Most U.S. Christians Back Israel Out of 'Biblical Obligation'

By Aaron Leichman|Christian Post Reporter

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Most American Christians – regardless of their denomination and background – say they feel a "moral and biblical obligation" to support the State of Israel, according to a new survey conducted by a D.C.-based evangelical organization.

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(Photo: Epicenter08.com)
More than 2,000 evangelical Christians from around the world attend the ''Epicenter'' Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2008, at the Christian Friends of Israel Headquarters in Jerusalem.

Though figures released this week by the Joshua Fund differed among Catholics, Protestants, Evangelicals and non-Evangelicals, the new figures confirmed that American Christians as a whole believed that a “biblical obligation” exists behind their support for the State of Israel.

According to the survey, evangelical Christians were the most supportive of Israeli causes; nearly 90 percent said they felt a “moral and biblical obligation” to back Israel, and 62 percent said that Israel alone should posses control of Jerusalem.

Evangelical Christians also had the largest number of respondents who said they opposed a Palestinian state, believing it would give rise to terrorism.

Non-evangelical Protestants and Catholics were also revealed to be very pro-Israel, though their support was slightly lower.

Eighty-four percent of Protestants and 76 percent of Catholics said they felt a “biblical obligation” to support Israel, the survey results revealed.

A majority of Protestants also said they agreed that Jerusalem should remain Israel’s undisputed capitol, while a lower but still high number of Catholics agreed.

Compared to Evangelicals, a plurality of non-Evangelical Protestants said they were not opposed to an independent Palestine, believing that it would be a moderate state, with half of Catholics agreeing.

Among all American Christians, however, support for Israel was high across the board, and a full two-thirds said they believed that a nuclear armed Iran would be a threat to the security of the State of Israel.

The Joshua Fund released the new results to coincide with the “Epicenter 08” conference in Jerusalem, a major gathering between Christian and Jewish leaders that was held on Thursday.

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weekenderman »

Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:36 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

I don't support Israel because of a clear biblical mandate to do so (not in the Church Age, that is), but because it's the ONLY DEMOCRATIC NATION in that entire part of the Middle East.
steiner »

Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:06 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

As regards to the Zionists...

The Zionists that the 1.2 billion islamists and many others are incensed about...

if only there were no zionists! they exclaim...then there would be peace?! (the peace of islam)

Well.... guess what ! God chooses to identify Himself with Zion! So, those that have a problem with zionists ought to be careful, since in essence their argument is with the God of Israel...

Joel 2.1...Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain!..For the day of the Lord is coming...

2.11...The Lord gives voice before His army, for HIs camp is very great...

2.32...For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance...

3.1 For , in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations...and enter into judgement with them there...On account of My people, My heritage Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up my land...

No...this Zion thing is just too much for the islamists....they and their friends continuously harp about the zionists...surely they would have no problems with those Hebrews that are scattered and landless...but with those Zionists....

Well, the God of Israel is a Zionist...He says that it is His land, not that of the idol of islam...or anyone elses...

Hence it is quite telling that it is the Zionists that took it back!
steiner »

Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:37 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

the God of Israel has made the return of the Hebrews possible against all odds and all those who thought that the land of the Hebrews was no longer Hebrew land.

(the islamists are just the latest group who like Pharaoh wished to keep Israel enslaved...bound in servitude and idolatry, bereft of a future, of a nation and of the true God...)

As to Christians being in place of Israel...that is as long as the time of the Gentiles lasts...which is not much longer...seeing that when we begin to look for the signs of a waning Christianity, we must address whether the salt is keeping its saltiness. When it has become like the rest of society, than the salt is no longer functional. Hey, just a few days ago, this very paper noted that Christians divorce just as frequently as nonChristians...this tells us that the salt is no longer fulfilling its purpose...hence it is we that ought to worry...since according to the Gospel...the time of the gentiles is temporary.

