Zionism and Christianity are distinct ideologies with different roots and aims. Zionism seeks a Jewish homeland based on ethnic and historical identity, while Christianity promotes a universal spiritual community based on faith in Christ. Their foundations, goals, and ethical frameworks diverge significantly.
By Benjo Chinglai
The ongoing conflict involving Israel, Hamas, Iran and other Islamic countries has deep historical and geopolitical roots, intertwined with decades of animosity and contested claims in the region. Hamas, an Islamist group that governs the Gaza Strip, has frequently clashed with Israel, with escalations often resulting in tragic civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
The most recent violence began in October 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, leading to intense retaliation by Israel and drawing global attention. The conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where infrastructure has been severely impacted, and thousands of civilians have been displaced or killed.
This violence has reignited debates over the Israeli-Palestinian issue, including long-standing grievances, the status of Palestinian territories, and questions around security, sovereignty, and human rights. Iran, a regional powerhouse and long-time supporter of Hamas, is widely seen as a key-actor influencing the conflict. Iran has provided financial and military support to Hamas and other groups opposing Israel, driven by its own ideological opposition to the state of Israel and ambitions for regional dominance. The Israel-Hamas conflict is therefore not only a local or bilateral issue but part of a broader proxy struggle that involves other regional players, including the United States, which is committed to Israel’s security. Iran’s involvement complicates the situation, raising fears of a wider regional conflict that could pull in countries like Lebanon (via Hezbollah), Syria, and potentially other Gulf states. The interplay of religious, political, and territorial ambitions makes the Israel-Hamas-Iran conflict a highly volatile and sensitive issue with significant global implications.
ISRAEL-US RELATIONSHIP
The relationship between Israel and the United States is complex, marked by a blend of strategic interests and ideological differences. Though often portrayed as close allies, especially in areas of military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic support, their alliance is largely one of convenience rather than shared foundational values. The United States, rooted in a predominantly Christian and democratic framework, has often emphasized the values of religious pluralism, democracy, and human rights. In contrast, Israel, while also a democracy, is shaped by Zionist principles that prioritize the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish state. This divergence is especially visible in Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and the broader Middle East, which sometimes clash with American ideals of universal human rights and peaceful conflict resolution. Nevertheless, both nations benefit from a close relationship: Israel gains essential security assistance and international backing, while the United States secures a strategic foothold in the Middle East, benefiting from Israel’s advanced intelligence and military capabilities.
Despite these mutual benefits, underlying tensions exist due to differing cultural and ideological perspectives. Many American policymakers and citizens view Israel’s handling of the Palestinian conflict and its policies in the occupied territories as contradictory to the values the United States professes to uphold globally. Additionally, while Christian Zionism—a movement among some American Christians supporting Israel for theological reasons—provides a base of support for Israel in the U.S., it does not represent the views of all Americans. In fact, the alignment with Israel can sometimes put the U.S. at odds with other allies in the region and complicate its broader Middle Eastern diplomacy. Thus, while the Israel-U.S. relationship continues to be reinforced by practical considerations, it remains, in many ways, a partnership of convenience rather than a unity of shared values.
ZIONISM AND CHRISTIANITY
Zionism and Christianity are often intertwined in public discourse, particularly given the political support that some Christian groups offer to the modern state of Israel. However, the theological, ideological, and historical foundations of Zionism and Christianity are fundamentally different, with roots that diverge significantly and point toward contrasting worldviews and objectives. While Zionism, in its essence, is a Jewish nationalist movement advocating for the return of the Jewish people to their historical homeland and the establishment of a Jewish state, Christianity is a universal religion that transcends national identities and promotes a spiritual vision not bound by territorial claims. Understanding why Zionism is not coterminous with Christianity, and in many respects stands in opposition to it, requires examining the historical development, theological doctrines, and social implications of both ideologies.
Historical and Theological Foundations
Zionism emerged in the late 19th century as a secular nationalist movement. It was primarily a response to widespread anti-Semitism in Europe and the exclusion of Jews from full participation in European nation-states. Theodor Herzl, often considered the father of modern Zionism, envisioned a secular, political solution to what he saw as the “Jewish Question.” He advocated for a Jewish homeland where Jews could live free from persecution, originally suggesting options like Uganda before ultimately settling on Palestine. For Herzl and other early Zionist leaders, the religious dimension of the Jewish identity was secondary to the ethnic and national aspects. Their vision was one of self-determination and sovereignty, rooted in 19th-century nationalist ideologies, which were influenced more by secularism than by religious motivations.
Christianity, on the other hand, is based on a universalist theology centered around the teachings of Jesus Christ. According to Christian doctrine, salvation is available to all people, regardless of ethnicity or nationality. Christianity’s universalism rejects the notion of one people or one nation being specially chosen for a particular land. Jesus, in his teachings, often de-emphasized earthly kingdoms, urging his followers to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) rather than pursue political or territorial aspirations. In fact, early Christianity was often in tension with Jewish nationalism and the zealot movements of the time, which sought to re-establish Jewish political independence. Thus, Christianity’s theological foundation stands in contrast to the territorial nationalism central to Zionism.
