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Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State
Focusing on a subject that has been covered by various national media, including the Wall Street Journal, 60 Minutes, and Nightline, Standing With Israel goes beyond politics Profile leading Christian Zionists and detail the views and motives that drive their politics. Spotlight Jews who have been at the forefront of forming a budding alliance with Israel's Christian allies. Explain why so many American Jews are deeply uncomfortable with this outpouring of Christian support. Unlike other books on the subject, Standing With Israel has broad appeal to three significant groups of potential more than 40 million Christian Zionists, thousands of Christians who want to understand Christian Zionism, and millions of Jews. Standing With Israel will help bring Jews and Christians together.
285 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2006
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82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 15, 2008
There's a lot here.
Some of it is (or should be) obvious.
A lot isn't though, and I'm glad to have picked it up.
Anyone interested in what motivated the Righteous Gentiles of the last century should pick this up.
Some of it is (or should be) obvious.
A lot isn't though, and I'm glad to have picked it up.
Anyone interested in what motivated the Righteous Gentiles of the last century should pick this up.
December 20, 2012
Brog documents the fascinating alliance between evangelical Christians and Israel, going beyond stereotypes to describe the theological and political underpinnings that support the connection. However, Brog, as a Jew and clearly pro-Israel, finds it difficult to sympathize with Christians that object to unconditional backing that the US government has provided that has led to a lack of accountability and human rights abuses.
February 25, 2010
If you know me at all, you'll know it is no surprise that I liked this book.
Great history of how the church has and hasn't stood with Israel over the years. I especially liked the doctrinal history of Darby and others.
Written by a Republican Jew, which, if you know me, basically means, "you had me at 'hello'."
Great history of how the church has and hasn't stood with Israel over the years. I especially liked the doctrinal history of Darby and others.
Written by a Republican Jew, which, if you know me, basically means, "you had me at 'hello'."
September 2, 2009
Written by a Jewish author yet published by a Christian publishing house, Standing With Israel's aim is to convince Jews that "evangelical" Christians are fighting with them in support of the Israel state. This book explains Christian theological motives for supporting Israel (including the theological history leading up to it), early Christian Zionists and those Christian Zionists who made a difference in establishing Israel as a state, the good works that Christian Zionists presently do in the world and, finally, how Jews currently respond to Christian Zionists and how they should respond to Christian Zionists.
I was given this book by a Jewish friend of mine who grew up in Israel and who, naturally, feels that others should support and be sympathetic to Israel as a political state our this world. Not really knowing much of anything about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and what the Christian response should be, and wanting to deepen lines of communication with my friend, I read this book.
I can't say that I liked this book much at all, nor can I say that it was necessarily helpful for me to resolve some of the issues surrounding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The book does provide a good base of understanding why the nation of Israel is important to Jews and to the world, and the book is very good at giving a historical understanding of how the state of Israel came to be. However, my impression of the book is that the Christian doctrine supported and promoted in this book, which the author deems "evangelical," in my eyes errs totally in the fundamentalist camp.
Because this fundamentalist theology is the underpinning of this book, I had a very difficult time being sympathetic to the author's stance, and would not recommend this book.
I was given this book by a Jewish friend of mine who grew up in Israel and who, naturally, feels that others should support and be sympathetic to Israel as a political state our this world. Not really knowing much of anything about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and what the Christian response should be, and wanting to deepen lines of communication with my friend, I read this book.
I can't say that I liked this book much at all, nor can I say that it was necessarily helpful for me to resolve some of the issues surrounding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The book does provide a good base of understanding why the nation of Israel is important to Jews and to the world, and the book is very good at giving a historical understanding of how the state of Israel came to be. However, my impression of the book is that the Christian doctrine supported and promoted in this book, which the author deems "evangelical," in my eyes errs totally in the fundamentalist camp.
Because this fundamentalist theology is the underpinning of this book, I had a very difficult time being sympathetic to the author's stance, and would not recommend this book.
October 3, 2019
Wow. Fascinating look at the history of anti-semitism, mainly focused on how Christian churches treated Jews. It was eye-opening (and horrifying) to learn of the anti-semitism of Constantine, Justin Martyr, Martin Luther, and the Vatican. Loved learning the history of figures more sympathetic to the Jews: St. Augustine, Herzl (father of the modern Zionist movement), Balfour, and the many “righteous Gentiles” who risked their lives to help hide and protect Jews.
