COuntering CHRISTIAN ZIONISM
A TOOLKIT FOR ACTIVISTS AND LOCAL LEADERS
What this toolkit will Help you do
Teach your community about the threat of Christian Zionism
Understand Christian Zionism, learn best practices to challenge it, and discover liberating theological alternatives
Join FOSNA’s nationwide effort
Become a City Lead: Recruit and mobilize your community to join with others to Counter Christian Zionism
Protest a Christian Zionist gathering in your area
Gain the skills you need to nonviolently confront Christian Zionist organizing, such as Christians United for Israel (CUFI) in your area
**An explanation of Christian Zionism is available in Spanish here. / Una explicación del sionismo cristiano está disponible en español aquí.
The arbirary arrest, and inhuman detention of Palestinian children is one of Israel's many war crimes. Learn more at nowaytotreatachild.org
Explaining Christian Zionism
Christian Zionist theology holds that Israel must gather all the Jews of the world, enlarge its territory, destroy Muslim holy places, and ethnically cleanse “the holy land” of all non-Jews. A majority of evangelical Christians in the United States believe that support for such actions by Israel will help hasten the the return of Christ and the desired end of the world. While most theologians (be they progressive or evangelical) consider it heresy, many Christians hold this far-right ideology without realizing its implications.
Christian Zionism is a political and theological ideology that misuses Christian texts to support the modern nation-state of Israel out of the belief that Israel has a cosmic purpose in bringing about the “End Times” which will culminate in the second coming of Jesus and the end of the world.
Christian Zionists make up the largest US voting bloc supporting Israel’s most heinous practices. Christian Zionist lobbies like CUFI leverage their political power to ensure the US gives moral and political cover to Israeli colonization, war crimes, and ethnic cleansing.
Understanding the political ideology of Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism is a politically potent force mobilized by organizations like Christians United for Israel (CUFI) to directly fund Israeli settlements, lobby political leaders, and demonize Palestinian solidarity movements. The ideology gained and maintains power by aligning itself with the goals of empire, providing theological and moral cover for colonialism.
History
The history of Christian Zionism is deeply tied to certain strands of fundamentalist Christianity, particularly those tied historically (and presently) to imperialism and white supremacy. Christian Zionist theology is deeply tied to empire, originating at the height of British colonial expansion.
Dating back to the late-18th and early-19th centuries, Christian Zionism actually predates Jewish Zionism. Decades before Theodor Herzl founded Zionism (1897) as a secular nationalist movement among European Jews, British Christian leaders had already fixated upon the idea that “Jews should move to Palestine.” First appearing within puritan and later pietist circles, such "restorationist" ideas would gain significant traction among those Scottish Presbyterians who came to exert significant influence over British colonial policy (the infamous Lord Balfour most prominent among them). Informed by their theology, they falsely portrayed the land as empty and awaiting Jewish return. Meanwhile, it was the speculative 19th-century dispensationalism of John Nelson Darby, popularized by the then-ubiquitous Scofield Reference Bible, which truly helped disseminate such views within the American context. Even among those who had never in-fact met a Jew, let alone travel to the Holy Land, Jewish rule in Palestine came to be seen as a prerequisite for the return of Christ.
Lord Arthur Balfour was influenced by his Christian Zionist and antisemitic beliefs to support the political Zionist movement.
By the early 20th century leading politicians in Britain, including Prime Minister David Lloyd George and Lord Arthur Balfour, were deeply influenced by Christian Zionism. They and others supported the fledgling Jewish Zionist movement, helping it to expand and gain influence in Britain. This support would culminate in the Balfour Declaration, which granted Zionism international recognition and is still used as justification for the Zionist takeover of Palestine despite its origins in the context of British imperial ambition and WWI realpolitik. When leading American evangelists saw how these ideas influenced audiences, Christian Zionism became a key (albeit not universal) tenet of the Christian Fundamentalist movement of the early 1900s. To this day, political support for Israel remains a major tenet within Christian Fundamentalist communities.
After working hard for the establishment of a Zionist state within historic Palestine, as based upon a misguided reading of biblical prophecy, Israel’s creation in 1948 and eventual conquest of Jerusalem in 1967 came to be seen then as the fulfillment and therefore proof of such beliefs. It is, quite literally, the definition of “self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Contemporary Political Influence
A number of organizations promote Christian Zionist goals. They give money to Israeli settlements, perpetuate anti-Muslim hatred, slander those who speak up for Palestinian rights, and have incredible lobbying power with the US government. The largest of these organizations, Christians United for Israel (CUFI), report a following of eight million members; this is more than ten times the size of the significantly more well-known and infamous lobby group AIPAC.
