Tag Archives: Christian Zionism

A Biblical Critique of Apartheid

What does the Bible say about apartheid? How has the Bible been used to justify supremacism, segregation and racial purity? How is apartheid easily refuted from the Bible? This presentation will provide some answers. The introduction gives a brief historical overview showing the lineage of European supremacism, slavery, segregation and apartheid. It also examines why apartheid has been designated a crime against humanity, and shows the similarities between the South African and Israeli variants.

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Contents

A brief history of apartheid tracing its roots from European colonialism, white supremacism and black slavery, through to segregation in the US, Fascism in Germany to Apartheid in South Africa and Israel.
A summary of how the Bible has been used to justify white supremacism, segregation and apartheid.
A biblical refutation of apartheid.
A Bible study to encourage personal reflection as well as group discussion.

This presentation examines how biblical texts have been used by proponents of segregation in the USA and apartheid in South Africa. It does not elaborate specifically on how Christian Zionists use the Bible to justify Israeli supremacism, the subjugation of Palestinians or the colonisation of their land.^[1] These are addressed more fully in my book Christian Zionism: Roadmap to Armageddon? ^[2]. Zion’s Christian Soldiers? The Bible, Israel and the Church^[3], provides a more detailed study of the biblical texts concerning the two key elements of apartheid theology – supremacism “Chosen People”^[4] and colonisation “Promised Land”^[5]

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You may also download a Bible Study for personal reflection or group discussion and read a short reflection based on Isaiah 65. For a more detailed examination of the biblical relationship between Israel and the Church (and deconstruction of Christian Zionism), download Seven Biblical Answers.

Kumi Now Online: What is Christian Zionism?

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Zion’s Christian Soldiers: The Bible, Israel and the Church: Back in Print

I am delighted Wipf & Stock have chosen to republish the English edition of my book, Zion’s Christian Soldiers. You can preview come of the content here. Available from Amazon or direct from the publishers.

“Once again Stephen Sizer has produced a seriously worked out biblical theology which challenges some Christians who give uncritical support to the current political stance of Israel. We have here a serious biblical challenge, evangelical in character which, nevertheless, challenges certain kinds of fundamentalism, both theological and political. I commend Stephen’s latest book warmly, not with the conviction that everyone will agree with it, but that all ought to engage in its argument for the very sake of the Peace of Jerusalem itself, now the Holy City of the three great monotheistic faiths, the faiths of the Children of Abraham.” The Right Reverend Christopher Hill, former Bishop of Guildford

‘Stephen Sizer’s new study offers a fresh and insightful approach to reading the Bible. With magisterial skill he challenges Christian Zionists and provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the true meaning of Scripture.’ Rabbi Professor Dan Cohn-Sherbok

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Cyrus Ingerson Scofield: Charlatan and Heretic

1. Scofield: The Christian Leader with Feet of Clay
2. The Link between Darby and Scofield in the Rise of Dispensationalism
3. Scofield’s Dispensational Hermeneutic: ‘Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth’
4. Scofield, the Brethren and the Bible Prophecy Conference Movement
5. The Significance of the Scofield Reference Bible
6. Scofield’s Seven Dispensations
7. The Denigration of the Church within the Purposes of God
8. The Elevation of National Israel to a Superior Role over the Church
9. Prophetic Promises of a New Covenant with a Restored National Israel
10. Speculations on Armageddon and the Day of the Lord
11. Conclusions: The Legacy of Scofieldism on Christian Zionism

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Christian Zionism: Seven Biblical Answers

It is not an understatement to say that what is at stake is our understanding of the gospel, the centrality of the cross, the role of the church, and the nature of our missionary mandate, not least, to the beloved Jewish people. If we don’t see Jesus at the heart of the Hebrew scriptures, and the continuity between his Old Testament and New Testament saints in the one inclusive Church, we’re not reading them correctly. The key question is this “Was the coming of Jesus and the birth of the Church the fulfilment or the postponement of the promises God made to Abraham?” Christian Zionists see the promises of identity, land and destiny as part of an ongoing covenant God has with the Jewish people. In the following resources I answer this question and show that Christian Zionism is a recent manifestation of a heresy refuted by the Old and New Testaments.

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Kairos Palestine: Developments within the Evangelical Movement in relation to Palestine

Donald Trump has probably accomplished more for Israel in his short time in office than any other US President since Harry Truman unilaterally recognised the State of Israel in May 1948. President Truman did so, going against the advice of his State Department, US Mission to the United Nations and ambassadors in the Middle East.

