Challenging Christian Zionism

Please see link in the above title for the site - it is a perspective needed within the Evangelical Community to stop the harm done by the abuse of biblical doctrine masquerading as "Christian Zionism." Christian Zionism is truly a heresy and hates the commandments of God and His Christ to love God and neighbor.

In the below, see an extract from the above link.

The Making of a Movement:

The History of Christian Zionism, Part 1

by Jon Huckins

FROM: MENNONITE WEEKLY REVIEW



Series Note: This blog post is the first in a three-part series on Christian Zionism and its implications in Israel and Palestine. There are few topics more hotly debated in the church and around the world. Lines have been drawn ideologically and theologically to the point that many aren’t willing to rethink their paradigms, which has led to divisive rhetoric and hostility. Israel’s security is a real issue, and I care deeply about it. I want Israel to exist and to be secure. But I disagree vehemently with the policies Israel is pursuing in order to achieve that security and believe firmly that the hard-line positions and continued settlement developments threaten Israel’s security. If they continue to take Palestinian’s homes and lands; if they continue to fence them off from their families, neighbors, grazing lands, hospitals and jobs; if they continue to humiliate and oppress Palestinians at checkpoints; if they continue to deny funding to Palestinians’ education — then history tells us that they will eventually push Palestinians to a point where nonviolent resistance will no longer be pursued. Please see this blog series as an invitation to enter a conversation of mutual respect that leads to actions that better represent the kingdom that Jesus came to proclaim through word and deed.

I have spent extensive time walking in the footsteps of Jesus, studying the historical and geographical contexts of Jesus in the Holy Lands. While the historical context of the Story of God is fascinatingly sacred, what most captivates me is the study and experience of the Story of God currently being played out in the socio-political realities of modern Israel and Palestine.

In today’s religious and political circles, the term “Christian Zionism” is being used on a daily basis. For some, this term represents a normative and biblically accurate theology of the Middle East. Others condemn Christian Zionism as fueling unjust possession of land and violent oppression of innocent people. But what really is Christian Zionism, and where did it come from? In order to pave a way forward, we must first examine the road behind.

Christian Zionism has become normative theology, at least in practice, in the U.S. and much of the West. Many of us have read the fictional Left Behind series, and we are constantly surrounded by “prophetic” announcements that tie the State of Israel with “end time” events. It would be easy to assume that not only is this theology unquestionably accurate, but that it has been around for much of church history. U.S. Christians have the responsibility to question both assumptions. If not for the sake of their own theological understanding, then for the massive number of people who are victims of the immoral and unjust actions that take place daily as a result of Christian Zionism.