Established in 2006, CUFI has long held strong connections within conservative politics. Its founder John Hagee was described by George W. Bush’s Press Secretary as being “able to quickly get someone on the phone at the White House.” As CUFI has grown into a massive and influential political machine in recent years, conservative Christians have been successful at translating their Christian Zionist beliefs to policy. While CUFI has long held political sway with past administrations, it found a champion in Donald Trump (as well as those who would seek to take up his mantle).
CUFI has celebrated playing a role in some of Trump’s most hawkish and repressive policies, such as the move of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, the ironically named “Executive Order on Combating Antisemitism," the annexation of the Golan Heights, cutting humanitarian funding to Palestinians, and hostility with Iran.
While many have criticized organizations like AIPAC for promoting harmful US policies toward Palestinians, AIPAC’s size and influence pales in comparison to CUFI. CUFI has quietly become the largest organization in the United States driving support for Israel’s colonization and military occupation of Palestine, including the imprisonment of Palestinian children; the bombing of homes, schools, and hospitals in Gaza; massacring peaceful protestors; and the confiscation of Palestinian land. CUFI has cemented its place as a religio-nationalist organization that openly drives U.S. imperialism and the ongoing colonization of Palestine, all in the name of Christianity.
CUFI has received direct funding from the Israeli government in order to carry out activities promoting Christian Zionism, within North America and around the world, and lobbying for anti-Palestinian policies.
The theological background
At its core, Christian Zionism is a political theology. It is a synthesis of political ideology and religious belief designed to give Christian Zionists the necessary theological, political, and economic basis to justify their unqualified support for Israel. Essentially, it is an attempt to grant divine sanction to the modern state of Israel and gloss over any act of colonial violence they commit. Most evangelical Christians hold a Christian Zionist perspective without even realizing it. While it is a widely held belief, it is not a deeply held belief (see talking to Christian Zionists below).
End Times Theology
Christian Zionist theology is heavily rooted in a particular type of popular apocalyptic eschatology, a field of reflection about the end of human history and the manner in which it comes about. Within this framework, the creation of Israel as a state is viewed as a fulfilment of biblical prophecy, marking an important signpost before the return of Jesus. For many Christians, this moment is intimately connected with blissful concepts like the end of all suffering, earth being restored to its original perfection, and eternal comfort.
Christian Zionist theology, however, holds that before this future can come about Israel must gather together all the Jews of the world, enlarge its territory, destroy the Muslim holy places, and ethnically cleanse “the holy land” of all non-Jews. As it currently stands (though fortunately the number is decreasing rapidly), a majority of evangelical Christians in the United States believe that support for such actions will hasten the desired end of the world. This particular belief is fairly recent in Christian history, only coming into popular belief in the 1800s through the writings of John Darby and others described above. Christian Zionism is a far-right ideology to which most Christian denominations do not ascribe. Yet popular evangelists have sold this ideology widely. It’s popularity is due in large part to the second tenet of the ideology . . . economics.
Economic Theology
The second part of Christian Zionism is as deeply pragmatic and concerned about life on this earth as the first part is esoteric and concerned about a life to come. Motivated by economic connections to a prosperous Israeli state, Christian Zionism holds fast to a misreading of Genesis 12:3, where God says to Abram “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” In their interpretation, the modern state of Israel becomes the “you” referred to in the verse. This falsely conflates the biblical Hebrews (an oft-marginalized and oppressed people) with modern Israel (a colonial nation state that is marginalizing and oppressing the Palestinian people). Drawing on principles taken from the prosperity gospel, which is a misguided belief that God will reward people with financial and material success, Christian Zionism states that one’s experience of blessing is predicated upon on one’s support for the state of Israel.
The promise of economic gain has been used by Christian Zionist missionaries to promote this ideology within traditionally marginalized communities, as well as export it to countries of the “global south.” Exploiting the promise of prosperity, organizations have been established to ensure that Christians around the world continually support Israel, both monetarily and politically. The largest and most powerful of these organizations, as mentioned, is CUFI. While Christian Zionism contains many theological elements, it is ultimately an ideology built upon greed and power. The theology acts as a smoke screen for the hateful ideology which lies beneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Select one of the links below to view the answer to the question. (Thanks to ChristianZionism.org)
An explanation of Christian Zionism is available in Spanish here. / Una explicación del sionismo cristiano está disponible en español aquí.