“Imagine if the majority of Christians in Nazi Europe would have remained true to the Christian message of love instead of the false theology of hate. It may well have been impossible to perpetrate the Holocaust in a Europe so populated.” -p. 9
Just horrible: “The Roman church had for centuries embraced replacement theology. In teaching that it had replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people, the church asserted a divine rejection of the Jews that opened the door to human imitation. The ghetto followed logically.” -p. 17
“Nazism, along with its race-based anti-Semitism, was a relatively new ideology in Europe. Yet this ideology instantly and deeply resonated with the European masses. In searching for an explanation for this rapid adoption, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Nazism flourished in soil fertilized by centuries of Christian replacement theology… the anti-Jewish laws passed by the Third Reich and its allies all had clear precedent in church law. Indeed, almost every anti-Semitic provision passed by the various church councils and synods throughout the centuries found new life in Nazi legislation.” -p. 30
“Dispensationalism- with its view that the Jewish people are the ISRAEL to whom the Bible promises so much- has rapidly expanded to fill the theological vacuum. This new theology practically instructs Christians to be Zionists.” -p. 66
“A typical Christian Zionist view...DeLay starts with a strategic motive of fighting the war on terrorism, moves on to the moral motive of repaying a debt to the people who provided Christians with their Messiah, and ends with a theological motive derived from the dispensationalist view that God has never abandoned His covenant with the Jews. For most Christian Zionists, no one motive stands alone. Each individual combines these motives- the theological, the moral, and the strategic- in a personal mix with their own particular emphasis.” -pp. 67-8
“‘If you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity, there would be no Christianity. The Jewish people do not need Christianity to explain their existence. But Christians cannot explain our existence without Judaism. The roots of Christianity are Jewish.’”-Pastor John Hagee, p. 73
“‘Americans and Israelis are allies in the historic battle between liberty and tyranny...The fundamental measure of our spirit, ideals, and aspirations show that Israel and America are kindred nations. Our founders were profoundly influenced by faith. Both countries practice religious tolerance...We respect freedom and honor the rights of the individual. We tolerate a vigorous public debate through unfettered speech and a free press...We need to ask ourselves: Do we want the Middle East to look more like Israel, or do we want Israel to look more like the rest of the Middle East? In a land largely barren of freedom, we must preserve the lone
fountain of liberty.’” -Tom DeLay, p. 79
After 9-11-01: “‘As we mourned our losses we were shocked to see dancing in the streets, in celebration of our pain, in some parts of the Middle East. But in Israel you cried with us and lowered your flag and shared our grief. On September 11 many Americans came to understand for the first time what it is like to be an Israeli and to face barbaric terrorism that targets innocent civilians. We know that in the face of this evil the free people of the world who believe in human dignity, the sanctity of life and in free institutions must stand together.’” -Gary Bauer, p. 80
“Imagine if the majority of Christians in Nazi Europe would have remained true to the Christian message of love instead of the false theology of hate. It may well have been impossible to perpetrate the Holocaust in a Europe so populated.” -p. 9
Just horrible: “The Roman church had for centuries embraced replacement theology. In teaching that it had replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people, the church asserted a divine rejection of the Jews that opened the door to human imitation. The ghetto followed logically.” -p. 17
“Nazism, along with its race-based anti-Semitism, was a relatively new ideology in Europe. Yet this ideology instantly and deeply resonated with the European masses. In searching for an explanation for this rapid adoption, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Nazism flourished in soil fertilized by centuries of Christian replacement theology… the anti-Jewish laws passed by the Third Reich and its allies all had clear precedent in church law. Indeed, almost every anti-Semitic provision passed by the various church councils and synods throughout the centuries found new life in Nazi legislation.” -p. 30
“Dispensationalism- with its view that the Jewish people are the ISRAEL to whom the Bible promises so much- has rapidly expanded to fill the theological vacuum. This new theology practically instructs Christians to be Zionists.” -p. 66
“A typical Christian Zionist view...DeLay starts with a strategic motive of fighting the war on terrorism, moves on to the moral motive of repaying a debt to the people who provided Christians with their Messiah, and ends with a theological motive derived from the dispensationalist view that God has never abandoned His covenant with the Jews. For most Christian Zionists, no one motive stands alone. Each individual combines these motives- the theological, the moral, and the strategic- in a personal mix with their own particular emphasis.” -pp. 67-8
