United Methodists are responding to Kairos Palestine: A Moment of Truth ,a statement of faith and urgent call to action from Christians in Palestine. UMKR seeks, through nonviolent means and in partnership with Palestinian Christians, freedom, justice and equality for all Palestinians and Israelis.
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Yes, it is Apartheid
Understanding and Refuting
Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism is a politically focused theology embraced by millions of Christians in the United States and around the world. It teaches unquestioning loyalty to and support for the State of Israel and condones the ethnic cleansing and oppression of the indigenous people of Palestine.
In the US, Christian Zionists comprise the largest portion of the Israel Lobby, a combination of organizations that advocate very effectively with leaders in the US government. As a powerful voting block with well-funded lobbyists, Christian Zionists exert a great deal of influence over the foreign policy of the US regarding Israel/Palestine, helping to perpetuate the violence and deepen the quagmire of injustice and suffering.
It is vital for Christians to understand the biblical and moral pitfalls of Christian Zionism, to be able to answer God’s call to be justice-seekers and peacemakers and repair some of the harm being done in the name of Christianity.
On this page, we provide UMKR's introductory resource on Christian Zionism and a collection of materials for further learning and action.
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An Introduction to Christian Zionism:
Understanding and Opposing Unjust Theology
A resource from UMKR
Sections of this resource include:
What do we believe? What is the problem? What is Christian Zionism? Whose land is it? The imperative of justice in the Bible: what does it look like? What is happening in Palestine/Israel today?
Questions for discussion
What shall we do then? Next steps for United Methodists
Recommended resources (also listed on this page).
Recommended Resources
UMKR resolution on Christian Zionism: "Opposition to Unjust Theology Regarding the Holy Land"
https://www.kairosresponse.org/resolutions_2023.html
The Kairos Palestine Document and study materials
https://www.kairosresponse.org/kairos_palestine-1.html
WEBSITE: www.christianzionism.org
Recommended pages at that website:
Who Owns the Holy Land:
https://www.christianzionism.org/faq-who-owns-holy-land
Who are God’s “chosen people” today?
https://www.christianzionism.org/faq-who-chosen-today
Does God bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel?
https://www.christianzionism.org/faq-blessing-cursing
The Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism
https://hcef.org/1694-the-jerusalem-declaration-on-christian-zionism/
BOOK: Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and the Genocide in Gaza
by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac
https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802885548/christ-in-the-rubble/
https://www.amazon.com/Christ-Rubble-Faith-Bible-Genocide/dp/0802885543
Munther Isaac's sermon in December 2023, "Christ in the Rubble: A Liturgy of Lament"
https://www.kairosresponse.org/advent_christmas_sermons.html
WEBINAR: Confronting Christian Zionism and Empowering Advocates for Palestinian Liberation
Munther Isaac
https://www.fosna.org/videos/v/zjznj9yl6kz9ad2tmw6fjcn6cwp4c3?rq=Christian%20Zionism
Overcoming Christian Zionism in the Quest for Justice
by Rev. Dr. Naim Ateek
PDF file from FOSNA, $1
https://www.fosna.org/fosnabookstore/p/overcoming-christian-zionism-in-the-quest-for-justice-by-rev-dr-naim-ateek-pdf
BOOK: Challenging Christian Zionism: Theology, Politics, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Edited by Naim Ateek, Cedar Duaybis, and Maurine Tobin
https://www.amazon.com/Challenging-Christian-Zionism-Theology-Israel-Palestine/dp/1901764427
An Ethical Critique of Christian Zionism
by Rev. Munib Younan
https://learn.elca.org/jle/an-ethical-critique-of-christian-zionism/
Understanding the Promised Land of the Bible
by Jennifer Maidrand
https://christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/understanding-the-promised-land-of-the-bible/
About this author
https://www.unitedseminary.edu/faculty/jennifer-maidrand/
Confronting Christian Zionism: Statement from Justice in Palestine and Israel Community
Alliance of Baptists
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10WSdqYXkRd0RNH7Qwl13bjLTycxpKoEX/view
Factsheet on Christian Zionism
Religion Media Centre
(Basic informational resource that does neither promotes nor opposes Christian Zionism)
https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/factsheets/factsheet-christian-zionism/
BOOK: Chosen? Reading the Bible Amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
With glossary, study guide, and guidelines for respectful discussion
By Walter Brueggemann
https://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Reading-Bible-Israeli-Palestinian-Conflict/dp/066426154X
Teach-In Tool for a Conversation about Christian Zionism at Church
(Link found at FOSNA website)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i4Y4qFvf0ohZ1jhL726Kj-Xh5fyWZrQQuFGIleURLSU/edit?tab=t.0
Guide to Difficult Conversations about Christian Zionism
Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA)
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/605b9c30759b851bb093a7b1/t/673bcab18f6bb9019284dc2b/1731971764594/FOSNAs+Guide+to+Difficult+Conversations+about+Christian+Zionism+%284%29.pdf
FILMS
These are full-length documentaries. The first provides a powerful grounding in the current situation in Palestine/Israel, the second brings us a valuable focus on the Christians of Palestine their history and their struggle, and the third is about Christian Zionism.
The Law and the Prophets (1 hr, 54 min)
The trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xEU5bqM8dE
The film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_kF35lgF40
The Stones Cry Out: The Story of Palestinian Christians (55 min)
Visit the film's website: http://www.thestonescryoutmovie.com/
See resources to accompany the film:
https://thestonescryoutmovie.com/useful-information/
Available to watch for a small fee on Amazon Prime and Apple TV
With God on Our Side (1 hr, 21 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NahTjAsDThs&t=1s
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Education Christian Zionism