Who are Christian Zionists?

A great deal of discussion and scrutiny is being given to the term Christian Zionist due to rising antisemitism seeking to delegitimize Israel and her supporters. Prominent public figures have criticized the historical, biblical, and theological basis that connects Christians to their support of the modern State of Israel. This article is the first in a series to bring clarity to the terms and to offer biblical grounding for what Christian Zionism is—and is not.

The term “Christian Zionist” was first used at the end of the nineteenth century; therefore, it is a relatively new concept and one that requires some explanation. In addition, it is often discussed amid the highly emotive subject of modern Israel, leading to easy mischaracterization. Defining the term is therefore crucial, and a correct definition must start with an explanation of Zionism itself.

ZIONISM 

Zionism today refers to the largely secular political movement that began in the late 1800s and led to the founding of the State of Israel in 1948. Therefore, the term “Christian Zionism” could be considered an oxymoron describing a religious affiliation with a secular movement, which helps explain some of the misunderstanding and debate surrounding it.

Anti-Israel activists have demonized the term Zionism, which has had a detrimental effect on the use of the term Christian Zionism. It is the same with the term Evangelical Christian; anti-Christian liberals have so demonized the word “Evangelical” that, increasingly, Christians are no longer using it.

Personally, I do not want to give up on the term Zionism because it is, at its root, a biblical concept. The word “Zion” denotes Jerusalem, the very place God brought the people He chose for Himself to worship and the center of His redemptive activity. Zion is a real place in Israel, but also a theological symbol of God’s faithfulness, kingship, and future restoration: from Zion, God’s law will go forth (Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2), and from Zion, Jesus will one day rule and reign (Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:9–12).

Ultimately, Zion (Jerusalem) is the one place on the face of the earth where God chose to set His name and dwell among His people:

For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” (Psalm 132:13–14)

After Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70 and the Jewish people were exiled among the nations, where they have been for over 2,000 years, the hope of returning to Zion became central to Jewish life, prayer, sentiments, and most importantly, identity. Zionism is thus the modern political outworking of thousands of years of Jewish longing to return to Zion.

At its heart, Zionism is a religious movement that needed a political effort to make it a reality. Christian supporters of Israel tend to view Zionism within this biblical context and not as a separate political movement that is somehow distinct and to be disdained. It is a natural progression and a necessary expression of the spiritual love for Zion found in the Bible.

CHRISTIAN ZIONIST 

A definition of Christian Zionist would then be a Christian who supports the right of Jews to self-determination in their ancient homeland. Under this definition, former International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) Executive Director Rev. Malcolm Hedding writes that “many Christians would qualify, no matter what their reasons are for this support.”[1]

The term was first used in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress by Theodore Herzl. This father of the Zionist Movement used the term when acknowledging the presence of several Christians among the Congress attendees. One of those Christian Zionists was Jean Henri Dunant, a Swiss banker and founder of the Red Cross. Another was Rev. William Hechler, Chaplain at the British Embassy in Vienna. Hechler opened many doors for Theodore Herzl to meet with key political leaders who he would have otherwise had no access.

Those Christians supported the return of the Jews to their homeland for both biblical and moral reasons—it was an act of justice for a persecuted people. Much has happened since 1897. Today, there are many reasons a Christian should support the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland and the modern State of Israel. My next article will focus on the biblical basis for Christian support of Israel: Christian Zionism.

[1] [1] Malcolm Hedding, “What Is Christian Zionism?” Charisma Magazine Online, 26 Mar. 2010. https://mycharisma.com/news/what-is-chris­tian-zionism2/. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.