The use of Scripture in Christian Zionism: a critical examination. Pt. 6

Time to get on with my series on the use of Scripture in Christian Zionism: a critical examination. For previous posts in this series, here are links to:

Part 1 – definitions
Part 2 – popular examples
Part 3 – an appeal for generous dialogue, and plan for following posts
Part 4 – The NT hermeneutical appropriation of the OT: A few preliminary points
Part 5 – The NT hermeneutical appropriation of the OT: Snapshots (a)

I need to point out again, this discussion concerns not first and foremost the political issues of Land and other interesting matters that have been discussed (and rightly so) in many of the comments to my posts above, but the specific issue: the use of Scripture in Christian Zionism. In other words, my focus concerns hermeneutics. This is why I’m pursuing the question as to how the early Church uses the OT, to shed light on their hermeneutical strategies, even if my presentation will naturally be selective given the amount of relevant material.

Given the reasonably busy response I have received both on the blog and via e-mails I wasn’t quite sure how to proceed, but this is how I suggest I go about things: I will simply present the case that I think makes most sense, then respond to the points that have been raised in later posts – especially as many of the issues raised in e-mails and in the comments would need a little more space to properly engage.