‘Christian Zionism’ Misinterprets Biblical Promises

Christian Zionism—the belief that modern political Israel has a divine right to the land based on biblical promises—is a theological error when examined through the lens of the New Covenant. Romans 9-11 does not support the idea that ethnic Jews retain a separate covenantal status outside of Christ, nor does it justify uncritical support for the modern secular state of Israel. Here’s why:

1. The True Israel is Christ and His Church

• Paul makes it clear in Romans 9:6-8 that not all ethnic Israelites are true Israel:
  "For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring… This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring."
  The "children of promise" are those who have faith in Christ (Gal. 3:7, 29), whether Jew or Gentile.

• Galatians 3:16, 28-29 confirms that the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Christ and extended to all believers, making them the true heirs—not ethnic Jews who reject the Messiah.

2. No Separate Covenant for Unbelieving Jews

• Christian Zionists often claim that God has an "eternal covenant" with ethnic Jews regardless of faith in Christ. But Romans 11:17-24 warns that unbelieving Jews are "broken off" from the olive tree (God’s people) due to unbelief, while Gentiles are grafted in by faith.**

• There is no "dual covenant" theology in Scripture. John 14:6, Acts 4:12, and Hebrews 8:6-13 make it clear that salvation is only through Christ, and the Old Covenant is obsolete.

3. Romans 11:26-27 Refers to Salvation Through Christ, Not Ethnic Privilege

• When Paul says "all Israel will be saved" (Rom. 11:26), he is not referring to ethnic Jews apart from faith in Christ. The context shows that "Israel" here means the full number of elect Jews and Gentiles (the true Israel of God, Gal. 6:16) who come to Christ.

• The deliverer "out of Zion" is Jesus (Rom. 11:26-27), who saves by removing sin through the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34), not by restoring a political state.

4. The Land Promise Was Provisional, Not Eternal

• The land covenant in the Old Testament (Gen. 15, Deut. 28-30) was conditional on obedience (Deut. 28:58-63; Josh. 23:15-16). Israel lost the land due to disobedience, and the ultimate fulfillment is not dirt and borders, but the whole earth for Christ’s kingdom (Matt. 5:5, Rom. 4:13).

• Hebrews 11:8-16 shows that Abraham looked for a heavenly country, not an earthly one. The New Testament shifts focus from a geographical Israel to a global kingdom in Christ (Rev. 5:9, 7:9).

5. Modern Israel ≠ Biblical Israel

• The modern state of Israel is a secular, political entity, not a theocracy governed by God’s law. Most Jews in Israel are atheist, secular, or reject Jesus as Messiah—meaning they are not heirs of the promise (Rom. 9:8).

• Christian Zionism often leads to uncritical support for unjust policies (e.g., Palestinian oppression) based on a misreading of prophecy. But Scripture commands us to seek justice for all (Micah 6:8), not favor one group due to ethnicity.

Conclusion: The Only Zion That Matters is Christ’s Kingdom

Christian Zionism misreads Romans 9-11 by ignoring the New Covenant’s fulfillment in Jesus. There is no biblical basis for supporting modern Israel as a special covenant people—all who are in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are Abraham’s heirs (Gal. 3:28-29). The church is the "Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16), and our hope is in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21), not a temporary political state.

If a Christian Zionist insists on supporting Israel for theological reasons, they are prioritizing ethnicity over the gospel—a dangerous error Paul condemns (Gal. 2:11-16). True biblical support for Jewish people means preaching Christ to them, not endorsing a secular nation.

Debunking the Argument: "Romans 11:28-29 Proves Jews Are Special, So Christians Must Support Zionism"

The Zionist argument claims:

1. Romans 11:28-29 means Jews remain "special" in God’s eyes.

2. Therefore, Christians must support modern Israel as a divine obligation.

This is a misuse of Scripture to justify political Zionism. Here’s why it’s wrong:

1. Romans 11:28-29 Does NOT Teach Ongoing Ethnic Privilege

The Verse:

"As regards the gospel, they [unbelieving Jews] are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." (Rom. 11:28-29)

What Zionists Claim:

• "God still favors Jews apart from Christ because of Abraham."

• "The ‘irrevocable calling’ means ethnic Jews still have a separate covenant."

What Paul Actually Means:

• "Enemies for your sake" = Jewish rejection of Christ led to the Gospel going to Gentiles (Rom. 11:11-12).

• "Beloved for the fathers’ sake" = God’s past faithfulness to Abraham ensures He will save a remnant of Jews (Rom. 11:5, 26)—not that all Jews are automatically saved.

• "Gifts and calling are irrevocable" = God will keep His promises to save the elect remnant (Rom. 9:6-8), not that ethnic Jews have a separate covenant.

Key Point: Paul is explaining how some Jews will be saved, not giving them a free pass outside of Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

2. Paul Explicitly Rejects "Special Status" for Unbelieving Jews

• Romans 9:6-8 – "Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel."

• Galatians 3:28-29 – "There is neither Jew nor Greek… if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring."

• Philippians 3:2-3 – "We are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God… and put no confidence in the flesh."

Paul never teaches that Jews who reject Christ are still "beloved" in a salvific sense. They are "enemies of the Gospel" (Rom. 11:28) until they repent.

3. The "Irrevocable Calling" Refers to God’s Faithfulness, Not Ethnic Favoritism

• The "calling" in Romans 11:29 is about God’s faithfulness to save a remnant (Rom. 11:5), not a blanket blessing on all ethnic Jews.

• Example: Esau was a physical descendant of Abraham, but God rejected him (Rom. 9:13). Being Jewish doesn’t guarantee divine favor.

Zionist Error: They twist "irrevocable calling" to mean "God still blesses Jews who reject Christ"—which contradicts:

• John 3:36 – "Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life."

• Hebrews 8:13 – The Old Covenant is obsolete.

4. Supporting Modern Israel ≠ Biblical Obedience

The Zionist argument assumes:

• Modern Israel = Biblical Israel (False—it’s a secular state, not a theocracy).

• Political support = "Blessing Israel" (False—true blessing is sharing the Gospel, Rom. 10:1).

Biblical Response:

• Galatians 6:16 – The true "Israel of God" is the Church (Jew + Gentile in Christ).

• Revelation 21:2 – Our hope is the New Jerusalem, not a temporary nation.

How to Respond

1. "Romans 11 is about salvation for a Jewish remnant in Christ—not ethnic favoritism."

2. "God’s ‘irrevocable calling’ means He will save elect Jews—not that unbelieving Jews are still in covenant."

3. "The New Testament never commands Christians to support a secular state—our mission is the Gospel."

4. "True love for Jewish people means calling them to Christ—not endorsing a nation that rejects Him."

Final Verdict:

The Zionist argument misreads Romans 11 to push a political agenda. There is no biblical mandate to support modern Israel. The Church is the true heir of God’s promises—not any earthly nation.