Who is a Jew?

Millions of Christians, mostly Protestant Evangelical Fundamentalist funnel millions of dollars in aid to Israel. They are motivated by a fairly recent trend started towards the end of the 18^th Century which believes that all Christians are to unconditionally support Israel as a nation in order to ultimately bring the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Such a staunch support for the State of Israel comes from interpretations of many of the Holy Scriptures in the Bible. A sample of such common view, is found on the Christian Broadcasting Network, were we read “I believe very strongly that we ought to support Israel; that it has a right to the land. This is the most important reason: Because God said so. As I said a minute ago, look it up in the book of Genesis. It is right up there on the desk.

In Genesis 13:14-17, the Bible says:

The Lord said to Abram, ``Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward and westward: for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed forever. ..... Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it to thee.''

That is God talking.

The Bible says that Abram removed his tent and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar before the Lord. Hebron is in the West Bank. It is at this place where God appeared to Abram and said, ``I am giving you this land,'' — the West Bank.

This is not a political battle at all. It is a contest over whether or not the word of God is true.”

(http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/news/020308c.asp)

At first glance it seems that, that is the end of the discussion since to deny it implies rejecting or ignoring God’s word. If we take these verses at face value we could easily become quite dogmatic and take an intransigent position which in this case does not just have to do with theoretical points but has a very practical, far reaching and even confrontational outcome, resulting in a lot of human suffering.

So the question is what part does interpreting Bible prophecy plays in the full scope of Christian Faith?

For an excellent dissertation on Bible Prophecy and its interpretations, we may want to refer to the writings of the late David B. Berg. Working outside of mainstream denominations, Berg wrote extensively on the subject and finally came to the following conclusion,” IS PROPHECY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING?

This may come as a surprise to some of our over-zealous theological dogmatists, but it is not absolutely necessary that either you or I or any of the rest of us see exactly eye to eye on every technical detail of theological hairsplitting, such as minor doctrines & interpretations which are not essential to Salvation, witnessing, soul winning & World evangelism! It is only essential that we agree on Salvation through Jesus, the basic authority of God's Word, our obligation to witness His Truth to others, to manifest His Love to the World & win the lost for Christ & His service as we see it!

"Beware lest ye be led away from the simplicity of the Gospel! Except ye be as a little child ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven!"--2Cor.11:3; Mat. 18:3.

You may have the gift of prophecy & understand all mysteries & all knowledge, but without love it's nothing!--1Cor.13:2. Love is the life's blood of this work!--The Spirit of God's Love! Now don't get me wrong, Bible Prophecy is important, & I've already said why you should be familiar with His predictions of the future. But if you don't have love, I don't care how well you understand Bible Prophecy & can describe every beast in the Book & hang a label on every horn, if you haven't got love, it's just cold dead icicles of facts & figures--no warmth, no heat!--And will never turn anyone else on either! So remember, Bible Prophecy is important, but love is the most important thing!

In final analysis then the essence of the Christian Faith is manifested in an active, outgoing and sincere love towards our fellowmen regardless of their race, social status and religion.

Unfortunately this view is not shared by may in the mainstream organized Christian Churches, which brings us to examine the current official stand on the Middle East conflict.

Christian Zionism

Briefly stated, Christian Zionism is a movement within Protestant fundamentalism that sees the modern state of Israel as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and thus deserving of political, financial and religious support. Christian Zionists work closely with the Israeli government, religious and secular Jewish Zionist organizations, and are particularly empowered during periods when the more conservative Likud Party is in control of the Knesset. Both the secular and religious media place Christian Zionism in the Protestant evangelical movement, which claims upward of 100-125 million members in the US. However, one would more accurately categorize it as part of the fundamentalist wing of Protestant Christianity, since the evangelical movement is far larger and more diverse in its theology and historical development.

