Christian Zionism: Navigating the Jewish-Christian Border

Christian Zionism has received no small amount of criticism from observers who take issue with the movements pro-Israel politics or its theology. What if we listened seriously to what Christian Zionists and Jewish partners said about Jews Judaism and Israel? Christian Zionism is a vibrant contemporary movement that--agree or disagree--has more than just political implications. Christian Zionism has also brought an unprecedented number of Jews and Christians into contact and dialogue in houses of worship community centers rallies and of course in Israel. As such Christian Zionism is a useful case that allows us to think about contemporary Jewish-Christian relations in new ways. While some would argue that this is really just about pro-Israel alliance building Christian Zionism: Navigating the Jewish-Christian Border shows how this movement significantly engages basic questions of identity and the borders between Judaism and Christianity. Christian Zionism serves as one chapter in the history of two religious communities--and the fraught relationships between them--facing together the globalized world of the twenty-first century. Dr. Faydra Shapiro has given the reader an in-depth look into the world of Christian Zionism showing that the movement which crosses denominational lines is not a monolith. This remnant within Christianity is still trying to grapple the full sense of their calling for Israel in the context of their Christian identity. Christian Zionism is a must-read for Jews who still have a medieval era understanding of Christianity and accept the medias portrayal that many of these sincere people have a hidden conversion agenda. --David Nekrutman Executive Director for the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation (CJCUC) Israel Few could be better positioned than Faydra Shapiro to write so sensitively honestly and courageously about navigating the Jewish-Christian border. Christian Zionism is an incredible read from an insightful mind! --Robert Stearns Executive Director Eagles Wings Clarence NY Christian Zionism offers a fresh and valuable perspective on an important contemporary religious and political movement. Faydra Shapiro should be commended for presenting Christian Zionism in an even and engaging manner. Her manuscript is a pleasure to read. --Yaakov Ariel Professor of Religious Studies University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Faydra L. Shapiro is the director of the Galilee Center for Studies in Jewish-Christian Relations at Yezreel Valley College Israel. She is the author of Building Jewish Roots (2006) which won a National Jewish Book Award.