"Israel, the Church, and the Middle East" (Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser, eds)

TITLE: Israel, the Church, and the Middle East: A biblical response to the current conflict
EDITORS: Darrell L. Bock and Mitch Glaser
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2018, (304 pages).

This year is the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the modern state of Israel. In conjunction with this momentous event, a team of scholars and theologians have come together to reflect upon the identity of Israel, the role of the Church, and the conflicts in the Middle East. For Israel, it is the constant struggle against threats against her existence. For the Church, it is about the contrasting arguments between those who are Pro-Israel and those who are Pro-Palestinian. For the Middle East, it is that constant tensions arising from a melting pot of historical dimensions; political ambitions; religious contentions; ethnic dissensions; and social apprehensions. This book attempts to cast light on all of these with a specific coverage on the relationship between Israel and the Church. At the heart of it all is to challenge the super-sessionist standpoint among many Christians who are arguing that in God's overall plan, the modern Church has now replaced Israel. In Part One, four contributors highlight the biblical foundations. The underlying belief is that the Bible must inform all views on contemporary issues surrounding the way we view Israel. Dr Richard Averbeck discusses the theological covenants of Israel, Jews, and Gentiles with the hope that a biblical understanding will ease the conflicts between Jews and Gentiles. Dr Walter Kaiser writes about the relationships between Israel and her neighbours with Isa 19 as a guide, and hopes that the day will come where both Jews and Arabs are able to go to the house of God together. Mark Yarbrough looks at the big picture of the Bible story from Genesis to Revelation and draws out four significant genres before concluding with a "surprise narrative twist." Michael Rydelnik takes a step back to examine the "hermeneutics" of the conflict from the Old Testament arguing that both the Old and New Testaments tell of one integrated story. Using four propositions, he traces the covenant promises from Genesis to Revelation, and to say that even though the New Testament is relatively "quiet" about the land promise, it nevertheless affirms the Old Testament in many ways.

"Love in the Face of ISIS" (Lorraine Marie Varela)

TITLE: Love in the Face of ISIS: Seven Prayer Strategies for the Crisis in the Middle East
AUTHOR: Lorraine Marie Varela
PUBLISHER: Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 2016, (160 pages).

With news of terrorism activities coming at us on a daily basis, it is natural to feel fearful about terrorists and the unending threats of violence. The killings and bombings do not simply occur in the Middle East troubled spots. Even in countries like France, Turkey, Belgium, Germany, the United States, and Thailand, the spread of ISIS is getting increasingly global. Mention ISIS and people would gravitate toward fear and uncertainty. Thus, many countries have come together to ally themselves against such terrorist organizations. From airports to border checks, from Internet chatrooms to Twitter messages; governments from all over the world are accelerating their monitoring of activities by terrorist groups such as ISIS. In such a climate, it seems like loving them is totally counter-culture. How can anybody love a group that kills innocent people? More importantly, what can Christians do in the face of such evil and violence? For author and professional photographer, Lorraine Marie Varela, the right response for all of us is prayer. The gospel of Jesus Christ is stronger, more powerful, and more effective than any strategies of man. For God wins through love. For in prayer, we will learn that what is impossible with man is possible with God. Now are these glib words uttered only by people in nice and safe places? Definitely not. For Varela has seen the pain and suffering of people through her many visits to the Middle East. The more suffering and impossible situations she saw, the more she had to cling to Christ. Out of the depths of helplessness and the heights of recognizing God's sovereignty, she shares with us seven strategies to live in the gap. All of them had to do with the Name of God. Briefly, the seven strategies are:

"Answering Jihad" (Nabeel Qureshi)

TITLE: Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward
AUTHOR: Nabeel Qureshi
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016, (176 pages).

What does it mean to say that Islam is a religion of peace? Is this understanding the same for both Western and the Middle-Eastern minds? What is Jihad? How does a religion cause a person to become radicalized? What is the meaning of Islam and its origins?

Spurred by the rising anxiety of terrorism from Islamic radicals and the confusion surrounding religious truth and ideology, Nabeel Qureshi shares honestly and passionately about what Islam stands for, what Jihad essentially means, and how we can respond or relate to Muslims. Qureshi is a former Muslim who when young, was very pious about all things Islam. He has previously shared about his conversion from Islam to Christianity in a book entitled, "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus."

Some of the clarifications he have made in the book include his study, experience, and analysis of the history of Islam and the teachings of the Quran.

1. The Western understanding of Islam as a religion of peace is different from the Muslim's understanding of peace. Islam means "surrender," a peace that comes only after all the enemies of Islam have surrendered. Violence may be necessary in order to bring about such peace. 
2. The word 'Jihad' means 'struggle,' and is sometimes referred to as the sixth pillar of Islam. While the word sometimes is used in the Quran in a spiritual sense, it more often than not refers to a physical struggle for a spiritual goal.
3. Each time anyone attempts to go back to the origins of the Islamic faith, violence is part and parcel of the struggle in the faith. A vast majority of Muslims have not bothered to go back to the roots of the religion. In order to understand the Islamic religion, one must also understand the contexts of the religion. 
4. The history of the prophet Muhammad is replete with violence; both offensive and defensive forms of jihad. (Example, in Quran 9:29, there is a command to fight Jews and Christians because of belief, not aggression)
5. "Sharia" literally means "path to water" but the interpretations of Shariah law varies tremendously due to "abrogation" where there are verses the some say are no longer relevant but others insist on its relevance.
6. The expansion of Islam involves the use of the "sword" whether directly or indirectly.

