Short Biblical History
After the Confusion of Languages at Babel, Shem’s son Arphaxad and his descendants, who still spoke the original language, probably Hebrew or Aramaic, populated most of the Middle East: Israel, Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Nth-Africa Syria, Yemen and Oman.
Jordan is very much tied to the Bible’s history that its very name comes from the biblical river. Jordan’s border today, as the crow flies, is only twenty miles from Jerusalem. In 1Sa 14:47 all three kingdoms (map to the left) are mentioned: “So Saul …fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, …Ammon, and against Edom…”.
During the Exodus, Israel wanted to enter the Promised Land via the Kings Highway through Edom. But Edom refused passage (Nu 20:17-20). Bad move!! The prophet Malachi predicted their downfall. (Mal 1:2-4) We can still see the stone edifices of the Nabataeans who eventually replaced them, including their deserted, but still-magnificent, capital at Petra.
Recent history
After the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire at the end of WW I, the League of Nations mandated Britain to take responsibility for large parts of the Middle East. Let’s not forget what the term Palestine means: Titus, when he raised Jerusalem, ploughed it level, and forbade Jewish presence, renamed the land of Israel ‘Syria Palaestina’, according to the arch enemy of Israel, the Philistines. Palestine is a geography term, NOT a country or State or distinct people. Let’s fast forward to 2/11/1917 The Balfour Declaration. At the right hand Map we see the original area allocated for the Jewish National Home at the San Remo Conference in 1920, i.e. both sides of the Jordan River
However, in the early 1920s, Britain separated a semi-autonomous region from Palestine, with the name Transjordan. The region became independent in 1946 and the Hashemite Kingdom was established. From 1953 King Hussein governed the kingdom for most of the 20th century. In 1967 Jordan lost the West Bank to Israel in the Six Day War. King Hussein permanently relinquished claims to the West Bank in 1988 and signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994. After Hussein’s death in 1999, his eldest son King Abdullah II succeeded him. Compared to other countries in the region, Jordan is one of the last islands of relative calm for Christians. The government narrative is inclusive of Christians, the king himself promotes interfaith dialogue and tolerance, and for their small number Christians are well-represented in politics, the army and the economy. State-recognized Christian communities can live relatively freely if they abstain from proselytization. However, the state will put pressure on non-recognized groups and monitor their activities, especially if they actively evangelize.
Religious Landscape
What’s life like for Christians in Jordan?
Any Christian who is active in evangelism, is known to support converts from Islam, belongs to an unrecognised church, or is a convert from Islam, can experience pressure. Christians who convert from Islam and are open about their new faith can face threats of beating and killings, especially from their families and communities. If their conversion becomes known, all official documents (including marriage certificates, mortgages, etc.) they have signed will automatically become invalid.
All Christian women in Jordan experience some level of pressure to adopt Islamic rules around dress and are at some level of risk for sexual harassment. But women who convert from Islam are far and away the most vulnerable to persecution, usually from their own families. Converts from more radical Islamic families can face house arrest, isolation, beating, sexual harassment and even death (though so-called ‘honour’ killings are punished in Jordan).
Though Christian men can occupy high positions in Jordanian society and government, many believers report some level of discrimination, particularly Christians who are converts from Islam. If their faith in Jesus is discovered, converts can lose their jobs or security clearance. Because men in Jordan are traditionally the financial providers for their families, forced job loss can create a devastating economic impact on families of converts.
Prayer
- Jordan’s once-thriving Christian population dropped since 1980. Lower birth rates, Christians who left Jordan, and a large influx of Muslim refugees all contributed to this change. Still, Christians serve in all parts of society, even in parliament or other positions of influence. Although small, the evangelical community has more than doubled in size since 1995! Most newer believers come from communities with a culturally Christian background, but recently more Muslims came to faith. Pray that all Christians in Jordan, whether in traditional churches, evangelical churches, or believers from a Muslim background, might cooperate to make Christ known throughout society. (Careful: keep in mind that it is better to be separated by truth, than united in error! Ask God to give you wisdom).Pr 2:6; Da 2:21; Jas 1:5
- The unreached comprise the vast majority of Jordan’s population. Upheaval in Iraq and the lethal violence of Islamism open many hearts to examine Jess of the Bible. Pray that every Jordanian may have opportunity to hear the gospel. Pray especially for:
- The Muslim majority. Many have still not heard the clear gospel. Pray for a sensitive witness to Muslims. Several successful methods include literature, media ministry, friendship evangelism, development programmes, home meetings and camps. Prayfor the protection of converts amid persecution. Pray also that the growing number of Muslim-background believers might have the legal right to convert from Islam.
- The millions of ‘Palestinians’, who are a majority in Jordan. Many are the second or third generation after those removed from their traditional homeland. Some integrate into Jordanian life; others suffer from disillusionment, bitterness and frustration which only the Lord of Calvary can heal.
- Iraqi refugees. During and after the two Gulf Wars, around one million Iraqis fled to Jordan. Years later, nearly half of these are unable or unwilling to return home. Christian work among them (Jordan Evangelical Committee for Relief and Development, CMA, WVI, Tearfund) elicits a very good response. Equally, Jordanian churches have effective and widespread ministry to these people. Though the welcome that Jordan extended to these refugees is strained, Iraqi Christians nonetheless benefit from training and resources available to them in Jordan. Praythat churches may be granted permission to provide education to refugees; this is a ministry on their hearts.
- The 300,000 Bedouin. Many are still nomadic; others (fellahin) are settled and more easily reached. Believers are very few, but there is some ministry among them. Prayfor more specific outreach to these, the “true” Arabs.
- Dom Gypsies are a hidden, poor and marginalized people. Cousins of the European Romani Gypsies, the Dom Gypsies have a great need for holistic ministry and for Scripture (especially in audio format) in their language.
- People of many nationalities present in Jordan. Saudi and Gulf Arabs visit for the summer. Many nationalities come to work. Adygei, Druze and Chechens form proud minorities. Pray that they all may encounter the gospel while in Jordan.
- Media ministry. Jordan’s circumstances enhance the importance of radio, TV, videos, films and literature. Arabic radio (49 hours per week) from FEBA, IBRA and TWR has a significant effect. Satellite TV has a large impact – SAT-7, Al Hayat, The Miracle Channel and others are making great strides in Arabic-language Christian TV. The JESUS film is available in Adygey, Colloquial Egyptian and Standard Arabic. Pray for long-term fruit.
- Literature in Arabic is widely available, with increasingly diverse materials offered. There are three Christian bookstores in Amman. They are the focal point of a successful Bible and Christian literature ministry in which The Bible Society and others are actively involved. From these literature centres, much material is sent to Iraq and to other Arab nations.
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