Due to differing ideologies and approaches, more often than not these groups did not work together. CMJ is an independent, self-supporting organization within the Anglican Church. For well over years the message of Christ Church has been directed to Gentiles as well as to the Jews. Luke Over the years we have reminded the Christian world of the Jewishness of Jesus and the importance of understanding the New Testament in its Jewish context. Many of the scholars associated with Christ Church were prominent in this trend that started in the early 19th century.
For example, the first Anglican bishop in Jerusalem, Michael Solomon Alexander, was a Jewish believer and a pioneer in helping Christians appreciate rabbinic literature as a means of better understanding Jesus and the Gospels. Also, from its inception Christ Church has consistently condemned anti-Semitism, from the Damascus Affair to the rise of Nazism. We continue to speak out against anti-Semitism which at times takes the form of unjustified criticism against the state of Israel.
Equally, we oppose any racism against and demonization of Palestinians and Arabs in general. Myth 3: Christ Church was only interested in the return to Zion in order to bring about the coming of Jesus. It is well known that British Christians including some associated with Christ Church provided political support for the Jewish return to the Land of Israel even before the rise of political Zionism.
It is lesser known that with the emergence of Jewish nationalism in the late 19th century some at Christ Church had misgivings about this movement because of its secular nature. But it is too simplistic to think that wide-spread Christian interest in Jews and Zionism is based merely on Bible prophecy. Instead, much of this support has its origins in a love for the Biblical text. When Church tradition places a strong emphasis on Bible reading and study, Christians often develop a deep sympathy for the characters of the Bible and identify with the people of Israel.
Also, many saw the Return to Zion as a way to prove the reliability of Scripture in response to the growing 19th century scientific critique of the Biblical text. They reasoned that if the Jews were actually returning to the Land of Israel then the Bible just might be more trustworthy than its critics claimed.
