Conservative Christians are not always known for their tolerance of other religions and yet there is strong conservative Christian support for the Jewish state of Israel. This is especial strange as there is a noticeable strain of antisemitism within Protestant Christianity.
Why do so many evangelical Christians express their support for Israel? As with most questions, we look to history.
Some of it goes right back to the Reformation. While for some Reformers, the attitude toward Jews was conversion or persecution, others began to link the idea of a Jewish home with their eschatology.
This developed further among some Puritans who saw a Jewish return to Palestine as a hastening of the second coming of Jesus. After waning for a season, Christian Zionism increased once more with the rise of the Pietists and the Wesleys. This increased once again with the development of premillennialism, which taught that there would be a tribulation and a millennial reign of Christ. A restoration of Israel was seen as a necessary event.
The fall of the Ottoman Empire after their defeat in the First World War, Palestine became a British protectorate. Christian Zionism was strong in Britain and there was a strong push toward nationhood.
The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 was not the end of Christian Nationalism or support for Israel. Events following the Second World War only seemed to increase interest in eschatology. Hal Lindsey, in his bestselling The Late Great Planet Earth, strongly hinted that Jesus would return in 1988⏤40 years or one generation after the creation of Israel.
The various wars that Israel has fought and won, often against superior numbers, have only increased the mystique surrounding Israel and its ultimate destiny.
There is no one monolithic Christian view of Israel, even among those who support Israel. Some Christians support the existence of Israel for its eschatological role but hold some antisemitic views. Others see the Jewish people as important religious allies.
Increased violence between the Israelis and the Palestinians have only sharpened the disagreements among Christians.
If you are interested in learning more, you might like A Short History of Christian Zionism: From the Reformation to the Twenty-First Century (Note: this is an Amazon affiliate link)