Christian Zionism in the Nineteenth & Twentieth Centuries, and Today
Biblical Questions
Who are God’s “chosen people” today?
Does God bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel?
Is Jerusalem the exclusive and undivided eternal, capital of the Jewish people?
Will believers soon be ‘raptured’ to heaven?
Theological Questions
Political Questions
What is a military occupation? Which laws apply?
Do Israel's actions in the West Bank constitute a military occupation?
Why do some refer to the West Bank and Gaza as “disputed territory”?
Is the situation of Gaza also an occupation?
Do Palestinians have a legal right to resist Israel’s military occupation?
What are the legal standards for one country to annex another country or territory?
What about the special plight of children living under occupation?
Christian Zionism In The News
How does Christian Zionism affect the news we hear every day?
What’s wrong with Christian Zionism?
Understanding the history and theological background of Christian Zionism, a few points become painfully clear:
Christian Zionism is powerful
Christians United for Israel is the biggest and strongest Israel lobby in the country. They claim to have more than ten times as many members as AIPAC. Though CUFI officially reports spending less money on lobbying than AIPAC, it’s categorization as a “Church” shields it from having to report much of its income and spending, allowing CUFI the power to spend without accountability.
Christian Zionism is anti-peace
It is important to point out that CUFI’s political goal is not “peace in the Middle East.” Quite the opposite, as their theology and lobbying efforts show, they support Israeli dominance. CUFI has consistently decried any peace negotiation in the region, especially the recent Iranian nuclear deal. To them, hostility and war are positive signs that their apocalyptic goals are coming to fruition.
Christian Zionism is a supremacist ideology
Christian Zionism was built upon and maintains a commitment to Christian supremacism. While it’s not uncommon for religious communities or ideological movements to claim exclusivity, or adhere to what may seem like mutually exclusive belief systems, the assertion of socio-cultural and political supremacy over and against one’s non-Christian or non-fundamentalist neighbors is a form of supremacism that runs counter to the spirit of Christ. Though proponents may speak of “Judeo-Christian values,” they are only concerned with a Christian (or more specifically “Western Christian”) reading of such values.
Organizations like CUFI push for Christian nationalism, the privileging of “cultural Christianity” and “traditional [read: white] values” in American civil life. Cultural Christianity is deeply tied to whiteness. In other words, what outwardly racist white nationalists say they are doing to “preserve whiteness” are the same things that Christian nationalists like CUFI say they do to “preserve Christian values.”
Christian Zionism is anti-Muslim
The ideology of Christian Zionism demands an enemy. To many evangelicals, that enemy is Muslim. Christian Zionist leaders have been some of the worst perpetrators of anti-Muslim bigotry in the world. As one researcher put it, “Nearly every evangelical supporter of Israel I spoke with joined [their] biblical and political views to reach two related conclusions: that God has given the Jews eternal ownership of the entire biblical land of Israel and that Arabs and other Muslims are determined to sabotage that divine covenant.” Within Christian Zionist thinking, Muslims and Arabs (they rarely differentiate between the two) must play the role of the “enemies of God’s will.”
Christian Zionism is antisemitic
Organizations like CUFI claim to be “philo-semitic” based on a shared political interest with many Jewish organizations in “supporting Israel.” Yet CUFI’s support for Israel’s worst practices is purely self-centered and not out of any care on might have for Jews. Christian Zionism construes Jewish identity and values to fit into a neat stereotype. Christian Zionism is not a “post-Holocaust” theology that wrestles with historic European anti-Semitism and Christian supremacism that would result in genocide. Instead, it maintains a posture of Christian supremacy, using Jews and Israel merely pawns within a prefabricated apocalyptic schema. This ideology cares nothing about Jewish values, diaspora Jews, or Judaism, but only Israel’s value as it relates to Christian Zionism.
The words of Christian Zionist leaders bear this out. John Hagee, head of CUFI propagates a number of antisemitic stereotypes. He has claimed that Hitler was a “half breed Jew,” that God cursed Jews, that “Rothchild bankers in Europe” controlled the economy, that the holocaust was ordained by God to send Jews “back to Israel,” and that antisemitism and the holocaust itself was the fault of Jews. He declared, “Their own rebellion had birthed the seed of anti-Semitism that would arise and bring destruction to them for centuries to come.”
