The Hopeless State of National Israel
As Israeli troops remove inhabitants from the Gaza Strip forcefully, we are once again reminded of the theological implications of how hopeless the cause of a political Israeli state truly is. It's odd that our support of Israel is out of a theological misunderstanding. Also, it amazes me how Americans view the Palestinians in the Middle East drama.
There has been nothing short of a disaster since Israel was set up as a politically sovereign nation in 1948. It's no wonder why there have been so many struggles since then. Now granted, if the 1947 UN Partition Plan would have come to some sort of fruition (that is the setting up of both a political Jewish and Arab state) then maybe some of the tension would be alleviated but not all. So we see this struggle play out. The Palestinians are upset, because they were removed in favor of a Jewish settlement (and rightfully so). So, this whole "peace process" is a farce for two reasons: (1) the Palestinians see nothing less but the full return of the land necessary and will fight until such and event comes to fruition, and (2) if this indeed did happen then there would be retaliation by the Jewish people. It is also important to remember why militant Islamists come after us. It is our support of the Jewish settlements that they identify "us" with "them."
Theological Implications of the Political State of Israel
When Israel, as we know it know politically was set up, there was resurgence in the doctrine of Dispensationalism. Therefore, it seemed to an overwhelmingly Christian nation that the ethnic Jews were receiving what was due them. It is in this that we find the most glaring error of this controversy and why I am a Palestinian sympathizer.
When understanding the Bible correctly, there is no geographic land coming back to the Jews. The millennial reign which Dispensationalists attribute literally to Christ sitting on the throne of David of geographic Israel over the ethnic Jews of old (Old Testament saints) is not to happen. It is when we understand the Church as the fulfillment of those promises that we see that the Middle East peace process is foolish (Heb 8).
I should note that in "spoils of war" the Palestinian support of the Axis powers of WWII certainly deemed them unworthy to make a claim on land when they fought so proudly against us. It's just that we must understand why the Palestinians continue as they do. We looked around after 9/11 and asked, "why would they do such a thing?" Please understand I am not justifying their actions on 9/11, but I'm speaking to our lack of understanding why they acted as they did (no matter what the anger or situation murdering thousands was wrong).
Confusing "Israel" and "Jew"
Paul attributes a "Jew" to being one receiving the "circumcision of the heart" (Rom 2:25-29) and Israel is an ambiguous term referring to the elect (people) of God. Those who practice Judaism still live in the theological error that they still have divine right to the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant (while they could repent and turn to Christ to receive the promises, but that is not their understanding of inheritance). We, Gentiles (which they still call us this to this day), have been "grafted in," and only on the second coming of Christ will "all of Israel be saved" (Rom 11:26) referring to people of God (Paul uses the phrase "Israel of God" in Gal 6:16 describing the same body of believers).
As long as our country continues on a foundation of misunderstanding this theological idea then we will justify our actions wrongly. To say that our support of Israel is not politically charged is to be guilty of most high ignorance. If peace were possible then we should strive to accomplish this, but it seems as something that will never happen.
Aug 18th 2005 
5 Comments 
Aug 22nd 2005
Chris,
You say, "It’s just that we must understand why the Palestinians continue as they do. We looked around after 9/11 and asked, “why would they do such a thing?†?It is also important to remember why militant Islamists come after us. It is our support of the Jewish settlements that they identify “us†with “them.â€
I am not so sure your critique is correct here. I think just about any informed observer of world affairs knows that our alliance with Israel is a major factor in the terrorists making us a major target. It is by no means the only factor, or even a decisive factor. Think about all of the terrorist attacks that have happened in areas of Europe that are still very anti-semetic and anti-Israel in their policies. Think of all the terrorist attacks that have happened in Egypt, Indonesia, and other Muslim countries that are not exactly propping Israel up. Islamic terrorism is about much more than the existence of Israel... it is a religious crusade aimed at the evils of the west. I once had a Muslim friend from Tunisia tell me in a very angry manner that the only reason we support Israel is that we know that if it didn't exist Muslims would not have to spend their time oppossing it, and could instead come and destroy us. All I'm saying is that your assessment of why Islamic terrorists hate America leaves a lot to be desired.
