An End-of-Week Mindshare on Democracy
Explaining how Evangelicalism and Christian Zionism transformed religion in American politics, influencing U.S. policies, culture wars, and support for Israel—shaping democracy in unexpected ways.
From our This is Democracy archive: Evangelical Religion
In this episode of This Is Democracy, I had the chance to speak with Dr. Daniel Hummel, a leading scholar of religion and politics, about the profound influence of evangelical religion on American politics, particularly through the lens of dispensationalism. Dispensationalism, a theological system that has shaped evangelical engagement with the world for over a century, is often discussed in political discourse but rarely interrogated in depth. Our conversation aimed to unpack its historical development, political implications, and contemporary relevance.
Dr. Hummel began by tracing the origins of dispensationalism to the post-Civil War era, explaining how it provided a theological framework for evangelicals who wanted to distance themselves from political activism, especially concerning issues of racial justice during Reconstruction. This belief system emphasized the separation of the church from worldly affairs and predicted an apocalyptic end-times scenario, reinforcing a sense of political disengagement. However, as the decades passed, dispensationalism evolved from a largely passive theological stance into an active political force. By the mid-20th century, dispensationalist leaders began engaging in conservative politics, particularly in response to the perceived threats of communism and secularism.
We explored the role of key figures like Billy Graham, Hal Lindsey, and Jerry Falwell, who played crucial roles in mobilizing evangelicals around Cold War anti-communism and the rise of the Christian Right. Dr. Hummel provided fascinating insights into how dispensationalist ideas influenced foreign policy, particularly in shaping U.S. support for Israel. He also discussed the ways dispensationalist theology was disseminated through mass media, from radio broadcasts in the early 20th century to the best-selling books of Hal Lindsey and, later, the Left Behind series. The conversation illuminated how dispensationalism helped fuel the rise of the New Right in the 1970s and 1980s, as evangelical political engagement became increasingly defined by cultural conservatism, opposition to secular humanism, and support for figures like Ronald Reagan.
As we moved into the latter half of the discussion, we examined the decline of dispensationalism as a theological system in the 1990s and early 2000s. Dr. Hummel argued that while its theological credibility waned within seminaries and intellectual circles, its political influence persisted. Many evangelicals, once motivated by theological concerns, became more defined by political and cultural battles, leading to a shift in priorities. This has contributed to the broader evangelical embrace of nationalism, conspiracy thinking, and political activism, which remains deeply influential today. As someone deeply committed to both faith and intellectual inquiry, Dr. Hummel stressed the importance of creating spaces for open, meaningful dialogue about religion and politics. We reflected on the need for what he called a "third way"—an approach that moves beyond polarized, tribal conflicts and instead fosters conversations that acknowledge the complexity of religious and political identities. In today’s climate, where faith is often used as a political weapon, this kind of dialogue is more crucial than ever.
This episode reinforced my belief that history provides us with invaluable lessons about the ways religion and politics intertwine. Dispensationalism offers a case study in how theological ideas shape—and are shaped by—political realities. More importantly, it reminds us that democracy thrives not when faith is wielded as a tool of division, but when it is engaged with thoughtfully, critically, and inclusively.
To read: The Dispiriting Truth About Why Many Evangelical Christians Support Israel
In this article, Sarah Posner examines the strong support American evangelicals have expressed for Israel in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. While many evangelical leaders cite theological reasons for their backing, Posner argues that their support is deeply tied to Christian Zionism, an ideology that envisions Israel’s role in the end-times and aligns with Christian nationalism. Figures like televangelist John Hagee, founder of Christians United for Israel, promote a vision in which Israel’s geopolitical struggles are seen as necessary steps toward the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, including the battle of Armageddon and Jesus’ return.
Christian Zionists believe that unwavering U.S. support for Israel is divinely mandated, often linking it to American political allegiance, particularly within the Republican Party. Posner highlights how many of these leaders, including Hagee, have positioned their theology in opposition to Democratic leadership, going as far as accusing President Biden of “treason” for not offering absolute support to Israel. Additionally, this ideology embraces the Israeli right’s expansionist policies in the West Bank, viewing them as fulfilling God’s plan. She also underscores how Christian Zionists see war not as a tragedy but as an inevitable, even desirable, precursor to Christ’s return. This perspective dismisses the suffering of both Jews and Palestinians as secondary to a divine plan, making the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even more intractable. While younger evangelicals may be less influenced by end-times theology, the movement remains a powerful force in shaping U.S. policy, further complicating efforts toward a peaceful resolution. For those looking to better understand the deep intersection of faith, politics, and foreign policy, Posner’s article offers a compelling and necessary perspective. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to grasp how religious ideology continues to shape global conflicts and American decision-making
To read: Evangelical Zionism: Christian Zionism and the US political imaginary
Tad DeLay’s article explores the deep entanglement of Christian Zionism, evangelical apocalypticism, and U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to Israel. Drawing from personal experience on an archaeological excavation in Israel, DeLay reflects on the ways in which religious beliefs shape not only theological interpretations of history but also contemporary geopolitical realities. He argues that Christian Zionism—particularly among American evangelicals—is not rooted in a love for Jewish people but in an apocalyptic vision that sees Israel as the stage for the End Times, culminating in the return of Christ and the conversion (or damnation) of Jews and non-Christians.
