While Jerry Falwell may be one of the most influential Christian Zionists, he is also a figurehead, along with Pat Robertson, for a much wider alliance of over 150 influential fundamentalist Christian leaders including Oral Roberts, Mike Evans, Tim LaHaye, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch, Ed McAteer, Jim Bakker, Franklin Graham, James Dobson, Chuck Missler and Jimmy Swaggart who have all taken a pro-Zionist stance in their writings or broadcasts.
These Christian leaders and their organisations have regular access to over 100 million Christians, more than 100,000 pastors and combined budgets of well in excess of $300 million per annum. They form a broad and immensely powerful coalition which is both shaping and driving US foreign policy on the Middle East as well as Christian support for Israel today.
“My great fear is that President Bush is ignorantly leading the United States into God’s judgment. For God warns that He will judge all nations that have contributed to keeping Israel from living in the land He sovereignly gave them.”
[101]
Christians are left in no doubt which side to ‘uphold.’ On the 1st January 2002 edition of the CBN 700 Club, Pat Robertson warned that if the US
‘wants to interfere with Bible prophecy and wants to move in and wrest East Jerusalem away from the Jews and give it to Yasser Arafat … heaven help this nation of ours … If the United States takes East Jerusalem back and makes it the capital of the Palestinian State, then we are asking for the wrath of God to fall on this nation.’[102]
Robertson even suggests that Rabin’s assassination was an act of God, a judgement for his betrayal of his own people: ‘This is God’s land and God has strong words about someone who parts and divides His land. The rabbis put a curse on Yitzhak Rabin when he began cutting up the land.’[103]
Such pronouncements coming from highly influential Christian leaders appear little different from those of Muslim fundamentalists who call for a ‘holy war’ against the West. Karen Armstrong is not alone in tracing within Western Christian Zionism evidence of the legacy of the Crusades. Such fundamentalists have, she claims, ‘returned to a classical and extreme religious crusading.’[104]
7. Conclusions: The Political Implications of Christian Zionism
We have seen how Christian Zionism as a movement has profound and deeply destructive political consequences. Christian Zionists have shown varying degrees of enthusiasm for implementing six basic theological convictions that arise from their literal and futurist reading of the Bible:
1. The belief that the Jews remain God’s chosen people leads Christian Zionists to a justification for Israel’s military occupation of Palestine.
2. As God’s chosen people, the final restoration of the Jews to Israel is therefore actively encouraged and facilitated through partnerships between Christian organisations and the Jewish Agency.
3. Eretz Israel, as delineated in scripture, belongs exclusively to the Jewish people, therefore the land must be annexed and the settlements adopted and strengthened.
4. Jerusalem is regarded as the eternal and exclusive capital of the Jews, and cannot be shared with the Palestinians. Therefore, strategically, Western governments are placed under pressure by Christian Zionists to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem and thereby recognise the fact.
5. The Third Temple has yet to be built, the priesthood consecrated and sacrifices reinstituted. As dispensational Christian Zionists, in particular, believe this is prophesied, they offer varying degrees of support to the Jewish Temple Mount organisations committed to achieving it.
6. Since Christian Zionists are convinced there will be an apocalyptic war between good and evil in the near future, there is no prospect for lasting peace between Jews and Arabs. Indeed, to advocate Israel compromise with Islam or coexist with Palestinians is to identify with those destined to oppose God and Israel in the imminent battle of Armageddon.
Clearly, not all Christian Zionists embrace these views with the same degree of conviction or involvement. Nevertheless, it has been argued, the overall consequences of such uncritical support for the State of Israel, especially among Evangelicals, is inherently and pathologically destructive, not least to the very Jewish people they claim to love. At the first major international and ecumenical conference to examine this issue, held in Jerusalem in April this year, under the auspices of Sabeel, over 600 delegates affirmed a declaration which included the following. “We reject the heretical teachings of Christian Zionism that facilitate and support … a form of racial exclusivity and perpetual war rather than the gospel of universal love, redemption and reconciliation taught by Jesus Christ.