Christian Zionism grew out of a particular theological system called “premillennial dispensationalism,” which emerged during the early 19th century in England, when there was an outpouring of millennial doctrines. The preaching and writings of a renegade Irish clergyman, John Nelson Darby, and a Scotsman, Edward Irving, emphasized the literal and future fulfillment of such Biblical teachings as “the rapture,” the rise of the Antichrist, the Battle of Armageddon and the central role that a revived nation-state of Israel would play during the latter days.

Premillennialism is a type of Christian theology as old as Christianity itself. It has its roots in Jewish apocalyptic thought and generally holds that Jesus will return to earth before he establishes, literally, a millennial kingdom under his sovereignty. Darby added the distinctive elements of the rapture (or removal to heaven) of true, born-again Christians prior to Jesus’ return, and interpreted all major prophetic texts as having predictive value. He also marked world history according to certain periods called “dispensations,” that served to guide believers in how they should conduct themselves. The fulfillment of prophetic signs became the central task of Christian interpretation.

Darby’s ideas became a central feature in the teachings of many of the great preachers of the 1880-1900 period, including evangelists Dwight L. Moody and Billy Sunday, the major Presbyterian preacher James Brooks, Philadelphia radio preacher Harry B. Ironsides, and Cyrus I. Scofield. When Scofield applied Darby’s eschatology to the Bible, the result was a superimposed outline of premillennial dispensationalist notations on the Biblical text, known as the Scofield Bible. Gradually, the Scofield Bible became the only version used by most evangelical and fundamentalist Christians for the next 95 years.

In developing a working definition of Christian Zionism, one can say it is a 19th and 20th century movement within Protestant fundamentalism that (particularly last century and today) supports the maximalist claims of Jewish political Zionism, including Israel’s sovereignty over all of historic Palestine, including Jerusalem. The modern state of Israel, as a fulfillment of prophetic scriptures, is regarded as a necessary stage prior to the second coming of Jesus. Christian Zionism is marked by the following theological convictions:

l God’s covenant with Israel is eternal, exclusive and will not be abrogated, according to Genesis 12:1-7; 15:4-7; 17:1-8; Leviticus 26:44-45; and Deuteronomy 7:7-8.

There are two distinct and parallel covenants in the Bible, one with Israel that is never revoked and the other with the Church that is superseded by the covenant with Israel. The Church is a “mere parenthesis” in God’s plan, and as such it will be removed from history during the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 and 5:1-11). At that point, Israel, as a nation, will be restored as the primary instrument of God on earth.

l Christian Zionists claim that Genesis 12:3 (“I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you”) should be interpreted literally and lead to political, economic, moral and spiritual support for the state of Israel and for the Jewish people in general.

Christian Zionists interpret the Bible literally and have a hermeneutic understanding of Apocalyptic texts ­the book of Daniel, Zechariah 9-12, Ezekiel 37-8, 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and the Book of Revelations ­and assume their messages will be fulfilled in the future. To be more precise, the version of premillennialism popularized by Darby, Irving and Scofield should be called “futurist premillennial dispensationalism,” so as to differentiate it from historic premillennialism, the eschatology held by many Church Fathers, such as Tertullian, Cyril of Jerusalem, Justin Martyr and others.

Christian Zionists adopt a dispensationalist approach to history as advanced by Darby and popularized by Scofield’s version of the Bible, published by Oxford University Press in 1909. Because fundamentalist leaders, clergymen, Bible colleges, institutes and seminaries used the Scofield Bible, it became the most significant transmitter of premillennial dispensationalism and, as such, paved the way for Christian Zionism.

Christian Zionists and premillennial dispensationalists have a pessimistic view of history and wait in eager anticipation for the unfolding of a series of wars and tragedies pointing to the return of Jesus. The establishment of the state of Israel, the rebuilding of the Third Temple, the rise of the Antichrist and the buildup of armies poised to attack Israel, are among the signs leading to the final battle and Jesus’ return. Leading Christian Zionist authorities in Bible prophecy seek to interpret political developments according to the prophetic schedule of events that should unfold according to their view of scripture. As an apocalyptic and dualistic type of theology, the movement looks in history for the escalation of power and influence of satanic forces aligned to the Antichrist, who, as the end draws near, will do battle with Israel and those aligned with it. Judgment will befall nations and individuals according to how they “bless Israel” (Genesis 12:3).