According to Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council, “CUFI claims to defend Israel in the name of supporting Jewish people. But in the theology of Christian Zionism, Jews are a means to an end with the ultimate goal being Christian salvation. That is an inherently antisemitic theology because it reduces Jews to pawns. I urge my community to reject CUFI because these people do not care about peace and justice, and they are not our friends.”
Christian Zionism is anti-Christ
Theologically speaking, Christian Zionism makes a mockery of Christ in the same manner that it can be said Zionism makes a mockery of the Hebrew prophets. In their idolization of a modern-day nation-state, Christian Zionists have effectively dethroned Jesus in their marginalization of his mission, message, and ethical demands. In their insistence upon Israel as the fulfilment of biblical prophecy, they conveniently ignore Jesus Christ’s own claims to the same. In their obsession with real estate, they ignore the universal implications of Christ’s kingdom and the New Testament assertion that the whole earth is in-fact holy land. In their obsession with rebuilding the temple, they ignore Christ’s own assertion that first he and later the Holy Spirit through his people were in-fact the locus of God’s divine presence and dwelling place on earth. It must be added, however, the the Hebrew prophets had already set forth a vision of authentic, post-exilic faith no longer dependent upon land, power, or temple.
How to talk about Christian Zionism
Telling real life stories of Palestinians who suffer because of the policies Christian Zionists push. Palestinians share these stories on sites like: wearenotnumbers.org
For such an openly hateful ideology, Christian Zionism has been allowed to spread unchallenged. This is in part because people have found it easier to ignore rather than engage or confront.
Don’t simply talk about what’s wrong with Christian Zionism.
Do clearly articulate Liberating theological alternatives.
It should be clear that Christian Zionism is a problematic ideology. But it’s not enough to deconstruct Christian Zionism. We also offer an alternative theology that is centered on the liberatory message of Jesus.
A common Christian Zionist talking point is to portray any other Christian theology as “replacement theology,” an antisemitic theology that teaches that Christian church replaced Judaism as the “chosen people.” If we do not state what we believe in, we open ourselves to this critique.
Liberation Theology, on the other hand, says that all people are loved by God, all lands are holy, and that God is not “a racist real estate agent.” Rather, God stands on the side of the poor and oppressed. Being clear on what we are about preempts the false dichotomy between Christian Zionism and replacement theology.
We know, in fact, that Christian Zionism doesn’t solve any of the problems of Christian antisemitism. It doesn’t problematize Christian supremacy, it doesn’t reinterpret antisemitic readings of scripture, doesn’t do any of the hard work entailed in “post-Holocaust theology,” nor does it seek to deeply understand Judaism or Jewish values. Instead, it shortcuts all of that, implying that supporting Israel is the only needed correction for western Christianity in the face of its role in the Holocaust and centuries of anti-Semitism. Christian Zionism construes Jewish identity and values to fit into a neat stereotype. Christian Zionists do not care about Jewish values, diaspora Jews, or Judaism, but only Israel’s value as it serves the interests of Christian Zionism.
Liberation Theology calls for the liberation of all people from the forces of oppression. It critiques colonial Christianity and imperial religion that claims superiority over other religions and peoples. We confront the antisemitism perpetuated by European Christians, as we recognize its connection to anti-Muslim and even anti-Catholic beliefs. Liberation theology demands that we have an intersectional analysis, not pitting the oppression of one group against another, but recognizing the systems that cause oppression wherever it is found.
Don’t get caught up in Theological debates.
Do Talk about Real-life consequences of beliefs.
If you hear Christian Zionist pastors speak about Israel, they will often pay lip service to scripture, proof-texting one or two verses but quickly shifting the focus to political realities. While Christian Zionism is often portrayed as spiritual, and not political, the real-world ramifications of such beliefs are destructive for the lived realities of real people all over the world. As such, focus on the real-life effects of the beliefs in question rather than debating abstract theological nuances when discussing Christian Zionism.
When discussing Christian Zionism, we must recognize that Christian Zionism runs in lockstep with American exceptionalism and white supremacy. This is why it wields such power. Though many evangelicals claim to see Israel through a spiritual lens, their faith has actually been co-opted by an oppressive political ideology. As the events in Israel fit (or can be construed to fit) the theological assumptions of Christian Zionism, the ideology is perpetuated. For instance, the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem, for which CUFI lobbied, was praised as being the fulfillment of prophecy. Even while they invest in specific Israeli policies (and US policies toward Israel) that they see as proving their end time theory, they have little knowledge of the human and environmental costs of such policies.