“‘If you take away the Jewish contribution to Christianity, there would be no Christianity. The Jewish people do not need Christianity to explain their existence. But Christians cannot explain our existence without Judaism. The roots of Christianity are Jewish.’”-Pastor John Hagee, p. 73
“‘Americans and Israelis are allies in the historic battle between liberty and tyranny...The fundamental measure of our spirit, ideals, and aspirations show that Israel and America are kindred nations. Our founders were profoundly influenced by faith. Both countries practice religious tolerance...We respect freedom and honor the rights of the individual. We tolerate a vigorous public debate through unfettered speech and a free press...We need to ask ourselves: Do we want the Middle East to look more like Israel, or do we want Israel to look more like the rest of the Middle East? In a land largely barren of freedom, we must preserve the lone
fountain of liberty.’” -Tom DeLay, p. 79
After 9-11-01: “‘As we mourned our losses we were shocked to see dancing in the streets, in celebration of our pain, in some parts of the Middle East. But in Israel you cried with us and lowered your flag and shared our grief. On September 11 many Americans came to understand for the first time what it is like to be an Israeli and to face barbaric terrorism that targets innocent civilians. We know that in the face of this evil the free people of the world who believe in human dignity, the sanctity of life and in free institutions must stand together.’” -Gary Bauer, p. 80
July 22, 2018
This book is must reading for anybody interested in contemporary Israeli – American relations. The author makes a very strong case; perhaps too strong, for the proposition that born-again Christians are natural allies of the Jews, and of the state of Israel. Indeed, I gave the book four rather than five stars because the case may be over-made.
The book’s strongest point is that Christians can and often are allies of the state of Israel. I do not believe that it is inevitable or unanimous. It is enough that much of Christianity, particularly in the Americas, has gone from being vitriolically anti-Jewish to be strong supporters. To argue that it is almost universal is likely a mistake.
The book contains a lot of information that was not previously familiar to me. That in itself is a recommendation because I am fairly current on this issue.
That being said, I strongly recommend the book, and it is a fairly easy read.
The book’s strongest point is that Christians can and often are allies of the state of Israel. I do not believe that it is inevitable or unanimous. It is enough that much of Christianity, particularly in the Americas, has gone from being vitriolically anti-Jewish to be strong supporters. To argue that it is almost universal is likely a mistake.
The book contains a lot of information that was not previously familiar to me. That in itself is a recommendation because I am fairly current on this issue.
That being said, I strongly recommend the book, and it is a fairly easy read.
April 22, 2025
Very insightful and instructive. There is much of the “modern” history (past 60-80 years) of which I was unaware. David Brog does an excellent job of teaching that history and bringing out the reasons Christians have, and should, support Israel.
I found this book in a yard sale. No one had bought nor shown interest in it. I knew nothing about the author and was a little guarded when I saw that the forward had been written by John Hager, but I am delightfully glad I decided to take it home and read it.
It’s a little “older” book (published in 2006) but the “contemporary” time references to when it was written do not change the validity of the overarching theme and purpose of the content. I would still recommend Standing with Israel as a worthy read.
I found this book in a yard sale. No one had bought nor shown interest in it. I knew nothing about the author and was a little guarded when I saw that the forward had been written by John Hager, but I am delightfully glad I decided to take it home and read it.
It’s a little “older” book (published in 2006) but the “contemporary” time references to when it was written do not change the validity of the overarching theme and purpose of the content. I would still recommend Standing with Israel as a worthy read.
July 15, 2019
I liked the book a lot. It teaches the history of Zionism and its Christian support, also a brief resume of the history and "theology" of "Christian" antisemitism.
One can see now, why the left hates fundamentalists christians.
Nice and easy reading.
One can see now, why the left hates fundamentalists christians.
Nice and easy reading.
February 19, 2025
Insightful
I learned so much from this book. Wow! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested on the subject of Christian & Jewish relations. Fascinating read, I was impressed by David Brog’s introspective knowledge of the subject.
I learned so much from this book. Wow! I highly recommend this book to anyone interested on the subject of Christian & Jewish relations. Fascinating read, I was impressed by David Brog’s introspective knowledge of the subject.
August 29, 2012
A good book addressing a very interesting subject matter. The biggest supporters of Israel in the US these days are not, in fact, Jews, but rather the Christian conservatives. The more liberal US Jews tend to be very suspicious of this support. This book should put them at ease as it dispels the myth that Christians only support Israel because it is necessary for the second coming. Well written, I would recommend reading.
