Dr. Bruce Fisk of NEME (Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East) joins Bradley Jersak (Dean of Theology & Culture, SSU / IRPJ) to discuss Israel, Palestine and Engaging Christian Zionism.
Among the questions we discuss:
- LIFE ON THE GROUND: What can you tell us about life on the ground in Palestine?
- POLITICS: What is the policy of the state of Israel in the occupied territories
- THE WALL: What? Why? What are the real and perceived threats re: terrorism that generate Jewish fears?
- THE US: What role does the US play? Are they an honest broker?
- CHRISTIAN ZIONISM: What is Christian Zionism? Key beliefs?
How do they (ab)use the Scriptures to make their case?
What has been the impact of Christian Zionism on Palestinian Christians? - BIBLICAL JUSTICE: The Hebrew prophets seem to connect Jewish relationship to the land on two contingencies (1) treatment of the stranger and (2) NOT making military alliances with foreign empires.
- ANTISEMITISM: When drawing attention to the injustices, there's the threat of being labeled anti-semitic. How do we avoid the perils of anti-Semitism while also addressing concerns regarding human rights, biblical exegesis, and even the Gospels themselves.
- SOLUTIONS: situation feels hopeless. I see the powerlessness of oppressed people. Is there hope? Have you seen paths to productive dialogue and reconciliation?
A few recent books your viewers might find helpful:
David Crump, Like Birds in a Cage: Christian Zionism’s Collusion in Israel’s Oppression of the Palestinian People (2021)
Donald Lewis, A Short History of Christian Zionism: from the Reformation to the 21st century (2021)
Daniel Hummel, Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews and U.S.-Israeli Relations (2019)
Amy Kaplan, Our American Israel: the Story of an Entangled Alliance (2018)
Samuel Goldman, God’s Country: Christian Zionism in America (2018)
Mae Elise Cannon, ed., A Land full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land (2017)