Opposing Visions of “Chosen People” and Universal Salvation
The concept of being a “chosen people” plays a distinct role in Judaism, which has both religious and ethnic dimensions. While Christianity acknowledges the significance of the Jewish people in the Old Testament, the New Testament reinterprets the notion of “chosen” to mean those who accept Christ, transcending ethnic and national boundaries. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, stresses that in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3:28), promoting a vision of equality among all believers. This universal message diverges sharply from Zionist ideology, which emphasizes the unique right of the Jewish people to a specific land based on historical and ethnic claims.
Moreover, Christian eschatology generally envisions a new, heavenly Jerusalem, which is a symbolic representation rather than a physical city bound to a particular national or ethnic group. Christianity thus shifts the focus from a territorial homeland to a spiritual homeland, accessible to all who embrace Christian faith. Zionism, however, asserts a unique, exclusive claim to a particular territory, rooted in ethnic identity and history. This divergence reveals that while Zionism emphasizes exclusivity, Christianity leans toward inclusivity and universality.
Secular Nationalism Versus Religious Transcendence
One of the major points of divergence between Zionism and Christianity lies in their approach to secularism and the role of religion in politics. Zionism, as it was conceived by Herzl and later leaders like David Ben-Gurion, was largely a secular movement. Although Zionism drew on Jewish religious symbols and historical narratives, its leaders often advocated for a secular Jewish state. The Israeli Declaration of Independence, for instance, appeals to Jewish history and cultural heritage rather than religious law as a basis for the state. This secular aspect of Zionism was a source of tension with Orthodox Jewish groups, some of whom rejected Zionism precisely because it sought to build a Jewish state without relying on religious authority or awaiting the messianic era traditionally expected by religious Jews.
Christianity, on the other hand, maintains a distance from secular nationalism. While there have been Christian political movements, mainstream Christian theology promotes a separation between “rendering unto Caesar” (the state) and “rendering unto God” (spiritual matters), as Jesus taught in the New Testament. Christianity’s historical role as a religious and moral authority above political affiliations further distinguishes it from Zionism’s nationalist aspirations. While Zionism seeks a tangible political outcome—the establishment and preservation of a Jewish homeland—Christianity, at least in its theological essence, concerns itself with spiritual salvation rather than political sovereignty.
Christian Zionism: A Misalignment of Interests
Christian Zionism, a phenomenon particularly prevalent in the United States, is an ideological subset of evangelical Christianity that supports the modern state of Israel. However, it is essential to note that Christian Zionism is a theological interpretation promoted by specific groups rather than an intrinsic part of mainstream Christian doctrine. Christian Zionists support Israel based on a particular reading of biblical prophecy, believing that the establishment of a Jewish state in the Holy Land fulfills certain prerequisites for the Second Coming of Christ. However, this theological stance is often at odds with Jewish Zionism. For instance, while Jewish Zionism focuses on creating a secure Jewish homeland, Christian Zionism’s support for Israel is often conditional, tied to an apocalyptic vision in which Jews ultimately convert to Christianity or face divine judgment.
This divergence indicates that Christian Zionism, despite its support for Israel, does not share the same foundational goals or values as Jewish Zionism. Instead, it instrumentalizes the Israeli state for a different eschatological vision. Many Jewish thinkers find Christian Zionism’s agenda troubling, as it does not respect the autonomy of Jewish identity or the political goals of the Zionist movement but instead subordinates them to a foreign religious prophecy.
Ethical and Moral Divergences
The ethical implications of Zionism and Christianity also highlight their contrasting orientations. Zionism’s focus on a specific homeland often leads to exclusionary policies, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The drive to maintain a Jewish-majority state has led to policies of settlement, displacement, and conflict that are seen by many as incompatible with the Christian ideals of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. While some Christians justify their support for Israel through Old Testament narratives, such as the conquest of Canaan, these justifications are selectively interpreted and often conflict with the teachings of Jesus on love, compassion, and peacemaking.
In contrast, Christianity, especially as taught in the New Testament, places a strong emphasis on moral and ethical behaviour, even toward adversaries. Jesus’s teachings, including the command to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44), challenge any ideology that would justify violence or exclusion based on ethnicity or nationality. Christianity’s focus on ethical universality and its call for compassion and justice stand in contrast to Zionism’s nationalism, which, by definition, places the interests of one people above those of others.
Hence, Zionism and Christianity are far from coterminous; they are divergent ideologies with fundamentally different foundations, goals, and ethical frameworks. Zionism, as a Jewish nationalist movement, is focused on establishing and preserving a Jewish homeland, grounded in ethnic and historical identity. Christianity, in its essence, transcends national and ethnic boundaries, advocating for a universal spiritual community centered on faith in Christ. While there are Christians who support Zionism, often under the banner of Christian Zionism, this support is based on a specific and often controversial interpretation of biblical prophecy rather than core Christian doctrine. Ultimately, Zionism and Christianity point in opposite directions: one toward territorial nationalism, and the other toward a universal spiritual mission. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for navigating the complex and often misunderstood relationship between these two powerful ideologies in contemporary politics and theology.