Stephen Sizer

Stephen Sizer    (Pastor, Evangelist)
Born	1953 Lowestoft, United Kingdom
Nationality	British
A Church of England of vicar who incurred the establishment's wrath by posting a link to Wikispooks on Facebook.

Stephen Robert Sizer (born 27 July 1953) is the Incumbent at the parish of Christ Church, Virginia Water, in Surrey, England.

In April 2014, Rev Stephen Sizer was interviewed on George Galloway's Sputnik programme, highlighting that Christian zionists (neo-cons) outnumber Jewish zionists 10 to 1 in America.

In February 2015, Rev Sizer was at the centre of a Church of England investigation for alleged anti-Semitism and was banned from writing or speaking about the current situation in the Middle East but will hold onto his position. Rev Sizer was forced into an apology after posting a link on Facebook to a WikiSpooks article entitled "9-11/Israel did it".

The Bishop of Guildford, the Right Rev Andrew Watson, said he had received a "solemn undertaking" from Stephen Sizer that he would refrain entirely from writing or speaking on any theme that relates directly or indirectly to the Middle East or its historical backdrop. He said Rev Sizer had also promised to refrain from attending or participating in any related conferences and from all writing, emailing, teaching, preaching and use of social media on themes related to the Middle East. "Should he break this agreement he has pledged his immediate resignation," Rev Watson said, adding that a six-month social media ban was also now in place.

Biography

Stephen Sizer was born in Lowestoft in 1953, the son of a carpenter. He began his career working for the Department of Health and Social Security (1971–1973) as a Supplementary Benefits Visiting Officer in east London. From there he went on to study Geography (African & Asian Studies) at Sussex University, (1973–1976). It was while at University, that he became a Christian. After graduation Sizer worked as a Campus Director/student counsellor with Agape at the Universities of London, Liverpool and Sussex. In 1980 he was accepted for training as a minister in the Church of England and gained a Diploma in Theology at Trinity College Bristol. In 1983 he was ordained and became an Assistant Curate for St Leonard's in St Leonards-on-Sea, then was appointed Rector at St. John's, Stoke, Guildford in 1986. He gained an MA in Theology from Oxford University in 1994. After 11 years at St John's, in 1997 he became the Vicar of Christchurch, Virginia Water, where he is now incumbent. He continued to study and was awarded a PhD from Oak Hill Theological College and Middlesex University in 2003.

Views and opinions

Stephen Sizer is a Conservative Evangelical and has aligned with a number of related organisations. He is a member of Reform (Anglican) and the Church Society. He has endorsed the Jerusalem Declaration issued by the Global Anglican Future Conference and has joined the resulting Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans. He supports the Third Province Movement.

In 2004, Stephen Sizer adapted his PhD thesis into a book, "Christian Zionism - Road Map to Armageddon?" He claims that Christian Zionism infused with the neo-con political ideology has led millions of Christians astray and helped to tip the world on its side heavy with military artillery.

Sizer argues that Christian Zionism has no biblical foundation or historical precedent. He writes that his motivation lies in the conviction that ignoring or stereotyping Palestinian Christians is a contradiction of faith and immoral before God. He suggests that "it is irresponsible to believe that God will bless Christians materially if they support the largely secular State of Israel."

On 27 September 2014 Sizer spoke at the "Second New Horizon Conference" in Tehran. The Iranian state-run Press TV described the conference as designed to discuss “the influence of the Zionist lobby.”

Christian and Jewish responses

In the Christian world, some of Sizer's writings have been commended by Christians who embrace Calvinist covenant theology, including leaders and academics such as John Stott (Stott's essay "The Place of Israel" is included in Sizer's Book "Zion's Christian Soldiers?"), R C Lucas, Gary Burge, Gilbert Bilezikian, Stephen Travis, and Paul Copan.

Some reviews of Christian Zionism - Road Map to Armageddon? have been highly critical. A prominent Christian opponent of Sizer, Bible teacher David Pawson, wrote a book called Defending Christian Zionism - in response to Stephen Sizer and John Stott. Pawson has said of Sizer: "I am grateful to Stephen Sizer for drawing attention to the legitimate criticisms of dispensational Zionism. He has rendered a service to the cause of Zionism which was needed." Pawson publicly debated Sizer on Premier Christian Radio.

