Jonathan Brenneman came and talked in convocation on February 7, about Zionism and Christian Nationalism in the United States. This was the same time that Dr. David Gushee came and spoke about rising Christian Nationalism in the United States and how it was a threat to democracy. Brenneman is a self described Palestinian American Mennonite. Micaiah Landis, a junior, introduced Brenneman to everyone. Landis talked about how Brenneman worked for Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), he also worked with Mennonite Palestine Israel Network, and works closely with Mennonite Action. Landis also used his introduction to give us a definition of what Zionism is; he says, “Zionism is a political and theological movement that pushes for the establishment of a Jewish homeland  in the historical land of Israel based on specific interpretations of biblical prophecies.” Landis then emphasizes, “this comes at the expense of the Palestinian people.” 

Brenneman was unable to make it to EMU in person to talk in convocation so he participated through Zoom call. He talked about what it was like to grow up in the Mennonite church, which holds such a strong nonviolent and peaceful stance. Brenneman talks about how this is similar to Palestinian Christians. He said that there are Christian denominations all around the world that have talked about the violence that is going on between Israel and Palistaine. He pointed out specifically what the Palestinian Christian church has said, “we must come from a place of faith, hope and love. We must stop the violence of the Israeli government against the Palestinian people, and we must not use violence to do that.” Brenneman then remarks, “a total renunciation of violence especially state violence.” Brenneman says that this statement was made by the Palestinian Christian church to call on other churches all over the world to join them in their nonviolence to push against the violence of the Israeli state. 

Brenneman talks about how interesting it is that Zionism is a form of Christian Nationalism and yet,Christians all over the world push against this movement. He talks about how Christians who believe in Zionism think that Jews must live in the holy land for the Rapture to take place.  Timothy Seidel, Associate Professor of Community & International Development has known Brenneman for a long time. They collaborated on different projects and now they are both working with Mennonite Action together. Seidel said “Zionism is a political ideology of replacement that goes along with the Doctrine of Discovery.” Seidel also remarked, “It was nice for someone other than me to be talking to the campus about this topic.”