Ted Cruz and the Lunacy of Dispensationalism – Crisis Magazine
This view is consistent with the Dispensationalism that has run amok in Evangelical circles and is held by millions if not tens of millions of Americans, as well as Protestants in other nations and probably even some Catholics. To briefly summarize, Dispensationalists, or Dispies, hold to various Fundamentalist views and adhere to strict biblical literalism, at least in some cases. And part of that view entails seeing the modern State of Israel as the Israel in the Bible. In essence, the modern State of Israel is the Israel that Cruz spoke of when he mentioned what is said in Genesis 12, and it amounts to something like a dual-covenant theology; there is one way to be saved for Jews and another for Gentiles. Consistent with this, we find in the Dispensationalist movement a desire to help ultra-Orthodox Jews rebuild the Temple so they can recommence the Old Testament sacrifices.
I think most of us Christians are optional or semi-Dispensationalist. This amounts to an attitude of “you go, Jews!” and generally cheering Israel on, perhaps on the understanding that G-d takes the same view or at least will not hold it against us. I hold this view in spite of the fact that I find some Israelis, usually left-wingers, uniquely annoying and the fact that many Israelis, I’ve heard, treat Christians badly in Israel. But at least they don’t torture and murder us like our jihadist friends. For that reason, as well as scheduling difficulties, I have never visited the Holy Land and it’s actually far down my bucket list. But I like to watch YouTube videos about Israel. It’s a lot like Venice in this respect. I did go Venice some forty years ago and found it fascinating, but I hear it’s gotten worse.