Kairos Palestine Evangelical Movement article Download

President Trump seems to have continued that unilateral, idiosyncratic tradition but with gusto. In December 2017, for example, reversing decades of US foreign policy, President Trump announced the United States recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel andordered the relocation of the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. On 14 May 2018 – the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding – the US officially moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.Also, in May 2018, President Trump announced that he was unilaterally withdrawing the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or Iran nuclear deal.

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With God on Our Side: Porter Speakman Interview

Porter Speakman Interview from Stephen Sizer on Vimeo.

Porter Speakman shares about his new film “With God on our Side” For more information see withgodonourside.com

“With God On Our Side takes a look at the theology of Christian Zionism, which teaches that because the Jews are God’s chosen people, they have a divine right to the land of Israel. Aspects of this belief system lead some Christians in the West to give uncritical support to Israeli government policies, even those that privilege Jews at the expense of Palestinians, leading to great suffering among Muslim and Christian Palestinians alike and threatening Israel’s security as a whole.

This film demonstrates that there is a biblical alternative for Christians who want to love and support the people of Israel, a theology that doesn’t favor one people group over another but instead promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jews and Palestinians.”

The title for our film, “With God on Our Side” was inspired by the verse:

…while Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?” He said, “Neither. I’m commander of God’s army. Joshua 5:13-14a (The Message)

We believe this verse is still true today, that God does not take sides with certain people groups, nations or agendas. Rather He is for all people. Throughout history, those who have claimed God was on their side have used it to justify atrocities done in the name of Jesus. We believe once again certain Christians are approaching the people in the Middle East claiming God is on their side in a way that disregards human rights and gives unilateral support to a secular State, elevates one people group over another while using the Bible as justification. We believe there is a better way, a way of justice, peace and love for Jews and Palestinians. One that is inclusive, not exclusive. That is the heart of God.

See http://www.withgodonourside.com

The issues surrounding the situation with Israel and Palestinians whether they be Historical or Political bring up very passionate displays of support and activism on all sides. However, it has been my experience that when theology, whether it be Islamic, Judaic or Christian is mixed in with these issues, these passions spill into a new level and becomes a “holy war” in itself.

As a Christian, I wanted to look deeper at Christian approaches into some of these issues and at a theology called Christian Zionism. Although many Evangelical Christians in the United States may not know what Christian Zionism is, most would adhere to some of the basic beliefs Christian Zionists have toward Israel, the Jewish people and the End Times. That supporting Israel is a mandate for all Christians and that support also meant political support for the State.

I also saw that once people understood the political and historical consequences Christian Zionism has on people in the Middle East, they began to question some of the things they have always just taken for granted.

There are several purposes for making this film:
To bring a different perspective to some of the historical, political and theological viewpoints we just taCase for granted involving Israel and the Jewish people.

To look at the consequences Christian Zionism has on the local people in the Middle East, especially Palestinian, who are most directly influenced by Christian political support for the State of Israel and it’s policies, which are then defended using the Bible.

To raise awareness that there are Palestinian Christians, and these consequences affect them as well Muslim Palestinians.

We believe there is an alternative approach to Christian Zionism. An approach that sees both Jews and Palestinians as equal in God’s sight and one that promotes reconciliation, justice and peace.

We recognize that most people who adhere to a Christian Zionist theology have the best intentions in mind. They love and support Israel and the Jewish people out of sincere hearts and what they feel is the Biblical approach to this situation.

We also recognize that being “Pro-Israel” in the minds of most Christian Zionists is not synonyms with being “Anti-Arab”. However, this is why it is important to look at what we believe alongside with how it affects people. Good intentions can still have devastating effects. Some of the most tragic events in history have occurred from a bad interpretation of biblical texts and understanding of who God is. Any approach to the Middle East must be one that sees the needs of all people, not just one, because at the heart of who God is the God of love who commands us to love one another, whether that be our neighbor or someone we consider our enemy.

These are not easy issues to look at and we are all continuing to learn. However we feel it is important to ask questions and we believe no topics are off limits, when the goal is truth.

The “Key Issues” section of this site has some general information on Christian Zionism, History, and Current Events. These are just small snippets of information on subjects addressed in our film. For those who want to learn further, we strongly recommend looking at our resource page for further studies. We also strongly recommend that books from people offering differing perspectives be read.