Other Christian authors who have criticised Sizer include Barry Horner and Paul Wilkinson, leaders of Christian missions to the Jewish people such as Mike Moore, General Secretary of Christian Witness to Israel, and Tony Higton. Later, having met Sizer, Tony Higton largely retracted his view and wrote:

After years of sparring, Stephen Sizer and I met up and found we had wide areas of agreement. Having worked in Jewish ministry for seven years, half of them in Jerusalem, I have seen the best and worst of Christian Zionism. Insofar as it combats anti-Semitism, defends the existence of a safe homeland for Jewish people, promotes evangelism among Jewish people, and supports reconciliation in the Holy Land, it is good. However, Sizer is right to criticise the serious failings of some Christian Zionism. I agree with him in rejecting the following errors which are held by many Christian Zionists: Lack of godly compassion for the Palestinians, and of concern for their human rights and about their legitimate aspirations. A negative attitude toward Palestinians, and Arabs in general, to the point of racism. Uncritical support for Israel (a secular, sinful state like any other), justifying all its actions against the Palestinians. Neglecting or even opposing and forbidding evangelism of Israelis, sometimes believing that Jewish people can experience salvation through Judaism. Being more interested in the fulfilment of prophecy than in application of kingdom principles such as justice and reconciliation. Opposing the peace process. Sometimes advocating the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Holy Land. Sometimes supporting the rebuilding of the temple regardless of the problematic theological implications and the danger of provoking extreme violence.

British Journalist Melanie Phillips has criticised Sizer and has condemned him in her writings. The historian Geoffrey Alderman has also criticised Sizer for masking his religious prejudice in "academic guise." Jewish Christians and Messianic Jews such as Aaron Abramson and Jacob Prasch have also expressed their strong disagreement with Sizer's views. The Board of Deputies of British Jews formally complained to the Church of England in November 2012 over documented statements made by Sizer since early 2010 which the Board argues are antisemitic. Sizer's Diocesan Bishop, Christopher Hill, defended him, saying that he "repudiates anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial" and was just drawing attention to article about potential military action by Israel against Iran.

In reference to Facebook posts making claims such as "God's people are all those who do His will, who are righteous, who are compassionate and who do not submit themselves to the false gods of voracity, vengeance, vulgarity and viciousness, which pretty much leaves the Jews out", the Rev. Nick Howard asserted in an article for Standpoint that given Sizer's statements on Press TV and elsewhere, the link made on his Facebook page is not an isolated, or "uncharacteristic", incident.

However, the British solicitor advocate and academic, Anthony Julius (who became chair of The Jewish Chronicle in 2011 and who is known for opposing 'anti-Semitism') acknowledges that Stephen Sizer “categorically reject(s) any position that threatens the territorial integrity of Israel as a sovereign nation” and describes his work as having “the merit of clearly setting out the issues that divide the two sides, and furthermore doing so without the rancour or sheer nastiness of tone typical of the polemics in the conflict." Moreover, following accusations of anti-Semitism levelled against Stephen Sizer in 2012 (seven months prior to the Board of Deputies' formal complaint) several prominent people wrote to the Bishop of Guildford in his defence. Amongst them was Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok, emeritus professor of Judaism at Aberystwyth University, wrote, “I have been disturbed to read about the allegations made against Stephen Sizer. These are, I believe, completely without foundation: there is simply no evidence that he is an antisemite. It would be a mistake… to construe Stephen Sizer's political criticisms as evidence of antipathy against Jews.” The British Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn argued that those criticising Sizer were politically motivated and were "intent on discrediting the excellent work that Stephen does in highlighting the injustices of the Palestinian Israeli situation…..as part of a wider pattern of demonising those who dare to stand up and speak out against Zionism."

Public positions

Stephen Sizer is a member of the Executive of the Guildford Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship and a member of Guildford Diocesan Synod. He is a trustee and former chairman of the International Bible Society UK, publishers of the New International Version. He is a founding member of the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism, a member of the Advisory Council of Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding, a Trustee of the Amos Trust and on the UK Board of Reference for the Mar Elias Educational Institutions in Ibillin, Galilee. He is also on the editorial board of Living Stones Magazine. Sizer regularly contributes articles for newspapers and journals including Evangelicals Now. Third Way, Plain Truth and Friends of Al Aqsa. He is a regular contributor to programmes on Premier Radio, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). He has also appeared on BBC2 Newsnight, Syrian TV and Al Manar TV.

