The Myth of Prometheus: Zionism and the Modernisation of Messianism

Abstract

The religious messianic movements and manifestations of ancient times ended with the abandonment of society and the creation of exclusive sects; modern messianism seeks to bring about a revolu­tion in society. The Christian revolutionaries owed allegiance to the Lord of the Universe and refused to recognise the rule of man; modern messianism recognises only human reason and seeks to achieve universal happiness within history in the here and now. The Christian revolutionaries, apart from the Calvinists and Anabaptists, recoiled from the use of force; secular messianism tries to reach the absolute by all possible means. The dichotomy of the heavenly kingdom and the worldly kingdom facilitated the spread of religious messianism; the monism of secular messianism is free from this religious dichotomy and from spiritual inhibi­tions and demands an immediate on-the-spot settling of accounts (Talmon, 2000: 13).