Porter Speakman, Jr.
Director / Executive Producer “With God on Our Side”

With God on our Side

I am delighted to endorse a new film being launched this autumn produced by Porter Speakman Jr and Rooftop Productions.

Launch: Autumn 2009. More news soon.

With God on our Side – Website, FaceBook and YouTube

SIONISMO CRISTIANO. ¿Hoja de Ruta a Armagedón?

A Spanish edition of my book Christian Zionism: Roadmap to Armageddon? has been published by Bosforo Libros in Madrid, Spain.

Foreword to Spanish Translation

I am delighted that you are reading my book in Spanish – something regrettably I cannot do – at least not yet. I wrote this book for three reasons – truth, justice and reconciliation.

My first motivation is the need to speak the truth. Jesus said, “...you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32). Sadly the Christian faith has, for many centuries, become equated with colonialism and empire in many parts of the world. In the Middle East, this is largely due to the influence of European Christians who, nearly 200 years ago, believed it was their destiny to assist the Jewish people in colonising Palestine. This movement which became known as Christian Zionism, gave rise not only to Zionism and the founding of the State of Israel, but also to the Palestinian Nakba and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Many Christian Zionists see the coming of Jesus as the postponement rather than the fulfilment of the promises God made to the Hebrew people. Their emphasis on Israel and end-times prophecy, rather than upon Jesus and the gospel, is a distortion of the Bible.

My second motivation is justice. Micah asks, “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8). It is too easy and convenient for Christians to blame others, especially the Arabs or Islam for the ills of the world. The Middle East conflict is being perpetuated largely by American Christians who have popularised the notion that God blesses nations that support Israel. We must be honest about our historical complicity in the conflict and commit ourselves to working for peace with justice for all, irrespective of their race or religion, and based on the rule of international law.

My third motivation is reconciliation. Jesus is described as “The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). He has commanded his followers to pursue a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5). We are called to be peace-makers not widow-makers. Christian Zionism in its most extreme form is pathologically confrontational and apocalyptic about the future. It is in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. God’s word instead tells us to “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:11). At the end of the Book of Revelation there is a beautiful image of paradise restored in which the Tree of Life bears fruit every month. We are told “And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2). If this is God’s view of the future, then we need no greater motivation to work for reconciliation now.

I believe that when we re-examine our history and repudiate the false ways in which some of our leaders have abused the Scriptures for destructive political ends, we will be better able to contribute to justice, peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. By the grace of God, I pray that this book will motivate you to contribute to that process.

If you find it helpful, you can access further resources, text, audio and video at www.stephensizer.com as well as read my latest blog and view my photographic gallery of the Middle East. The sequel to this book is entitled, Zion’s Christian Soldiers, and addresses in more detail, the relationship between Israel and the Church in Scripture. At the moment it is only available in English but I hope a Spanish edition will be published soon.

Sinopsis

Apenas conocido en Europa, el fenómeno del sionismoⁱ cristiano en Estados Unidos vive en los últimos años un auge cuyas reales dimensiones podemos comprender con una sola cifra: los más de 65 millones de libros vendidos por los 16 volúmenes de la serie Left Behind, de Tim LaHaye y Jerry Jenkins, una ficcionalización de las doctrinas del sionismoⁱ cristiano respecto a Israel y el fin de los tiempos.

Surgido como corriente milenarista en la Inglaterra decimonónica, implantado en los Estados Unidos por el pastor John Nelson Darby y crecido al calor del fundamentalismo evangélico norteamericano, el sionismoⁱ cristiano considera que sólo cuando el pueblo elegido de Israel esté en posesión de todo el territorio comprendido entre el río Éufrates y el río Nilo (Eretz Israel, el Gran Israel, tal como lo recoge el Génesis) tendrán lugar los acontecimientos anunciados por las profecías bíblicas: el Armagedón (la batalla final) y la segunda venida de Cristo para instaurar el Reino de Dios. A falta de datos precisos, los expertos consideran que hay decenas de millones de personas en Estados Unidos que comparten estas creencias.

