The Thinking Muslim How Christian Zionism Hijacked Christianity with Reverend Robert Owen Smith
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Oct 10, 2025 Reverend Dr. Robert O. Smith, an ordained minister and scholar on Christian Zionism, delves into the historical roots of this movement. He shares his transformation from a Pentecostal upbringing to a critical thinker through encounters with Palestinians. Topics include the deep ties between Christian Zionism and American identity, its historical origins predating Darby, and how these beliefs justified colonization. Smith critiques the uncritical adoption of Christian Zionism by politicians, highlighting impacts on Palestinian Christians and global implications in legal contexts.
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Formative Oklahoma Upbringing And Germany Shift
- Robert Smith describes being raised Pentecostal in 1980s Oklahoma with regular rapture and Israel-focused teaching.
- His international schooling in Germany exposed him to diverse peers and began shifting his worldview.
9/11 Teaching Led To Palestine Visit
- Smith recounts teaching about Islam after 9/11 and forming a human chain around a mosque with a professor.
- That work led to his first visit to Palestine in November 2002 and deepened his engagement.
Roots Reach Back To The Reformation
- Christian Zionism predates Darby and roots back to the English Reformation and 16th–17th century thought.
- This shows Christian Zionism is embedded in early modern Protestant frameworks, not just modern dispensationalism.