Israel will in the end be a sign to the rest of the unbelieving world...(especially those that think that Islam and Christianity have a future together...)..that God, the God of Israel will judge the nations through and from Israel...is something that islam and all other satanic religions not willing to accept as Gospel.

Jesus...King of the Jews...is not just an afterthought...but it is a reality that satans false religions will not accept. But, like Pharaoh, and the rest of his minions...they will have to come to terms with reality soon enough.
steiner »

Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:02 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Israel does not require our pathetic help in anything. It has done extremely well on its own, and will continue to do so if America does not force it to make deals with islamists that only seek its destruction.

As regards to what Gods will is with Israel...that is up to God, and as before, the God of Israel has made the return of the Hebrews possible against all odds and all those who thought that the land of the Hebrews
RainForestMissionary »

Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:50 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Our obligation to "support" the modern state of Israel is clear in Scripture? Can anyone develop a logical set of propositions that would arrive this conclusion?
mnlpilgrim »

Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:08 am Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

Evangelical Zionists have propagated this myth that the nation Israel today is still God's chosen people. God's chosen in the new covenant is the Church, Jews and Gentiles together.

“Nuke Iran!” - John Hagee and Evangelical Zionists
http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/doctrine/?p=5

"The Israel of God"
http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/files/show_article.php?id=20
steiner »

Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:24 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Sadly, after doing a bit more reading on Columbus, I feel compelled to write that Columbus was certainly not a Christian.

In the light of what Jesus commands us to do, Columbus, as much as he claimed to be a Christian is responsible for many atrocities committed against the poor defenseless Indians that were living there. Not only were many raped, but many cruel and savage atrocities (cutting off of ears, nose..etc.) were inflicted on them.

As Christians, we have a clear example in Christ. We deceive ourselves if we believe that doing evil will bring forth good.
aritonang »

Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:02 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 0

Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.
scitsonga »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 8:15 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

aritonang, your silly and immature posts are not worth the time to responde to.
steiner »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:24 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

When Jordan is 70% Palestinian, and the palestinans claim none of it as part of their future state, than one should wonder what the palestinians are really about.

Ask the Palestinians whether there should be an Israeli state, and they will tell you in no uncertain terms that all the land is theirs...So, it is ok to have 3 palestinian states and no Jewish state...But wait there is more...

The Palestinians in Europe are beginning to demand sharia, are creating their no go zones all over England, Paris, the Netherlands, Spain, and elsewhere in Europe are also being supported by the islamist leadership in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lybia, Egypt, Sudan, Malaysia, Iran, ...as these approach the U.N. and call upon her to make laws against freedom of speech, and against those in Europe that are beginning to wake up in regards to islam...and wish to challenge it in a democratic way through free speech.

Let us stop supporting the palestinians...they have taken enough land through the years. It is truly time to tell the islamists that enough is enough.

No one will relate what Christopher Columbus did when he landed in the New World, but we should all know. Columbus got down on his hands and knees and thanked God that he had found a passage to the East that was not controlled by islam. In 1492 Christianity was fighting for its life, as islam was encroaching and cutting off every possible trade route.

The Europeans were being forced to pay extreme sums to the islamists to have their kidnapped men and women(from captured trading ships and lands, and raids) returned as the islamists (otherwise they would be sold as slaves) systematically colluded to strangle European trade and survival.

Columbus was one of the many pioneers dispatched in the ever decreasing hope of saving Europe from the spread and intolerance of islam...we ought not to forget this, especially now where islamists in the guise of palestinians are making ever more increasing demands on the free world, while in their own countries they systematically and brutally deny their minorities any freedom... Enough is enough!
ronwilson4u »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 2:30 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

One of the main and plain points of scripture is that those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed. God has a plan, and he will carry it out. Our obligation to support the nation of Isreal is clear in scriptures, and it is inconsistent and illogical to say you are a Christian and not trust and believe the main, plain points of scripture.

Jesus Christ is coming back, so get ready!

