British Israelism and the Road to Religious Extremism

 

John and Charles examine the historical evolution of British Israelism, explaining how a movement that once claimed solidarity with Jewish restoration gradually transformed into a racialized theology. The discussion walks through the 19th and early 20th centuries, showing how ideas about the “lost tribes” merged with post-Civil War white supremacist thought in the United States.

The conversation then follows the decisive break that led to Christian Identity theology, where earlier pro-Jewish positions were reversed and replaced with claims of racial supremacy. Along the way, John examines how these ideas influenced early Pentecostalism, healing revival figures, and later movements, helping listeners understand why these doctrines remain relevant — and dangerous — today.

Chapters

• Introduction
• What British Israelism Originally Taught
• Early Support for Jewish Restoration
• The Turning Point Toward Christian Identity
• Post-Civil War America and Racial Ideology
• John Alexander Dowie and Zion, Illinois
• Healing Revival Figures and British Israelism
• How Theology Enabled Abuse and Control
• British Israelism’s Legacy in Later Movements