Tag Archives: Stephen Sizer

AlJazeera Arabic: Prophecies of Death… How do Prophecies Create Wars?

This episode of “The Story” delves into the rest of the file on Christian Zionism, its theological roots, and its impact on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It also reveals the contradictions within this ideology and how it is exploited to justify extremist political agendas. What is its influence on American policies? And how has it contributed to justifying Israel’s actions against the Palestinian people? Presented by: Fairouz Ziani

00:00 Introduction

03:30 Zionism as a Christian Evangelical Idea Before It Was Jewish

05:03 Colonial Britain and the Preparatory Stages for the Return of Christ

07:31 The Battle of Armageddon and the Mutual Exploitation of Both Sides

13:35 The Biblical Narrative and the Embassy Move: Giving the Green Light for Destruction

21:53 Welcoming the Guests and Starting the Discussion

22:08 What is “Christian Zionism” and How Does It Interpret Texts Religiously?

25:02 How did the West transform from “anti-Semitism” to an ally of Zionism?

27:44 Evangelical colonial missions and the groundwork laid for the Zionist project in the region

32:01 How do Christian and Jewish Zionism view the idea of ​​”the annihilation of the Jews”?

34:14 Israel’s transformation from a “secular state” to a “theocratic kingdom”

36:58 The dangers of the “sovereignty” movement and the manipulation of American foreign policy through myths

40:22 The rise of the global fascist right and the targeting of Islam and Muslims

41:39 The plan to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque and build the Third Temple: A religious or military plan?

45:30 “Functional Zionism” and the mechanisms for confronting this ideology in the region

47:42 The ban on DNA testing in Israel and the importance of gaining time for the benefit of Palestinian rights

50:02 Conclusion

Jesus and the Cup of Cold Water


“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

These are remarkable words. Jesus literally identifies himself with his disciples. To welcome one of Christ’s followers is to welcome Almighty God himself. They remind us that God is not distant from human suffering but is present among those who bear witness to his kingdom.

Jesus speaks these words as he sends his disciples into a world that will not always welcome them. Some will reject them, denigrate them, and even persecute them. Yet Jesus assures that those who receive them are receiving Christ himself.

This is a profound affirmation of dignity. In Palestine where many feel ignored by the international community, forgotten by powerful nations, or reduced to mere statistics, Jesus declares that those who belong to him are never invisible. Christ so identifies with his followers that by welcoming them we are literally welcoming him. 

This truth has both a comfort and a challenge.

Throughout the Gospel, Jesus identifies himself with those whom society overlooks. He was born under foreign military occupation. His family became refugees hiding in Egypt. He grew up among ordinary people far from the centres of power.

When Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me,” he reveals a God who is found not primarily in palaces or military headquarters but in villages and towns struggling to exist; among families mourning loved ones; among those working for peace and justice; among those refusing to surrender their humanity, emigrate or deny their faith. The Gospel challenges the world to recognize Christ in those it is tempted to ignore, and Jesus uses the imagery of a cup of cold water to rebuke those indifferent to or responsible for human suffering.

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones… will certainly not lose their reward.”

Giving someone a cup of cold water is a simple act but it can save a life. It does not solve every problem. It does not end wars or dismantle systems of injustice. Yet Jesus elevates such acts because they express and reveal the heart of God.

Palestinian society has long been known for hospitality. Even in difficult economic circumstances, guests are welcomed, meals are shared, and neighbours support one another. Jesus teaches that these ordinary acts of kindness are sacred. They are signs that God’s kingdom is already breaking into the world.

When resources are scarce, generosity becomes even more significant. 

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Challenging Christian Zionism

This webinar addresses how the US administration is embracing Christian Zionism and “end time” theology to justify unconditional support for Israel and unprovoked  war against Iran.

View my presentation on YouTube.

You can download an outline of my presentation here

See here for other translations and additional resources

The Deceptive Power of Dispensationalism and Christian Nationalism

The continuation of war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, now spreading to Lebanon, Pete Hegseth’s transformation of Pentagon into a Holy War Department, and the White House becoming a war cheering prayer house – all of those are necessitating a thorough conversation on the issues of Christian Zionism, dispensationalism, Christian nationalism, antisemitism and bad theologies that inspire the escalation of growing chaos and confusion in the US and the Middle East.

For that purpose we have updated several recent interviews with Rev Dr Stephen Sizer and created four 30-minute features. In the part one we are setting a stage for better understanding of Christian Zionism today by asking questions such as: How did we get here? Is the modern-day State of Israel a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy?

