This is a profoundly eschatological form of Christianity. Believers hold that the return of the land of Israel to the Jews is a precursor for the return of Christ. Christian Zionists view the ongoing conflict in the Middle East through the eschatological lens. Christian Zionists have significant influence in the USA, and the new Trump administration has believers in their ranks. Peter Hegseth and Mike Huckabee are examples. Critics have labelled this administration as heavily pro-Israel.

Four themes are generally present in most Christian Zionist thought:

  1. The end of history. The founding of today’s nation-state of Israel in 1948 marked the final human era.
  2. God’s plan. The chaos in the Middle East surrounding Israel is part of God’s unfolding plan. There will be a great and final war culminating in the second coming of Christ.
  3. God’s promises. God’s covenant with Israel is eternal and unconditional. Therefore, the promises of land given to Abraham in Genesis will never be overturned, and the church has not replaced Israel.
  4. Blessing Israel. The church is obligated to interpret Genesis 12:3 in a specific way regarding today’s nation-state of Israel: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” Failing to support Israel’s political dominance today will incur divine judgment.

Christian Zionism

Old Testament allocation of land to the 12 tribes. The Biblical boundaries of Israel. These boarders changed through Biblical history.

Old Testament allocation of land to the 12 tribes. The Biblical boundaries of Israel. These boarders changed through Biblical history.

Modern Israel with the West Bank and Gaza calved out for Palestinian homeland.

Modern Israel with the West Bank and Gaza calved out for Palestinian homeland.

My hermeneutic approach is to apply scripture to understand God, our relationship with God, and out of that our behaviour towards one another. When we begin to focus on applying scripture outside that context there is the danger that we will fall into falsehoods and perhaps even be distracted from that correct, personal reflection which leads to spiritual growth. My view is that some modern fundamentalist movements have fallen for this trap and their personal growth and moral compass have been compromised as a result. This would include Creationists, Christian Zionists, Christian Nationalists, etc.