In Iowa, where evangelical Christians dominate the first-in-the-nation Republican presidential caucuses, Rowland and other pastors are delivering a message meant to resonate both biblically and politically.
While curbing abortion has for decades energized Christian conservatives like no other issue, the attack by Hamas and Israel's response have put new pressure on Republican candidates to hew not just to traditional Republican support for Israel but to beliefs rooted in the Bible.
Some Christians support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland.
Some evangelicals believe Israel is key to an end-times prophecy that will bring about the return of the Christian messiah.
Daniel Hummel, author of “Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations," said that Republican support for Israel has become a proxy for other conservative priorities, particularly on immigration.
Persons:
Steve Rowland peered, Rowland, “ Israel, Israel, Joe Biden, “ We’ve, ”, Nikki Haley, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump, Roe, Wade, Daniel Hummel, Haley, Ron DeSantis —, “, ” Hummel, Carolina Sen, Tim Scott, ” Scott, Scott, DeSantis, Joseph Brown, Netanyahu “, Brown, Marion, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy, Brad Cranston, ” Ann Trimble Ray, ” Rowland, they've, Tiffany Stanley
Organizations:
Sun, of Christ, Republican, Iowa, GOP, South, United Nations, The Associated Press, “, Brothers, Trump, Florida Gov, Trump Republican Party, Baptist Church, Heritage Baptist Church, CNN, Associated Press
Locations:
NEWTON, Iowa, Des Moines, Altoona, Israel, Iran, South Carolina, Cedar Rapids, White, U.S, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, It's, Carolina, Newton, Washington , Iowa, Burlington , Iowa, Gaza, Trump, , Iowa, Washington