Jewish/Christian Alliance: An Unlikely Partnership – A Commentary by a Modern Follower of Jesus

Feb 7, 2023 by Susan Rosenbluth

By Thomas Jenkins, Pastor, Sewell Community Baptist Church

Although it may seem strange these days, there is no question that, over the years, the relationship between Christians and Jews has often been problematic. From “Christ Killer,” the hateful appellation thrown at Jews in the Middle Ages, to the horrors of the Spanish Inquisition and the even great atrocities of the Second World War, far too many people who have identified themselves with Christianity have acted reprehensibly in the name of Jesus. As a committed follower of Jesus and a Christian Pastor, I can both admit and lament that reality.

This history makes it all the more puzzling that in the latter half of the twentieth century and the nascent years of this new millennium, there have been no greater friends to both Israel and the Jewish people than Bible-believing Christians in America.

I hope to explore in this commentary the theological underpinnings of this gratifying change in both tone and substance on behalf of at least a sizable portion of the Christian Church toward a people who have suffered too long.

Two Changes in Theology

Two changes occurred within Christian theology in the last century, both of which contributed to this transformation.

The first is a shift in eschatology within the Bible-believing Christian community. Prior to World War One, the majority of Christians followed a teaching called post-millennialism. This school of theology taught that with all the advancements in science and technology, the world would get increasingly better until Jesus returned.

The horrors of two World Wars drove the stake through the heart of this teaching and, in its place, pre-millennialism became the predominant theory in the contemporary era. This school teaches that an apocryphal ending is coming to the world, culminating in a seven-year period of testing to encompass the entire globe, called the Tribulation Period—or the Time of Jacob’s Troubles. An aspect of this theology is that G-d will restore Israel to prominence once more, literally fulfilling all the promises given in the Hebrew Scriptures.

An Eternal Truth

The rise of pre-millennialism has brought the Bible-believing Christian community face to face with the truth that G-d has never lost His love for the Jewish people.

New Testament prophecies like Romans 11:26, which states, “and in this way all Israel will be saved,” have taken on a new and appropriate significance, based on passages like Isaiah 59:20,21 and Jeremiah 31:33,34. An understanding of Daniel 9:24-27 makes clear to Bible-believing Christians that G-d still has a timetable He is working out for Israel.

The Jewish return to the land of Israel after millennia of diaspora shows that He is still working with the people of His covenant and love. Those Gentile believers who follow the Word of G-d embrace and support that truth and, therefore, are the most vocal and enthusiastic supporters of Israel’s right not only to exist but to thrive. Throughout the time when evangelical Christians had a strong voice in American politics, the United States remained the only reliable defender of Israel in the UN against a hostile coalition of nations and interests.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Genesis 12:2,3

The second change of theological perspective in the Bible-believing Church has been a renewed appreciation for Genesis 12:2,3. There, G-d calls Abram (later Abraham) to be His. He makes promises to Abraham: “I will bless you.” Furthermore, G-d will bless any people who bless Abraham and curse any people who curse him.

This truth was repeatedly proven throughout the days of ancient Israel. Sooner or later, every nation that oppressed or despised the Jewish people was brought to ruin.

This pattern has held true in the modern era. From Spain and its horrendous attempts at forced conversion, which were practiced from the fifteenth through the nineteenth century, to modern Russia, which oppressed the Jewish people for decades, every modern nation that has attacked the people of Israel has suffered loss and ruin on the international stage.

In contrast, America, which has been an unparalleled supporter of Israel, has been blessed with unrivaled prosperity and strength. This fact is not lost on the Bible-believing Christian Church, nor the underlying cause attributed to anything other than the blessing and cursing found in Genesis 12:2,3.

With this belief now firmly established in the Bible-believing Christian community, American Evangelical Christians have emerged as among the most ardent supporters of Israel in the world.

Common Dangers

One further observation must be made. Whatever honest disagreements over theology still exist between practicing, Torah-observant Jews and Bible-believing Christians (and I do not wish to minimize them), there is also a large and important area of agreement. Both communities live in an increasingly hostile culture. It is not a coincidence that the Hasidic community in New York was the target of special persecution during the pandemic—while Christian pastors were arrested for holding outdoor services with their congregations worshiping from their own cars.

Although the United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights guarantees the right of free religious expression, liquor stores, and marijuana dispensaries were granted “essential business” status and allowed to remain open to the public, while churches and synagogues were forcibly closed down.

This same pattern is seen across the culture. Traditional moral values—whether through the demand to normalize and even celebrate such practices as homosexuality, group marriages, or gender reassignment surgeries for children; or the general marginalization of any people of faith— are under attack, especially the Judeo-Christian values. The very term shows the joint heritage our two peoples share.

The modern attempt by Bible-believing Christians to make amends for centuries of poor behavior is both welcome and timely. My hope and prayer in writing this article is that a small explanation of the theological underpinnings of this needed change will foster greater compassion and cooperation between our two communities. I believe this is a goal any person of noble character will find pleasing and right.

May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless us all. Thomas Jenkins, Pastor, Sewell Community Baptist Church