Met Dr. Petra Heldt for the first time in 19 years

Torp and Heldt yesterday (photo credits: Oslokirken)

During yesterday's 20th anniversary celebration of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) in the Knesset in Jerusalem, Pastor Jan-Aage Torp met for the first time since January 27th, 2005 Dr. Petra Heldt, the Secretary General of («The Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel») at the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem.

Torp was sent to her by Ambassador Mark Regev, who was his host in Israel in 2005, and he received many hours of solid introduction by Dr. Heldt to contemporary research on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

But the most important thing turned out to be that she told him about the serious theological trend in Christian churches that was destructive to Israel, namely what was called the «theological intifada against Israel».

When Jan-Aage launched this concept in the Norwegian Theological Discussion Forum on December 6th, 2006, he was strongly attacked by Oslo Bishop Ole Christian Kvarme, and this had dramatic consequences for him in the ecumenical Norway.

Jan-Aage told Petra about this yesterday. She expressed gratitude that he had dared to confront this theological trend in 2006.