March 25, 2011
A great look at the burgeoning relationship between Jews and Christians. It dispels myths Jews have held for quite some time regarding the "true motive" of philo-Semitism (Christian embrace of Jews), while celebrating the potential these relationships possess when it comes to defending Israel. Great read. I encourage anyone who supports Israel to read it.
October 23, 2007
This book is meant to explain the world of Christian Zionism. It is written by an advocate, what appeals to me is the whole "two sides to every story" theory, and everyone deserves a chance to be heard. This is theirs.
PS - no I did not read this cover to cover - but I got the idea
PS - no I did not read this cover to cover - but I got the idea
Read
August 18, 2013This is an important book. It demystifies the stereotypes and misunderstandings that many Jews have about Christian support and affinity for Jews and Israel. It provides a fascinating history of the Evangelical movement in the United States. Well written and easy to read.
March 29, 2007
Really important book. Explains the relationship of modern US support for Israel and Jews by Evangelicals. A must read to get past apparent stereo types.
July 17, 2011
Don't get the wrong impression. I'm not reading this book as a "fan," but to see what this guy thinks, what his arguments are. I will perhaps write a review when I finish.
February 29, 2016
Excellent! A real important book. Great on history and insight. Christians and Jews -- a must read.
Read
June 9, 2009Excelent history of the Jewish Nation./ Bless the nation of Israel and one will be bless.
October 5, 2018
ﬥStanding with Israelﬥ
Plain junk science in here p. 71 Hagee erroneously names Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East is a fallacy. There are Morocco; Lebanon; Tunisia; Turkey, listed elsewhere under Near East democracies even if this factoid negates the writer’s narrative.
Mention of Lord Balfour p. 71-72; yet, however, Lordy Moyne, likely shan’t be missed since this inconvenient factoid paints Zionists for what they were, what they are, international assassins.
Quote from porcine minister, p. 73, ‘The prophets, Elijah, Daniel, Zechariah, etc.—not a Baptist in the bunch.’ Except for John the Baptist. Dangerous man with drone broken thinking negates out United States of America citizenship by worshipping Jewry like a good servile goyim.
Linebacker’s body descriptor for butterball Hagee is a stretch p. 73 for this useful idiot.
There were also still are Crypto-Jews from this San Antonio preacher fixated the Jews of Spain murdered in cold blood by the Roman Church which is true; yet, however, the Crypto-Jews.
By p. 75-76 quote from Jerry Falwell remonstrate how the geopolitical chessboard changed since time, ‘If the West had to maintain a force with equivalent capability in the area, it would cost many times what it costs her now and be not nearly as effective. Furthermore, the stationing of American troops in the area is a political impossibility.’ From time evangelist forethought superior to inundate Near East with costly American military bases to spread freedom.
Smilingly winningly when perused p. 81 evangelical motives, caught on the aught philosophy by a writer, Gershom Gorenberg, ‘The Jews die or convert. As a Jew, I can’t feel very comfortable with the affections of somebody who looks forward to that scenario.’
Winningest commentary p. 103 on Blackstone the opposite Christian Zionist of Hechler’s stamp, a contemporary of Theodor Herzel, rallied a convention, ‘Blackstone even went so far as to preach the importance of accepting Christ to a large gathering of Jewish Zionists in Los Angeles. As a sign of the high esteem in which they held Blackstone, these Jews politely listened as Blackstone called for their conversion.’
Much is made of the Russian czar instigated pogroms against the Jews in the 1880s without casual mention these same communities offered sanctuary to Zionist bomb-throwers especially p. 95; 99-100, particularly, ‘Blackstone concluded that Russia was determined to rid itself of its two million Jews.’
P. 92 when premier Christian Zionist, Hechler, met premier Jewish Zionist, Herzl, interesting story. Hechler right on the money. Very good advice. The Dreyfuss Affair remonstrated that even in France birthed the Enlightenment, France susceptible to antisemitism from centuries of Catholic church perpetuated teachings.
Bonus points for utilizing elegant brevity of B.C.-A.D. dating system for the writer.
By blazing saddles countercharge into Jerusalem on white horse Allenby took the initiative for the League of Nations-Rothschild controlled entity of course ratified Palestine mandate.
Patent lie p. 117, on President Woodrow Wilson, ‘Wilson believed that all peoples were entitled to self-determination, and he did not exclude the Jews from this basic right.’ All peoples except for Hungarians, or Germans, rather.
p. 117-118 is broad Christian support of the Protestant denominations instrumental in founding the United States of America.
Seemingly oxymoronic phrase on p. 143, ‘the Christian Zionist gospel,’ makes sense the way the writer developed it.
