Insights on Zionism from Muslim/Arab Researchers- Part 4

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

If we refer to English dictionaries to clarify the meaning of “Evangelical,” we find it represented by the term “Evangel,” which signifies gospel or messenger. The corresponding adjective is “Evangelical,” denoting something related to the gospel or Protestantism. Additionally, “Evangelism” refers to the act of spreading the gospel or a zealous commitment to it. The term “Evangelicalism” thus conveys the concept of Evangelical doctrine or the Evangelical movement. [Footnote a]

According to the British Encyclopedia, evangelicalism is defined as “a strict Protestant doctrine focused on the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with the Bible serving as the foundation of faith.” This source indicates that evangelicalism is a branch of Protestantism that upholds the inerrancy of the Bible and emphasizes the dissemination of the Gospel. A similar definition can be found in the Christian Faith Dictionary, which states that it is “a term used by Protestants to describe their reform movement as a return to the Gospel, distinguishing them from Catholics and Orthodox Christians.” [Footnote b]

The Evangelical movement: (noun) adopted by the religious renewal movement in England at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This pertains to what is mentioned in their sources.

As for the Arabic language, if we refer to its dictionaries, we find that the term “Evangelical” is derived from the word “Gospel,” which is the Book of God – the Exalted – revealed to Jesus, peace be upon him. The term “Gospel” is derived from “najal,” meaning son and father, and “intajal al-amr” signifies clarity and progression. The previous definitions from both sides reveal a consensus regarding the term “evangelical,” although the meanings differ significantly between the two contexts. For Christians, “evangelical” refers to Protestantism and the dissemination of the Gospel. In contrast, Arabic language sources define “evangelical” as pertaining to the Gospel, which is the book of Jesus (peace be upon him). The distinction between these meanings is substantial. Our focus here is on the association of evangelicalism with the Protestant denomination, as this is the subject of our discussion. Therefore, evangelicalism can be defined as a Protestant sect that adheres to a literal interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. Evangelicals are followers of the evangelical denomination who believe in the inerrancy of the Bible and, at times, in a literal interpretation of the Torah. However, some evangelicals do not subscribe to the belief in the millennial kingdom and do not identify with Christian Zionists. [Footnote c]

The Evangelical movement, in fact, originates from Protestantism, also known as the Reformation, which emerged in the sixteenth century as a response to widespread corruption within the church in various aspects. The first aspect of this corruption was the degradation of religious authority, evident in certain rituals and practices, such as the concepts of transubstantiation and the sale of indulgences.

The second issue pertains to the corruption that has infiltrated secular authority, where popes have competed for power by amassing wealth to achieve luxury. Additionally, there are other factors that will be elaborated on later in a different section of this research. The dire situation that the Christian church found itself in led to a revolution initiated by reformers known as the “Protestants,” a term that signifies their dissent and opposition. As a result of this reformation, certain beliefs that contradicted the established views of the church were introduced, particularly regarding Palestine and the Jewish people. The prevailing belief within the Catholic Church was that Palestine belonged to Christians and that Jews were rejected by Christians due to their denial of Jesus Christ and their role in his crucifixion. However, the Protestant Reformation fundamentally altered these concepts, leading to a new belief system that asserted:

The superiority of the Jewish people over other nations. The Old Testament serves as the foundational reference for Christian doctrine. Ben-Gurion referred to the Christian Bible, stating, “It is the sacred document of the Jews regarding the ownership of Palestine, dating back 3,500 years.” The fulfillment of God’s promise for the return of the Jews to the land of Palestine. The urgency of this return, as it paves the way for the coming of Christ and the establishment of His blessed kingdom for a thousand years.

The reality is that the winds of change in the Christian stance towards Jews began with the emergence of the Protestant movement in the sixteenth century. This movement challenged the Church’s authority to monopolize the interpretation of the Bible and revitalized the biblical texts. Consequently, a literal interpretation of passages concerning Jews began to replace the interpretations established by the Catholic Church. Gradually, perceptions of Jews started to shift, leading to a form of Judaization within Christian Zionism.

