What is Zionism?

[MaxPC]

Here is the Googled definition that popped up:

• Zionism - a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.

It seems the definition has extended beyond the re-establishment of Israel only, and now includes its development (expansion?) and protection.

I would have thought that only the first definition above is correct. In other words, there is no such thing as a "Christian Zionist". Only a certain subgroup of Jews were Zionists - those who believed that by re-establishing the nation of Israel, they could help bring about the coming of the Messiah. Many other Jews, the most conservative among them, strongly opposed the establishment of the nation of Israel by political means. They believed that only the Messiah himself would do that.

I think that in the beginning the term did mean that. As time passed, it's definition evolved as all definitions do: language is a dynamic process, rarely static.

[Neto]

Here is the Googled definition that popped up:

• Zionism - a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel.

It seems the definition has extended beyond the re-establishment of Israel only, and now includes its development (expansion?) and protection.

I would have thought that only the first definition above is correct. In other words, there is no such thing as a "Christian Zionist". Only a certain subgroup of Jews were Zionists - those who believed that by re-establishing the nation of Israel, they could help bring about the coming of the Messiah. Many other Jews, the most conservative among them, strongly opposed the establishment of the nation of Israel by political means. They believed that only the Messiah himself would do that.

I think that in the beginning the term did mean that. As time passed, it's definition evolved as all definitions do: language is a dynamic process, rarely static.

Certainly true that words change in meaning. This can create communication failures, but that's a living language for you.

[Josh]

The fact language is dynamic does not mean that "Zionism" is an undefinable term. I'm a bit weary of those who like to play epistemological games.

[MaxPC]

I would have thought that only the first definition above is correct. In other words, there is no such thing as a "Christian Zionist". Only a certain subgroup of Jews were Zionists - those who believed that by re-establishing the nation of Israel, they could help bring about the coming of the Messiah. Many other Jews, the most conservative among them, strongly opposed the establishment of the nation of Israel by political means. They believed that only the Messiah himself would do that.

I think that in the beginning the term did mean that. As time passed, it's definition evolved as all definitions do: language is a dynamic process, rarely static.

Certainly true that words change in meaning. This can create communication failures, but that's a living language for you.

Indeed
At the same time, the layers of definitions can also be an interesting study of linguistic anthropology.

[Dan Z]

What games Josh?

Google the definition for yourself if you'd like. I honestly do think the generally understood definition has broadened over time - maybe they should've consulted you first for permission.

By the way, I don't have a lot at stake in the term one way or the other. I'll just add that the googled definition matched my prior understanding, for what it's worth.

[Franklin]

The original Zionists were secular jews. They wanted a jewish nation where jewish is defined ethnically. So Zionism has nothing to do with religion. It is jewish ethno-nationalism.

[gcdonner]

Generally speaking Zionism within a Christian mindset/scenario assumes that Christianity should support the Jews of present day Israel as the chosen people of God and that it was a fulfillment of scripture when the nation was formed in 1948. So much was this the mindset that many christians really believed that the rapture and beginning of the tribulation period would begin in 1988, exactly 40 years (a generation) after it's formation and applied Jesus reference to "this generation" to that fulfillment, extending his prophecy for 2000 years into the future to that particular generation. That 40 year period has now been extended to 70 years...making 2018 to be the year of the rapture.
A biblical generation is consistently measured at 40 years...
The Balfour Declaration was the effort of Christian Zionists to reserve a homeland for the Jews, with an eye toward fulfillment of prophecy and has been part of the impetus for the Dispensensationalist movement to continue, along with all the pop books and movies of that ilk.
Not all Jews are Zionists, nor are all Christians Zionists, though there are certainly many of each.
Christian Zionism is the driving force behind the recent "apologies" of Anabaptists, led by former Amish bishop Harry Wanner.

[MaxPC]

Generally speaking Zionism within a Christian mindset/scenario assumes that Christianity should support the Jews of present day Israel as the chosen people of God and that it was a fulfillment of scripture when the nation was formed in 1948. So much was this the mindset that many christians really believed that the rapture and beginning of the tribulation period would begin in 1988, exactly 40 years (a generation) after it's formation and applied Jesus reference to "this generation" to that fulfillment, extending his prophecy for 2000 years into the future to that particular generation. That 40 year period has now been extended to 70 years...making 2018 to be the year of the rapture.
A biblical generation is consistently measured at 40 years...
The Balfour Declaration was the effort of Christian Zionists to reserve a homeland for the Jews, with an eye toward fulfillment of prophecy and has been part of the impetus for the Dispensensationalist movement to continue, along with all the pop books and movies of that ilk.

This reminds me of a book I read in the 1970s: The Late Great Planet Earth. If I'm not mistaken, the author of that book was a proponent of these concepts.

[Josh]

What games Josh?

Google the definition for yourself if you'd like. I honestly do think the generally understood definition has broadened over time - maybe they should've consulted you first for permission.

By the way, I don't have a lot at stake in the term one way or the other. I'll just add that the googled definition matched my prior understanding, for what it's worth.

When any discussion where we attempt to define something has an obligatory detail into "Language changes, things can't really be clearly defined" which often pairs, much like a merlot with a steak, with "My fringe definition of this term is correct because you can't really nail down definitions anyway."

[Wade]

We had a family that we spent some time with that I am not sure if they would be considered Zionist? But they would be something like first generation Anabaptist's.
We had an entertaining evening one Friday where this family came over for supper (husband, wife, and five children). As well as a Holdeman couple in their 80's, and a single reformed Baptist and Calvinist leaning man in his early 20's.
No need for any forms of electronics gadgets or entertainment with that line up!

Through the conversations that evening the husband of this family said he didn't believe in heaven.

The Holdeman couple were the last ones to leave that evening and on their way out the husband told me that it was their 60th wedding anniversary today... My heart sank a bit as I thought of all the talking from some when maybe there should have been a bit more listening to this zealous, joyful, excited, and experienced old man.

Since the nearest Anabaptist is a ways away this family was coming to our home for Sunday as well. I had a strong feeling that he thought he was going to come to our home so that he could preach about everyone going to hell. And I was right!

I stopped him and tried to say that we could listen to sermons online or that I had some CD's with sermons. He wasn't interested and had to show me all the scripture he had compiled for the message he wanted to share. So I listened while our families played and didn't really partake of the message: He said that when Jesus told the other man on the cross that today he would be with him in paradise and that Jesus did descend after His crucifixion implied that everyone goes to hell. And hell wasn't all bad but more like purgatory as we wait for the new earth after the thousand year rein. And then Jerusalem was going to come down from heaven (and land on earth?) And then he brought up the promise all throughout scripture and asked what it was? I said a Savior. His face dropped a bit and he shook his head and said, "No, the other promise: it's the promised land!"

Obviously this is very condensed and hopefully portrays things accurately.

I noticed when I sat near him after this in the Anabaptist church we sometimes make it to that he would not sing heaven in any of the songs but would always sing Zion in place of heaven. He has moved away now and I pray they are well.

This is my only experience with what I thought might be considered Zionism? Appreciate all the other thoughts!