Why I am not a Christian Zionist, Academically Speaking
I came across an article by Gary Burge, a professor at Wheaton College, that cleared up a lot of things for me about dispensationalism, convenant theology, and the arguments related to Christian Zionism. If you want to download the entire article, here is the link.
Why I am not a Christian Zionist, Academically Speaking – by Gary Burge
I had been going to a Church that held strongly to dispensationalist theology and was beginning to think that there was not really an alternative. I personally think that the intense focus that dispensationalists put on end times can be very destructive, especially considering that in some Churches, end times teaching is more focused on than teaching about Jesus Christ. That said, here are a few paragraphs from the article from Gary Burge.
On the difference between dispensationalism and reformed theology …
[John] Hagee is a “Dispensationalist.” I am a Reformed Theologian. He takes his cues from recent (as in 100 year old) writers such as Darby, Schofield, and Ryrie. I take my cues from older writers such as 16th century John Calvin, the Anglican and Presbyterian worlds, and theologians who belong to the “Reformed Tradition.” Believe it or not, both of us could be called
“evangelicals.”
On dispensational theology support for Israel …
But here is another test. Dispensationalism decided in the 20th century that the catalyst of the end of time was the reestablishment of the State of Israel – which thrilled them in 1948 when Israel announced its nationhood. Israel’s various military victories in 1967 and 1973 were confirmations of a divine hand on Israel’s future. Many dispensationalists have been caught up in a zeal to see this age end and the next begin. If prophesies are being fulfilled, if history is at its terminus, then Christians are obligated to join in what God is doing. And this expression of faith is no where clearer that when one raises the question of Israel. Such religious zealots today are known as Christian Zionists.
On John Hagee of Cornerstone Church …
But this is where Hagee frightens more than he inspires. Not only has his theological commitments given him Biblically defended views on Israel, but now his eschatology has led him to call for America to strike out militarily against Iran. Using the language of the Book of Revelation, Hagee looked to Iran as the incarnation of evil. “The head of the beast of radical Islam in the Middle East is Iran and its fanatical president Ahmadinejad. Ladies and gentlemen, we are reliving history. It is 1938 all over again. Iran is Germany. Ahmadinejad is Hitler. And Ahmadinejad, just like Hitler, is talking about killing the Jews.”
Again, I would highly recommend reading this whole article. It’s only about 3600 words and it very clearly states the danger we are facing as a result of extreme dispensationalism and Christian Zionism. The link once again is …
Why I am not a Christian Zionist, Academically Speaking – by Gary Burge