Learning
from the "pro-gospel" stream
The
Christian Zionist movement often tends to be weak and even fearful or
skittish when it comes to evangelism. There are many reasons for this –
some are called strategic, others occasionally (though rarely) are based on the
false teaching called "two covenant theology" (which says that Jews
don't have to believe the gospel but have another way of salvation). Sometimes
Christian Zionists are concerned that open evangelism of Jewish people will
close doors to the Jewish non-Messianic community, or that the Israeli Ministry
of the Interior may revoke the visas (meaning, the temporary right to live in
It
is here that the "pro-gospel" stream definitely has something to say.
Yeshua gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.
It was not a "Great Suggestion". It comes with the full authority and
weight of the Risen Messiah who is Son of David. That good news is about the
Jewish Messiah and it is earmarked with special priority to the Jewish people (as Paul stresses in
Romans 1:16 and 2:6-11). Some Christian Zionists lack gospel courage and
gospel backbone, and
some of their strategies have the odor both of fear and of the desire to be
pleasers of men rather than pleasers of God (see Galatians 1:6-12 and 2
Corinthians 2:14-17).
Another
salient point: some Christian Zionists are embarrassed about Messianic Jews.
They would rather be photographed while embracing rabbis who persecute
Messianic Jews, than take the risk of being photographed while embracing
Messianic Jewish brothers and sisters in the faith. The "pro-gospel"
stream can rightly asked them, "Are you ashamed of the gospel
which is the power of salvation, to the Jew first?"