Whose Promised Land?

Rating:
Summary: Palestinians weren't a people before 1967
Review: An excellant book; theologically sound; rooted in the real history or the region. It will not please those sold on fundamentalist, dispensational theology. It will please those open to Biblical interpretation that makes sense and that is consistent with New Testament teachings on the Kingdom of God and the people of God. It will give the reader a balanced view of the real history of the confict. It will in the words of each side give their story and rationale for the conflict. It is one of the best books I have ever read cataloging each side's perspective of the problems.

Rating:
Summary: Whose Promised Land?
Review: An excellant book; theologically sound; rooted in the real history or the region. It will not please those sold on fundamentalist, dispensational theology. It will please those open to Biblical interpretation that makes sense and that is consistent with New Testament teachings on the Kingdom of God and the people of God. It will give the reader a balanced view of the real history of the confict. It will in the words of each side give their story and rationale for the conflict. It is one of the best books I have ever read cataloging each side's perspective of the problems.

Rating:
Summary: God promised...
Review: Anyone who rejects the rejuvination of the land of Israel today as a clear sign that God has returned to complete His prophetic revelations to the nation of Israel is ignoring massive chunks of scripture. Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the prophets are not the least bit vague in this land sign. Vagueness only manifests itself when people like the author here decide to turn the declared promises of God to Israelinside-out to suit their own human goals...whatever those may be.

I can't recommend this book unless you are very familiar with those promises mentioned above. If you are familiar with the promises, then I might consider a recommendation because some history is worthwhile reading.

Rating:
Summary: A very thoughtful and thought-provoking book!
Review: I heard the author, Colin Chapman, being interviewed on Hank Hanegraaff's "Bible Answer Man" radio program and was impressed by his thoughtful, balanced and theologically sound viewpoint, so I went and bought the book.

Chapman's book is broken into three sections:

The first offers an historical overview (in FAQ format) of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, covering the time period from 2000 B.C. to the present.

The second section looks at the conflict from a Biblical/theological angle. I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous quotes from Anglican theologian and author N.T. Wright.

The third section brings the historical and theological components together and examines how they apply to the present circumstances in the Middle East.

As you can see by some of the negative reviews here on Amazon, this book may challenge you, especially if you're locked into a "Zionist" or "Dispensationalist" position regarding Israel. If, however, you are honestly seeking a balanced viewpoint, and aren't afraid to examine some of your own presuppositions, you'll find this to be a very rewarding book.

Rating:
Summary: Palestinians weren't a people before 1967
Review: Prior to the 1967 War Against Isreal there were no Palestinians, the West Bank was under Jordan's control. Palestianians weren't agitating for their own state independent from Jordan. This is just another form of Islamic revisionism, claiming title to cultures that preceded them in time.

Rating:
Summary: God promised...
Review: This is a subject which I have devoted a considerable amount of study to for many years. This book appeared to promise so much in it's title, yet failed to deliver on virtually every level.

The author holds the view that there is no theological significance to the present state of Israel, and that the re-birth of the Jewish state is not the fulfilment, or even a preliminary stage in the fulfilment, of what God promised and predicted in the Old Testament.

The tone of this book feels slanted towards the doctrine of Replacement Theology in my estimation and the references and interpretations of Scriptures are erroneous and flawed, with the writer trying to separate the spiritual dimensions of the Gospel of Christ from the material dimensions of the Gospel which are intrinsically part of the Old Testament. This is unbiblical and inevitably leads to incorrect conclusions.

I find the references and use of prophetic Scriptures in this book to be inconsistent and very selective.

The Old Testament Divine promises in relation to the People (Jews) and Land of Israel by God were explicitly eternal and irrevocable. The Holy Scriptures directly and conclusively declare that the Land being discussed here belonged to the Lord Himself, yet he had promised it to none other, absolutely no other, than the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob (Israel), as an eternal possession.

The Divine prophetic promises relating to the heritage, diaspora, regathering and re-birth of the Jewish state are clear and unquestionable. (Genesis 15; v18, Genesis 17; v7-19, Genesis 35; v9-12, Ezekiel 11;v17, Jeremiah 30;v3, Jeremiah 31;v35, Isaiah 11; v10, Zechariah 14; v2...to mention just a few references, which are also dealt with in the New Testament).

To pick and choose, and selectively interpret which sections of Scripture are relevant to an agenda is dangerous and can only have disastrous results. The Bible is either the whole Word of God and absolute truth or it is not worth the paper it is written on. If God states that His promises and covenants are eternal and everlasting, then that is exactly what they are. If He makes promises in relation to a Land, then to describe the Land as something spiritual or anything else is a distortion and misinterpretation.

The author is rightly concerned about some of Israel's actions in relation to the Palestinians at this time, yet even these have to be taken in their correct, true and entire context in both the political and Scriptural arenas. Matters which are not in any way suitably addressed in this book. The Israeli victims and Palestinian terrorism/violence being sidestepped.

Unfortunately, furthermore due to the interpretations expressed in this book, current events and their significance in relation to the end times are not dealt with in the manner deserving of their critical importance.

The writer does not correctly address the dispersal of the Jewish people in antiquity which was described Scripturally as being due to their sinfulness and rebellion. Neither does the book address the re-gathering and re-birth of Israel as a nation as not being in any way conditional upon repentance, which itself is declared in Scripture to only occur during the prophetic events of the end times and the Tribulation when the Messiah returns again and is recognised. (Zechariah 12; v1-11).

This is an extensive discussion which cannot be satisfied within the confines of a review. This book poorly covers the subject and there is a wealth of excellent material out there which commendably covers this topic.
Might I respectfully suggested some other recommended reading which clarifies many of the issues that have become unfortunatley clouded in this particular work;-
"Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith" by Marvin Wilson.
"Unholy War" and"Jerusalem In Prophecy" both by Randall Price
"Israel at the Crossroads: Fifty Years and Counting" by David Dolan.