Rather than condemn the world to the doom of Armageddon we call upon everyone to liberate themselves from ideologies of militarism and occupation and instead to pursue the healing of the world …
We will stand for justice. We can do no other. Justice alone guarantees a peace that will lead to reconciliation and a life of security and prosperity for all the peoples of our land. By standing on the side of justice, we open ourselves to the work of peace -- and working for peace makes us children of God.”
Garth Hewitt has written many songs about the plight of the Christian community in Israel and Palestine. One of them, based on some verses from the Jewish Talmud[* see note top of page this article, to even mention the Talmud is the fly in the ointment that spoils it ALL, the Talmud is the source of Christian Zionism - both are damned by God forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!], is called ‘Ten measures of beauty God gave to the world’. I would like to close by using it as a prayer.
May the justice of God fall down like fire
and bring a home for the Palestinian.
May the mercy of God pour down like rain
and protect the Jewish people.
And may the beautiful eyes of a Holy God
who weeps for His children
Bring the healing hope for His wounded ones
For the Jew and the Palestinian.
© Stephen Sizer -24th August 2004
Notes
[1] Mike Evans, Israel, America’s Key to Survival, (Plainfield, NJ: Haven Books), back page, p. xv.
[2] Dale Crowley, ‘Errors and Deceptions of Dispensational Teachings.’ Capital Hill Voice, (1996-1997), cited in Halsell, op.cit., p5. Grace Halsell herself defines Christian Zionism as a cult. See Halsell, op.cit., p31.
[3] Grace Halsell, ‘Israeli Extremists and Christian Fundamentalists: The Alliance’, Washington Report, December (1988), p31.
[4] ‘Christians Call for a United Jerusalem’ New York Times, 18 April (1997), http://www.cdn-friends-icej.ca/united.html
[5] Halsell, Forcing, op.cit., p50.
[6] Halsell, Forcing, op.cit., p50.
[7] Grace Halsell, Prophecy and Politics, (Westport, Connecticut, Lawrence Hill, 1986), p178.
[8] http://www.israelunitycoalition.com
[9] Stanley J. Grenz, The Millennial Maze, (Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity, 1992), p92; Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth, (London, Lakeland, 1970), pp43, 53-58; Hannah Hurnard, Watchman on the Walls, (London, Olive Press, 1950), pp11-12.
[10] Louis T. Talbot & William W. Orr, The Nation of Israel and the Word of God!, (Los Angeles, Bible Institute of Los Angeles, 1948), p8.
[11] Donald Wagner, ‘Evangelicals and Israel: Theological Roots of a Political Alliance’ The Christian Century, November 4, (1998), pp1020-1026.
[12] Jimmy Carter, The Blood of Abraham, (London, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1985).
[13] Speech by President Jimmy Carter on 1 May 1978, Department of State Bulletin, vol. 78, No. 2015, (1978), p4, cited in Sharif, op.cit., p136.
[14] Donald Wagner, ‘Beyond Armageddon’, The Link, New York: Americans for Middle East Understanding; October-November, (1992), p5.
[15] Halsell, Prophecy., op.cit., p47
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ronnie Dugger, ‘Does Reagan Expect a Nuclear Armageddon?’ Washington Post, 18 April (1984).
[18] George Bush, Speech to the American Jewish Committee, May 3, (2001), http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/US-Israel/presquote.html
[19] Michael Lind, ‘The Israel Lobby and American Power’ Prospect, April (2002), pp22-29; Halsell, Prophecy., op.cit.
[20] Israel Shahak, “Ability of U.S. Jewish Groups to set Clinton Agenda Depends on Media.” Washington Report, June 1995, pp. 10, 94.
[21] Publisher’s Page, Washington Report, June 1995, pp. 122.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Allan C. Brownfeld, ‘Fundamentalists and the Millennium: A Potential Threat to Middle Eastern Peace’ The Washington Report, June (1999), pp82-84.
