"The Unannounced Reason Behind American Fundamentalism's Support for the State of Israel"

[FabiusMaximus]

Additionally, it should be noted: Evangelicals don’t have a large missionary presence in Israel not because they “want to preserve as many Jews as possible so they can be slaughtered later” but because the Israeli government - and society in general - makes evangelization in that country exceptionally difficult.

 

[AbideWithMe]

Perhaps it might be true, but I certainly think the article skews it to an extreme.

I agree. I’m not a fan of much of Fundamentalist teaching and behavior, but I have to speak up for them and say that I don’t believe Gary North is representing them justly here in this article. He’s taking a good deal of true things about Fundamentalist beliefs and mixing in some skewed, twisted, extreme parts that seem to me to be driving his whole article.

To the best of my knowledge, Fundamentalists profess a love for the Jews primarily for the same reason Evangelicals do: a belief that they are still God’s beloved, bound to Him by everlasting promises.

 

[aspirant]

the idea that fundamentalists see Jews as scapegoats, wishing that they do not become Christians, and looking forward to them being gathered into Israel to be killed----please provide the evidence.

I have to agree with AbideWithMe on this point. One of my friends belongs to an Evangelical church whose theology is premil. The church is very active with Jews for Jesus. Their pastor also regularly takes members of the congregation on pilgrimages to Israel, and one of the things they do while there is attempt to convert Jews. Not wanting Jews to become Christians is definitely not a legit option at this premil church.

Personally, I think Gary North has about as much credibility about premil theology as Catholic theology, which is to say none. He’s a great source for learning about what he himself believes, not what others believe.

 

[patrick457]

By now, I think we’ve established that North is not too much a credible author. Now is DaveBj still around? I’d like to see what he has to say in light of his earlier comment.

 

[DaveBj]

By now, I think we’ve established that North is not too much a credible author. Now is DaveBj still around? I’d like to see what he has to say in light of his earlier comment.

Having grown up with and having spent several decades in pre-mil, pre-trib dispensationalist denominations, I have to say that the linked article is pretty much on target as to why those circles support Israel, although there is probably more thought and analysis that went into the article than most evangelicals put into their reasoning. Read it or don’t read it as you choose, but if you’ve never been exposed to this kind of thinking, this article will tell you a lot about it.

With regard to the “Jesus is coming back soon” line, since I swam the Tiber my mental response is, “Not until there’s something worth coming back for.”

I have nothing to say about whether or not North is a credible author. However, to reiterate what I said earlier, what he wrote pretty much corresponds to what was taught by the prophecy preachers that I sat under during my decades as a Protestant.

 

[just_came_back]

A lot of fundamentalists also, boldly and arrogantly I may add, declare that Jews do not need Jesus for salvation.

If you try to tell them that the Church is the new Israel, they will call you “of the devil.”

I am certainly not offending Jews, I hope, but if you’re a Christian, Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. NT scripture makes that so. I know Paul speaks of a remnant, but to tell somebody they don’t need Jesus and you’re a professing Christian just makes my head spin.

 

[JustaServant]

A lot of fundamentalists also, boldly and arrogantly I may add, declare that Jews do not need Jesus for salvation.

If you try to tell them that the Church is the new Israel, they will call you “of the devil.”

I am certainly not offending Jews, I hope, but if you’re a Christian, Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. NT scripture makes that so. I know Paul speaks of a remnant, but to tell somebody they don’t need Jesus and you’re a professing Christian just makes my head spin.

Depends on what group you’re talking about. The John Hagee types certainly believe that, and I document that. Fundamental Baptists come close, but don’t quite go over that waterfall in a barrel.
Of course I’ve been out the loop for a while, maybe they have since then.