El sionismoⁱ cristiano ha jugado un papel histórico determinante en la creación y sustento del Estado de Israel. Este rol se ha reforzado en el curso de las últimas décadas, y en la actualidad continúa desempeñándose de las más diversas formas, desde la presión política en Washington y el adoctrinamiento masivo a través de los medios (véanse los casos de Pat Robertson y del finado Jerry Falwell, o la citada saga de los Left Behind) a la financiación directa de la emigración judía a Israel y de los asentamientos de las ocupadas Cisjordania y Jerusalén Este.

Sionismoⁱ cristiano: ¿Hoja de Ruta a Armagedón?, fruto de la investigación doctoral del teólogo británico Stephen Sizer, se ha convertido en el texto de referencia para todo aquel interesado en conocer el origen y desarrollo histórico del sionismoⁱ cristiano, las razones de su identificación total con el proyecto sionistaⁱ del Estado de Israel y su decisiva influencia en el devenir cotidiano del conflicto, tanto en las altas esferas de la administración estadounidense como en su contribución sobre el terreno a las políticas de limpieza étnica y expansionismo israelíes. En definitiva, para entender en gran medida por qué la paz y la justicia parecen aún inalcanzables en Oriente Próximo.

Leer un fragmento

Introducción

Índice

Prólogo
Prólogo a la edición en español
Prefacio
Agradecimientos
Listado de figuras

Introducción
¿Qué es el sionismoⁱ?
¿Qué es el sionismoⁱ cristiano?
La importancia del movimiento sionistaⁱ cristiano
Un análisis crítico del sionismoⁱ cristiano

1. Las raíces históricas del sionismoⁱ cristiano
Los primeros indicios: el sionismoⁱ cristiano primigenio
El nacimiento del sionismoⁱ cristiano y su contexto socio-político
Los orígenes del restauracionismo premilenarista histórico en Gran Bretaña
Los orígenes del sionismoⁱ cristiano dispensacional en Gran Bretaña
Lord Shaftesbury y la influencia del restauracionismo en la política exterior de Gran Bretaña
El cristianismo británico y su apoyo político al movimiento sionistaⁱ judío
La Declaración Balfour y la implementación del sueño sionistaⁱ
El dispensacionalismo y el nacimiento del sionismoⁱ cristiano en Estados Unidos (1859-1945)
El antisemitismoⁱ y el sionismoⁱ cristiano liberal en Estados Unidos (1918-1967)
El sionismoⁱ cristiano evangélico en los Estados Unidos de hoy (1967-2002)
La proliferación y diversificación de las organizaciones sionistasⁱ cristianas
Las raíces históricas del sionismoⁱ cristiano: conclusiones

2. Los fundamentos teológicos del sionismoⁱ cristiano
La Biblia: una hermenéutica literal y futurista
Los pueblos elegidos: la relación entre Israel y la iglesia
El restauracionismo: regreso de los judíos a Sion
La Tierra de Israel: reclamando Judea, Samaria y más allá
Jerusalén: la capital eterna y exclusiva del pueblo judío
El templo: reconstrucción y profanación
El futuro: la escatología del sionismoⁱ cristiano
La singular teología del sionismoⁱ cristiano: conclusiones

3. Las implicaciones políticas del sionismoⁱ cristiano
El pueblo elegido: apoyar el colonialismo israelí
El restauracionismo: facilitar la emigración de los judíos de Rusia y Europa oriental
La Tierra de Israel: apoyar los asentamientos de Cisjordania
Jerusalén: los grupos de presión y el reconocimiento internacional
El templo: identificarse con el sionismoⁱ religioso
El futuro: rechazar los procesos de paz y precipitar el Armagedón
Las implicaciones políticas del sionismoⁱ cristiano: conclusiones

4. Conclusiones
Observaciones acerca de la evolución del sionismoⁱ cristiano
Variantes del sionismoⁱ cristiano
Aspectos constructivos y destructivos del sionismoⁱ cristiano
Evaluación crítica del sionismoⁱ cristiano
El sionismoⁱ bíblico y su alternativa en la teología de la Alianza

Glosario
Apéndice
Bibliografía
Índice de personas
Índice de temas
Índice de referencias bíblicas

El autor

Stephen Sizer (1953, Lowestoft) es doctor en Teología, miembro y antiguo director de la International Bible Society y miembro fundador del Instituto para el Estudio del Sionismoⁱ Cristiano (www.christianzionism.org). En la actualidad ejerce como vicario en la parroquia de Christ Church, Virginia Water (Surrey, Inglaterra).

