When Martin Luther first challenged the Catholic supremacy in 1517, he was warm to the Jews, rationalizing that the Catholic Church was unreasonable to expect them to convert if they treated them so inhumanely. Surely they would convert to a newer friendlier church.
When they did not, he became vicious in his anti- Semitism, calling on his church members to burn the synagogues and destroy the non believers. His ferocity lasted through the centuries and was modeled by Hitler and his henchmen. Martin Luther’s hateful tirades were used as defense by Nazi War criminals at Nuremburg.
The centuries of Jew hating has seen similar cases of friendly nations and movements turning murderously hostile.
This memory leaves Jews suspicious of the motives of Christian Zionists and evangelicals who claim to love the Jews. Are the Jews just actors in a play they did not choose or audition for?
It is difficult to accept that the ‘dispensational’ theology of the evangelicals has replaced the ‘replacement’ theology that culminated in the holocaust. Jews are reluctant to accept the love and support of the evangelicals, and not fear it is a trick to gain their conversion, possibly with political pressure.
While there is little evidence to support a nefarious intent, the suspicion is understandable. Yet the new ‘dispensational’ theology allows for respect of the Jews without converting them. This strongly pro Zionist view is based on a moral commitment based on theological beliefs.
Christian Zionists were responsible for the early settlements in Israel, The Balfour Doctrine, and commitments from Woodrow Wilson and Harry Truman; at times they were more committed to the new Jewish state than many Jews.
The evangelical support for Israel should be welcomed and respected. If the Jews do not seem appreciative, be patient; we are not used to having many friends in the world.
referenced from David Brog’s “Standing with Israel”
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