A Jewish revival movement emerged from the reformist movements in Europe and Britain, ultimately reaching America. This was made possible by the efforts of advocates and promoters of the movement, such as the English theologian Thomas Brightman and Henry Finch, a member of the British Parliament, who stated in one of his books: “The Jewish people are not merely a scattered minority; they represent a unified nation as a whole. They will return to their homeland and will inhabit every part of the earth as they have done in the past. They will live in peace and remain there forever”. The Jewish revival movement, also known as the “Hebrew Renaissance,” reached its peak during the Puritan era in the seventeenth century. This revival manifested in two distinct forms: The first type consists of religious expressions, which include: A. The use of the Hebrew language for the Bible and in educational curricula. B. The baptism of children with Hebrew names instead of Christian ones. C. The observance of Saturday as a religious celebration for the resurrection of Christ. The second type encompasses political expressions, notably the demand from a group of Puritans for the Torah to serve as the constitution of Britain. [Footnote d]

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Footnote a: Refer to: Sociology of Religion, p. 240, and Al-Mawrid English-Arabic Dictionary, p. 322. Al-Mawrid English-Arabic Dictionary, p. 322, and Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary, p. 361. Al-Mawrid English-Arabic Dictionary, p. 322. Oxford English-Arabic Dictionary, p. 361.

Footnote b: Encyclopaedia Britanica, Vol. 4, p. 612-613

Footnote c: Refer to: Al-Mu’jam Maqayis Al-Lugha: 544/2, Al-Sihah Dictionary: p. 1024, Al-Misbah Al-Munir: p. 306, Wa Lan Al-Arab: 201/14-202, Al-Qamus Al-Muhit: pp. 1265-1266, and Taj Al-Arous: 128/8, as well as the Al-Mu’jam Al-Wasat: p. 29. .

Footnote d: Refer to the following sources: The Bible and the Sword, page 32, and Non-Jewish Zionism, page 25. 2. For additional information, see Detailed History of the Church, pages 13-14; Insights on the Reformation, pages 30-33; Christian Sects and Denominations, page 121; and An Introduction to Christian Fundamentalism, page 87. In the second chapter of this section, consult pages 118-150. Also, refer to Insights on the Reformation, page 39. As cited in: Newman, Jewish Influence on the Christian Reform Movement, page 190. Additionally, see Non-Jewish Zionism, pages 26-29; Evangelical Fundamentalism, page 37; Christian Zionism in the United States, page 291; and Conservative American Administration, page 69. The Rebirth and Destiny of Israel, p. 100. The Return of the Jews in English Protestant Thought, pp. 29-34 An Introduction to Christian Fundamentalism, p. 92; Evangelical Fundamentalism, p. 37; Christian Zionism in the United States, pp. 291-292 and Conservative American Administration, p. 70. See also: Prophecy and Politics, pp. 155-156. Additionally, refer to: Christianity and the Torah, 92-93. Puritans were those who lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and the Stuart dynasty, striving to reform the Church of England by eliminating its rituals and opposing the Catholic beliefs and practices present within it. For further reference, see the Dictionary of Major Religions, page 623. Additionally, consult The Bible and the Sword, page 1/142.

An Excerpt from “Wan-Nasraniyyah As-Suhruniyyah Nash’atuha Wa Ahammu Aqa’idiha” 1/111-115- By Jawharah Bint Muhammad Jam’aan Al-Qahtani.

NB: The information presented in this article is derived from the findings of the researcher. While she has made significant efforts to include numerous references and viewpoints, it is important to acknowledge that no text, apart from the Qur’an and Sunnah, is entirely free from errors, omissions, or lapses in memory on the part of any researcher. The information articulated in the article reflect the researcher’s personal views, and not all assertions can be independently verified by the individual who published this article (Abdullah Jallow). Therefore, those who find the information unsatisfactory are encouraged to conduct additional research or reach out to the author for further clarification. Nonetheless, the existing knowledge regarding Zionism in contemporary times is substantial, particularly in light of over seventy years of oppression faced by the Palestinians.