|
|
Dr Rev. Stephen Sizer is a Vicar at Christ Church, Virginia
Water and an area Tutor at the School of Theology, Westminster College
Oxford. He holds several positions of a trustee and is renowned for his
lectures on Christian Zionism. He besides having numerous articles published
on the Palestinian issue also has a book published by Eagle Publishers,
The Panorama of the Holy Land, a spiritual tour guide of important sites
in Palestine.
A Definition: What is Christian Zionism?
At its simplest, Christian Zionism has been defined as 'Christian support
for Zionism.' In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution
3379 defining Zionism as, 'a form of racism and racial discrimination.'
Contemporary Christian Zionism is in part a reaction to increasing world-wide
criticism of Israel's form of apartheid.
So, for example, in 1967, following the passing of U.N. Resolution 242
condemning Israel's occupation of the West Bank when the entire international
community closed their embassy's in Jerusalem, the International Christian
Embassy moved to Jerusalem expressly to show solidarity with Israel.
Christian Zionists see themselves as defenders of and apologists for
the Jewish people and in particular, the State of Israel. This support
involves opposing those deemed to be critical of, or hostile toward Israel.
Anti-Zionism is equated quite wrongly with anti-Semitism. Yet it is also
rare therefore to find Christian Zionists who feel a similar compassion
or solidarity with the Palestinians. Walter Riggans defines the term 'Christian
Zionist' in an overtly political sense as, '...any Christian who supports
the Zionist aim of the sovereign State of Israel, its army, government,
education etc; but it can describe a Christian who claims to support the
State of Israel for any reason.'
Christian Zionism then describes a broad coalition of agencies, some predominantly
Gentile, others Jewish Christians who believe Jesus is their Messiah.
There are today well over 250 Christian Zionist organisations operating
in America alone.
The History of Christian Zionism
In Der Judenstaat, published in 1896, Theodor Herzl forcefully articulated
the aspirations of Jewish Zionists for their own homeland, but the Zionist
dream was largely nurtured and shaped by Christian Zionists especially
from the 1820's long before it was able to inspire widespread Jewish support
a century later. This was in part a result of the rise of Evangelicalism
- a belief in the literal interpretation of the Bible and especially the
Hebrew scriptures, the growth in travel literature about the Middle East,
the rise of 19th Western pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and above all by
French and British Colonialist strategies for controlling the Middle East
as a bridgehead to the trade routes to India and China. British politicians
like Lord Shaftesbury, Palmerston, Lloyd George, Balfour, T.E. Lawrence
and General Allenby were all Christian Zionists. Just one example, Writing
to the British ambassador in Constantinople in 1840, Lord Palmerston claimed,
There exists at the present time among the Jews dispersed over Europe,
a strong notion that the time is approaching when their nation is to return
to Palestine... It would be of manifest importance to the Sultan to encourage
the Jews to return and to settle in Palestine because the wealth which
they would bring with them would increase the resources of the Sultan's
dominions; and the Jewish people, if returning under the sanction and
protection and at the invitation of the Sultan, would be a check upon
any future evil designs of Mohamet Ali or his successor... I have to instruct
Your Excellency strongly to recommend [the Turkish government] to hold
out every just encouragement to the Jews of Europe to return to Palestine.
In the 20th Century many leading American politicians were Christian Zionists
including Ronald Reagan and Jimmie Carter.
The Theology of Christian Zionism
1. Biblical Literalism
Christian Zionism originated essentially in the 1820's when a group of
influential Christian leaders began to speculate that promises made in
the Hebrew scriptures that has not been yet fulfilled literally must therefore
await future fulfilment. So for example the borders of the land promised
to Abraham and the descendents of Isaac - from the Nile to the Euphrates
- will Christian Zionists claim, become the future borders of the State
of Israel. Because the Jewish temple as described by the prophet Ezekiel
has never been built, it must one day be built in place of the Masjidul
al Aqsa and the Dome of the Rock. Promises made during the exile of Jews
in Babylon in the 5th Century BC are made to apply 2500 years later to
the emigration of Soviet Jews to Palestine today. It is this biblical
literalism - where every word must be taken literally and unconditionally
- that fuels Christian Zionism. Instead of allowing Jesus and his Apostles
to interpret the Hebrew Scriptures they are made to speak about present
and future events almost as if the Christian Scriptures were never written.