"The Key to the Middle East" (Derek Prince)

TITLE: Key to the Middle East, The: Discovering the Future of Israel in Biblical Prophecy
AUTHOR: Derek Prince
PUBLISHER: Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 2013, (208 pages).

Why is peace so hard to attain in the Middle East? Is there ever going to be a solution to the Middle East quarrels? What significance does Biblical prophecy has to the future of the disputed lands? What if someone tells you that there is a "key" to understanding the Middle East? Published previously as "The Last Word on the Middle East," author Derek Prince insists that the two biggest reasons behind the problems and promises of the Middle East are oil and Israel. As one who had personally lived and witnessed the events in Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Palestine, Israel, and other Arab lands, Prince first chronicles the historical developments surrounding the Middle East before giving his prophetic take.

On the historical overview, Prince begins by noticing the Jewishness of the Old Testament, of Jesus, of the Bible's context, and of the future according to Revelation. The return of the Jews coincides with the prediction of a coming home from the Northern land. Prince is convinced that the Holocaust followed by the founding of Israel on May 14th, 1948 is a direct fulfillment of Jeremiah 3:14,18. He even accuses a "succession of Christian theologians" who have helped to promote anti-Semitism. As a Briton, he tells of the good and bad deeds of the British government that have largely shaped the formation of the Palestine of today. The Balfour Declaration in 1917 sets in motion a good plan for statehood for the homeless Jews. The inconsistent implementations and "hypocrisy of the highest order" have played a big part in the instability of the holy land. Six key prophetic fulfillment are described. First, the formation of Israel is a direct fulfillment of God's predetermined plan. Just imagine how miraculous a tiny nation can survive amid a formidable and hostile neighourbood. Second, regathering the people from exile is a common promise in the Old Testament. In the formation of the state of Israel, God has given His people "their own land," that they will "never again be uprooted," and that the land is a "gift" from God. Third, even the New Testament, especially the gospels have reiterated the same message of the founding of the nation of Israel. Four, on the identity and the disputes of the lands, God has frequently spoken about the importance of this land, that the land belongs forever to the ones who will obey God's will. Only when everyone, both Jews, Arabs, and all inhabitants of the land bow down to the will of God can there be peace and harmony. Five, how we respond to the biblical prophecy is part of the fulfillment of the prophecy. Under the judgment and mercy of God, the unjust will be punished. The persecuted will be shown mercy. Six, Jerusalem will remain the center of contention, even though Israel has promised freedom of worship and passage to the holy city for all religious faiths, especially the three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

So What?

Derek Prince is clear and convicted that the key to the Middle East is Israel, and the relationships with the Jewish state. Just to see how resilient one nation can stand up against the huge political, economic, military, and social pressures is a case in point. Other than divine help, it is impossible to see how human efforts can bring about the present Israel. The book is a huge call for all, especially the Christian community to take Israel seriously because how they are treated is how the future of the world will be shaped. As long as there is no peace in the Middle East, the rest of the world will have no peace.

Readers will find this book a fascinating read, but it remains one interpretation of the whole Middle East event. In fact, there is no silver bullet solutions as far as the Middle East peace initiatives are concerned. Think about how America, especially at the efforts put in by five American Presidents to achieve peace between Israel and the Middle East. To this day, nations like Iran and several other Arab nations continue to insist on the "destruction of Israel." Israel too continue to defy world council leaders in their struggle to fight back and take their own actions in the name of self-defense. For me, the Middle East is one big complicated puzzle that cannot depend on any one single solution. There are many ideas, many strategies, and many initiatives. Without a common person driving it, without a common understanding of the complexities involved, there will never be peace and prosperity. I agree with Prince that the key to peace is on the question of Israel. I do not quite agree that the entire future stems from one nation. My reading from Scripture is that there is a "new Israel" which comprises of Gentiles grafted into the called people of God. Just like there are good Jews, there are also good Arabs. There are good Gentiles. There are good being done by people of various religious beliefs. God can use any of them, including the people of Israel. God can use evangelicals too, not just for the benefit of any one people group, but for upholding peace, justice, mercy for all people.

Read this book to gain greater insights into the history, the contexts, the cultures, and one interpretation of the biblical prophecies. Even if you are convinced by Prince, which I am in some way, be ready to consult alternative sources so as to gain a bigger picture of what is going on. Prophecies are not the property of any one person. In fact, it is entirely possible, that what Prince has written forms a part of the bigger picture. My recommendation: Be informed with the importance of Israel. Be equally informed that it is the Player up there that will determine the playing field, the players, and the how the future is going to be played out.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book is provided to me courtesy of Chosen Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.