Christian Zionism: A Theological Contradiction and Political Liability

In recent decades, a growing number of American evangelicals have embraced what’s commonly called Christian Zionism—the belief that Christians are biblically obligated to support the modern political state of Israel. At first glance, this alliance appears rooted in shared values, spiritual heritage, and prophetic fulfillment. Yet when examined under the scrutiny of Scripture, Church History, and moral consistency, Christian Zionism emerges as a theological oxymoron. It is also, arguably, a subtle rejection of the very gospel it claims to uphold.

Even more striking is that many Jews, both secular and religious, reject this alliance as disingenuous, instrumentalizing, and ultimately dangerous. Christian Zionism, far from being a unifying theology, distorts both the Christian message and the Jewish experience. This is for the sake of a deeply flawed political project.

I. Christian Zionism Is Unbiblical

From a biblical standpoint, Christian Zionism crumbles under New Testament teaching.

1. Abraham’s Promises Are Fulfilled in Christ

Christian Zionists often cite Genesis 12:3—”I will bless those who bless you”—as justification for their unwavering support of Israel. But Paul clarifies in Galatians 3:16 that “the promises were made to Abraham and to his seed… and that seed is Christ.” He further declares in verse 28 that in Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

This means that the Abrahamic covenant is not fulfilled in a secular nation-state but in Christ’s body-the Church. Romans 9:6 states, “Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.” To reattach God’s promises to ethnic or geopolitical lineage is a form of theological regression.

2. Jesus rejected nationalistic kingdoms

In John 18:36, Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world.” His mission was not to restore a physical kingdom of Israel but to inaugurate the Kingdom of God. Christian Zionism inverts this, rooting its eschatology in nationalist politics rather than in the crucified and risen Christ.

3. The Church is the New Israel

The Apostle Peter refers to the Church as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), a language once reserved for ethnic Israel. Paul calls the Church the “Israel of God” in Galatians 6:16. This was the unanimous view of the early Church Fathers—Augustine, Justin Martyr, and Origen among them. They affirmed supersessionism (or fulfillment theology): that the Church has inherited Israel’s role, not through replacement, but through fulfillment in Christ.

II. Christian Zionism Distorts Eschatology and Promotes Anti-Christ Spirit

Ironically, Christian Zionism denies Christ’s centrality and finality, making it—by the apostle John’s definition—anti-Christ. 1 John 2:22 says, “Who is the liar but someone who denies Jesus is the Christ?” This is the antichrist, he who rejects the Father and the Son.”

When Christians exalt a state that does not confess Christ—and claim its existence is part of God’s redemptive plan—they place a Christ-denying nation at the center of salvation history. That is spiritual adultery.

Furthermore, many of these views are rooted in dispensationalism, a 19th-century innovation popularized by John Nelson Darby and later spread through the Scofield Reference Bible. This framework imposes a rigid and unbiblical separation between Israel and the Church. It forecasts a tribulation scenario where Jews return to Israel, only to face destruction if they reject Christ.

This isn’t a theology of love—it’s a theology of use.

III. Many Jews Reject Christian Zionism—And For Good Reason

Far from welcoming this evangelical fervor, many Jews see Christian Zionism as a manipulative, messianic Trojan horse.

1. Katie Harper

Progressive Jewish commentator Katie Halper has repeatedly denounced Christian Zionism as being more about evangelical apocalyptic fantasies than concern for the Jewish people. She notes that many Christian Zionists ultimately expect Jews to convert to Christianity or face destruction—a scenario she rightly finds offensive and dangerous.

2. Yitzhak Rabin

The late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin once warned about the growing influence of Christian Zionist groups, fearing they would “weld together theology and politics in dangerous ways.”

3. Jewish Voice for Peace

The left-wing organization Jewish Voice for Peace openly criticizes Christian Zionism as an ideology that “uses Jewish suffering to justify violence against Palestinians” and seeks to instrumentalize Jews for Christian theological goals.

4. Peter Beinart

American Jewish writer Peter Beinart has voiced concern that Christian Zionists often oppose peace efforts, resist a two-state solution, and support hardline Israeli policies that even liberal Jews find unconscionable.

IV. Christian Zionism Is Politically Toxic and Morally Bankrupt

Christian Zionists oppose any criticism of Israel, equating it to antisemitism. But this shields Israeli state policy—military occupation, settlement expansion, ethnic discrimination—from moral scrutiny. Such blind allegiance violates the prophetic tradition, which calls out injustice wherever it is found—even among God’s chosen people (see Amos 5, Isaiah 1, Jeremiah 7).

What’s more, many Christian Zionists have never set foot in Israel-Palestine or met Palestinian Christians, many of whom suffer under Israeli policies they consider oppressive. Supporting Israel while ignoring its treatment of Palestinian believers is not just hypocrisy—it is a betrayal of the Body of Christ.

Conclusion: Zionism is Not the Gospel

Christian Zionism is not Christianity. It is a political ideology disguised as eschatology. It elevates ethnic nationalism over the cross, and a geopolitical project over Christ’s cosmic reconciliation.

Supporting justice for all—including Jews, Palestinians, and everyone in between—is Christian. But building theology around a modern secular state and calling it divine destiny is neither biblical nor moral.

Many Jews see through this ruse. Christians need to wake up and do the same.