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How has Dispensationalism Affected American Policy in the Middle East?Bryan E. LewisAmridge University13 March 2009
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Introduction
America’s political leaders have been sold a bill of goods called ChristianZionism. Its dispensational counterpart has no doubt influenced our policies in theMiddle East. If our political leaders were not to allow themselves to be influenced by thedispensational view of eschatology, it would completely change our policies in theMiddle East; and, let me add, there would be much more peace in the world today.Christian Zionism, its dispensational leaders, and its effects on American politics, havecreated a supercharged religious atmosphere ripe for an apocalyptic view. This pessimistic view is a fertile seedbed for a futurist interpretation of scripture, and thoughChristian Zionist leaders lack consistency in their eschatological interpretations, theyhave been successful in duping a biblically illiterate public into believing that we are fastapproaching Armageddon, when we are not. The world is not at peace and that is largelydue to the doctrine of dispensationalism; this movement is ultimately responsible for theshaping of US policy in the Middle East.
The Rise of Dispensationalism and the Influence of John Darby
According to Dr. Donald Wagner, Professor of Religion and Middle EasternStudies, North Park University in Chicago, and founding member, for the Institute for theStudy of Christian Zionism; “Briefly stated, Christian Zionism: is a movement withinProtestant fundamentalism that understands the modern state of the country-region Israelas the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and thus deserving of political, financial, andreligious support”.
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This is a movement that has been fueled by the apocalyptic view and
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Wagner, Donald, Defining Christian Zionism, http://www.christianzionism.org/Article/Wagner02.asp,Assessed 07 March 2009.
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system of eschatological interpretation, known today as dispensational premillennialism.By the end of the 1700’s, several forms of premillennial eschatology began toemerge, this was largely due to the hysteria spawned by Puritan-influenced colonialAmerica’s quest for independence from Britain.
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Among them were various movementssuch as the Seventh Day Adventist, early on known as
Millerites
, which believed in a prophetic interruptive method known as
 Historicism
.
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However, it was during this period that John Nelson Darby popularized a newschool of thought known as
dispensational premillennialism
. John Darby, a separatist byhis own admission, visited America in 1862, then after making several more trips, heconverted a generation of Christians to his view.
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Darby’s view was in contrast to anearlier version of Christian eschatology, held by such men as Charles Spurgeon and JohnGill, called
 Historic Premillennialism
.
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Darby held that much Bible Prophecy andscripture in general must be interpreted according to a strict literal hermeneutic. Hetaught that Christians would be removed from the earth in an apocalyptic event called the
rapture
; thus, the physical nation of Israel would once again take a prominent place inGod’s history. This would all take place just before the return of Jesus to earth to set up aliteral kingdom of God on the terra firma. According to Darby, Christians must interpretthe Bible in light of seven dispensations, each representing a different way in which God
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Puritans brought with them the belief of a “Restored Israel”. Furthermore, History has proven that at theheight of every major conflict there is often an increase hysteria surrounding the subject of eschatology.
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Historicism is an eschatological interpretation that finds its fulfillment throughout history mainly with inthe Catholic Church. It is what led the reformers to declare that the pope was the man of sin.
 
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John McClintock and James Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature,Plymouth Brethren, Volume viii, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1891. 305.
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Historic Premillennialism is a post tribulation view holds that Jesus would return and establish hismillennial kingdom after the gospel had gone to the whole world. The main difference between this viewand Darby’s was the view of the church in relationship to Israel. Darby saw a sharp distinction between theChurch and Israel.
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