Helping Christians make sense of their roots. Helping the Jewish community make sense of Jesus. Together, we are restoring the Jewishness of the gospel.
The longing was ancient. How did the movement become modern? How did “Next year in Jerusalem” become a movement to return?
We sit down with our friend Avner in Israel to explore the road from Jewish longing for Zion to modern Zionism.
We discuss the Dreyfus affair, Theodor Herzl, and the different Jewish hopes that gathered around the movement.
We then follow the conversation through the Balfour Declaration and the founding of Israel before considering Avner’s reading of Ezekiel’s promises of restoration.
What does grace have to do with Jewish return? How do we care about Israel’s physical safety while praying for spiritual renewal?
We also ask what standing with Israel means when we recognize that no people or nation is perfect.
Key Takeaways
Jewish attachment to Jerusalem continued through prayer, family memory, and the hope of return.
European antisemitism helped drive the search for Jewish national self-determination.
Modern Zionism brought together Jews with different religious and political aims.
Avner connects Jewish return with Ezekiel’s promises of physical and spiritual restoration.
Standing with Israel does not require calling every Israeli decision right.
Chapter Markers
00:31 – From “Next Year in Jerusalem” to Modern Zionism
05:21 – Jewish Identity, Antisemitism, and Theodor Herzl
20:33 – The First Zionist Congress and Competing Hopes
24:20 – Jewish Return, Grace, and Spiritual Restoration
33:15 – The Road to Statehood and the Questions Ahead
Resources
Explore Avner’s writing at David’s Tent.
Listen to the podcast episode here.
Thank you to Joshua Royal, for writing our closer song now running eight seasons straight. Listen to him at Joshua Royal Music.
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