Just one quote from the New testament that refutes this position.
By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete;
and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear... The law is only
a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves.
For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly
year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. (Hebrews
8:13; 10:1)
Under the Old Covenant, revelation from God came often in shadow, image,
form and prophecy. In the New Covenant that revelation finds its consummation
in reality, substance and fulfilment in Jesus Christ. The question is
not whether the promises of the covenant are to be understood literally
or spiritually as Christian Zionists like to stress. It is instead a question
of whether they should be understood in terms of Old Covenant shadow or
in terms of New Covenant reality. This is the most basic hermeneutical
assumption which Christian Zionists consistently fail to acknowledge.
2. Covenant Chosenness
Because of their biblical literalism Christian Zionists believe that
the Jews remain God's chosen people and have a unique relationship to
God. The promises made to Abraham remain true today for the descendants
of Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. In Genesis 15 God indicates the extent of
that land, "On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said,
"To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to
the great river, the Euphrates." (Genesis 15:18) Christian Friends
of Israel insist, The Bible teaches that Israel (people, land, nation)
has a Divinely ordained and glorious future, and that God has neither
rejected nor replaced His Jewish people. Bridges For Peace similarly affirm,
'Through programs both in Israel and world-wide, we are giving Christians
the opportunity to actively express our biblical responsibility before
God to be faithful to Israel and the Jewish community. The Messianic Jewish
Alliance of America (MJAA) claims to be the largest association of Messianic
Jewish believers in the world, founded in 1915. MJAA has affiliations
in 15 countries, 250 Messianic Synagogues, and 350,000 Messianic Jews
world-wide. They insist they are 'the leading representative organisation
for American Jews who believe in Messiah Yeshua.' Their simple statement
of belief states, We believe in G-d's eternal covenant with Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. We, therefore, stand with and support the Jewish people and
the State of Israel and hold fast to the Biblical heritage of our forefathers.
Christian Zionists err because they fail to recognise in the Hebrew and
Christian scriptures, 'chosenness' becomes the gift of God's grace to
all who trust in Him, irrespective of their racial origins.
3 Restorationism
The theology of Christian Zionism is based on a belief in Restorationism,
that is the promise of the land made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph
was unconditional and eternal. Therefore, Christian Zionists encourage
Jews to return to Palestine and occupy what they see as their eternal
heritage. The International Christian Embassy is the most politicised
Christian Zionist organisation. At the Third International Christian Zionist
Congress held in Jerusalem 25-29 February, 1996 under the auspices of
ICEJ, some 1,500 delegates from over 40 countries unanimously affirmed
an affirmation of Christian Zionism including the following, The Lord
in His zealous love for Israel and the Jewish People blesses and curses
peoples and judges nations based upon their treatment of the Chosen People
of Israel... According to God's distribution of nations, the Land of Israel
has been given to the Jewish People by God as an everlasting possession
by an eternal covenant. The Jewish People have the absolute right to possess
and dwell in the Land, including Judea, Samaria, Gaza and the Golan. Lewis
Sperry Chafer, founding president of Dallas Theological Seminary, United
States, the most influential Christian Zionist academic institution in
the world, claims, 'Israel is an eternal nation, heir to an eternal land,
with an eternal kingdom, on which David rules from an eternal throne'
These ideologies forms the basis on how their theology influences or determines
their politics.
The Politics of Christian Zionism
Three aspects of the politics of Christian Zionism that impact the search
for justice in the Middle East.
