False Teachings of British Israelism

[Rescued One]

Relation to Christian Identity

Early British Israelites such as Edward Hine and John Wilson were philo-semites.[53][6]:33 British Israelism itself had several Jewish members and it received support from rabbis throughout the 19th century. Within British politics, the movement supported Benjamin Disraeli, who was descended from Sephardi Jews,[6]:13–19[54] while they also favoured Theodor Herzl in his advocacy of Zionism.[53] Still, below the surface there had existed an anti-semitic strain such as in the scientific racialism that led Wilson to deny the 'racial purity' of modern Jews, leading to the view more broadly within the movement that modern Jews were 'un-Semitic impostors'.[11]:206–210 Some American adherents of British Israelism would adopt a racialized, strongly anti-Semitic theology that became known as Christian Identity,[55]:xii which has at its core the belief that non-Caucasian people have no souls and therefore cannot be saved.[6]:68 Emerging in the 1920s, Christian Identity began teaching that the Jews are not descended from the tribe of Judah (as British Israelites maintain) at all, but are instead descended from Satan & Lilith or from Edomite-Khazars.[55]:62–97 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the emergence of Christian Identity from British Israelism as an 'ugly turn.'
British Israelism - Wikipedia

 

[Dave L]

The way I see it is circumcision made one a physical Jew or physical member of Israel. When Jesus abolished circumcision on the cross, nothing remained to continue this after Paul's generation died off in around AD 70. So this cancelled all membership in Biblical Israel except for believers. (The circumcised in heart). Only through faith in Christ can any be reattached to Israel (the Church). When God gave the rite to Abraham, all of his covenant seed were non relatives except for Ishmael. So it's not about genetic ancestry but membership in the community through circumcision.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Relation to Christian Identity

Early British Israelites such as Edward Hine and John Wilson were philo-semites.[53][6]:33 British Israelism itself had several Jewish members and it received support from rabbis throughout the 19th century. Within British politics, the movement supported Benjamin Disraeli, who was descended from Sephardi Jews,[6]:13–19[54] while they also favoured Theodor Herzl in his advocacy of Zionism.[53] Still, below the surface there had existed an anti-semitic strain such as in the scientific racialism that led Wilson to deny the 'racial purity' of modern Jews, leading to the view more broadly within the movement that modern Jews were 'un-Semitic impostors'.[11]:206–210 Some American adherents of British Israelism would adopt a racialized, strongly anti-Semitic theology that became known as Christian Identity,[55]:xii which has at its core the belief that non-Caucasian people have no souls and therefore cannot be saved.[6]:68 Emerging in the 1920s, Christian Identity began teaching that the Jews are not descended from the tribe of Judah (as British Israelites maintain) at all, but are instead descended from Satan & Lilith or from Edomite-Khazars.[55]:62–97 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the emergence of Christian Identity from British Israelism as an 'ugly turn.'
British Israelism - Wikipedia

Does anyone still believe this stuff? It was fading away in the 80's - I was involved with a church that had it as a core doctrine at one time. Even they we walking away from it. I'm more inclined to believe that London is really Mecca in disguise. The British (and I am English) are far more entwined in the Muslim world than in Israel.

 

[DennisTate]

Relation to Christian Identity

Early British Israelites such as Edward Hine and John Wilson were philo-semites.[53][6]:33 British Israelism itself had several Jewish members and it received support from rabbis throughout the 19th century. Within British politics, the movement supported Benjamin Disraeli, who was descended from Sephardi Jews,[6]:13–19[54] while they also favoured Theodor Herzl in his advocacy of Zionism.[53] Still, below the surface there had existed an anti-semitic strain such as in the scientific racialism that led Wilson to deny the 'racial purity' of modern Jews, leading to the view more broadly within the movement that modern Jews were 'un-Semitic impostors'.[11]:206–210 Some American adherents of British Israelism would adopt a racialized, strongly anti-Semitic theology that became known as Christian Identity,[55]:xii which has at its core the belief that non-Caucasian people have no souls and therefore cannot be saved.[6]:68 Emerging in the 1920s, Christian Identity began teaching that the Jews are not descended from the tribe of Judah (as British Israelites maintain) at all, but are instead descended from Satan & Lilith or from Edomite-Khazars.[55]:62–97 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the emergence of Christian Identity from British Israelism as an 'ugly turn.'
British Israelism - Wikipedia

Thank you for this informative post!

I personally thought that Orthodox Jewish scholar and historian Yair Davidiy does a really good job of addressing this topic. Have you read any of his research?

