cruz on campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which Carlson accused of lobbying U.S. politicians on behalf of a foreign government.

“That is not only not true, that is false,” Cruz said. According to OpenSecrets.org, Cruz has received more than $1.8 million from the pro-Israel lobby through 2024.

Continued below.

Ted Cruz cites Genesis 12:3 as 'personal motivation' for supporting Israel in heated Tucker Carlson interview

Tucker Carlson and Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, exploded in a fiery exchange over theology, foreign policy and national priorities in a Wednesday interview after Cruz appeared to equate biblical Israel

www.christianpost.com

Click to expand...

There are Americans that are pro-South Africa, Pro-Central America, Pro-Canada, Pro-France, Pro-England and Pro-Israel.

I don't have a problem with that .

at 39:00 both Tucker and Ted agree that lots of lobbying happens from all sorts of countries. Tucker claims to have no problem at all with that , but he has a group singled out that is not "registered" as a lobby - and he is questioning that "procedure" as opposed to opposing lobbying by foreign governments seeking to get the attention of American politicians. See 39:00 mm:ss in your linked vid.

"Many nations engage in lobbying activities in the United States to influence policy decisions. Some of the countries with significant lobbying presences include China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Canada. Lobbying efforts range from direct communication with lawmakers to public relations campaigns and funding of organizations that support their interests"

In Revolutionary-war America - befriending England would be a problem - even after the war it would be frowned upon. Today not so much.

Obviously there is an Israel in the Bible that survived past the time of Christ - as Paul himself was a Jew after the time of Christ and the Apostle John lived many decades after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Jews did not "cease to exist" after 70 AD.

They also did not "cease to exist" when the Babylonians took over.

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In my view
- supporting America's friends and allies in other nations has always been a good thing. Israel is obviously one of those.
- Loving your neighbor as yourself - includes loving people in Israel and praying for peace for them
- The Gospel is to go to all the world - - and that includes Israel. Not out of hate , but out of love
- Greater love has no man than this - that he lay down is life for others -- Paul said that is how he felt about Israel and the gospel

It is hard to find a case where a real and present threat to Israel - is not also a real and present enemy of the U.S.

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I say all that as one who is NOT a dispensationalist or zionist or someone who thinks that God's plan for humanity is to raise up a non-Christian nation of Israel as if that is needed for the Gospel.

But that is true of Egypt and Panama etc. I think God loves mankind in all those nations and wants the best for them - but the gospel does not hinge on their existence.

chevyontheriver said:

This is dangerous thinking on Cruz’ part. It could lead to Armageddon and it might even be thinking on his part to bring Armageddon on. There may be other good reasons to support and ally with Israel but Cruz is essentially saying “Israel right or wrong”.

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Armageddon is not a battle between nations on Earth according to Rev 16 and Rev 19.

Rev 16 says the nations will be told to gather for war. For the battle of Armageddon
Rev 19 shows all the armies of Earth assembled - in unity - opposing the Army that shows up with Christ - from heaven (ie not human at all)

At 50:00 in the vid they start circling each other around the topic "define what Israel is" -- is it "the current boarders, the current leadership".

(Not sure if Tucker thinks the Bible statement on Israel need to be rewritten/amended each time an election is held in Israel or not). But I admit that a lot has changed since the OT was written.

53:00 in the vid Ted says his religious beliefs are not the defense he gives in the Senate for promoting our existing alliance with Israel and support for them when they are attacked. Rather Ted says his reason given in his arguments in the Senate is that Israel is our strongest Ally in the middle East.

As Christians we owe no loyalty to the Nation state of Israel. We are not obligated to support its existence or support the existence of the Jewish community at large.

BobRyan said:

Armageddon is not a battle between nations on Earth according to Rev 16 and Rev 19.

Rev 16 says the nations will be told to gather for war. For the battle of Armageddon
Rev 19 shows all the armies of Earth assembled - in unity - opposing the Army that shows up with Christ - from heaven (ie not human at all)

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Meh. SDA end times speculation. As if you guys don't argue among yourselves about it all the time.

