Christian Zionism: Prophecy of God or Prophecy Self-Fulfilled?
Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Department
History
First Reader
Dr. Kevin C. Motl
Second Reader
Dr. Eric Goddard
Third Reader
Dr. Steven Thomason
Abstract
Since its creation in 1948, Israel has received criticism from around the world for its policies toward the Palestinians. However, there is one nation that has seemed to stand beside Israel consistently and unconditionally throughout its short lifetime: The United States of America. Support for Israel among American citizens is staggering. According to a 2010 Gallup poll, 63 percent of Americans sympathize more with the Israelis than with the Palestinians while 85 percent of Republicans do (Saad). We see this manifested in the political arena and in economic aid. As of 2005, the U.S. had provided Israel with nearly $154 billion in economic and military assistance (Mearsheimer and Walt 24). This overwhelming support for Israel in America is no coincidence. Christian Zionism has had a very strong foothold in America historically and it is this philosophy that gives Israel, perhaps, its greatest ally. According to a recent survey by Christianity Today, 24 percent of Americans believe 'the biblical mandate for Christians is to support the State of Israel" (Sizer 207). The current Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu wrote in 2006, "Thank God for Christian Zionists. Like it or not, the future of the relationship between Israel and the U.S. may very well hinge far less on America's Jews than on its Christians" (Mearsheimer and Walt 133). Netanyahu's words were telling, and they have incessantly been proven true to this day.
Recommended Citation
Baker, Brooke, "Christian Zionism: Prophecy of God or Prophecy Self-Fulfilled?" (2011). Honors Theses. 27.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/27