 

[DennisTate]

The way I see it is circumcision made one a physical Jew or physical member of Israel. When Jesus abolished circumcision on the cross, nothing remained to continue this after Paul's generation died off in around AD 70. So this cancelled all membership in Biblical Israel except for believers. (The circumcised in heart). Only through faith in Christ can any be reattached to Israel (the Church). When God gave the rite to Abraham, all of his covenant seed were non relatives except for Ishmael. So it's not about genetic ancestry but membership in the community through circumcision.

Actually..... it seems to me that Paul taught that Gentiles did not need to get circumcised but did not say that the Messianic Jews should not continue this practice????

"The first Church was Jewish. If a Gentile wanted to follow the Messiah, he had to convert to Judaism. Then Peter had a revelation that Gentiles did not have to convert to Judaism to be saved (see Acts 10). The Jerusalem Council meeting determined that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised. There were only four easily followed requirements. They were to “abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood” (Acts 15:20). After all, James said, they could learn more about God by hear- ing the words of Moses every Saturday in the syna- gogue (see Acts 15:21). This opened the door to widespread church growth among the Gentiles. So many Gentiles were saved that the Jewish believers became a minority.

The first Jewish followers of Jesus were called “Nazarenes” (part of the Essenes sect of Judaism dis- cussed in Chapter 3). They practiced traditional Judaism and were widely accepted by unbelieving Jews. Early in the second century their numbers reached 400,000.1 In the Book of Acts, the early church fathers said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many myriads [tens of thousands] of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20).

The Nazarenes’ acceptance by traditional Jews came to a halt in A.D. 135 when Rabbi Akiba declared that Bar Kochba was the Jewish Messiah. His followers hoped he would lead them to victory over the Romans. The Nazarenes refused to fight because they believed Jesus was the true Messiah rather than Bar Kochba. They were branded traitors, not because they believed in Jesus, but because they would not join Bar Kochba’s armed struggle. Bar Kochba and his followers were quickly slaughtered by the Romans. Afterward, Jews were banned from Jerusalem.

History shows that as the center of the Christian faith moved from Jerusalem to Rome, it became increasingly Hellenized, adopting pagan customs and philosophies rather than the God-ordained practices and beliefs of the Bible. At the same time, Christianity became increasingly anti-Jewish."
(Sid Roth from his book The Incomplete Church, Chapter 7, page 64, 65)

 

[Albion]

Does anyone still believe this stuff? It was fading away in the 80's - I was involved with a church that had it as a core doctrine at one time. Even they we walking away from it. I'm more inclined to believe that London is really Mecca in disguise. The British (and I am English) are far more entwined in the Muslim world than in Israel.

Hi, Pete.

Well, British Israelism is about the formative years of British history, not about its recent immigrants. The idea we call British Israelism has indeed dimmed in recent years, although it still has some following.

And I think also that it is important not to equate British Israelism with Christian Identity because the two are very different from each other. (You didn't do that in your message, but it appeared in the OP.)

 

[Dave L]

Actually..... it seems to me that Paul taught that Gentiles did not need to get circumcised but did not say that the Messianic Jews should not continue this practice????

Christ abolished circumcision as a Jewish rite on the cross.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

HI in Gen 17 the covenant with Abraham is everlasting and for the land and circumcision is an obligation on Abraham's descendants. So if there is a millennium which would have all the loose ends tied up I see no reason why the Jews would not keep this practice. In Jer 3 we see the inheritance of this promise for the land is at the time when the throne of the LORD is established.
14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16 “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.
17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.
18 “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.

IN Zech 14 it shows the day the LORD is king over all the earth and it occurs when Jerusalem is being overrun much like you would expect at Armageddon and the LORD comes with His saints and fights and the Mt of Olives will split in two forming two rivers one that will flow east and life continues on earth as the nations which are left must now keep the feast of tabernacles or they get no rain.

This river is seen in Eze 47 and the dead sea is to be healed and a prosperous fishing area. This again is when the throne of the LORD is established. And Eze 47 says
13 Thus says the Lord GOD: “These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. 14 You shall inherit it equally with one another; for I raised My hand in an oath to give it to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance.
15 “This shall be the border of the land on the north: from the Great Sea,....

Right here by thus sayeth the LORD just as in the days of Joshua the 12 tribes are getting their inheritance and the boundaries include the sea. This is important as there is no sea in the new creation and this cannot be talking about the new heaven and earth.