[24] Donald Wagner, ‘Evangelicals and Israel: Theological Roots of a Political Alliance.’ The Christian Century, November 4, (1998), pp1020-1026.
[25] Brownfeld, op.cit., pp82-84.
[26] Wagner, ‘Evangelicals’, op.cit., pp1020-1026.
[27] http://www.nljonline.com/feb02
[28] Wagner, ‘Evangelicals’, op.cit., pp1020-1026.
[29] Brownfeld, op.cit., pp82-84.
[30] Jerry Falwell, http://falwell.com/action%20alerts/actnow.htm
[31] Regular meetings between Christian Zionist leaders and Israeli officials take place such as at Harvard Business School. At one held in early 2002, participants included Avigdor Itzchaki, the Director General of the Israeli cabinet, James Watt, former Secretary of the Interior, Mike Evans and Richard Hellman of CIPAC. Those invited also included Tony Campolo, James Dobson, Kenneth Copeland, Robert Schuller, Chuck Smith, Joyce Meyers, E.V. Hill and Marlin Maddoux.
[32] Cited in Prior, op.cit., p143.
[33] Hal Lindsey, ‘The UN & Israel’ International Intelligence Briefing, 29th October (1998): http://www.iib-report.com/pages/transcripts/10.29.98/oct29.htm. Emphasis in the original.
[34] In July 2001 the Rabbinical Council of Judea, Samaria and Gaza called on all rabbis to bring their communities to visit the Temple Mount. This was the first time that a group of rabbis representing a significant proportion of the religious Jewish community had ruled that it was permissible for Jews to ascend the Temple Mount. Previously this had been forbidden to orthodox Jews. The rabbis also called upon the Yesha Council of Jewish settlements to organise mass visits to the Temple Mount from the settlements which comprise the more right wing religious Jews. See N. Shragai, ‘Rabbis call for mass visits to Temple Mount,’ Ha’aretz, 19 July (2001).
[35] ‘Open Letter to Evangelical Christians from Jews for Jesus: Now is the Time to Stand with Israel.’ The New York Times, 23 October (2000).
[36] Michael Lind, ‘The Israel Lobby’, Prospect, April (2002).
[37] Wagner, Anxious., op.cit., p107.
[38] Lind, op.cit.
[39] Ibid.
[40] Ibid.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Shirley Eber, ‘Getting Stoned on Holiday: Tourism on the Front Line’. In Focus: Tourism Concern. 2, Autumn (1991), pp4-5.
[43] Glen Owen ‘Tourists warned to avoid flashpoints.’ The Times, 14 August (1997), p2.
1 [44]Don Wagner, 'Beyond Armageddon'. The Link (Americans for Middle East Understanding) Vol. 25 No. 4 October/November (1992) p. 3.
[45] ‘Aliyah’ means ‘going up’ and is used to describe going up to Jerusalem on pilgrimage. The Israel government plays down the involvement of Christians in bring Jews from the FSU. Brearley claims only 2% of the Jewish Agency budget for ‘airlifting’ Soviet immigrants has been contributed by Christian Zionists. This only includes donations made directly to the Jewish Agency. Margaret Brearley, ‘Jerusalem for Christian Zionists’ in Jerusalem, Past and Present in the Purposes of God, edited by P.W.L. Walker (Croydon, Deo Gloria Trust, 1992), p112; http://www.christiansforisrael.org
[46] http://www.christiansforisrael.org
[47] Patricia Golan, ‘On Wings of Faith’ Jerusalem Post, 20 December 2001.
[48] Ibid.
[49] Wagner, op.cit., p108; Golan, op.cit.
[50] David Allen Lewis, ‘Christian Zionist Theses’, Christians and Israel, (Jerusalem, International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem, 1996), p9.
[51] Bridges for Peace ‘The Golan Heights Déjà vu’, Despatch from Jerusalem, September (1999), pp10-11.