Tracing the historical roots of Christian Zionism, DeLay highlights its development from early Protestant apocalyptic thought in the 16th century to the rise of dispensationalism in the 19th and 20th centuries. Figures like John Nelson Darby, Cyrus Scofield, and Hal Lindsey played key roles in shaping modern evangelical beliefs about the rapture, Armageddon, and the necessity of a Jewish homeland for the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. These beliefs, DeLay argues, have been reinforced through fundamentalist institutions, media, and political organizing, leading to an unwavering evangelical support for Israel, regardless of its policies toward Palestinians.
The article also critiques how evangelical apocalypticism fuels a disregard for the future, particularly in the face of climate change and global crises. DeLay connects this worldview to broader ideological patterns within American evangelicalism, including its historical ties to white supremacy, anti-communism, and reactionary politics. He highlights how dispensationalism’s fixation on prophecy has shaped U.S. foreign policy, from Reagan’s administration to Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem—actions driven not by diplomatic strategy but by a theological vision shared by millions of evangelical voters. DeLay warns that Christian Zionism, far from being a benign theological position, actively contributes to militarism, environmental destruction, and the perpetuation of conflict in the Middle East. He calls for a critical interrogation of how apocalyptic fantasies shape real-world policies and urges readers to recognize the dangerous intersection of religious extremism and geopolitical power. For a deeper understanding of how Christian theology has influenced modern politics and international affairs, this article is an essential read.
To listen: White evangelical Christians Are Some of Israel's Biggest Supporters. Why?
This NPR Code Switch episode explores the deep connections between American evangelical Christians and their support for Israel, particularly how this relationship has shaped U.S. foreign policy. Gene Demby and historian Daniel Hummel examine the historical, theological, and political factors that have led to widespread evangelical Zionism.
The episode highlights how evangelical-led tours to Israel, like those conducted by former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, present a curated vision of the Holy Land that reinforces Christian Zionist beliefs. These tours often frame Israel as a spiritual homeland for Christians while avoiding politically sensitive areas like the West Bank, reinforcing a simplistic, pro-Israel narrative. The conversation also delves into how evangelicals see the modern Israeli state as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, leading to strong, often unconditional support for Israeli policies.
The podcast traces this perspective back to the rise of dispensationalism, a theological belief that emphasizes biblical prophecy, the end times, and Israel’s role in the Second Coming of Christ. Evangelical leaders like Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell helped cement these beliefs in American conservative politics, tying them to broader right-wing issues like anti-secularism and anti-communism. Over time, Christian Zionism became a key pillar of the Religious Right, influencing Republican lawmakers and even U.S. foreign policy decisions, such as moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. The episode also touches on the political power evangelicals wield despite their declining numbers. While white evangelicals make up about 14% of the U.S. population, they account for a third of the Republican voting base and hold disproportionate influence in shaping policy. Their theological commitment to supporting Israel—often framed in terms of biblical blessing and curse narratives—continues to play a major role in how the U.S. engages with Israel and the broader Middle East.
American evangelical Zionism has profound consequences, not just for U.S. foreign policy but for global geopolitics, reinforcing militarization and conflict in the region. It underscores how a religious belief system rooted in apocalyptic expectations continues to shape real-world politics, often to the detriment of Palestinians and broader Middle East peace efforts.
To watch: What Is Christian Zionism?
Christian Zionism blends theology with politics, supporting Israel based on biblical prophecy, Jewish conversion, or atonement for Christian antisemitism. While beliefs vary, many see Israel as a divine miracle and align with right-wing Zionist causes.
More than just faith, Christian Zionism is a political force, lobbying for Israel’s interests, funding illegal settlements, and opposing peace efforts. It frames global politics as a battle of good (Judeo-Christian values) vs. evil (Arabs and Muslims), fueling a militant outlook that dehumanizes entire groups. This perspective isn't just religious—it shapes foreign policy worldwide. This explainer, from a Christian group in Bethlehem critical of Christian Zionism, highlights its deep political impact.