Jesus mission statement surely was the cross and the new covenant in His 1st advent but clearly this destiny if part of His 2nd. Luke 1 presents prophecy of Jesus ministry and notes these specifics.

1 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Now right here we see the covenant and the oath to Abraham remembered.

Psalm 109

He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

So when we look at Zech 14 and see the kingdom coming to earth this is when the LORD performs this deliverance and Israel is now given a heart of faith in Jesus and from this time on they are holy and will certainly inherit the land in Gen 17. The circumcision very well might still be carried on. I see no reason why it would not.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hi, Pete.

Well, British Israelism is about the formative years of British history, not about its recent immigrants. The idea we call British Israelism has indeed dimmed in recent years, although it still has some following.

And I think also that it is important not to equate British Israelism with Christian Identity because the two are very different from each other. (You didn't do that in your message, but it appeared in the OP.)

I'd never heard of Christian Identity previously. I did learn about BI from a part time Bible course presented by the denomination's school. To me, its a non-issue. It's proponents seem to think that it establishes the place of Britain in God's kingdom. I think that the "dark, satanic mills" have turned into mosques. Islam has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. It's in opposition.

 

[Rescued One]

"Emerging in the 1920s, Christian Identity began teaching that the Jews are not descended from the tribe of Judah (as British Israelites maintain) at all, but are instead descended from Satan & Lilith or from Edomite-Khazars.[55]:62–97 The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the emergence of Christian Identity from British Israelism as an 'ugly turn.' "

I've run into people online who believe this nonsense!

Serpent Seed Doctrine:
[William] Branham developed a unique theology and placed emphasis on a few key doctrines, including his eschatological views, annihilationism, oneness of the Godhead, predestination, eternal security, and the serpent's seed.[122] His followers refer to his teachings collectively as "The Message".[123] Kydd and Weaver have both referred to Branham's teachings as "Branhamology".[124][123] Most of Branham's teachings have precedents within sects of the Pentecostal movement or in other non-Pentecostal denominations.[125] The doctrines Branham imported from non-Pentecostal theology and the unique combination of doctrines that he created as a result led to widespread criticism from Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement.[125][126] His unique arrangement of doctrines, coupled with the highly controversial nature of the serpent seed doctrine, caused the alienation of many of his former supporters.[125][126][127]
William M. Branham - Wikipedia

Oneness Doctrine is also known as modalism.

 

[Rescued One]

Hi, Pete.

Well, British Israelism is about the formative years of British history, not about its recent immigrants. The idea we call British Israelism has indeed dimmed in recent years, although it still has some following.

And I think also that it is important not to equate British Israelism with Christian Identity because the two are very different from each other. (You didn't do that in your message, but it appeared in the OP.)

It's true that they are different but I think Christian Identity may have evolved from that.

 

[Rescued One]

Serpent seed, dual seed or two-seedline is a controversial religious belief which explains , and the offspring of their union was Cain. It appears in early Gnostic writings such as the Gospel of Pthe biblical account of the fall of man by saying that the serpent mated with Eve in the Garden of Edenhilip (c. 350). Irenaeus (c. 180), an early church father, explicitly rejected the doctrine as heresy, a view which was echoed by subsequent mainstream Christian theologians.[1] According to The Celtic Church In Britain, by Leslie Hardinge, the early Celtic church taught the belief in re-telling the seduction of Eve by the serpent.[citation needed]

The serpent-seed doctrine has occasionally been promoted in more recent times, such as by American religious leaders Daniel Parker (1781–1844),[2] William M. Branham (1909–1965),[3]:98 and Arnorld Murray (1929–2014). This belief is also held by some adherents of the white supremacist theology known as Christian Identity, who claim that Jews are descended from the serpent.
Serpent seed - Wikipedia

The Shepherd's Chapel is a ... church and broadcast facility based in Gravette, Arkansas. The church's founder was Arnold Benjamin Murray (April 20, 1929–February 12, 2014), who served as senior pastor until his death.[1][2] As of February 2014, his son Dennis Arnold Murray, the former associate pastor, presides as senior pastor of the church. Arnold Murray's other son, David Vernon Murray (January 18, 1954 – July 14, 2013), was also an associate pastor until his death.