You also say, "It is when we understand the Church as the fulfillment of those promises that we see that the Middle East peace process is foolish." I am not sure why it is foolish to support the existence of a state for the most persecuted people in the world over the past many centuries. There is no doubt that present day Israel used to be the land of the Jews. There is also no doubt that before it was formed Jews all over the world had a difficult time avoiding persecution no matter what country they lived in. This persecution culminated in the worst genocide of all time (6 million people). I see nothing wrong with politically supporting a nation for these oppressed people, even if they will not one day return to Christ in mass numbers at the end of time.
Aug 22nd 2005
You make a good point mark on the exhaustive claim I made on our support of Israel. While it is certainly not the only reason, I meant to illustrate that it is indeed a major factor in Islamic hatred towards Americans.
A large part of the article dealt with the ramifications of Dispensational theology upon our support of Israel (at least, that is my assertion). It is because Dispensationalism is unfounded that I made such a claim.
Aug 22nd 2005
Hi chris,
First of all are you from israel?
have you been in israel?
well let me tell you some things about me :
1. i was born in israel (1984)
2. i grand parents from both sides are survivors of the holocaust.
3. i'm corrently serving in the israel defence force (we call it defence NOT attack)
4. i was in the suicide bommer attack at the military bus stop at zrifin (9/9/2003) , i saw people dying for no reason and bodies scattered in distance of over 200 feet away people crying for help.
5. 20 people from my unit are evacuating settlers from the gaza strip/
Now let me say the us does not to support us , we need no help with our.
our problems begin because of the UN and US intervantion saying "the Palestinians are so pure and needy"
and wont allow us to take necessary action against the suiside bombers and the Katiusha rockets.
The state of israel never started any war in it's 58+ of exsistance.never the less in all of our wars we conquered the west bank, gaza strip ,golan heights ,seni peninsula and the south part of lebanon . we returned most of these parts through peace agreements but with the Palestinians there is no one to do a peace process with , so the only option we have left is to withdrawal from the gaza strip and the west bank.
and about the part that the Islamic terrorism is striking the US because of the support in israel is just to justify themselves. The islamic terrorism against the US exsist because of that the US represents (peace ,equivalence ,opportunity, religious freedom , etc) and that is that the islam is the most afraid of.
i belive i have made my point .
if not you can email me.
koby meir ( a proud citizen and soldier of the state of israel ).
Aug 22nd 2005
Koby, what a great addition to this thread! Thanks for your input. First, Islam does indeed embrace ideas like peace, opportunity, etc. Islam is my speciality in apologetics, and I must disagree with your statement. Militant Islamists contort the message of the Qur'an for their own perverted intentions (much like people of every religion/philosophy). In fact, the term "Jihad" is for an "internal struggle," and that is the greatest message of Islam (that and submission which is the translation of "Islam").
Also, the U.S. is very much a supporter of Israel. Since 1949, America has provided Israel a sum total of $84,854,827,200 in aid. Also, your claim that Israel never started a war is faulty, because Israel started the Six Day War in 1967 with a pre-emptive attack on neighboring Arabs that lead to the inhabitance of the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.
The removal of Israelis from the Gaza Strip will do nothing in the peace process (to which this article was addressed). Israel would've been better to retain occupancy in this area.
Also, understand this article is of theological persuasion. That is what the title summarizes.
Aug 27th 2005
I understand what your are saying about Dispensationalism and its effect on people's view of Israel. However, I would submit that while it may influence some evangelical Christians a great deal - I don't think it is a big influence on our actual government's policies. There are a whole bunch of rational, political, pragmatic, and just reason to be a friend of Israel. So I guess I just disagree with, as you said it, the "comprehensive" nature of your post.
However, I do agree that an unhealthy evangelical support of Israel driven by Dispensational theology is not good. But I am both Reformed and a supporter of Israel. But I also love the Palestinian people and am not so blinded by an end times theology that I think that they are the only ones guilty of wrongdoing.