For those evangelicals and others who truly believe their theology is just but also see support for Israel as a theological obligation, highlighting the inherent contradiction by showing how Christian Zionism perpetuates injustice becomes a key way of talking about it. So, when talking about Christian Zionism, focus on the real life stories of Palestinians who suffer as a result of the policies Christian Zionists push. Name Palestinian home demolitions. Discuss the system of apartheid created by Israel. Talk about children being locked away. Mention increased violence and hostility. These are each manifestations of Christian Zionism’s impact on US policy, an ideology that wants Israel to expand its territory, remove all non-Jews from the land, and protect Israel from any scrutiny by claiming that God will curse those who go against the will of the Israeli government!
Don’t take it for granted as a Christian doctrine.
Do contextualize it historically and politically.
Christian Zionism is rightly called a Christian heresy because it teaches ethnic exclusivity in direct defiance of the life and teachings of Jesus. Yet, Christian Zionism is often seen as the default Christian understanding, a notion we must debunk. Placing Christian Zionism in its proper historical context reveals it to be a theology of empire. It is based on a theology that is both relatively modern in Christian history and yet already outdated, part and parcel of a long line of imperial Christianity that includes such ideas as the doctrine of discovery, manifest destiny, and slaveholder religion. However, there is also a long and distinguished line of Christian movements which have spoken against such abusive religious ideologies. Liberation Theology is among them.
Don’t write it off as a fringe religious ideology.
Do recognize its very real influence on U.S. Politics and your community.
Christian Zionism is not constrained to the confines of CUFI summits. Diluted forms of such ideas are widespread. They are prevalent in every Christian denomination and have an effect far beyond Christian circles as well.
Beyond right wing ideologues like John Hagee, the Christian establishment is solidly Zionist. Or, if not expressly Zionist, they at least find it more convenient to remain silent then to stand up for the rights and dignity of Palestinians, who are fighting a liberation struggle against ethnic cleansing. Jewish theologian Marc Ellis has termed this ongoing silence the “Ecumenical Deal.” The silence on Palestine from most Christians has allowed this warped ideology to shape the way most people in America think about Palestine. Christians, therefore, have a unique responsibility to speak out against Christian Zionism and support the Palestinian struggle for freedom.
The struggle against CUFI and other Christian Zionists is not merely an internal Christian battle. CUFI’s influence affects all of us. Their ideology is infused with ideas of white/western “Christian” supremacy. They are turning this ideology into US policy, both foreign and domestic. We are all affected, and we all have a stake in challenging it.
Confronting Christian Zionism
It is not enough for us to merely understand that Christian Zionism is wrong. We must be willing to confront the people and power structures which perpetuate this hateful ideology.
Teach-Ins: Educating your communities about Christian Zionism
Host a public educational event on Christian Zionism. Or teach a Sunday School class about Christian Zionism.
We have Teach-In Tool-kits for both Christian and non-Christian audiences:
Nonviolent Direct Action: Speaking out against the toxic ideology of Christian Zionism
Nonviolent direct action offers the strategies to win. It allows a small passionate group of people to have an oversized voice. Whether this is your first time thinking of using nonviolent direct action or you’re a seasoned pro, here are some things to know!
Nonviolent Skill Building
Affinity Groups First thing, get in touch with aligned organizers in your city. Don’t just go it alone or start from scratch when others are already working.
Make Banners and protest art! Make some protest art and bring it with you!
Action Tips Helpful and healthy practice before, during, and after an action.
Roles in a direct action Not every role in this list is applicable, but it’s good to start thinking through what type of action you’d like to take. A successful action depends on everyone playing a different role!
Check out this calendar of CUFI events that might be near you. If so, you can start planning an action!
Conversations: Talking to Christian Zionists on a personal level.
Most of us probably know someone who holds Christian Zionist ideas. Usually (though not exclusively) they are part of those fundamentalist, evangelical, or charismatic churches that preach conservative political ideology as though it were gospel truth. However, such ideas can be found within mainline congregations as well.
It is important to recognize that Christian Zionism is likely a part of any given evangelical Christian’s broader identity. A growing number have been turning their backs on Christian Zionism, but for others such commitments are absolutely central to their understanding of what it means to be Christian. For the majority, however, Christian Zionism is marginal to what they’ve been taught to believe. It’s just never been strongly challenged. Understanding this, it is easier to see how genuinely “nice” people, interpersonally, can hold beliefs that are otherwise so discriminatory and violent.