1. Attitudes toward Arabs and Palestinians
Christian Zionists while lovers of Israel are invariably also hostile
toward Arabs and Palestinians. The demise of the Soviet Union, the rise
of militant Islam, the success of the Allies in the Gulf War, and the
beginning of third millennium have only fuelled more imaginative speculations
among fundamentalists, while the same anti-Arab prejudices and Orientalist
stereotypes persist.
Hal Lindsey is the most popular Christian Zionist writer author of over
20 books with sales exceeding 50 million copies. He insists, Long ago
the psalmist predicted the final mad attempt of the confederated Arab
armies to destroy the nation of Israel... The Palestinians are determined
to trouble the world until they repossess what they feel is their land.
The Arab nations consider it a matter of racial honour to destroy the
State of Israel. Islam considers it a sacred mission of religious honour
to recapture Old Jerusalem.
Charles Dyer, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary warns that Saddam
Hussein plans to attempt to repeat Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Israel,
the only Arab ever to have done so. 'The Middle East is the world's time
bomb, and Babylon is the fuse that will ignite the events of the end times.'
For American Christian Zionists, in particular, America is seen as the
great redeemer, her role in the world providentially and politically preordained.
The two nations of America and Israel are like Siamese twins, linked not
only by common self interest but more significantly by similar religious
foundations. Together they are perceived to be pitted against an evil
world dominated by Communist and Islamic regimes, antithetical to the
values of America and Israel.
2. Apocalyptic View of the Future
The 1967 'Six Day War' marked a significant watershed for evangelical
Christian interest in Israel and Zionism. For example, Jerry Falwell did
not begin to speak about modern-day Israel until after Israel's 1967 military
victory. Falwell changed completely. He entered into politics and became
an avid supporter of the Zionist State... the stunning Israeli victory
made a big impact not only on Falwell, but on a lot of Americans... Remember
that in 1967, the United States was mired in the Vietnam war. Many felt
a sense of defeat, helplessness and discouragement... Many Americans,
including Falwell, turned worshipful glances toward Israel, which they
viewed as militarily strong and invincible. They gave their unstinting
approval to the Israeli take-over of Arab lands because they perceived
this conquest as power and righteousness... Macho or muscular Christians
such as Falwell credited Israeli General Moshe Dayan with this victory
over Arab forces and termed him the Miracle Man of the Age, and the Pentagon
invited him to Vietnam and tell us how to win the war.
The titles of Hal Lindsey's books show an increasingly exaggerated and
almost pathological emphasis on the apocalyptic, on death and suffering.
They are replete with categorical assertions that biblical prophecy is
being fulfilled in this generation signalling the imminent destruction
of the world. Hal Lindsey dogmatically asserts, We are the generation
the prophets were talking about. We have witnessed biblical prophecies
come true. The birth of Israel. The decline in American power and morality.
The rise of Russian and Chinese might. The threat of war in the Middle
East. The increase of earthquakes, volcanoes, famine and drought. The
Bible foretells the signs that precede Armageddon... We are the generation
that will see the end times ...and the return of Jesus. Lindsey's last
but one book, The Final Battle, includes the statement on the cover, "Never
before, in one book, has there been such a complete and detailed look
at the events leading up to 'The Battle of Armageddon.'"
Lindsey confidently asserts that the world is degenerating and that the
forces of evil manifest in godless Communism and militant Islam are the
real enemies of Israel. He describes in detail the events leading to the
great battle at Megiddo between the massive Russian, Chinese and African
armies that will attempt but fail to destroy Israel. He offers illustrated
plans showing future military movements of armies and naval convoys leading
up to the battle of Armageddon. These will merely hasten the return of
Jesus Christ as King of the Jews who will rule over the other nations
from the rebuilt Jewish temple on the site of the destroyed Dome of the
Rock in Jerusalem. Obstacle or no obstacle, it is certain that the Temple
will be rebuilt. Prophecy demands it... With the Jewish nation reborn
in the land of Palestine, ancient Jerusalem once again under total Jewish
control for the first time in 2600 years, and talk of rebuilding the great
Temple, the most important sign of Jesus Christ's soon coming is before
us... It is like the key piece of a jigsaw puzzle being found... For all
those who trust in Jesus Christ, it is a time of electrifying excitement.
