Zeal For Truth

Zionist tendencies among American Christians have become ever apparent. Many times we hear the term Judeo-Christian, signifying an historical and theological link between the Hebrew people and Christians. It is obvious that a link exist. Most Christians understand that the Hebrew people were the chosen people of God, through whom the scriptures and messianic prophecies came. Jesus was a Hebrew from the tribe of Judah, and all of the first Christians were Jews. Jesus himself often referred to the Old Testament scriptures written to the Jews. Often this term, Judeo-Christian, is used to describe shared core values between Jews and Christians.

Support of Israel
Christian Zionism, while recognizing historical and theological connections between Christians and Jews, takes the concept a bit further. Current geopolitical events surrounding Israel are often compared against eschatological prophecies, with the state of Israel being viewed as the favored side in any conflict with her neighbors; these conflicts, of course, are generally with respect to what is regarded among opposing sides as holy land. Arab Palestinians believe they have a right to the land, and claim to have been disenfranchised by Israel. The Christian Zionist perspective takes sides against Palestine, citing God’s covenant with Abraham in which the holy land was promised to Abraham’s descendants. The Arab Palestinians, although also descendants of Abraham, are not considered to be rightful heirs to the land because they descended from Ishmael and not Isaac. The dispute over land rights has been a particular point of international contention ever since the end of World War II, with Arab and Muslim nations typically supporting the Palestinians.

Biblical Justification for Support of the Nation State
As has already been mentioned, support of Israel is in part predicated on the belief that the Holy Land rightly belongs to the Jews. But there is another common reason many Christians believe support of Israel is necessary, and it is found in Genesis 12:3.

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

Another scripture often used to muster up Christian support of Israel is Romans 15:27.

Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

There are other scriptures used by Christian Zionists to back up their theology, but these two references are among the most common.

Problems with the Use of Scripture
The problem I have with Genesis 12:3 being used as a reason to support the nation-state of Israel is that it equates Abraham and his descendants with the modern nation state. Certainly there are descendants of Abraham in the Israeli government, but are we to believe that they represent all his descendants? Even many of the citizens of Israel, as well as other Jews, oppose much of what that government does. Are they too in danger of being cursed?

The Bible should be used to interpret the Bible, and since the Bible is progressive revelation, the Old Testament should always be interpreted in light of the New Testament. Consider Paul’s explanation of Genesis 12:3 found in Galatians 3:

6Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer… 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us–for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”– 14in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Here we find a very different interpretation of the Genesis account. Paul, himself a Hebrew, says the blessing of all nations was in relation to their receiving the Seed of Abraham, who is Christ.

I will not dismiss the possibility of a dual meaning of this scripture altogether, but it is clear that Genesis 12 in no way should be interpreted as blind support for any government.

Now, with Romans 15, let’s look at the context of what Paul said to determine whether this had anything to do with support of Israel.

26For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

Verse 26 plainly reveals that the subject under discussion was monetary support of the Jewish Christians. What did Paul mean when he said that the Gentiles had shared in their spiritual things? Well, he could have meant that the Gentiles were made partakers of the knowledge of God through the Jewish Christians. But I tend to think that he was speaking specifically about the “saints in Jerusalem” since this is where the church was born. At any rate, it is clear that Paul was speaking about Christians who were Jewish, rather than all of Israel.
Continue reading ‘A Biblical Critique of Christian Zionism’