Since 1985, the Shepherd's Chapel has been broadcasting one-hour televised Bible studies over its satellite network on over 225 television stations on cable, DirecTV, Dish Network and YouTube. It is the largest independent Christian television network in the world. Pastor Murray teaches a "chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse study of God's Word; the Bible". Also shown are various documentary programs from a pseudoarcheological Anglo-Israelism perspective. It airs 24 hours a day at their website.[3][4] According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the program "has been on the air for at least three decades and is broadcast in nearly every major and mid-size U.S. city".[1]
The Shepherd's Chapel - Wikipedia

 

[Rescued One]

HI in Gen 17 the covenant with Abraham is everlasting and for the land and circumcision is an obligation on Abraham's descendants. So if there is a millennium which would have all the loose ends tied up I see no reason why the Jews would not keep this practice. In Jer 3 we see the inheritance of this promise for the land is at the time when the throne of the LORD is established.
14 “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16 “Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.’ It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.
17 “At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts.
18 “In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers.

IN Zech 14 it shows the day the LORD is king over all the earth and it occurs when Jerusalem is being overrun much like you would expect at Armageddon and the LORD comes with His saints and fights and the Mt of Olives will split in two forming two rivers one that will flow east and life continues on earth as the nations which are left must now keep the feast of tabernacles or they get no rain.

This river is seen in Eze 47 and the dead sea is to be healed and a prosperous fishing area. This again is when the throne of the LORD is established. And Eze 47 says
13 Thus says the Lord GOD: “These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. 14 You shall inherit it equally with one another; for I raised My hand in an oath to give it to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance.
15 “This shall be the border of the land on the north: from the Great Sea,....

Right here by thus sayeth the LORD just as in the days of Joshua the 12 tribes are getting their inheritance and the boundaries include the sea. This is important as there is no sea in the new creation and this cannot be talking about the new heaven and earth.

Jesus mission statement surely was the cross and the new covenant in His 1st advent but clearly this destiny if part of His 2nd. Luke 1 presents prophecy of Jesus ministry and notes these specifics.

1 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

Now right here we see the covenant and the oath to Abraham remembered.

Psalm 109

He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

So when we look at Zech 14 and see the kingdom coming to earth this is when the LORD performs this deliverance and Israel is now given a heart of faith in Jesus and from this time on they are holy and will certainly inherit the land in Gen 17. The circumcision very well might still be carried on. I see no reason why it would not.

Relevence?

 

[Daniel Marsh]

British Israelism is a big thing among the KKK in my area.

 

[Rescued One]

British Israelism is a big thing among the KKK in my area.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

Relevence?

it was in reply to this The way I see it is circumcision made one a physical Jew or physical member of Israel. When Jesus abolished circumcision on the cross, nothing remained to continue this after Paul's generation died off in around AD 70. So this cancelled all membership in Biblical Israel except for believers. (The circumcised in heart). Only through faith in Christ can any be reattached to Israel (the Church). When God gave the rite to Abraham, all of his covenant seed were non relatives except for Ishmael. So it's not about genetic ancestry but membership in the community through circumcision. many think the church in now Israel. I disagree

 

[Rescued One]

it was in reply to this The way I see it is circumcision made one a physical Jew or physical member of Israel. When Jesus abolished circumcision on the cross, nothing remained to continue this after Paul's generation died off in around AD 70. So this cancelled all membership in Biblical Israel except for believers. (The circumcised in heart). Only through faith in Christ can any be reattached to Israel (the Church). When God gave the rite to Abraham, all of his covenant seed were non relatives except for Ishmael. So it's not about genetic ancestry but membership in the community through circumcision. many think the church in now Israel. I disagree

okay

 

[Albion]

It's true that they are different but I think Christian Identity may have evolved from that.

''Evolved from.'' Yes, I think that's safe to say, but it isn't British Israelism, and I'd hate to have people who aren't very familiar with this subject equate the two.

 

[Rescued One]

I'm still trying to understand this topic, but being God's people isn't about race, so why do people want to trace their ancestry to Israel? Don't we all descend from Noah if we believe there was a universal flood?

 

[Albion]

I'm still trying to understand this topic, but being God's people isn't about race, so why do people want to trace their ancestry to Israel? Don't we all descend from Noah if we believe there was a universal flood?

I think the main idea, when this POV was gaining adherents during the 19th century, was a sense of the British people having a certain destiny to spread the Gospel. Millions of people, including (it was said) Queen Victoria, were followers.

Anyone interested in tracing the Biblical evidence should check 2 Esdras 13 in which the Israelites resolve to move to a new land. Also Genesis 17, 21, 22, 24, and 48, plus Isaiah 24, 33, and 41; Psalms 2 & 8 +29 & 89, I Chronicles 5, and 2 Kings, all of which are said to point to Britain and no other country.