[52] ‘Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Territories’ Foundation for Middle East Peace, March (2002). FMEP list 190 settlements with a total population of 213,672 in the West Bank and Gaza; 170,400 in East Jerusalem; and 17,000 in the Golan Heights, making a total of 401,072 settlers based on 2001 figures.
[53] http://www.cfoic.com
[54] Ibid.
[55] Wagner, Anxious, op.cit., p108.
[56] International Christian Embassy, http://www.icej.org.il/about.html; ‘Life in the Settlements’, Word from Jerusalem, May (2002), p7.
[57] International Christian Embassy, ‘Bulletproof Bus for Efrat’ appeal, Word from Jerusalem, May (2002).
[58] Bridges for Peace, ‘New Life on the Farm’ Despatch from Jerusalem, January (2000), p5.
[59] Donald Wagner, Anxious, op.cit., p108.
[60] ‘Bill to re-locate the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem’, http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/s770.16.htm
[61] Middle East Realities 'Lie of the Week' MiddleEast@aol.com, 01/11/95
[62] Donald Neff, ‘Congress has been irresponsible on the issue of Jerusalem’, Washington Report, January (1998), pp90-91.
[63] ‘Christians Call for a United Jerusalem’ New York Times, 18 April (1997), http://www.cdn-friends-icej.ca/united.html
[64] Ibid.
[65] Jerry Falwell Ministries, ‘Keep Jerusalem Free Petition,’ http://falwell.com/
[66] Brickner, Future, op.cit., p137.
[67] Lindsey, Planet, op.cit., p156; Final, op.cit., p103.
[68] Rich Robinson, ‘Israeli Groups Involved in Third Temple Activities’ Jews for Jesus Newsletter 10, (1993), http://www.jewsforjesus.org
[69] Nadav Shragai, ‘Dreaming of a Third Temple’, Ha’aretz, 17 September (1998), p3, cited in Price, Coming, op.cit., p417.
[70] Sam Kiley, ‘The righteous will survive and the rest will perish’ The Times, 13 December (1999), p39.
[71] Grace Halsell, ‘The Hidden Hand of the Temple Mount Faithful’ The Washington Report, January (1991), p8.
[72] Randall Price incorrectly attributes this story to Time when it actually appeared in Newsweek. He also misspells one of the contributor’s names. Price, Coming, op.cit., p375. ‘Red Heifers’ New York Times, 27 December (1998), cited in Halsell, Forcing, p65.
‘Shortly after this Rev. Lott (who is also a cattleman by trade) came to possess a red heifer that met all the biblical qualifications of Numbers chapter 19. Since that historic time in, November 11, 1994 God has miraculously unveiled His divine plan for the restoration of Israel, to the Church. The Holy Ghost has worked during this time to reveal to Apostolic ministers and laymen the need to unify their efforts in order to see this project move forward, both in the Spirit and in the natural. August 11, 1998 Israel is expecting to receive from Canaan Land Restoration, 500 head of registered Red Angus Heifers.’ Joe Atkins, ‘Biblical mystery of the red heifer affects farmer in Mississippi’ The Daily Mississippian, 23 July (1998); Ethan Bronner, ‘Portent in a Pasture? Appearance of Rare Heifer in Israel Spurs Hopes, Fears’, The Boston Globe, Sunday, April 6, (1997), pp1, 22.
[73] Kendall Hamilton, Joseph Contreras & Mark Dennis, ‘The Strange Case of Israel’s Red Heifer,’ Newsweek, May 19, (1997).
[74] Jeremy Shere, ‘A Very Holy Cow’ Jerusalem Post, May 25, (1997).
[75] Halsell, Prophecy, op.cit., p106.
[76] Lawrence Wright, ‘Forcing the End’, Frontline, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apocalypse/readings/forcing.html
[77] Cited in Halsell, Forcing, op.cit., p100.
[78] Julia Duin, “Zionists meeting brands ‘road map a heresy’ The Washington Times, www.washingtontimes.com/national/20030518-114058-5626r.htm
[79] Mike Evans, Israel, America’s Key to Survival, (Plainfield, New Jersey, Haven Books, 1980), back page, xv.