Censorship incident

On 29 November 2009, Joseph Weissman, a 23 year-old graduate student at Leeds University was visited by police officers at his home. Weissman had created a blog under the name "Seismic Shock" which had criticised Sizer's anti-Zionist views and alleged links to extremists. The police were acting on complaints of harassment made by Sizer and a lecturer at the Wales Evangelical School of Theology, Anthony McRoy. No legal action was taken against Weissman, but it was reported that he voluntarily removed the blog following the visit. News of the incident, referred to as "Sizergate" by some commentators, broke in January 2010 and rapidly spread throughout the blogging community. Sizer and McRoy were widely accused of censoring Weissman's views, but the Streisand effect raised awareness of the dispute between Sizer and Weissman to a far greater level than it previously had.

Social media ban

On 20 January 2015 at 9.17 pm, Sizer posted a link on his Facebook page to the Wikispooks "conspiracy theory" page "9/11 Israel did it". He asked in his posting: "Is this anti-Semitic? If so no doubt I’ll be asked to remove it. It raises so many questions." Sizer removed the post at the request of the Board of Deputies of British Jews but in correspondence with Jewish News online, he asked that evidence be provided to refute the conspiracy theory. After he removed the posting, Sizer continued to insist that it was "encouraging debate."

On 29 January 2015, the Church of England said in a statement that the comments made by Sizer were unacceptable and that the Diocese of Guildford would launch an investigation. On 30 January 2015, Sizer issued a statement of apology and announced that the diocese had suspended him from all social media and blogs. On 9 February it emerged that Sizer has been banned from social media by the new Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Andrew Watson, for at least six months for the Facebook post linking to the 9/11 Israel did it article. He is also banned from commenting on issues relating to the middle east.

Published work

Author

• A Panorama of the Holy Land, with Jon Arnold, Eagle, 1998-10-23, ISBN 978-0-86347-171-1
• A Panorama of the Bible Lands, with Jon Arnold, Eagle, 2002-09-17, ISBN 978-0-86347-353-1
• In The Footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles, with Jon Arnold, Eagle, 2003–11, ISBN 978-0-86347-583-2
• Christian Zionism: Road Map to Armageddon?, Inter-Varsity Press, 2004-11-26, ISBN 978-1-84474-050-5
• Zion's Christian Soldiers, Inter-Varsity Press, 2007-10-19, ISBN 978-1-84474-214-1

Contributor

• Holy Land Hollow Jubilee: God, Justice and the Palestinians, eds. N. Ateek & M. Prior, Melisende, 1999-03-02, ISBN 978-1-901764-09-3
• They Came and They Saw: Western Christian Experiences of the Holy Land, ed. M. Prior, Melisende, 2000-03-13, ISBN 978-1-901764-40-6
• A Third Millennium Guide to Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, ed. D. Macpherson, Melisende, 2000-06-28, ISBN 978-1-901764-30-7
• The Land of Promise: Biblical, Theological, and Contemporary Perspectives, eds. Philip Johnson & Peter Walker, Inter-Varsity Press, 2000-11-24, ISBN 978-0-8308-2659-9
• Toronto in Perspective: Papers on the New Charismatic Wave of the Mid 1990s, ed. David Hilborn, Paternoster Press, 2001-30-09, ISBN 978-1-84227-099-8
• Speaking the Truth about Zionism and Israel, ed. Michael Prior, Melisende, 2004-03-30, ISBN 978-1-901764-26-0
• Heaven on Earth: The Temple in Biblical Theology, eds. D. Alexander & S. Gathercole, Paternoster Press, 2004-07-23, ISBN 978-1-84227-272-5
• Challenging Christian Zionism, eds. Naim Ateek, Cedar Duaybis, Maurine Tobin, Melisende, 2005-09-20, ISBN 978-1-901764-42-0
• With God On Our Side (film)

 

Related Document

Title	Type	Publication date	Author(s)	Description
Document:Why We Should Be Concerned About Christian Zionism	letter	25 August 2015	Mary Alshomaly	A letter from a Palestinian Christian to the news director and lead anchor of EWTN News

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External links

• Christ Church Virginia Water
• International Bible Society
• Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism
• Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
• Amos Trust
• Ecumenical Palestinian Liberation Theology Centre
• Friends of Sabeel (North America) - Voice of the Palestinian Christians
• Living Stones Magazine
• Middle East Window