Judaizing Christianity and Christian Zionism in Northern Ireland: For God, Israel, and Ulster

This book explores the contemporary judaization of evangelical Christianity through the ethnography of a messianic congregation in Northern Ireland. A constellation of messianic ’congregations’ have expanded worldwide over recent years, combining Jewish liturgy, symbols and artefacts, with prophecies about the End Time and the return of Jesus. Increasingly recognised as a legitimate subdivision within evangelicalism, the messianic movement has facilitated a popularisation of Jewish practices and symbolism beyond its own congregations. The author considers: What insights do these congregations offer about the deregulation of religions? Is there any logic to the combinations of Christian and Jewish sources in messianic beliefs and practices? How can we understand this fascination with Jews and Judaism? Finally, what is the political significance of messianics’ relationship with Jewish people, the state of Israel, and Christian Zionism? The book will be of particular interest to scholars of the sociology and anthropology of religion, religion and politics, and Jewish-Christian relations.

Véronique Altglas is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland.