By Anne Russell. UFV political scientist Ron Dart and Dr. Gary Burge of Wheaton College will discuss the implications of the Christian Zionist biblical interpretations in the context of Israel at a mini-conference on Fri, Oct 24.
Challenging Christian Zionism: Canadian Roots and Responses will run from 7 to 9 pm in the Abbotsford campus lecture theatre (B101). Admission is free and the public is welcome.
“Christian (Biblical) Zionism is a form of Christianity that tends, for the most part, to uncritically support the secular state of Israel,” says Dart. “Needless to say, such a way of political thinking has had a profound impact on the Palestinians (Muslim and Christian) in Israel, West Bank, Gaza Strip and the thousands of Palestinian refugees. The fact that Christian Zionists justify their position through a questionable reading and application of the Bible will be addressed in this mini-conference.”
Dr. Gary Burge (Wheaton College) will reflect on what he considers problems with the way Christian Zionists read the Bible. Ron Dart (UFV Political Science) will lecture on the history of Canadian Christian Zionism and the implications of such an understanding of the Bible and Christianity on the Conservative Party (and their support of Israel).
Dart’s newest book, Canadian Christian Zionism: A Tangled Tale examines the close relationship between Canadian Christian Zionists, the Conservative Party, Stephen Harper’s pro-Israeli foreign policy, and the impact on the Palestinians.
The mini-conference is supported by Canadian Friends of Sabeel and endorsed by the Political Science department at UFV. The newly appointed International Director of Sabeel, William Roberts, will attend the event and Scott Fast will moderate the evening.