The destiny of Britain (DVDs)

UK prospects?

THE DESTINY OF BRITAIN
Two-disk DVD set
Produced & directed by Bruce Kitson
Hatikvah Film Trust
120 + 196 minutes. £15.00

At first glance at the DVD case, one might be excused for wondering whether this film has anything to do with the error known as British Israelism. It has not.

The ‘destiny’ in the title refers to Britain’s role as the chief political instrument in securing a homeland for the Jewish people. Thoroughly researched and professionally produced, this documentary film is a skilful blend of straight narrative, informative interviews and dramatic re-enactments of the historical processes that led up to the establishment of the modern state of Israel. Contributors include several Jewish professors, modern authors and broadcasters, and a whole galaxy of famous evangelical preachers, whose statements are either quoted or presented by actors playing the parts of such worthies as the Wesley brothers, Charles Simeon, C.H. Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle, and Robert Murray McCheyne. Others brought in to help tell the story include H. Gratton Guinness, Lord Shaftsbury, William Wilberforce, Lord Palmerston, Oliver Cromwell and General Allenby. A second disk contains reference to relevant books and over two hours of extended interviews with some of the participants in the film.

Much of the narrative is filmed against the backdrop of significant historical sites, and some early film footage is included. As a record of Britain’s role in the events portrayed, the film is quite fascinating and informative and could be used as an introduction to a series of studies of modern Zionism, or to accompany a study of the modern history of Palestine. As such, this two-disk DVD set has much to commend it. Another use might be as a provocative introduction to some aspects of eschatology, for the producers appear to be coming from a Dispensationalist background, which is probably why J.N. Darby and C.I. Scofield also make an appearance, not in person of course, but as significant contributors to the general ethos of the film.

The film does not touch upon the modern problem of ‘who is a Jew?’ nor does it mention the position of Palestinians in Israel today. The difficulties facing Christians in modern Israel are not referred to either.

It may be asked why anyone should go to this trouble and expense to produce such a beautiful and informative film. A glance at the Hatikvah website provides the answer: ‘The main objective of Hatikvah Film Trust is to foster an understanding in the Church of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith as well as the place of the nation of Israel and the Jewish people, from both a biblical and historical perspective, in the purposes of God. A related objective is to counter anti-Semitism which, in the Church, is largely the result of the teaching of “Replacement Theology” — that the Church has replaced Israel in the purposes and promises of God’.

This DVD set is recommended for the historical information it contains, not for its theology.

Stanley Jebb,
member of Truro Evangelical Church;
semi-retired Baptist minister engaged in itinerant preaching, teaching and lecturing

The destiny of Britain (DVDs)

UK prospects?

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