Hope Page: http://itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
JonnyBlad »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 6:53 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Eschatology
http://polemos.net/Eschatology.html
inthebeloved »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:51 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

The title of the article bothers me:Most U.S. Christians Back Israel Out of "Biblical Obligation

Shouldn't we be morally supporting Israel, as we would any other democracy in the world? What bothers me about the title is the term 'biblical obligation'....it shows me that most evangelicals have a problem understanding who the people of God are today.

Good article on the subject here:

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/elect.html
aritonang »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:43 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

and oh ya scitsonga, please dont delete my comments here and there ya. thanks
aritonang »

Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:42 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

scitsonga, why do you hate Jews? Has the jews done any harm to your family long ago to your great grand mother maybe? Why do you always paddle anti semitic comments here scitsonga? remember when you said that the 8 yeshiva boys murder are nothing?
freefallin »

Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:00 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

We need to all support Israel, salvation came to the Gentiles to provoke the Jews to jealousy. That is the only reason (Rom. 11:11). God is allowing a veil to come over the eyes of Israel until the Gentiles reach their fullness (Rom 11:25). Israel is God's chosen people, and we as Gentiles have been drafted in. God chose Israel, the most rebellious nation, to show His faithfulness to the whole earth. We will be looking back on the faithfulness of God in the millennial kingdom and beyond, and Israel will be one of the main things we look at.
wrhalver »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:02 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

RainForestMissionary

Israel is as biblical now as in the very beginning. Same God and all.
Please explain your statement.
RainForestMissionary »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:56 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 5

There is little evidence to support that Modern Day Israel has anything to do with the Bible's Israel.
Toni »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:50 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

To Philadelphos:

Please take note of vs 7 in Romans 9Take note in vs 7 where Paul writes "In Isaac shall thy seed be called," and vs 8, "the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Paul elaborates on these verses further in Galatians Chapter 3:16, where he clarifies:

Now to Abraham AND HIS SEED were the promises made. HE SAITH NOT, AND TO SEEDS, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST. It is very clear to anyone who has read this that Christ is the seed of Abraham whom Paul is speaking of, and not the natural descendants of Abraham or the Jews as Hagee and his "Christian" Zionist followers suggest and promote. A relationship with unbelieving Israel and Jewish people, according to Biblical standards, with all due respect, may produce a good friend and political ally, but will not produce the blessing of salvation. Only one's relationship with the Messiah Jesus will.

The true Israel of God Paul writes of in Galatians 6:16 is only found in a relationship with and service to the Lord Jesus Christ. The true Israel of God are the childen of the promise and are counted for the seed. These are those who believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, whether Jew and Gentile. The "Christian" Zionist movement supports secular and unsaved Israel and does not support or give unsaved Jewish people of Israel the Gospel of Christ, nor does the "Christian" Zionist movement support our persecuted messianic brethren living in Israel; even though, according to Scripture, the blessing of Abraham is Christ and the blessing is distributed by spreading the Gospel of Christ and standing with the brethren.
Toni »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:44 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

I support Israel and the Jewish people for biblical reasons. With that said, please note:
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

AND IF YE BE CHRIST'S, THEN YE ARE ABRAHAM'S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE. Galatians 3:27-29

All Christians, as ambassadors of Christ, must bless the Jewish people by sharing the good news of reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. The great commission of Jesus Christ has never been cancelled, but the "Christian" Zionist movement, while it parades around Israel as "Christian" neither gives the Gospel to the unsaved Jewish people of Israel or publically supports the Jewish believers of Jesus Christ of Isreal in the midst of their on-going persecution from the unsaved orthodox Jewish population. This deeply bothers me.
scitsonga »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:54 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 4

seekinghim "I don't doubt that Israel is part of God's plan"

was the holocaust part of gods plan? I read on these posts about the jews as god's "chosen" people. If I were I jew, not sure I would be much for the plan, and prefer not to be "chosen". Having israel in the middle of and occupying arab land doesn't seem like a good plan if you ask me.
SeekingHim »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:41 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

