Biblical Zionism
The world is in the midst of a revolution. We are young American-born Jews living in Israel who have dedicated the last two years of our lives to spreading the beauty, depth, and dimension of Judaism and Israel to the world. We have been speaking to Jews in their synagogues on Saturdays and to Christians in their churches on Sundays, seeking to strengthen the emotional and spiritual connection of people around the world to the Land of Israel. There is a new brotherhood growing – one that is unprecedented in world history. A unity is being formed between the Jewish and Christian worlds anchored in common beliefs, shared values, and a love for Israel and her people.
Many Jews in Israel and around the world are skeptical of this new “Christian love”, and understandably so. Practically since the advent of Christianity, Christians have either tried to convert us or kill us. The Crusades, pogroms, Inquisition, and the Holocaust are scars on the Jewish collective consciousness and were all waged in the name of the cross and Christianity. Even today, it seems that most of the world despises Israel, demanding to divest both economically and isolate politically. Yet in a world that often seems so cold and lonely for the Jew, there is a unified voice growing stronger and more effective every day calling to protect us and support us; unconditionally.
Large segments of the Christian world are in the midst of a metamorphosis. “Christian Zionists” are the most rapidly burgeoning movement in the Christian world today. One of our first encounters with these Jew-loving Christians was at The New Covenant Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. As we entered the Church, a “battalion” of Christian youth in IDF uniforms stormed into the building waving Israeli flags, singing Israeli songs in Hebrew while dancing joyously around us. While at first we were astounded by this spectacle, we have grown accustomed to these acts of love and solidarity.
To truly understand this transformation, one needs to look no further than the Tanach – The Jewish Bible, otherwise known as The Old Testament. To these evangelical
Christians, “The Old Testament” is no longer considered an obsolete covenant between the Jewish people and their G-d, but rather the fundamental roots of the Christian belief system. Christians are reconnecting to their Jewish roots, heritage, and tradition by celebrating Passover, Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), and Shavuot (Pentecost). They will opt to buy a Mezuzah over a wreath or a Star of David rather than a crucifix. Most Judaica retailers can tell you that their fastest growing customer demographic is the Christian world.
One of the biblical verses that lie at the heart of this upheaval is Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and those who curse you, I will curse. All of the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” There is an inherent desire of people to understand where they come from and where they are going. In recent history Christians have witnessed numerous prophecies promised to the Jewish people come into fruition ranging from the blatant miracle of the creation of the State of Israel to the ingathering of the exiles from the four corners of the earth, and they are drawing their own conclusions. Believe it or not, there are pastors who are not comfortable calling themselves Christians anymore; they associate the term with two millennia of hatred towards the Jew and don’t feel connected to the religion that historically called itself Christianity. These leaders seek to change the course of history and extricate what they see as “pagan” influences from their faith, returning to what they believe are their Jewish roots.
As orthodox Jews, we welcome their love and support for it is based on our Torah, which we know is true. There are no arguments about the importance of the book of Genesis anymore. We all see the value and wisdom of the Tanach and if this love is based on truth with no strings attached, then we see it as a positive force that needs to be nurtured and developed.
One pastor from North Carolina came to visit us in Israel after we spoke to his community in the U.S. At the end of our meeting, he handed us an envelope of cash, collected in a wicker basket passed around his church as an offering for the poor and needy Jews of Jerusalem. He handed it to us, explaining that he knew he could trust us to get it into the right hands, and seemed offended at the idea of a tax deductible receipt. What struck us most was that he didn’t want it given to Jews in the name of Christianity or for them to even know it came from Christians. There were no ulterior motives. This community of righteous gentiles nestled in the hills of North Carolina wanted one thing – to bless the Jewish people. To us, that is a revolution.
This column is meant to be an invitation to the world to unite and stand for Israel, to discover and nurture our common sources of inspiration and belief, and to work together to accomplish good in the world. This column is also a warning to Christians who seek to change the Jewish people. Although you may see your intentions as good, we see you as the force that divides our worlds and burns the bridges we are striving to build. We hope that you will choose to unite and not divide. In Isaiah, Chapter 14, there is a prophecy of righteous gentiles who join the House of Jacob and others who do not. We urge you to read what happens to both. This is an invitation from Ari & Jeremy as we strive to be an authentic Jewish voice coming out of Jerusalem to the nations of the world. We look forward to your letters and e mails; ask questions, suggest topics for discussion, give us feedback. The dialog has begun: may these efforts and those of many others help bridge the gaps between us.
“…for my house will be a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7.