My point was that Cruz could be thinking of bringing on the apocalypse in support of Israel. I'd rather he pray his Maranatha prayer somewhat independently of thinking Israel right or wrong. It's muddle headed to presume that God expects us to support Israel right or wrong. Maybe we should fly some B-52s over their remaining nuclear facility, but that decision should be made on rational self-interest for the USA and not on an Israel right or wrong mentality.

BobRyan said:

Armageddon is not a battle between nations on Earth according to Rev 16 and Rev 19.

Rev 16 says the nations will be told to gather for war. For the battle of Armageddon
Rev 19 shows all the armies of Earth assembled - in unity - opposing the Army that shows up with Christ - from heaven (ie not human at all)

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For those who do not actually read the book of revelation --

Part of the sixth Plague:

Rev 16:13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. 15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.”) 16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon.


Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.

These two references will be a bit of a surprise to those who don't read the book of Revelation

chevyontheriver said:

Meh. SDA end times speculation. As if you guys don't argue among yourselves about it all the time.

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our stated Fundamental Beliefs have not changed.

chevyontheriver said:

My point was that Cruz could be thinking of bringing on the apocalypse in support of Israel.

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that is a lot of speculation on your part.

I prefer the actual facts in the news.

chevyontheriver said:

I'd rather he pray his Maranatha prayer somewhat independently

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your imagination is impressive.

Ignatius the Kiwi said:

As Christians we owe no loyalty to the Nation state of Israel. We are not obligated to support its existence or support the existence of the Jewish community at large.

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As Americans -- they are our Allies
As Christians - we "love our neighbor as ourselves"

As those who read Rom 11:28 "from the standpoint of God - they are beloved"

chevyontheriver said:

This is dangerous thinking on Cruz’ part. It could lead to Armageddon

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only for those who do not know what Armageddon is according to the book of Revelation

Ignatius the Kiwi said:

As Christians we owe no loyalty to the Nation state of Israel. We are not obligated to support its existence or support the existence of the Jewish community at large.

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I'm rather surprised to hear you say that.

chevyontheriver said:

Meh. SDA end times speculation. As if you guys don't argue among yourselves about it all the time.

My point was that Cruz could be thinking of bringing on the apocalypse in support of Israel. I'd rather he pray his Maranatha prayer somewhat independently of thinking Israel right or wrong. It's muddle headed to presume that God expects us to support Israel right or wrong. Maybe we should fly some B-52s over their remaining nuclear facility, but that decision should be made on rational self-interest for the USA and not on an Israel right or wrong mentality.

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I do not believe that God will ever allow the Jewish people to be exterminated.

However, God has allowed the Jewish state to be overthrown more than once.

I don't know about Cruz, but there are Christians who think the actions of the US government can either impede or accelerate God's timetable. My bible says God's timetable was set long, long ago. Nothing can do will change it. In one way of thinking, anything the US government does is what God foresaw would happen to keep His timetable on track.

RDKirk said:

I'm rather surprised to hear you say that.

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Why? Im not a Neocon and I dislike how Israel constantly gets the US involved in the Middle East. Historically Christians have never much cared for the establishment of a Jewish state.

BobRyan said:

As Americans -- they are our Allies
As Christians - we "love our neighbor as ourselves"

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I am not an American and I question the usefulness of an ally who requires you to fight their wars for them.

From a Christian perspective, Israel is no different from any other nation. We dont have an obligation to uphold a Jewish state. We owe more to fellow Christians than any Jew.

Ignatius the Kiwi said:

I am not an American and I question the usefulness of an ally who requires you to fight their wars for them.

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We have always had agreements with Allies (and that includes England) that we would come to their defense if they are attacked or threatened.

Ignatius the Kiwi said:

From a Christian perspective, Israel is no different from any other nation.

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From a Christian POV an agreement with an Ally should be honored. We keep our word.

BobRyan said:

We have always had agreements with Allies (and that includes England) that we would come to their defense if they are attacked or threatened.

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Except it was Israel that attacked Iran and the USA thar attacked Iran. Is a threat reason enough to bomb and attack a country?

BobRyan said:

From a Christian POV an agreement with an Ally should be honored. We keep our word.

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Where does the bible or the tradition say that an alliance between nations must always be honoured? Regardless of the consequences? The USA is not a Christian nation and it isnt honoring an alliance, it is simply doing Israel's bidding.