Rev Stephen Sizer said: “Ironically, it was Christians who sponsored and facilitated Zionism. Christian Zionism is simply Christian support for Zionism, but it preceded Jewish Zionism by at least 50 years. And today, nine out of 10 Zionists in the world are Christians. So Zionism is predominantly a Christian heresy. It’s a bit like saying, I’m a Christian racist. You can be a Christian or a racist, but you can’t be both. You can be a Christian or a Zionist, but you can’t be a Christian Zionist because Zionism is synonymous with supremacism, racism, apartheid. And that’s only been achieved through the use of military force, by ethnic cleansing, by expelling people off their land, demolishing their homes, forcing them to live as a subjugated people in an apartheid state. That’s what Israel is today. So, it’s anathema from my perspective that Christians would even dream of supporting such a monstrous creation.”

Further information on the historical roots and theological basis and political agenda of Christian Zionism

How to deconstruct Christian Zionism simply and biblically

Challenging the Heresy of Christian Zionism

This webinar will address how the US administration is embracing Christian Zionism and “end time” theology to justify unconditional support for Israel and unprovoked war against Iran.

Some Americans have referred to what it is doing in Iran as the US’s “Holy War”. Mike Huckebee, the US’s Ambassador to Israel, remarked in February that it would be fine if Israel took control of land that would include a huge swathe of the Middle East.

Such positions come from an interpretation of Bible verses identified as Christian Zionism. This theological and political belief system says that the modern State of Israel’s existence is a fulfilment of biblical prophecy and a necessary sign to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It combines strong support for Israel, particularly regarding control over Jerusalem and the West Bank, with an end-times world view.

During this hour-long webinar, Stephen Sizer will provide a summary about Christian Zionist beliefs. He will be followed by Michael Spath who will unpack how Christian Zionist theology as influenced US foreign policy and how US churches are responding to it.

Register for this webinar here

Bad Theology Busted: Episode 3 – The History of Christian Zionism with Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer

This month we’re continuing the conversation about Christian Zionism with Rev. Dr Stephen Sizer, the first Director of ISCZ. We’ll uncover more about the history of Christian Zionism and learn about why engaging in the work to combat this theology is so necessary.

Listen here

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Always Pray and Do Not, Repeat Not, Give Up (Luke 18:1-8)

Scientists tell us that we can survive for about three weeks without food, three days without water but only about three minutes without oxygen. If that is true physically, it is also true spiritually. Our gospel and epistle readings for today, while written by Luke and Paul with different purposes in mind, actually complement each other. They describe the two most fundamental ways we grow to know God and become more like Jesus. Bible reading and prayer can be likened to breathing. Spiritual breathing. We breathe in God’s word and breathe out God’s word in our prayers – that is, the scriptures guide us in what to pray, when to pray and how to pray.  

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Church at the Crossroads:  Our Response to the Public Calls of Palestinian Christians

Christians gathering at the Church at the Crossroads conference in Glen Ellyn, Illinois in September, issued a vital and timely declaration. In it, they sought to respond to two public calls from our Christian siblings in Palestine and the Middle East: “An Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians” (October 2023) and “A Collective Call to the Global Church from Middle East Evangelical Leaders” (August 2024). 

Unable to attend personally, I nevertheless wholeheartedly endorse the declaration and urge you not only to sign it, but pledge to share it and endeavour, with God’s help, to make it a reality.

Read and endorse the Declaration here

View resources and recordings from the conference here

Church at the Crossroads was held on September 11-13 in Glen Ellyn, IL.

It is a gathering of Christians who recognize that the church stands at a defining moment–Jesus is urgently calling us back to the narrow way of the cross. As violence escalates in Israel and Palestine, and some in the Church use Scripture to justify war, occupation, or silence, we must ask: Have we traded the gospel of peace for the false promises of security and comfort? 

At this crossroads, the Church must choose. Will we follow the political idols of our day—or Jesus, who disarmed the powers and made peace through His blood?

Rooted in Scripture and led by Palestinian Christian leaders—alongside pastors and peacemakers from across North America—this conference invites American Christians to engage in honest reckoning, prophetic reflection, and faithful action. Through worship, prayer, teaching, and fellowship, we are called to repentance, renewal, and courageous discipleship. This is a space to confront harmful theologies, rediscover the gospel of the Kingdom, and stand with all who seek justice in the land.

Jesus is calling the Church—not to comfort, but to faithfulness, peace, and costly love. 

Will we follow?

Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism: Christian Zionism and the Church of England

The Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism publishes the Journal for the Study of Christian Zionism.

The first edition includes an article of mine on the history of Christian Zionism and the Church of England.

You may download the journal here.

It was my great privilege to be the founding director of the Institute.

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs

“GAZA TODAY has become the moral compass of the world,” insisted the Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac in his 2023 Christmas sermon, entitled “Christ in the Rubble.” Lamentably, many Christian leaders in the United States and Europe have stood by, Genocideunwilling to criticize Israel for what is increasingly recognized as a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people. This article assesses the official statements of the Church of England on the genocide in Gaza published since Oct. 7, 2023, and the moral integrity of the church’s stance on Gaza. Continue reading…