Shalom Ari and Jeremy! What an awesome and inspiring article this is! It is so truthful. I know that there are Jews that are skeptical of our intentions, and I would love them to know that they do come from a sincere heart. We have discovered that we have been fed lies and consumed those lies for 2000 years. Now many thousands of us are walking away from mainstream Christianity, the lies associated with it, and the pagan traditions that is celebrates. Example: Christmas, Easter, etc… Regardless of whether or not you believe he is or is not the Messiah, he was in fact a Jew, and a keeper of the Torah. Therefore we have allot of learning to do! Thank you for helping us with questions we may have in regards to the Torah. The Torah is the only foundation! Without that foundation, your faith is useless! I love Israel and the Jewish people, and I want to say I am so very, very sorry for the way that my “Christian forefathers” persecuted you. It makes me sick at heart. If only time could be reversed and those atrocity’s had never happened. But they did, and now we are at your mercy….. will you forgive us? Can we make amends now? I promise to stand with you, now and forever. Whatever it costs me. Some call me Hadassah, and let me make a proclamation right now…… If standing with you puts me in jeopardy somehow, then “If I perish, I perish!” - Hadassah
Your phrase “Biblical Zionism” is crucial to keeping us from becoming derailed into mere ecumenism. To be able to get along with each other is nice, but friendship and niceites are a poor foundation against the storms that are on the horizon.
Secular Zionists have recently shown they are capable of betraying the religious Jew despite your common language, history, and land. Secular Christians will do the same. The focus must stay Biblical.
you two are an inspiration to us all. Keep striving for the truth in the world regardless of your nay sayers.
I like very much what you are doing — I am trying to advance the same ideas in my web-site which is named “Judaism between Orthodoxy and Secularism in the Real World”
Thank you,
Vladimir Minkov
Skokie, IL, USA
I love Israel. I love the Jewish people. And I love your G-d!!!
I was born and raised in a pentecostal evangelical church. I am 57 years old. And I consider myself blessed because of the godly pastors who taught us to love and pray for Israel!
I am trying to teach what you teach- to love our fellow Israelis, regardless of religion, etc. I have collected over 41,000 teddy bears and stuffed toys and sent them to my partners, Betty and Ed Wolfe in Kfar Saba, who have distributed them mostly to the children in Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. No one stops to ask a child there if he or she is Jewish or not. We are here to build brotherhood and sisterehood. We figured that it is best to begin with a toy. Toys are universal. So we began with something cuddly. We hope to keep this project going and expanding. I can be contacted at 551-804-8749 cell or email at lgcg98@aol.com if anyone would like to help us. Thank you for all of your wonderful work that you have done. Claire Ginsburg Goldstein
Hello How are you all
I really love this article I think maybe G-d is starting to heal past rifts and to teach us about our jewish roots and help us be united. I have this real love for Israel and Jews that is a bit puzzeling because I am an Australian and I live at the other end of the earth. My 2 of my grandfathers brothers were Light Horse Anzac soldiers and 1 died fighting for the land of Israel In 1917 at Beersheba. They won Jerusalem back for you from the turks we have a war memorial in Albany Western Australia that is dedicated to that Battle. Anyway G-d Bless lets serve our G-d Together Donna
Thank you for your thoughtful article. I am a Christian Zionist. I understand that the coming of the Messiah did not nullify the covenant of God with his people Israel, nor did it cause God to break his promises to Abraham and the Patriarchs. I am thankful that, as Paul said, it made a way for me to be “grafted in” to the family tree of the one true God.
I do not claim to understand how God will fulfill all He has promised, but obviously He is able. In the meantime I will pray for Israel, and for the peace of Jerusalem, as God has commanded. I appreciate this opportunity to receive updates from the nation of Israel. Thanks again for your work and your message.
Hi ! I just coming from my first visit to Israel this last week. I shared time with my brothers (the Jewish people) at the wailing wall. I met nice people there. I visited Jerusalem and walked through the old street and I felt something special. I went to a area that you can observed the City of Jerusalem. Then I prayed for the Peace of Jerusalem and the peace for Isarel.
Both Jews and Christians have something in common that God is above us and in some way we are connected in a spiritual way. I encourage you keep it up and continue with your mission.
God bless you, and God bless Israel
Gerardo Bloise
Orlando, Florida
May all who claim to love the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob do as Gen12:3 says and bless the Jewish people and the land of Israel and pray for her peace……………..and may the Temple be built speedily in our day!
Blessings,
Rachel Frank
(from Montana but in the Land of Israel currantly)
Thousands years ahead of my Catholic Faith, my Jewish older brothers have well preserved the Glorious, Holy Book, I call the Old Testament. I recognize the Jewish traditions in my Catholic rites. I believe the genuine, beautiful brotherhood between the Catholics and the Jews will keep growing better time after time, and can be extended to our brothers of other faiths. Peace be with us, in Israel, in the Middle East, and all over the world.
G-d has put in my heart a love and desire for Israel since I was a child of which I cannot explain. King Solomon made a dedication and prayer to our G-d during his completion of the Temple. He prayed for me, a stranger-saying to G-d on my behalf. Please read 1 Kings Chapter 8 for a better understanding. King Solomon prayed for his people first, then he prayed for us the stranger, then in Chapter 9, the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time telling him that He has heard his prayer and supplications.