How Christian Zionism became a key force in U.S. politics

Christian Zionism — the belief that the modern state of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy — has existed as a theological concept for well over a century. But in the past couple decades its political power and influence in the United States has surged, with many of Donald Trump's closest political allies among its adherents.

Today we're taking a look at the theological roots of Christian Zionism, how it became a political force in America, and its impacts on U.S.-Israel policy.

Our guest is Daniel Hummel, the author of Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations.

**This episode originally included a reference to the Iranian government restarting its nuclear weapons program. In fact, Iran has never publicly declared a nuclear weapons program and has said its nuclear program is peaceful. The reference was removed.

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