Geoffrey Penn Posted: 30 September 2010
Keywords: Christianity & Religion, Government & Foreign Affairs,
Christians fail to do justice to ‘politics’ when they seek to withdraw from the political arena or to use political power to dominate society. Similarly, Christians misunderstand ‘eschatology’ when they obsessively focus on debates about end-times chronology and when they effectively ignore it altogether. In each case, the purpose of biblical eschatology – critique, hope and a re-ordering of everyday priorities and relationships – and hence the political implications of God’s coming and present kingdom, are neglected. A broader understanding of politics and eschatology contends that everything we do is significant in the sight of God and in the light of the future.
A great article by Geoffrey Penn, especially the short but extremely relevant section on Christian Zionism. Refreshing to finally read on a decent theologically minded web site, albeit briefly, about how our eschatological view can shape and drive current political situations. Christian Zionism is the major stumbling block to not only peace in the Middle East, but also the mission of the church in the Middle East. Christian Zionists need to ask: What is the Good News to the Occupied Palestinian people? I'm not convinced Christian Zionism has any Good News for Palestinians. In the 19th century it was two Rabbis who, after visiting Palestine commented, ''The land is beautiful but she is married to another man.'' It doesn't take much imagination to hear what the prophets would say about that!
Richard Matcham 30 September 2010
Thanks for the feedback, Richard. If you haven't already seen it, you can find more on the subject in our 1996 Cambridge Paper "Centre stage: Jerusalem or Jesus?"
John Hayward 1 October 2010
This essay shows respect for the differing sides in the premillennialism vs postmillennialism debate, but its argument that Christian Zionism is wrong proceeds merely by insult, calling this theology 'dubious' and 'eccentric' and referring to the most partisan author on the subject. A good corrective to this shrillness is David Pawson's book "Defending Christian Zionism" - written by a sober English evangelical in his 70s, not a glossy televangelist. You don't have to be a dispensationalist to hold this view, moreover.
Moses warns of the exile of a Jewish kingdom in Deuteronomy 28:36, and an exile to all parts of the earth in Deuteronomy 28:64. Since the end of the kingdom saw a local exile, and since the post-apostolic dispersal was not the end of a kingdom, these are distinct events. Zechariah's prophecy of a future return (8:7-8) was made after the exiles had come back from Babylon. Isaiah (11:11-12) speaks of a second return to the Holy Land, from the four quarters of the earth. This took place when the state of Israel was set up in 1948, after the Holocaust. Amos 9:15 and Ezekiel 37:21-25 portrays a permanent return of exiles to the Holy Land, unlike the return from Babylon. These prophecies should be interpreted in the same way and detail as those predicting Jesus Christ. They fit 1948.
Richard: I find your comment extraordinary that "Christian Zionism is the major stumbling block to... peace in the Middle East." Look rather to a religion whose holy book tells its adherents to fight ceaselessly to the death until this religion prevails universally.
Tony Williamson 23 December 2010
I enjoyed this article immensely. As Christianity is attacked more and more openly in society it eats away at the foundations of believer's faith. The church's response can be to 'sing ever stronger' to drown out the doubts (no bad thing in itself) but such a well written biblically based article attacks the root of the doubt by dealing with the issue. I found the approach to Christian Zionism very reasonable. This article has prompted me to look to the return of Jesus with a renewed sense of priority and to encourage others to do likewise.
David Daly 24 April 2011
Tony, you misunderstand my intention. You assume (it seems), that all Palestinians are Muslim (that's how I understand your "holy book" comment). BUT, you forget, there are Palestinian Christians too! So where and how do you fit these faithful brothers and sisters into your scheme of things? Also, revise your interpretation of Amos 9:15. Find the NT reference fulfillment of it, and then ask yourself: Does it really fit 1948? I find your oversight extraordinary!!
Richard Matcham 24 September 2011