While FOSNA recognizes the importance of working at the national level, challenging Christian Zionist organizations like CUFI for instance, we also understand the power of individual transformation. Many of our supporters formerly held Christian Zionist beliefs and can describe a process of conversion to a new way of thinking. Confronting someone with whom you have a relationship about a destructive ideology, which they often don’t even realize they hold, takes courage. We recognize and honor that. We want to offer some tips we have learned from doing this work at the interpersonal level:
Tips
Keep it simple
People love to say how complicated the situation is as a way to not deal with it. But it’s very simple: Palestinians want what all people want: the freedom to take care of their families, pursue their dreams, and feel safe and secure in their homes and communities. It’s that simple.
Tell stories (your story)
Stories are much more memorable than statistics. People can’t argue with your personal experiences.
Lead with shared values
As Christians, evangelicals and other theological conservatives claim that they believe God loves everyone equally—that freedom, truth, and justice are righteous pursuits and that the Church is called to feed the hungry and lift up the downtrodden. Start by affirming these beliefs, recognizing that they are genuinely held. Then, explain how Christian Zionist beliefs actually run counter to their more important calling as followers of Jesus and, particularly among evangelicals, their witness to the gospel. Again, use your own experience to describe how Christian Zionism affects Palestinians in “ways that aren’t Christian.”
Describe what you seek, not what you oppose
We can easily get caught in a reaction trap, responding to what we are against rather than naming what we support. One important point is to not repeat opposition talking points; this is especially important when there is an audience. If someone calls Palestinians “terrorists,” don’t waste your breath saying, “They aren’t terrorists.” Instead say, “Palestinians are using nonviolence to fight for their freedom.”
Name Palestinians
Another important way to avoid the reaction trap is to center Palestinians. Rather than arguing about what Israel should and shouldn’t do without much acknowledgement of its impact on Palestinians, center what Palestinians deal with day in and day out.
More Resources for Understanding Christian Zionism
FOSNA staff can host a webinar: We can share our analysis of Christian Zionism and how people can join us locally and nationally to counter it.
FOSNA Video Library: Select from an excellent collection of videos by FOSNA leadership on a variety of important topics related to Palestine/Israel.
Sunday School curriculum: The Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church USA has a library of curriculum for talking about Christian Zionism in your adult education program.
‘Till Kingdom Come film: Millions of American Evangelicals are praying for the State of Israel. This film traces this unusual relationship, from rural America to the halls of government in Washington, through the moving of the American Embassy in Jerusalem and to the annexation plan of the West-Bank. With unparalleled access, the film exposes a stunning backstory of the Trump and Netanyahu administrations, where financial, political and messianic motivations intersect with the apocalyptic worldview that is insistently reshaping American foreign policy toward Israel and the Middle-East
With God on Our Side film: This is a feature length documentary designed for evangelical audiences to engage with the theology and realities of Palestine. There is also a free 8 minute version great for teach-ins. HERE.
Visit ChristianZionism.org: ChristianZionism.org is an excellent resources from a collection professors, pastors, leaders of church-related organizations, and laity all working together toward one purpose: to examine a theological teaching called Christian Zionism that is growing in the church today.
En Espanol: Somos profesores, pastores, líderes de organizaciones relacionadas con la iglesia, y laicos que trabajamos juntos para lograr un solo propósito: examinar una enseñanza teológica llamada sionismo cristiano que está creciendo en la iglesia hoy día.
Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel, on Palestinian Liberation Theology
More Resources for countering Christian Zionism
Countering Christian Zionism can feel daunting, whether in conversation, at public events, or during direct action. There are many more resources to support you in this work. Here are a few:
FOSNA is here for you: Contact us, and we will lend support such as: Talking through strategic actions, connecting with other local leaders, facilitating nonviolence training, and media outreach.
Palestinian Liberation Theology (PLT): Click here to learn and find resources about Palestinian theologies of liberation and reconciliation.
FOSNA Bookstore: Click here to download Rev. Naim Ateek’s most recent works.
Seven Biblical Answers to Popular Zionist Assumptions: An excellent primer from Stephen Sizer on scriptural alternatives to Christian Zionism.
Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: This is a listing of theories, tactics, methods, and more to help you brainstorm the vast variety of actions you can take to confront Christian Zionism.
Palestinian Speakers List: If you want to host an educational event, but aren’t comfortable speaking, you can organize for one of our Palestinian Speakers to present as well. Contact us to get in touch with them.