An indication of how seriously Christian Zionists take the military aspect
of their apocalyptic scenario can be seen from the content of the itinerary
used by Jerry Falwell, in his 'Friendship Tour to Israel'. It includes
meetings with top Israeli government and military officials and,.....On-site
tour of modern Israeli battlefields... Official visit to an Israeli defence
installation... strategic military positions, plus experience first hand
the battle Israel faces as a nation.
3. Hostility toward the Peace Negotiations
The International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem, as the semi-official
voice of Zionist organisations, is frequently cultivated, exploited and
quoted by the Israeli Government whenever a sympathetic Christian viewpoint
is needed to enhance their own policies, and rebut Western criticism.
Every Israeli Prime Minister since 1980 has spoken at their annual international
gatherings in Jerusalem.
In October 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu the Israeli Prime Minister spoke at
the Jerusalem 3000 rally organised by the International Christian Embassy,
Jerusalem, to support Israel's sovereignty over Jerusalem. Following the
provocative opening of an underground tunnel by the Israelis from the
Western Wall through the Moslem Quarter, he was cheered when he insisted
the tunnel, 'is open. It will stay open. It will always stay open.' The
religio-political agenda of the International Christian Embassy is made
quite explicit in this declaration. Because of the sovereign purposes
of God for the City, Jerusalem must remain undivided, under Israeli sovereignty,
open to all peoples, the capital of Israel only, and all nations should
so concur and place their embassies here. As a faith bound to love and
forgiveness we are appreciative of the attempts by the Government of Israel
to work tirelessly for peace. However, the truths of God are sovereign
and it is written that the Land which He promised to His People is not
to be partitioned... It would be further error for the nations to recognise
a Palestinian state in any part of Eretz Israel... The Golan is part of
biblical Israel and is a vital strategic asset necessary for the security
and defence of the entire country....To this end we commit to work with
Israel and to encourage the Diaspora to fulfil the vision and goal of
gathering to Israel the greater majority of all Jewish People from throughout
the world.
Not surprisingly therefore the Oslo Peace-Accord has been sharply criticised
by Christian Zionist groups who see it as a threat to the realisation
of Eretz Israel. In particular they have opposed the handing back of the
West Bank and the threat to the status of the Jewish settlements. For
example, Theodore Temple Beckett, Chairman of the Christian Friends of
Israel Community Development Foundation has initiated an 'adopt-a-settlement'
program among American Evangelical Churches. The Jewish town of Ariel
has already been adopted by Faith Bible Chapel in Denver. By the end of
1995 it was Beckett's expectation that around 70 Jewish settlements would
have been adopted by churches,...with larger churches adopting larger
settlements and smaller churches adopting smaller settlements and giving
all a morale boost to show them they are not alone and are loved by many.
4. Conclusions: A Critique of Christian Zionism
Karen Armstrong is not alone in tracing in Western Christian Zionism
evidence of the legacy of the Crusades. Fundamentalists have, she claims,
'returned to a classical and extreme religious crusading.' Rosemary Ruether
also sees the danger of this kind of Christian Zionism in its, 'dualistic,
Manichean view of global politics. America and Israel together against
an evil world.' The following quote from Senator Bob Dole is a good example,
American-Israeli friendship is no accident. It is a product of our shared
values. We are both democracies. We are both pioneer states. We have both
opened our doors to the oppressed. We have both shown a passion for freedom
and we have gone to war to protect it.