I have no question that the Bible has much to say about Israel.
I don't doubt that Israel is part of God's plan and he will graft them back in (Romans).
I don't think that Israel and the church are the same.
BUT...
There is NOTHING in current history (last 60 years) that demonstrates clearly that POLITICAL ISRAEL equals BIBLICAL ISRAEL.
Just because some Jews took over the land doesn't mean it was God's timing in 1949?
Do you see Israel seeking God before they "defend" themselves?
Are their current actions under instructions of the Lord like it was for David? or others in the O.T.?
There have been so many injustices brought on BY Israel against the Palestinians (and yes, the revers too!) it is amazing that people don't renounce their faith in the God of Israel OR Islam IF they believe that he has led them these last 60 years.
I believe He has not led either faith in this. It is just human sin.
scitsonga »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:57 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 3

My fear is that the three silly religions of the jews, christians and muslims will lead to WW 3. Lets hope the people of the world don't allow the fanatics of these religions lead the world down the path to destruction. The world would be much better off without these religions.
msnchris70 »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:58 pm Agree: 4 Disagree: 1

As a former Protestant minister who converted to Catholicism, I find that the support for Israel is widespread. The biggest thing that ties all Christians together is that we will defend Israel's right over Muslims and their false prophet Mohammed.

However, less evangelicals but more Catholics and main line Protestants will not support Israel when they hurt the rights of Palestinian Christians who's families have been there since the days of Jesus Christ and before. In the Holy Land today, the majority of Christians are Catholics and then Orthodox and some Lutherans and Episcopalians. You will find a few other Christian groups but not of any major size. The Israeli government treats Palestinian Christians just like the Muslims and this is wrong. The Palestinian Christians are not blowing up Isrealis only the Palestinian Muslims.

Please all Christians, send a donation to Christian Churches in Israel. The really need our help!!
scitsonga »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:31 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

gowin "We are now mystically part of Israel. Are we not?"

actually, more like militarily.
gowin »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:58 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

I am in favor of Israel because we, as Christians, have been grafted into the family tree of believing Israel (Romans 11), and according to Galations 3:29 we are now-with them- "the seed of Abraham". We are now mystically part of Israel. Are we not?
Philadelphos »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:54 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 1

The basis of Christian's love and support as a most or duty to Israel as a nation is backed up from the very beginning of life as is stated in the book of Genesis when God said to Abraham (The father of faith) " I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse ". Gen12.3
And this promise is stated for life time on Earth in favor to Israel.
If America or any other christian nation forgives this at the time to make desitions
concerninig to Israel, I presume it will be in a very big trouble with The Lord Our God.
Blessings
scitsonga »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:49 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 1

smbga "And if America doesn't want to be totally destroyed, we better never ever turn our backs on Israel. The Word makes that clear."

Oh really, and where might one find such silly stuff written?
coffee »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:46 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

Ronwilson, If "Israel" is supposed to rule over all of the land mentioned, what happens to Arab Christians, say, who are in the region now? Will all non-Jews be kicked out of this vast empire?
kpercy07 »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:06 pm Agree: 1 Disagree: 0

smbga: Hear hear. Another differentiator in what must be considered "a Christian vote" must be the candidates' position on support for Israel.
ronwilson4u »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:30 am Agree: 3 Disagree: 0

True Christians believe the eintire Bible is the inspired word of God, including His promise to restore Isreal to rule over the entire land from the Jorden River to the Medaterrianean Sea and from Jordon to Egypt. It makes no sense to believe portions of Holy Scriptures while disbelieving others. God has made his plans clear and he will carry them all out--not just some of his promises; all of them.

Hope Page: http://itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
smbga »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:58 am Agree: 6 Disagree: 3

And if America doesn't want to be totally destroyed, we better never ever turn our backs on Israel. The Word makes that clear.
holito8 »

Sat Apr 12, 2008 9:03 am Agree: 2 Disagree: 2

How can a Christian not? Without Israel there would be no Christian(s). The Word came thru the Jews.

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