American presidents like to say that the special relationship between the United States and Israel is based on shared democratic values. That sentiment is often echoed in similar statements by European leaders. But for Christians on both continents, the connection to Israel goes deeper than a modern form of government.
“How deep” is the question.
My perspective on the matter is that of an American. But I am fully aware there are parallel and even more intriguing episodes from Europe of pre-state Christian engagement with Israel’s restoration. Back to Washington, where in 1891 a petition came across the president’s desk at the White House calling for the physical restoration of Israel in its historical homeland. Written by Christian evangelist William Eugene Blackstone, the petition came to be known as the Blackstone Memorial and was circulated in America’s five largest cities. There, it was signed by 431 prominent citizens, including the cities’ mayors, the editors of all major newspapers, members of Congress, top businessmen like John D. Rockefeller, the Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, and future president William McKinley.
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What a great question! Honestly, living among Western Christians, I would have to say that, as a whole, the Golden calf of democracy would be the deciding factor. The ironic part of this is that the Kingdom of God is not a kingdom where the people rule. We don’t get to vote and tell God what He meant to say or how He should fulfill the future.
Democracy is a Greek word, not of Hebrew origin. Our love of Israel should be based on our love of Israel’s God. We can call it dictatorship, autocracy or whatever word, but it is His Word alone that governs 🙌
I have been to China for three years, so I know exactly what the pastor said about the Chinese Christians’ love and respect for Israel. Although I live in England and do not have a tie with any Japanese church, I think that the Japanese Christians (very small in number though) also generally have a deep biblical respect for the land and the people of Israel, and that the nation’s political form itself is not much of their interest.