This 'simple dualism' and 'highly dogmatic thinking' is something Bishop
Kenneth Cragg, probably the greatest English Christian Islamic scholar
alive today, comments on. Satirically, he writes,
It is so; God chose the Jews; the land is theirs by divine gift. These
dicta cannot be questioned or resisted. They are final. Such verdicts
come infallibly from Christian biblicists for whom Israel can do no wrong-thus
fortified. But can such positivism, this unquestioning finality, be compatible
with the integrity of the Prophets themselves? It certainly cannot square
with the open peoplehood under God which is the crux of New Testament
faith. Nor can it well be reconciled with the ethical demands central
to law and election alike.
The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), representing the indigenous
and ancient Oriental and Eastern Churches, has been highly critical of
the activities of Christian Zionists. They assert Christian Zionists have
aggressively imposed an aberrant expression of the Christian faith and
an erroneous interpretation of the Bible, which is subservient to the
political agenda of the modern State of Israel. Indeed they represent
a tendency to,...force the Zionist model of theocratic and ethnocentric
nationalism on the Middle East... (rejecting)... the movement of Christian
unity and inter-religious understanding which is promoted by the (indigenous)
churches in the region. The Christian Zionist programme, with its elevation
of modern political Zionism, provides the Christian with a world view
where the gospel is identified with the ideology of success and militarism.
It places its emphasis on events leading up to the end of history rather
than living Christ's love and justice today.
It is therefore perhaps not surprising that among the Middle East churches
generally, Christian Zionism is regarded as a devious heresy, an unwelcome
and alien intrusion into their culture, which advocates an ethnocentric
and nationalist political agenda running counter to their work of seeking
justice and reconciliation among both Jews and Muslims.
Essentially, Christian Zionism fails to recognise the deep seated problems
that exist between Palestinians and Israelis; it distorts the Bible and
marginalises the universal imperative of the Christian message that God
loves all people; it has grave political ramifications and ultimately
ignores the sentiments of the overwhelming majority of indigenous Christians.
It is a situation that many believe the Government of Israel exploits
to her advantage, cynically welcoming Christian Zionists as long as they
remain docile and compliant with Israeli government policy. Kenneth Cragg
offers this astute critique of Christian Zionism,
The overriding criteria of Christian perception have to be those of equal
grace and common justice. From these there can be no proper exemption,
however alleged or presumed. Chosenness cannot properly be either an ethnic
exclusivism or a political facility.
Christian Zionism offers an uncritical endorsement of the Israeli political
right and at the same time shows an inexcusable lack of compassion for
the Palestinian tragedy. In doing so it has legitimised their oppression
in the name of God. In the words of Kenneth Leech, Christian Zionism as
a form of fundamentalism,
"...represents a narrowing of vision, a closing of doors, a diminishing
of human beings, and a backward force in human history..."
Christian Zionism : True Friends of Israel?
Constructive Destructive
1. Encouragement of dialogue between Jews and Christians 1. Justifies
apartheid in an exclusive Jewish State
2. Opposition to Anti-Semitism 2. Supports ethnic-cleansing of Palestinians
and building of Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories to create
Eretz Israel
3. Education of the Jewish origins of the Christian faith 3. Encourages
religious intolerance, demonising Islam and any opposition to Israel
4. Humanitarian work among Jewish refugees 4. Incites religious fanaticism
in supporting building of Jewish Temple on Mount Moriah
5. Dismisses moderate Jewish position who are willing to negotiate land
for peace
6. Undermines Christian faith by justifying the denial of human rights
7. Apocalyptic Eschatology is in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling
prophecy.
To be frank, Israel is a materialistic and apartheid State practising
repressive and dehumanising measures against the Palestinians in flagrant
disregard of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Christian Zionists who endorse such policies would do well to
heed Joshua's final words,
Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your
heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God
gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
But just as every good promise of the LORD your God has come true, so
the LORD will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has
destroyed you from this good land he has given you. If you violate the
covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve
other gods and bow down to them, the LORD'S anger will burn against you,
and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you (Joshua
23:14-16).
Like Isaac's children Jacob and Esau, it is time to stop fighting over
the birthright and start sharing the blessings. |