Christian Zionism is a theological and political belief system held by many Christians (especially in the United States) that supports the modern state of Israel as the direct fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a central part of God’s ongoing plan for humanity.
At its core, Christian Zionism teaches:
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That God gave the physical land of Israel to the Jewish people as an eternal inheritance.
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That the return of Jews to the land in 1948 was a prophetic event predicted in Scripture.
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That Christians have a duty to support the modern state of Israel politically, militarily, and financially.
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That any opposition to Israel is opposition to God’s will.
Many Christian Zionists believe that supporting Israel will hasten the return of Jesus and is a requirement for receiving God’s blessing, based largely on a reading of Genesis 12:3 (“I will bless those who bless you…”).
But here’s the problem: Jesus never taught any of that.
Sadly, Christian Zionism often skips right over the red letters of Jesus. It ignores what Christ actually said about loving enemies, turning the other cheek, laying down the sword, and tearing down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. It turns the gospel into a geopolitical situation and, even worse, baptizes war in the name of God.
Below, you’ll find twenty serious, scripture-based questions every Christian Zionist needs to honestly answer. As you consider each one, return to Jesus’ own words and ask yourself if the theology you hold matches what He explicitly taught.
20 Questions Every Christian Zionist Must Answer
Fact #1: Jesus commanded Israel clearly: “Love your enemies.” (Matthew 5:44)
Question #1: How can followers of Jesus justify encouraging modern Israel to kill their enemies when Christ Himself commanded the opposite?
Fact #2: Jesus warned explicitly, “All who draw the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)
Question #2: Why, then, do Christians provide weapons, funding, and encouragement to Israel’s military campaigns, contradicting this explicit warning?
Fact #3: Jesus revealed exactly what God is like: nonviolent, compassionate, forgiving (Hebrews 1:1-3, John 14:9).
Question #3: How can a follower of Jesus reconcile today’s violent, enemy-hating Israel with the nonviolent, enemy-loving character of God revealed in Christ?
Fact #4: Paul says clearly in Ephesians 2:14-16 that Christ tore down the barrier dividing Jews and Gentiles, creating “one new humanity.
Question #4: How can Christians justify condoning (and even encouraging) violence and hostility between modern Israelis and Palestinians while claiming to follow Christ, who specifically came to destroy all such hostilities?
Fact #5: Jesus explicitly taught His Jewish listeners to “turn the other cheek” and to return good for evil. (Matthew 5:39).
Question #5: If Christians claim to be disciples of Jesus, why do they encourage Israel to retaliate violently rather than follow this explicit instruction?
Fact #6: Jesus explicitly said His kingdom is not of this world and refused to rule by force (John 18:36).
Question #6: Why, then, do Christians seek political and military victories for Israel, directly contradicting Jesus’ rejection of earthly power and violence?
Fact #7: Jesus called His disciples to forgive those who mistreat them and rejected retaliation toward enemies (Luke 6:27-29).
Question #7: When did that command stop applying to the people of Israel…or to Christians?
Fact #8: The early church followed Jesus in choosing martyrdom over military resistance.
Question #8: If Christian Zionism is biblical, why is there no example of Christ or the early church advocating violence or military support for any nation-state, let alone the modern state of Israel?
Fact #9: Paul says explicitly, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
Question #9: How can Christians justify making special ethical exceptions for Israel if Christ explicitly taught equality and unity for all His followers?
Fact #10: Jesus proclaimed, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)
Question #10: In what meaningful sense can Christians funding violence be considered peacemakers according to the explicit teachings of Jesus?
Fact #11: The New Testament teaches that Jesus fulfilled the promises made to Israel (2 Corinthians 1:20; Galatians 3:16).
Question #11: Why do Christian Zionists still treat those promises as unfulfilled and tied to a political nation-state?
Fact #12: Jesus wept over Jerusalem and warned that its violent path would lead to destruction (Luke 19:41–44).
Question #12: Why do Christians now applaud the same kind of violent nationalism that Jesus lamented?
Fact #13: In Acts 1:6, the disciples asked Jesus if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel.
Question #13: Why did Jesus avoid that question… and why do Christian Zionists still obsess over it?
Fact #14: Jesus told His followers to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, not political cheerleaders for one nation (Acts 1:8).
Question #14: How did the Great Commission get replaced with geopolitical loyalty based on human boundary lines?
Fact #15: The Book of Revelation calls followers of the Lamb to overcome not by killing, but by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).
Question #15: Why do so many Christians now celebrate military victory as a sign of God’s blessing?
Fact #16: Jesus fulfilled the temple, the priesthood, the sacrifices, and the land (Hebrews 8–10).
Question #16: Why do Christian Zionists still hold to a physical temple, priesthood, and land as spiritually necessary?
Fact #17: Scripture says God shows no favoritism, whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 2:11; Acts 10:34).
Question #17: How does giving one nation divine privilege over others square with God’s impartial character?
Fact #18: Jesus taught that mercy is the weightier matter of the law (Matthew 23:23).
Question #18: How can Christians justify supporting policies of occupation, blockade, and displacement in the name of faithfulness to Christ?
Fact #19: Jesus rebuked Peter for rejecting His path of suffering and said, “You do not have in mind the concerns of God” (Mark 8:33).
Question #19: Have Christians once again rebuked the suffering path of Christ in favor of worldly strength and tribal loyalty?
Fact #20: Jesus warned against false prophets who would come in His name and deceive many (Matthew 24:24).
Question #20: Could Christian Zionism itself be part of that deception, dressed in biblical language but leading believers away from the crucified Christ?
Conclusion
These are not easy questions. They’re not meant to be.
Instead, they’re meant to confront a popular but dangerous theology with the words of Jesus Himself. They’re meant to expose the tension between modern Christian support for violence and the nonviolent gospel of the kingdom.
If Christian Zionism cannot answer these basic questions, then maybe it’s not built on the Rock.
Christ never gave Israel (or anyone else) a blank check for violence. Instead, He gave us one powerful command: love.
Jesus didn’t come to bless nationalism, war, or ethnic supremacy. He came to create one new humanity. That is, one people (not two peoples) of God. And one law of love for all.
We should listen.
Blessings,
P.S. You can help innocent children caught in the crossfire of religious hatred by donating to credible charities that are operating in the Gaza and West Bank areas. One that I personally support is Save the Children. You can donate here.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of our six-part series at True Riches Academy entitled “The Cross and the Sword”, a provocative podcast and article series exploring guns, Christian nationalism, and the lost message of Jesus’ nonviolent love. Subscribe to our email list to follow the entire journey.
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