How can I talk to my pastor about Christian Zionism?
Christian Zionism can be a contentious issue within a church, and just talking to your pastor can be a challenge. Here is some advice on how to approach your pastor on the subject.
Pray that God will give wisdom to your pastor. Pray for your pastor that his or her “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Phil. 1:9).
Become familiar with important terms. You never know what can come up in a conversation so be sure you have a basic understanding of historical terms like antisemitism, Zionism, Holocaust, Nakba, and Intifada. You may also encounter theological terms such as dispensationalism, premillennialism, eschatology, and replacement theology. You don’t need to be a historian or theologian. General familiarity with these terms will be enough. For a brief and helpful overview of terms and issues, check out “Frequently Asked Questions” at christianzionism.org.
Ask your pastor for an appointment. Explain that you would like to learn what he or she thinks about the current situation in Israel and Palestine. Don’t mention “Christian Zionism.” Your pastor may very well have never heard the term or immediately jump to the conclusion that you believe in “replacement theology.”
Be patient. Pastors are busy. They are confronted daily with all kinds of problems and issues. If your pastor expresses some hesitancy to talk about the subject, try to understand why. They may have issues in the church that need to be addressed immediately.
Be understanding. Something happening half way across the world is not your pastor’s first concern. Furthermore, they know how controversial and divisive any kind of politically related issue can be. They have no desire to jump into a subject that may produce strong emotional responses among the people in their church.
Make it clear that you are ready to listen. Let your pastor know that you want to know what she or he thinks about how Christians should respond to what is happening in the Middle East. That will help convey that your intention is not to be confrontational but to learn.
Carefully guard your response. This is particularly important if your pastor insists that the Bible teaches that Christians should give unconditional support to the current government of Israel. Remember the instruction in Proverbs 15:1. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” The letter of James also gives good advice: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (1:19-20).
After you have listened to your pastor, ask if you can tell your story. Don’t immediately jump into a theological, historical, or political discourse. That can quickly lead to debate and sharp disagreement. Instead explain how you personally have arrived at your conclusions about the Middle East. For example, you could talk about the church that you were raised in and what that church believed about Palestine and Israel. Or describe what you experienced when you went on a tour to Israel. Then explain what made you take a more in-depth look at the situation and question what you had been previously taught. The value of this approach is that your personal story cannot be denied. The pastor may not agree with the conclusions that you have arrived at, but the pastor cannot deny that you have changed your opinion. Your story will likely enhance the conversation and present a new way of thinking for your pastor to consider.
Be careful about the language that you use. Some terms can be overly broad and highly inflammatory. Don’t criticize “the Jews” as if every Jewish person thinks exactly the same way. Instead, carefully use “Zionists” to pinpoint people who think that the land belongs solely to people of Jewish background. What about the actions of “Israelis” toward the Palestinians? Keep in mind that not all Jewish citizens of Israel think exactly alike. Instead refer to “the practices and policies of the Israeli government.”
Be thankful for every step of progress. Don’t expect too much too soon! Getting your pastor just to listen to your concerns and perspective is significant even if it does not lead to any immediate change in his or her opinion. Perhaps your pastor has never heard any Christian question unwavering support for modern Israel. Your conversation may be introducing entirely new issues for consideration. Remember that change comes gradually for most of us, and that is certainly true when it comes to highly debated subjects. So be thankful, and keep on praying for your pastor.
Be prepared to recommend something that might help your pastor learn more.
Reading material
Recommend that your pastor also consult the books and articles listed in the Resources section at christianzionism.org.
Recommend Yet in the Dark Streets Shining: A Palestinian Story of Hope & Resilience in Bethlehem by Bishara Awad and Mercy Aiken. This personal account of a Palestinian Christian may help your pastor reexamine what Christian Zionists teach about Israel and Palestine. You might even consider giving your pastor a copy of the book.
On the current situation, recommend Colin Chapman’s 8-page article on “The Israel-Hamas war and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” (www.cambridgepapers.org/the-israel-hamas-war-and-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict).
Recommend a thought-provoking book that presents both a Palestinian and Israeli perspective such as The Palestine-Israeli Conflict: A Beginner's Guide by Dan Cohn-Sherbok and Dwoud El-Alami.
For an in-depth analysis of history and theology, recommend Colin Chapman’s Whose Promised Land?
Podcasts
Recommend that your pastor consult the podcast listed in the Resources section at christianzionism.org.
Recommend whatever podcast you have found most valuable.
Videos
Recommend that your pastor consult the videos and documentaries listed in the Resources section at christianzionism.org.
Recommend the videos and documentaries you have found most impactful.