Zionism and Americanism
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The more I embrace my Jewish identity, the more I realize how all-encompassing it is: Jewish identity translates into faith (Messianic Judaism), into nationalism (Zionism), and into a code for daily living (Torah). Judaism, when done the right way, is an all-encompassing essence, because HaShem is an all-encompassing G-d; He is El Shaddai.
As I reconnect with the Christian world, I am startled by the differences I see when it comes to the concept of "living out faith." Because of the cultural stripping of nation (Israel) and creed (Torah) the Christian world (at least in America) is often like a ship set adrift into the ocean with no real captain or land-goal. What I've really started to notice is this strain in American Christian thinking that prompts Christians to view America as some sort of Zion of the Christian world. Perhaps this is a notion subconsciously fed by replacement theology--but I doubt it. The motivation isn't so much about hating the Jews as it is about being envious of us. That is, to say, Christians are realizing how incredibly polarized they are as a community in America, therefore, as they dig more and more into scripture, and read all about how G-d gave the Israelites a land to call their own, the Christians realize that they want a land to call their own, too. They want that safe haven where they can worship G-d freely.
Now, to a Christian mind that is trained to believe in anything ranging from replacement theology to dual-covenant theology, Israel is not the land they have in mind to call their own. Besides, why would they want a strip of land the size of New Jersey that's riddled with terrorists, when they can stay right here in the "greatest country on the earth"? These Christians are also nostalgic for the America that was- the America that prayed in school and had good, solid, Biblical values. So, what do you see arising in Christian circles? Talk of reclaiming the nation for Jesus. This translates into both non-fiction speeches and writings by noted Christian figures, as well as a slew of historical fiction novels set on the American frontier line the Christian section in your local bookstore.
Ben Franklin originally wanted our national seal to depict Moses standing over a parted sea with the Israelites crossing to safety. That is how heartily he correlated the American revolutionary experience with the liberation of the Hebrews in Exodus. As heartwarming as that notion is, I can't help but think, as a Messianic Jew who understands the fullness of scriptures like Deuteronomy 29, Ezekiel 47, and Romans 9-11, that there is more to the future and hope of the Christian world than a reclamation of America. Not that seeing America return to her Biblical foundations would be a bad thing-- quite the opposite is the case! It's just that, well, why go for a slice of the pie when you can have the whole cake?
Labels: America, Christianity, identity, Israel, Messianic Judaism, Zionism
posted by Shoshana @ 9:24 PM