Christian Zionism differs from church doctrine, due in part to its being developed by anti-state church clergymen and theologians in England. Today its views find significant support among the charismatic, Pentecostal and independent Bible churches in Protestant fundamentalism. Christian Zionists often view mainline Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic denominations with hostility and have at times considered the World Council of Churches and related bodies to be tools of the Antichrist. In the Holy Land, Christian Zionists have been hostile toward Palestinian Christians and generally detest Muslims as evil forces worshipping another God. Recent comments by Christian Zionists such as Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Franklin Graham (the son of evangelist Billy Graham) have added to the suspicion with which many Muslims view the Christian West.

Christian Zionism is a growing political and religious movement within the most conservative branches of Protestant fundamentalism, but it can also be found in the broader evangelical branches of Christianity, including the evangelical wings of the mainline Presbyterian, United Methodist, Lutheran and other Protestant churches. It thrives during periods of political and economic unrest such as the present, characterized by international terrorism, global recession and fear of wars in the Middle East. With its pessimistic view of history, Christian Zionism seeks to provide simple and clear answers through a literal and predictive approach to the Bible. Some estimate that 20-25 million American fundamentalist Christians hold these views, and the phenomenon is growing. By Donald Wagner

Imbued by a fervent belief and a quasi messianic faith the Christian Zionist have aggressively put their faith into action and mixed with nationalism feel compelled to spread the gospel of Democracy even at the point of a gun. They are in a sense committed to make the world in their own image. As a result we are quickly approaching critical mass as some even consider the use of nuclear weapons on Iran to accomplish their objectives.

How have we come to this?

Is there an alternative to the extremists on both sides? Is there a different interpretation to the Scriptures? Has Christian Zionism, a mostly Old Testament based belief, superseded Jesus's New Testament message?

Paradigm Shift

The answer may very well lay in recognizing that The Bible contains the mind of God and as such it is no ordinary book. It can only be discerned by the Spirit. It is only in humility, reverence and meekness that God open His mind to us The meek will he guide in justice; And the meek will he teach his way. Psalms 25:9

A sensible approach towards the study of the Holy Scripture is to take into account the preponderance of the Scriptures on a subject to understand its meaning. In this case both the Old and New Testament have to be included to discern the meaning of the scriptures cited a t the beginning of this article, Genesis 13:14-17,

The Lord said to Abram, ``Lift up now your eyes, and look from the place where you are northward, and southward, and eastward and westward: for all the land which you see, to you will I give it, and to your seed forever. ..... Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it to thee.'' At first impression it seems to be referring to the Jews as a nation but

Let us now view this passage as clarified by the follwing verses:
Rom 2:28,29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Mat 8:11, 12 And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

So the question now becomes who is a Jew?

Gal 3:6-8 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham.

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.

Who is Jew? Well from what we have just read, You and I if we believe regardless of nation or race.

In other words the promises are not for a mere physical nation. 1 Cor 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

What a liberating concept! Simply stated here is the most radical and "dangerous" doctrine ever postulated to solve the problem of the Middle East. Such a concept strikes to the heart of the unconditional and blinded support for Israel from  Evangelical Christians, specially in the United States. Without the dogmatic and intransigent element it is possible to clearly see a solution that will accommodate the needs of both Israelis and Palestinians allike.

It is our sincere hope that you the reader will consider  the points made in this article and prayerfully research the Scriptures to shed more light on this subject. We appreciate your comments.

Having experienced a paradigm shift on the subject of who is a Jew we hope to expand on our next article on What and Where is the Promised Land.