Pastor Anthony Abma has spent much of his adult life as a Christian, ministering to communities across the world. In his sermons & writings he has referred to Israel and the Jewish people as the “final frontier” for bringing the gospels. Like many other evangelicals on the scene today, “Pastor Tony” or “Bro’ Tony” masks an evangelical agenda using seemingly innocuous words like restoration, sovereignty, & redemption. These are code words for missionaries.
Anthony Abma understands what Jewish audiences do not, since they lack an understanding of evangelical theology. Jews who forge friendships with evangelicals rarely consider the cost of these strange relationships; and they are usually indifferent or apathetic to learning the truths of evangelical theology and contemporary tactics. Code words are clearly understood by missionaries. They refer to the process of bringing the gospels to Jews in stages, using the “friendly” tactics of “relational evangelism”.
While their website offers what at first glance seems a parve ABOUT section explaining their purported purpose, a careful reading of the text shows otherwise: We believe that this will bring about the future Redemption of Jews and Christians. How disingenuous! Given the status quo, what future mutual redemption scenario satisfies Christian OR Jewish theology? Pastor Abma knows there is no such shared image. The unspoken sentiments are his evangelical dream. As he sees it, by helping “Jewish Restoration” (Jews eventually accepting the gospels) such a redemption is possible.
Pastor Abma’s online teachings from his years ministering across the world show that his contemporary moderate non-evangelizing image is a farce.
The “Ribonut” Jewish face of the movement, partnered with Return O’ Israel.
Pastor Abma’s oft-stated desire to bring “spiritual restoration” to the Jews requires little sophistication to understand.
Documentation of Pastor Abma’s past missionary work (including in the Philippines) can be easily found online. The following screenshots explicitly state that he was a missionary.
Jews who feed from the evangelical trough ignore the patronizing, duplicitous, honeyed words of their supposed “friends”.
In the screenshot below, Abma likens the new generation of Jews to “virgins”. That is to say that unlike messianic Jews, they are as yet “untouched by the gospels”. Abma has confidence that those “who pierced Jesus” will soon look upon “that man” as their savior.
“RESTORATION”: 2 Stages
- First comes physical restoration
- Second comes “spiritual restoration”
Chairman Samuel Solomon
Samuel Solomon is partnered with Pastor Abma. His disregard for the traditionally accepted prohibition of Rav Soloveitchik relating to engaging with Christians on theological matters, (as well as the positions of other great halachic figures) is apparent. Nor does he understand the dangers of evangelism. A similar misguided worldview is shared by Rabbi Tuly Weisz (middle), a leading leader in contemporary interfaith alliances.
Gedalia Blum
Gedalia Blum, is an online “hasbara” activist, and he has taken a public role advocating for ROI. Several Jews report that when they presented evidence of Abma’s past to him, Blum refused to answer questions and responded with vitriol. Gedalia Blum (and others like him) must be made to understand that if he publicly engages with evangelicals, other Jews have an obligation to voice opposition. Despite unwarranted claims of harassment, being confronted with hard evidence on matters affecting the collective Jewish people does NOT constitute harassment.
Arutz Sheva: This major “religious” media outlet often gives a forum to Pastor Abma. Our committee at Abraham’s Shield views this as an affront to Torah. Abma frequently writes on such topics as Chanukah, Tisha Baav, and his Christian based understanding of the “shekinah”. It wasn’t that long ago that such actions would have been unthinkable. Sadly, Arutz Sheva aligned with evangelicals years ago.
As with all ministries/evangelical organizations working with Jews, we see a pattern (as we saw with “Hayovel Ministry” over the years). As evangelical organizations become normalized, more Jews grow comfortable publicly associating with them. By recruiting token Rabbis (who are ill-informed about evangelical matters), the Jewish enablers obtain an additional layer of undeserved legitimacy for their adopted Christian friends. The process is multifaceted:
- Resistance is broken down by harassing, slandering & libeling the few activists who speak out on this issue. Few Jews have the resolve to withstand such bullying.
- Token Rabbis are recruited to grant legitimacy. They are shielded from counter-missionary experts who might change their mind. Sympathetic Rabbis are often afraid to publicly state what they say to counter-missionary advocates privately.
- Jews who enable evangelicals become the defacto voices on the issue as they bombard social media with positive presentations of these groups. Over time, as they continue to advocate for these groups on social media via blogs/websites, Facebook, podcasts, videos, conferences, etc, the mythical portrayal of these missionaries as non-hostile, non-evangelizing Christians, becomes mainstream.
Call To Action!
This pattern cannot continue. If you are bothered by this outrage contact “Return O Israel’s” Pastor Anthony Abma and tell him that his desire to “restore us” is offensive. Intelligent Jews see through his evangelical ruse. Additionally, “Return O Israel” can also be reached at info@returnoisrael.org
Hasbara activist Gedalia Blum has taken a public role advocating for “Return O’ Israel”. Contact him and let him know that his advocacy for ROI is unacceptable. Contact other Jews aligned with “Return O Israel” (and for that matter other evangelical orgs.) and unequivocally tell them that such behaviors are unacceptable and harmful to the Jewish community. Spread the message.
Be polite and refrain from personal attacks. Email them, send them personal messages, and comment on their social media forums. Show them the evidence and demand that they sever these alliances immediately. Again, do so with respect and politeness.
Additional resources on “Return O Israel” include the following audio-visual presentations from STOP HAYOVEL. While “Abraham’s Shield” is an independent venture from the above referenced organization, we feel that the presentations present sufficient evidence to raise concern.
Presentation brought to you by “Abraham’s Shield”, a new grassroots collective effort bringing Torah minded Jews from different backgrounds, to combat evangelical missionary organizations worldwide.