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I'll just also add that being dispensationalist doesn't automatically mean supporting the modern state of israel uncritically
What is a dispensationalist?
Dispensational beliefs arose in the mid 19th century as a relatively new way of viewing redemptive history as divided into multiple ages called dispensations in which God interacts with his chosen people in different ways. I think dispensationalists also believe in a rapture of believers before the great tribulation and before the general resurrection.
It contrasts with the older approach of Covenant Theology, which views both Old Testament and New Testament believers as being saved by grace through faith in God's promise and provision.
John Darby and the Plymouth Brethren developed dispensation theology in the mid-19 century, but the term wasn't coined until 1928.
Relevant to the question to Israel's status, dispensationalists often view the Jews as being saved by God in a different manner than the Christians in the church age. I don't understand their beliefs in detail, but they often believe a political nation-state of Israel is necessary, sometimes with a third temple and the resumption of Jewish temple sacrifices, prior to Jesus return. Thus some dispensation Christians are keen to get a red heifer to help the Jews resume sacrifices.
For details, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism, particularly on how dispensational belief dovetails with Christian Zionism.
Most relevant for the modern day Israel debate:
- Traditional covenant theology views the Christian church as the successor to God's promises to the ethnic state of Israel... thus, there is no special future plan for ethnic Israel (apart from the Christian church)
- Dispensational theology believes that God's promises to ethnic Israel continue, even during the church age... and that God still has a future plan for ethnic Israel. That's why dispensationalists are more likely to support the modern nation state of Israel.
That being said, not every dispensationalist has the same view towards the modern nation state of Israel
So The Greater Israel Project is considered imperative by millions of Pentecostal US Christians and their backing for Trump is a major factor in him backing Israels current genocide and land grabbing.
Not sure Jesus would be too happy about this.
I don't know.
But when I see the destruction that results from the dispensational lobbyists, it just proves to me that folks who would dismiss theology as unimportant get it wrong. Theology is a matter of life and death. Bad theology allows people to argue for evil policies.
The apostle Paul took three chapters in Romans 9 -- 11 to argue that in Jesus there has been a redefinition of Israel. Its no longer ethnic Israel who are true Israel, but only the spiritual seed of Abraham---all who trust in Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah. Luke similarly structures chapters 3 -- 7 of Acts to show that the temple and its leadership are no longer the leaders of the people of God, because Jesus name healed the lame man (chapter 3), was preached with authority that the temple rulers couldn't stop (chapters 4 & 5) and its Jesus to whom both Moses and the temple pointed (Stephen's speech in chapters 6 & 7).
The New Testament doesn't justify a special place for Israel as a political entity. They may have rights as a nation, but must act justly, not unjustly.
Governments bear the sword to punish evildoers, not to commit genocide against peaceful civilians, or discriminate against 2nd-class (i.e. non-Jewish) Israelis.