Binding: Paperback Page Count: 298Publisher: IVP ISBN# : 9780830853687
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Description : The term "Zionism" was first coined in the late nineteenth century, and referred to the movement for the return of the Jewish people to an assured and secure homeland in Palestine. Ironically, this vision was largely nurtured and shaped by Christians long before it received widespread Jewish support. The origins of "Christian Zionism" lie within nineteenth-century British premillennial sectarianism, but by the early twentieth century it had become a predominantly American dispensational movement, and pervasive within all main evangelical denominations. The contemporary Christian Zionism movement emerged after the "Six Day War" in Israel in 1967, and it has had a significant influence on attitudes towards the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Middle East.
Evangelicals are increasingly polarized over whether Christian Zionism is biblical and orthodox or unbiblical and cultic. In this book Stephen Sizer provides a thorough examination of the historical development, variant forms, theological emphases and political implications of Christian Zionism. His excellent and informative survey is interwoven with critical assessment that repudiates both nationalistic Zionism and anti-Semitism.
"A masterly and highly readable analysis of the history, the world-view and the political implications of Christian Zionism. Sizer has thrown down the gauntlet in a way that demands a response from those who support the state of Israel for theological reasons." Colin Chapman, visiting lecturer, Near East School of Theology, Lebanon "Sizer's work on Christian Zionism is the most important and comprehensive on the subject to date, and should be read by all students of the Middle East and by Christians concerned about a just resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Christian Zionism raises vital theological and political challenges that must be addressed head-on by Christians in the West, particularly evangelicals. The impact of this terribly misguided movement is increasingly putting Christians in the Middle East at risk, and it seems a far cry from the witness and message of Jesus Christ." Don Wagner, Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, North Park University, Chicago "Sizer's masterly overview of Christian Zionism opens our eyes to a theology that manipulates, oppresses and shows no dignity or justice to Jew or Palestinian. It is time for a theology that values all equally instead of one that sees God as biased." Garth Hewitt, Amos Trust "Sizer's book is essential reading for any Western evangelical trying to understand the religious dimensions of American support for Israel. He shows with exacting clarity how evangelical eschatology has now embedded itself in a modern political ideology. One quick read of this book will change anyone's perspective on the Middle East permanently." Gary M. Burge, Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College and Graduate School "I commend Stephen Sizer's important and prophetic book in calling evangelical Christians, in particular, to break the spiral of violence and hatred. Instead we must obey the teachings of the Prince of Peace who has called us to a ministry of reconciliation rather than listen to the false prophets of Armageddon whose apocalyptic message is in danger of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy." The Right Revd. Riah Abu El Assal, Episcopal Bishop of Jerusalem, and author of
Caught in Between "I am glad to commend Stephen Sizer's groundbreaking critique of Christian Zionism. His comprehensive overview of its roots, its theological basis and its political consequences is very timely. I myself believe that Zionism, both political and Christian, is incompatible with biblical faith. Stephen's book has helped to reinforce this conviction." Revd. John Stott, Rector Emeritus, All Soul's, Langham Place, London, principal framer of the Lausanne Covenant (1974), founder of the Langham Partnership International, and author of more than 40 books "If any book deserves the accolade of being the definitive critique of Christian Zionism, it is this. Popular, lucid and readable, this is a dispassionate and scholarly yet critical evaluation of the phenomenon." Dr. Anthony McRoy, lecturer in Islamics, Evangelical Theological College, Wales
