The Biblical Case for Standing with Israel

Brian says Why Stand with Israel is the first in a series of documentaries, and that he has as many as 20 in mind.  He says this first one was a “labor of love,” met with the challenges of the pandemic and funding.  Debuting on Israel’s 76th birthday, May 14, 2024, the film has been screened in more than 70 cities and 12 nations, and has been dubbed into 13 languages.  Brian’s goal is to point viewers to God’s heart for the nation of Israel today, not only in the days of the Bible, and to help stop the spread of antisemitism and the boycotting of Israeli products.  He also seeks to educate people who may not understand Israel’s right to exist and thrive as a nation.  For example, he presents statistics from Lifeway Research showing that despite 72% of Bible believers wishing they knew more about what the Bible teaches about Israel’s future, there is great lack of biblical knowledge about God’s promises for Israel.  Some 63% of believers don’t think the promise of the land of Israel still belongs to the Jewish people, 32% of believers say they have no strong views about the state of Israel, and 96% of believers say they have not been influenced by their local church on the topic of Israel.  

The documentary opens by observing that antisemitism has risen dramatically around the world in recent years, particularly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza. Brian argues that many Christians have remained silent or uncertain about how to respond because they lack a biblical understanding of Israel's role in God's plan. Rather than beginning with politics, the film begins with theology, asking what the Bible teaches about God's promises to Abraham and his descendants. A major theme is the everlasting covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis. According to the film, God's promises concerning the Jewish people and the land of Israel were unconditional and remain in effect today. Brian contends that although Christians are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, this does not replace God's continuing covenant with Israel. Throughout the documentary, biblical passages from Genesis, the Prophets, Romans, and Revelation are presented as evidence that Israel continues to occupy a unique place in God's redemptive plan. 

Another central emphasis is Romans 11, where the Apostle Paul describes Gentile believers as being "grafted into" God's covenant people. Brian explains that Christians should view themselves not as replacing Israel but as sharing in God's blessings alongside the Jewish people. The documentary repeatedly stresses humility, gratitude, and a rejection of anti-Jewish attitudes that have appeared throughout church history. The film spends considerable time discussing Replacement Theology (sometimes called Supersessionism). Brian argues that this teaching—which says the Church has permanently replaced Israel in God's plan—has contributed to centuries of antisemitism within parts of Christianity. The documentary traces examples of persecution of Jewish communities throughout history and suggests that theological misunderstandings often laid the groundwork for discrimination and violence. Brian calls the Church to repent of these attitudes and return to what he believes is the biblical view of Israel. 

The documentary also examines Israel's modern history. It reviews the rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948, the return of Jewish people from around the world (Aliyah), and the continuing significance of Jerusalem.  Brian presents these developments as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy rather than merely political events. Interviews with historians, pastors, Messianic Jewish leaders, and Israeli voices seek to connect current events with Old Testament promises about the restoration of Israel.

Another section addresses common criticisms of Israel. Brian argues that many accusations—such as claims that Israel is a colonial or apartheid state—are often based on incomplete or misleading historical narratives. The documentary encourages viewers to examine the historical background of the Arab-Israeli conflict before forming conclusions. While acknowledging that no nation is perfect, Brian maintains that Israel's right to exist as the homeland of the Jewish people should be recognized and defended. 

The film also discusses the rise of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Brian believes Christians should oppose efforts to isolate Israel economically and politically. Instead, he encourages practical expressions of support, including purchasing Israeli products, praying for Israel, visiting the country, combating anti-Semitism, and building relationships with Jewish communities.

One of the documentary's strongest pastoral themes is that Christians should love the Jewish people because of God's love for them—not simply because of geopolitics or end-times prophecy. Brian repeatedly emphasizes that support for Israel should be motivated by Scripture and by gratitude for the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. He reminds viewers that Jesus, the apostles, and the earliest believers were all Jewish and that Christianity cannot be understood apart from its biblical and historical connection to Israel.

Toward its conclusion, the documentary becomes a direct call to action. Brian challenges churches to study what the Bible teaches about Israel, reject antisemitism in every form, and actively stand with the Jewish people. He argues that remaining neutral in the face of rising hostility toward Israel is inconsistent with biblical teaching. The film closes with a message of hope, expressing confidence that God's promises to Israel remain trustworthy and encouraging Christians to participate in God's ongoing purposes for both Jews and Gentiles. 

Key themes:

•    God's covenant with Abraham remains in effect. 

•    The Church is "grafted into" God's promises rather than replacing Israel. 

•    Replacement Theology has contributed to antisemitism and should be rejected. 

•    Christians should understand Israel through Scripture as well as history. 

•    Modern Israel's restoration is presented as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. 

•    Believers are encouraged to pray for Israel, oppose antisemitism, and support the Jewish people in practical ways. 

•    Standing with Israel is portrayed as an expression of faithfulness to God's revealed purposes rather than merely a political position. 

Overall, Why Stand with Israel is less a political documentary than an apologetic for Christian Zionism. It seeks to persuade Christians that God's covenant with Israel remains central to the biblical story and that the Church has both a theological and moral responsibility to stand with the Jewish people. It presents this perspective through biblical interpretation, historical discussion, and contemporary examples, while encouraging viewers to engage thoughtfully with both Scripture and current events.

To learn more about Why Stand with Israel , click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Executive Producer and Director of Why Stand with Israel documentary series by All For Zion Ministry, of which he is the CEO / President & Director of Film & TV, Hope Media / Director, Co-Writer of The Hague or Jerusalem film / spoke and prayed at The Return in 2020, a global day of prayer and repentance in Washington, DC / nearly 30 years in radio, TV, and film projects for various entities, both domestic and international / videographer with CBN for eight years / a number of industry awards for Executive Producer, Segment Producer and Cinematographer / married with five children