Is Christian Zionism Evil?

Aug 21, 2024 by

By Gerald McDermott, The Stream.

Is Christian Zionism evil?

Some evangelical leaders in the Middle East suggested as much in their August 5 “Collective Call to the Global Church from Middle East Evangelical Leaders.”

Here is their key statement:

We unequivocally reject all forms of violence against civilians to achieve justice (Jeremiah 22:3; Romans 3:15-18), and strongly condemn all religious, political, and social ideologies that hinder a lasting peace including antisemitism, islamophobia, and Christian Zionism. [my emphases]

Let me first say that I agree that “violence against civilians” is evil. I presume these evangelical leaders mean violence that targets civilians, for most Christians agree with Christian just war theory that distinguishes between intentional targeting of enemies in a just war and unintentional killing of civilians. Even God did things, like miraculously springing Peter from prison, that resulted (unintentionally?) in violence against innocents (Herod putting Peter’s guards to death) in Acts 12.

I will assume that these evangelicals agree that the vicious attacks on Jewish civilians on October 7 were evil because Hamas terrorists (and those who accompanied the soldiers) targeted civilians — men, women, and children. Even the elderly. They raped women and decapitated babies. It doesn’t get any more evil than that.

Now, my fellow Christian Zionists and I lament the immense suffering that has come upon the people of Gaza because of this October 7 act of war directed by Hamas. It is tragic that in its efforts to defend Jews against those who mean their destruction, the IDF’s war against Hamas has unintentionally killed and wounded Palestinian civilians because Hamas purposely hides among them, intentionally exposing them to injury and death.

We especially mourn the Palestinian Christians who have been caught in the crossfire, and we pray for God’s consolations and protection for and over them.

But why do these Middle East evangelical leaders condemn Christian Zionism?

Old Testament Promises

Let’s first define it. There are different kinds of Christian Zionists, but they all agree that Jews, like every other people, have a right to a homeland — and that the Jews have a right to live in what has been their ancestral home for upwards of four thousand years.

Christian Zionists support Jews being able to have their homeland in what is called Israel because we believe that is biblical.

Since our Middle Eastern brothers in the Lord disagree with our reading of the Bible but agree that it is the Word of God, let’s look at the Bible.

Read here.

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