F. Furman Kearley left behind a remarkable perception of our present problem that few dreamed of in 1985. In The Middle East Crisis in Biblical Perspective, Kearley, a professor at Abilene Christian University, clearly predicted America‘s initiation of the Neo-Crusade that the rest of the civilized world is now witnessing aghast.

Christian educator Kearley wrote about serial wars” against Islam, which he called “World War III.” Most important, he foresaw the role of what is now called the “the Christian Right, or Christian Zionism” (he used the biblical scholar’s term “Pre-millennialism”) in causing and enabling these Serial Wars. His understanding of the problem leads to a logical solution, which is the purpose of Project Strait Gate.

The following excerpts are from an interview from the September 22nd 1986, issue of the Lutheran weekly, Christian News. Kearley’s words are in “quotes” and those not in quotes are from the editor of Christian News.

The Middle East Crisis in Biblical Perspective

“Pre-millennial and Zionistic understandings of Scripture, and practices resulting from these understandings, pose grave dangers to our present civilization,” says F. Furman Kearly, Ph.D. in ” The Middle East Crisis in Biblical Perspective.”

Dr. Kearly is Professor of Bible and Director of Graduate Studies at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. He takes sharp issue with such Israel-First Millennia lists as Jerry Falwell and Hal Lindsey.

“When the concept of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16) is raised, those who believe in a literal war at Armageddon often feel that Christians should work to start this war and should vigorously participate in it. Those in particular who view the present situation as Armageddon believe that Christians should support Israel with vigor and urge our government to take an active part in the conflict in the Middle East.”

“The main feature of dispensational pre-millennialism relative to the Middle East crisis is the doctrine that all the biblical prophecies concerning restoration of Israel relate to the return of the Jewish people to their homeland prior to the second coming of Christ. About 1830 J. N. Darby, one of the founders of the Plymouth Brethren, began teaching what has come to be called dispensational pre-millennialism. No one person has been more influential in spreading dispensational teachings than C. I. Scofield.”

“Pre-millennialism and Zionism is based on an error-filled system of biblical interpretation. This means the present state of Israel is of men and not of God.”

“Briefly, most of the passages used by pre-millennia lists and Zionists are prophecies of restoration of physical Israel to physical Palestine from physical Babylon.”

“Proponents of pre-millennialism strongly insist that God’s promise to give the land to Abraham and his descendants constitutes an everlasting covenant that can never be broken and must ultimately be fulfilled by the restoration of Israel to the land.”

“Militant pre-millennialism and Zionism must bear the moral responsibility for recent bloodshed in the Middle East and for more extensive bloodshed in World War III, if it comes as predicted by militant pre-millennialists.”

“Had the state of Israel not been established in 1947, the history of the Middle East for the last 35 years would be entirely different. We cannot, of course, know what history would have been. We can know, however, that bloodshed during the last 35 years has been caused by pre-millennnial and Zionistic agitation that resulted in the creation of the state of Israel.”

“Further, if militant pre-millennialists and religious Zionists persist in viewing the Middle East conflict as a holy war and pressing for the possession of all territories by Israel which they formerly possessed, the rebuilding of the temple, and other such matters, World War III could certainly result. Millions would then be killed and their blood would be upon the heads of people like Jerry Falwell and so many others who, for a century-and-a-half, have pressed for this so-called ‘Holy War’ which will actually be a most unholy war.”

“One militant pre-millennnialist states that soon Russia will conquer the Middle East and Israel, and this, ‘will ignite World War III, whereupon God will destroy all the nations that came against Jerusalem.’ Since he believes this is an inspired description of what must happen, he believes Christians must support Israel if they are to fulfill one of God’s purposes for the church.”

“It is one thing to recognize that the present state exists and try to come to some practical, moral, political, economic solution to work for peace. It is quite another thing to view the present Middle East conflict as holy war and to work to further escalate it rather than diffuse it.”

“The erroneous interpretations of pre-millennialism will result in producing unbelief in many present religionists and strengthen the unbelief concerning the Bible and Christianity among the irreligious, as well as those who are believers in other religions. Unbelievers, and those of other religions, will use the obviously false interpretations as evidence that the Bible is erroneous or that it is impossible to understand.”

“The ultra-pro-Israel stance of militant pre-millennialism ‘has driven countless Arabs, Muslims, and other “third world” people from the Savior.’ The doctrines and practices of militant pre-millennialism result in harsh, unmerciful, unloving attitudes and actions toward the Arabs and other enemies of Israel.”

“Christians should be working to bring about peace between both sides and should be working to evangelize, in an attempt to persuade both sides to accept Christ as Redeemer.”

“The pre-millennial doctrine concerning the rebuilding of the temple, the reconstitution of the Levitical priesthood, and the reinstitution of animal sacrifices, contradicts plain New Testament teachings.”

“It is a serious and dangerous thing for a man or movement to stir up nations to war at any time. Already hundreds of thousands have died and suffered extensively due to the Middle East crisis. Unless concerted efforts are made by all to end the Middle East crisis in peace, millions more will likely die and suffer.”

“One needs to be absolutely certain that the doctrine he is following is ‘of God’ and ‘not of men’ before he advocates a doctrine that will put the blood of other men on his hands.”

“It is one thing to espouse a cause or follow a theory that might result in persecution or even death to oneself. It is a totally different thing to become a part of a movement and advocate a doctrine that is going to bring death to thousands of others.”

“One must study and teach to turn those who are in the error of pre-millennialism from that error, which is a powerful contributing force to the past (and possibly forthcoming) wars in the Middle East.”

“Christians must pray for peace in the Middle East. Pre-millennialists must pray and work for World War III so Armageddon will come. They cannot pray for peace.” – end

F. Furman Kearley has written many articles, many of which were published in the Gospel Advocate, Firm Foundation, 20th Century Christian, Sound Doctrine, as well as various other publications. He held a Bachelors Degree from Alabama Christian College (or Faulkner University). He held the MA Degree from Harding University Graduate School, the MA Degree from Auburn University, the MED from Harding University, the MTH from Harding University and the PHD Degree from Hebrew Union College. He was editor of the Gospel Advocate from 1985-1999. Deceased 2003.

Background reading:

THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM IN THE MID EAST: Part I, Why Judeo-Christians Support War-C. E. Carlson,

Books and tapes that clarify

THE FINAL APOSTASY – by Gordon Ginn Ph.D. Is your church apostate, would you know it if it were? 218 pages.

“SHERRY’S WAR” Ц Specail report, in her own words, Sherry shows how Judeo-Christians mix and match scripture verses and use of extra text out of context to promote the Pop Church‘s “chosen people” and end times scenario.

CHURCH IS ISRAEL NOW-Provan
This is Charles D. Provan’s New Covenant study, a priceless product of years of research into the topic of what the New Tesament says about Old Testament prophacy, the passages followers of Christ need to have at their fingertips. Paperback 73 pages.

HOW CHRISTIAN” CHURCHES CRUCIFY PALESTINIANS – Audio
Charles E. Carlson on the University of Delaware radio program, “Open Your Mind,” interviewed by Hector Gomez. Q: Hector: “What do Americans need to know most about the Middle East crisis?”.

ATTACK ON ISLAM-Carlson- Carlson
In March, 1994, Charles E. Carlson, the article documents the trend started by Daniel Pipes and others in Foreign Affairs journals of the Council on Foreign Relations (now called Neo-Cons) and traced this trend to the prevalent policy ideology of both political parties being actively pursued by the Clinton and papa Bush Administrations. Audio,1 hr.