The epistle the Christian Zionists penned to George Bush the Younger p. 144-145, ‘imperative for the United States to stand with our friend and ally Israel as they attempt to defeat the same forces of terrorism that we have been battling since September 11, 2001.’ In that, the earlier Beirut bombings of United States marines, and the marines fought the Barbary Pirates in the buccaneering 1800s is neglected.
Truer sentiment, ‘that the Palestinian Authority, which allowed such acts of terror to continue, was not a credible partner for peace,’ is accurate.
fine (̅_̅_̅(̅(̅_̅_̅_̅_̅_̅̅()ڪ fine 🚬
Plain junk science in here p. 71 Hagee erroneously names Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East is a fallacy. There are Morocco; Lebanon; Tunisia; Turkey, listed elsewhere under Near East democracies even if this factoid negates the writer’s narrative.
Mention of Lord Balfour p. 71-72; yet, however, Lordy Moyne, likely shan’t be missed since this inconvenient factoid paints Zionists for what they were, what they are, international assassins.
Quote from porcine minister, p. 73, ‘The prophets, Elijah, Daniel, Zechariah, etc.—not a Baptist in the bunch.’ Except for John the Baptist. Dangerous man with drone broken thinking negates out United States of America citizenship by worshipping Jewry like a good servile goyim.
Linebacker’s body descriptor for butterball Hagee is a stretch p. 73 for this useful idiot.
There were also still are Crypto-Jews from this San Antonio preacher fixated the Jews of Spain murdered in cold blood by the Roman Church which is true; yet, however, the Crypto-Jews.
By p. 75-76 quote from Jerry Falwell remonstrate how the geopolitical chessboard changed since time, ‘If the West had to maintain a force with equivalent capability in the area, it would cost many times what it costs her now and be not nearly as effective. Furthermore, the stationing of American troops in the area is a political impossibility.’ From time evangelist forethought superior to inundate Near East with costly American military bases to spread freedom.
Smilingly winningly when perused p. 81 evangelical motives, caught on the aught philosophy by a writer, Gershom Gorenberg, ‘The Jews die or convert. As a Jew, I can’t feel very comfortable with the affections of somebody who looks forward to that scenario.’
Winningest commentary p. 103 on Blackstone the opposite Christian Zionist of Hechler’s stamp, a contemporary of Theodor Herzel, rallied a convention, ‘Blackstone even went so far as to preach the importance of accepting Christ to a large gathering of Jewish Zionists in Los Angeles. As a sign of the high esteem in which they held Blackstone, these Jews politely listened as Blackstone called for their conversion.’
Much is made of the Russian czar instigated pogroms against the Jews in the 1880s without casual mention these same communities offered sanctuary to Zionist bomb-throwers especially p. 95; 99-100, particularly, ‘Blackstone concluded that Russia was determined to rid itself of its two million Jews.’
P. 92 when premier Christian Zionist, Hechler, met premier Jewish Zionist, Herzl, interesting story. Hechler right on the money. Very good advice. The Dreyfuss Affair remonstrated that even in France birthed the Enlightenment, France susceptible to antisemitism from centuries of Catholic church perpetuated teachings.
Bonus points for utilizing elegant brevity of B.C.-A.D. dating system for the writer.
By blazing saddles countercharge into Jerusalem on white horse Allenby took the initiative for the League of Nations-Rothschild controlled entity of course ratified Palestine mandate.
Patent lie p. 117, on President Woodrow Wilson, ‘Wilson believed that all peoples were entitled to self-determination, and he did not exclude the Jews from this basic right.’ All peoples except for Hungarians, or Germans, rather.
p. 117-118 is broad Christian support of the Protestant denominations instrumental in founding the United States of America.
Seemingly oxymoronic phrase on p. 143, ‘the Christian Zionist gospel,’ makes sense the way the writer developed it.
The epistle the Christian Zionists penned to George Bush the Younger p. 144-145, ‘imperative for the United States to stand with our friend and ally Israel as they attempt to defeat the same forces of terrorism that we have been battling since September 11, 2001.’ In that, the earlier Beirut bombings of United States marines, and the marines fought the Barbary Pirates in the buccaneering 1800s is neglected.
Truer sentiment, ‘that the Palestinian Authority, which allowed such acts of terror to continue, was not a credible partner for peace,’ is accurate.
fine (̅_̅_̅(̅(̅_̅_̅_̅_̅_̅̅()ڪ fine 🚬
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