Kelvin Crombie: An Historian in Jerusalem

By Erica Whate

CBN News Guest Writer

April 19, 2007

CBNNews.com- "Some things that should not have been forgotten, were lost." Film: The Lord of the Rings, based on trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkein

When I think of an historian, I think of a squinty-eyed old character in glasses hanging out in cemeteries and rubbing his hands with excitement over dusty old books and letters. Except for being squinty-eyed and old, this is Kelvin Crombie. A serious-looking man whose face lights up when he talks about his research, Crombie is making significant contributions toward the way the world views Christian history and its role in the foundations of modern Israel.

When I was still "green" as a gentile Jerusalem dweller, my head spun with all the cultural sensitivities in this town. Jews, Muslims and Christians - all checking each other out with a suspicious eye.

For some, Judaism is synonymous with occupation, Islam with suicide bombing, and Christianity with Crusaders and Nazis. Feelings carry more weight than facts in a place like this.

History is alive in Jerusalem. When you walk around the Old City, you can hear the ghosts of the past whispering just beneath your feet.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before He was arrested, 2,000-year-old olive trees still flourish. Here, the trees, rocks and earth have personality and memory of their own. It is eerie. The excavations and historical research in Israel are endless. There is simply so much to uncover.

Still, historians like Kelvin Crombie commit themselves to preserving all they can of the whispers from the past, trying to ensure that things that should not be forgotten, are not lost.

Christianity and Judaism

There has always been an intense, interwoven connection between Christianity and Judaism. With anti-Semitic Christian history being what it is, it's no wonder that Jews are wary of their Christian "friends." Yet the budding friendship is partially accepted. Today, the words 'Christian' and 'friend' present most Israelis with a positive image of a most welcome tourist, carrying a camera and a wallet - the "savior" of the economy.

But as Crombie's ongoing research is revealing, the tie goes well beyond the Christians' role as pilgrims and tourists. His groundbreaking work is teaching Israelis about Christian involvement in the foundation of modern Israel. Prior to the past 20 years, the subject was simply not discussed.

As an Australian, some of Crombie's original curiosity was sparked by his interest in the Anzacs - the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which fought alongside the Allied Forces against the Ottoman Empire in World War I. After hearing about an uncle who was killed in this region during the war, he found it fascinating to uncover the history of his ancestors' involvement in the battles for Zion.

Crombie has also collected a large amount of material relative to the 19th century. Over the years, he and colleague David Pileggi brought the Conrad Shick Library to life, which opened in February of this year.

The new library houses an extensive collection of books on the Jewish roots of Christianity. It's also home to much of their archive, which is an ongoing project, along with other materials relating to the study and research of 19th century life and Christian work in the Land of Israel.

In 1986, Crombie began his work with The Church's Ministry among the Jewish People at the Christ Church compound in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. At a time when five to nine hundred Israeli visitors were passing through the property each month, Crombie was impressed to continue CMJ's vision to serve the Jewish people through education, giving real hope for the future, based on the past.

Crombie's contribution to the compound's Heritage Center documents the history of gentile involvement in the restoration of Israel, focussing on the last 200 years. This work is timely and important. One common misconception is that Christian involvement in Israel is a relatively new movement, spanning the past 60 years. In fact it began more than 200 years ago.

Crombie has preserved the memory of how CMJ founded the first modern hospital and modern school in Jerusalem, subsequently inspiring the Jewish community do the same. In his most recent book, A Jewish Bishop in Jerusalem: The Life story of Michael Solomon Alexander, he documents the beginnings of the movement of Jewish believers in Jesus in the 1840s. We see the fruit of this ministry today. It is amazing to see the artefacts, documents, models, maps and paintings, which Crombie has had restored, on display in the Heritage Center, where he guides visitors today.

This work is not a statement simply suggesting that Christians have been around from the beginning; it's a much bigger proclamation - that God said He would restore Israel through the gentiles, and so He is.

Through the study of the geo-politics of this region, as well as charting spiritual revivals, political seasons and the lives of key Jewish and gentile evangelical figures in Europe, Crombie describes his findings as "a script that no one could have written, except God."

Thanks to Crombie's work, whispers from the past have been given a voice. They now speak for themselves of God's ever-unfolding plan and the assurance of a destination.

And thankfully, some things that should not be forgotten, are not lost.

Kelvin Cromie continues his research in Jerusalem where he lives with his wife and four children.

Works by Kelvin Crombie: 'For the Love of Zion'; 'Anzacs, Empires and Israel's Restoration 1798-1948'; 'A Prophetic Property' as well as the documentary 'The Battle for Zion' and DVD 'Beersheva'. His most recent work; 'A Jewish Bishop in Jerusalem: The Life story of Michael Solomon Alexander.'

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