[80] Noah Hutchings, U.S. in Prophecy, (Oklahoma City, Hearthstone Publishing, 2000); Arno Froese, Terror in America, Understanding the Tragedy, (West Columbia, Olive Press, 2001); Mark Hitchcock, Is America in Prophecy? (Portland, Oregon, Multnomah, 2002); Hal Lindsey, Where is America in Prophecy? video (Murrieta, California, Hal Lindsey Ministries, 2001).
[81] Michael Lienesch, Redeeming America: Piety and Politics in the New Christian Right, (Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina, 1993), p197.
[82] Simon, op.cit., pp71-72.
[83] Bennett, op.cit., p23.
[84] Ibid., p21.
[85] Ibid., p23; John Laffin, The Arab Mind, (London, Cassell, 1975), p70.
[86] Charlotte Observer, 16th October (2000).
[87] Christian Daily News, 4 February, (1999) http://www.christiannews.org/archives/1999/20499/news/full.html
[88] Ibid.
[89] Ibid.
[90] Dave Hunt, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem.’ TBC, September 2000.
[91] Dick Armey, ‘Hardball with Chris Matthews’, CNBC, 1st May (2002), cited in ‘Republican Party Leader calls for Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians on Prime Time Talk Show’ The Electronic Intifada, http://electronicintifada.net/actionitems/020502dickarmey.html
See also ‘Rep. Dick Armey calls for Ethnic Cleansing of Palestinians’ Counterpunch edited by Alexander Cockburn and Jeffrey St. Clair, http://www.counterpunch.org/armey0502.html. Dick Armey and his family are members of Lewisville Bible Church, Lewisville, Texas.
[92] Ibid.
[93] Charles Krauthammer, ‘Mideast Violence: The Only Way Out’, Washington Post, 15 May (2001); Emmanuel A. Winston writing in USA Today called for the ‘resettling the Palestinians in Jordan’ USA Today, 22 February (2002); John Derbyshire, ‘Why don’t I care about the Palestinians?’, National Review, 9 May (2002); Clarence Wagner, ‘Apples for Apples, Osama Bin Laden and Yasser Arafat’, Dispatch from Jerusalem, May (2002), p1, 6, 17.
[94] A term coined by William Safire, a former Nixon speechwriter and conservative Republican who thought George Bush Snr. was insufficiently pro-Israel. Cited in Lind, op.cit.
[95] Alan Cooperman, ‘Robertson Calls Islam a Religion of Violence, Mayhem.’ Washington Post. 22 February (2002), pAO2.
[96] The Southern Baptist Convention is a coalition of 42,000 churches with 16 million members. Since the 1980s it has become increasingly fundamentalist. See http://www.sbcannualmeeting.org/sbc02/
[97] Richard Vara, ‘Texas secession rumor, attacks on Islam mark Baptist meeting’, Houston Chronicle, 10 June (2002); Alan Cooperman, ‘Anti-Muslim Remarks Stir Tempest’, Washington Post 19 June (2002). According to Cooperman, the newly elected president of the Southern Baptists, the Rev. Jack Graham defended Vine’s speech as ‘accurate’.
[98] Hal Lindsey, ‘If the blind lead the blind.’ WorldNetDaily.com 5 June 2003.
[99] Ibid.
[100] Duin, op.cit.
[101] Lindsey “Blind” op.cit.
[102] Howard Mortman, ‘Don’t ignore Pat Robertson’, The Frontline, 7 January (2002). http://www.hotlinescoop.com/web/content/columns/extrememortman/020107.htm
[103] Pat Robertson, ‘Pat answers your questions on Israel,’ 700 Club, Christian Broadcasting Network, http://cbn.org/700club
[104] Karen Armstrong, Holy War, The Crusades and Their Impact on Today’s World, (London, Macmillan, 1988), p377.