Asiduo visitante de Oriente Próximo y máxima autoridad internacional en cuestiones vinculadas al sionismoⁱ cristiano y sus implicaciones teológicas y políticas en el conflicto palestino-israelí, Stephen Sizer ha expuesto sus argumentos en buen número de artículos y conferencias –en Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow, Chicago, Yakarta, El Cairo o Teherán–, cuya culminación es el presente volumen, que sintetiza para el gran público siete largos años de trabajo doctoral en instituciones académicas.

Stephen Sizer es además autor de otros libros: A Panorama of the Holy Land (Eagle, 1998), A Panorama of the Bible Lands (Eagle, 2002), In the Footsteps of Jesus and the Apostles (Eagle, 2004) y Zion’s Christian Soldiers: The Bible, Israel and the Church (IVP, 2007).

Reseñas

Reseñas sobre el libro (en inglés)

Seattle Pacific University hosts lecture on Christian Zionism

Stephen Sizer expands on the roots of Christian Zionism and its political implications during his lecture on Wednesday in Demaray Hall.

By BETH DOUGLASS, News Writer

Published: April 29 2009

The United States’ support of Israel is built on faulty principles and is hurting the country’s foreign policy, evangelical Anglican pastor and London author Stephen Sizer said.

Yesterday afternoon, Sizer spoke in Demaray Hall 150 at an event called “Christian Zionism: What is it? Its history, theology and political impact on the world today.”

Throughout the Israel-Palestinian conflict, the United States has offered unwavering support to Israel, Sizer said. Much of this is due to the prevalence of Christian Zionism, or Christians who support the modern political state of Israel, established in 1948, he said.

There is an antipathy toward the Arabs and Palestinians within Christian Zionism, Sizer said. He countered that the Bible calls us to reconciliation and tells us to love our enemies, he said.

“This theology is impacting attitudes and opinions in the Middle East,” he said. There is a view that God is blessing America because the nation is helping Israel, he said, resulting in the demonizing of Islam and the characterization of Arabs as dogs and liars.

Giving Israel a geographic homeland in Palestine may not be the correct fulfillment of God’s Old Testament promise to Israel, he said.

Palestine was turned into a secular state for Israel after World War II, according to the Rooftop Productions film “With God on Our Side.” From then on, Israel continued to take over Palestinian land, leaving many refugees.

Israelis then engaged in what some call an “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians, the film stated.

Growing up in the church and hearing many Old Testament Bible stories, U.S. Christians tend to idealize and romanticize Israel and Israeli culture, the film said.

When Americans hear about a conflict involving Israel, it seems obvious whose side they are on, the film said.

SPU is a very social justice-minded campus, yet there is little conversation about the situation in Palestine, said junior Kristin McCarthy, who helped plan the event.

“I think it is so sad how few people actually know about what is happening in Israel and Palestine,” she said.

Twenty to 40 million Americans support the Christian Zionism movement, according to the Pew Forum on Religion.

“I argue that it is shaping your foreign policy in the Middle East,” Sizer said.

Pro-Israeli groups are probably the most powerful lobbyists on Capitol Hill, Sizer said. Many of these lobbyists are Christian organizations.

Two-thirds of U.S. foreign aid goes to either Egypt or Israel, said John Berg, director of ministry advancement and development for a nonprofit organization called the Middle East Fellowship. The U.S. gives $10 billion per year to Israel, consisting of both official and unofficial foreign aid, he said.

“So much of our taxpayer money does go to the state of Israel,” said Professor of English Doug Thorpe. This makes U.S. Christians deeply invested in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, he said, and people are suffering because of how American foreign policy supports Israel.

No U.S. senator will speak against Israel, Sizer said, because to criticize Israel would be political suicide.

Some people have said Sizer’s viewpoint is anti-Semitic. However, he firmly upholds that this is not the case.

“I repudiate anti-Semitism unequivocally. Anti-Semitism is a form of racism,” Sizer said.

Fear of being anti-Semitic should not keep us from thinking critically about Christian Zionist ideas, Berg said.

There is a difference between Jewish ethnicity, Jewish religion and the modern country of Israel, Berg said. Historic anti-Semitism was against the Jewish ethnicity, he said, and Christian Zionism has redefined anti-Semitism.

The purpose of having Sizer speak on campus was not to advocate one particular viewpoint, but to start a conversation about the issue, McCarthy said.

“I think this is a really important conversation for the Christian community to be having,” she said.

Source: The Falcon Online