What is British Israelitism?
Question
What is British Israelitism?
Answer
Also called "Anglo-Israelism," this is the theory that people of Western European descent are the 10 lost tribes of Israel that were taken into captivity by Syria in 722-721 B.C. British-Israelism began with the self-styled 'Nephew of the Almighty' Richard Brothers, and his book A Revealed Knowledge of the Prophecies and Times (1794) [Encyclopedia Judaica. 1971. Vol.4, page 1381]. After being troubled by visions, Brothers was admitted to a mental asylum, where he remained for eleven years [Cambridge Biographical Enyclopedia (1994)].
Those adhering to the Christian Identity Movement often promote this theory. In addition, this false doctrine was re-packaged and popularized in the twentieth century by Herbert W. Armstrong as Armstrongism and was a main element of doctrine in his World Wide Church of God (and also, Sabbatarian, Restoration, British-Israel, Messianic and Sacred Name organizations, which have been spawned by the WCG, etc.).
A weak argument to present this doctrine often goes like this: (1) it is noted that "Berith" is the Hebrew word for covenant, and (2) "Ish" is the Hebrew word for man. By combining the two words, the word Berith-ish (Covenant Man) is formed , providing the basis for the word British. This is "isogesis," (reading into Scripture), not exegesis (reading out of Scripture). ISOGESIS inevitably leads to heresy.
This elitist doctrine stems from a misinterpretation of the Scripture. As Peter states, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35).
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
Those adhering to the Christian Identity Movement often promote this theory. In addition, this false doctrine was re-packaged and popularized in the twentieth century by Herbert W. Armstrong as Armstrongism and was a main element of doctrine in his World Wide Church of God (and also, Sabbatarian, Restoration, British-Israel, Messianic and Sacred Name organizations, which have been spawned by the WCG, etc.).
A weak argument to present this doctrine often goes like this: (1) it is noted that "Berith" is the Hebrew word for covenant, and (2) "Ish" is the Hebrew word for man. By combining the two words, the word Berith-ish (Covenant Man) is formed , providing the basis for the word British. This is "isogesis," (reading into Scripture), not exegesis (reading out of Scripture). ISOGESIS inevitably leads to heresy.
This elitist doctrine stems from a misinterpretation of the Scripture. As Peter states, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35).
Answer by: Joseph R. Nally, Theological Editor, on behalf of the staff at IIIM. The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily the "official position" of Third Millennium Ministries.
