15 Points of Unity for Christians on Israel and the Jewish People
- Krista Bontrager, DMin
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
If you’ve spent even a few minutes online recently, then you've probably noticed that discussions about Jews, Judaism and Israel have grown increasingly contentious. Much of this stems from a single question: Does the modern state of Israel have a right to exist? (I discuss that a bit in this short video.)
This prompted me to reflect on foundational points that all Bible-believing Christians, regardless of denomination, should agree on regarding Israel and the Jewish people. I've outlined fifteen such point below, hoping they can foster unity and grace in our conversations, even where we may differ.
1) Jewish ties to the land of Israel are biblically and historically grounded. The Bible (Genesis 12:1-3, Joshua 1) and archaeology (e.g., Merneptah Stele, 1208 BCE) confirm their ancient connection to the land. In fact, a small Jewish population has inhabited the land of Israel since ancient times, with approximately 6% of the region’s population being Jewish in 1900.
2) The Jewish people are central to salvation history, playing a key role in God’s redemptive plan, with Messiah Jesus and the Twelve apostles all being Jewish (Romans 11:1-2, John 4:22).
3) Jesus’ death resulted from the actions of certain individuals, including some Jewish leaders, as well as Roman authorities (Acts 2:36, 4:10). However, Jesus freely gave His life out of infinite love to offer salvation to all sinners. His death should not be attributed to all Jewish people, whether in His time or today.
4) Even after early Jewish followers of Jesus became known as Christians (Acts 11:26), many maintained connections to Jewish practices, such as temple worship (Acts 3:1), and identified as Jews (Acts 21:39, Galatians 2:14).
5) Jewish people have faced targeted persecution, from ancient exiles (e.g., Book of Esther) to the Holocaust. Given Christianity’s historical and theological connection to the Jewish people and faith, and because all humans are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), Christians should condemn persecution and hatred toward Jewish people. Christians are called to show compassion and offer protection to Jewish communities in times of need.
6) Modern Judaism, often called rabbinic Judaism, differs from the biblical Judaism described in the Hebrew Scriptures, which relied on the Temple, sacrifices, and priesthood. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Jewish communities adapted to preserve their faith and traditions. (More about this issue in the podcast below.)
7) The modern state of Israel protects Christian holy sites, ensuring access to places like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Garden Tomb.
8) The modern state of Israel is a parliamentary democracy with free elections and an independent judiciary. It promotes pluralism, ensuring freedom of worship for non-Jewish religions (e.g., Christians, Muslims, Druze) and equal legal protections for diverse communities, including Muslims, Druze, and Christians, who can run for office and serve in the military.
9) The term “Jewish” encompasses ethnicity, culture, and religion. Not all Jewish people practice Judaism; some are ethnically or culturally Jewish while identifying as Christians, agnostics, or politically progressive.
10) Jewish people have made significant contributions to humanity in fields like science (e.g., Einstein, Salk) and culture (e.g., 20% of Nobel Prize winners are Jewish), reflecting God’s call for them to be a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6).
11) The term “Israel” denotes nationality, referring to citizens of the modern state of Israel, which includes people of diverse ethnicities, such as Jews, Christians, Muslims, and Druze.
12) Christianity and Judaism share a unique spiritual heritage and shared ethical principles through the Hebrew Scriptures, which form the foundation of Judeo-Christian values. These include beliefs in the existence of a transcendent Creator, human dignity (Genesis 1:26–27), moral responsibility, justice and compassion (Leviticus 19:9–10). Traditional Christians can honor this connection by working together with traditional Jews to promote a biblical vision of human flourishing.
13) Romans 11:25–32 suggests a future hope for Israel’s reconciliation with God, often interpreted as an acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah. As Christians, we look forward to the fulfillment of this promise with faith and humility.
14) Christians are called to love the Jewish people, which can include respectfully sharing the good news of Jesus as the Messiah while honoring their faith and traditions.
15) Support for the modern state of Israel is not unconditional. Christians should prioritize God’s standards of justice over blind allegiance to any nation’s leaders or policies.
While these fifteen points may not resolve every question or debate surrounding Israel and the Jewish people, they offer a shared foundation for Bible-believing Christians to approach these topics with clarity and compassion. By grounding our discussions in these biblical and historical truths, my hope is that we can foster unity, extend grace to one another, and engage in conversations that honor God’s love and justice, even where differences remain.
