Christian Zionism and the Restoration of Israel: How Should We Interpret the Scriptures?
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
How should Christians today understand the many promises and prophecies in the Old Testament about the future of Israel and its land? Are Christian Zionists justified in believing that these have been fulfilled in the return of Jews to their land since the 1880s and the creation of the State of Israel in 1948? This book discusses all the key texts about the restoration of Israel that are quoted in these debates, questioning the Christian Zionist interpretation and offering an alternative. This is followed by a detailed study of two important Old Testament texts dealing with the future of Israel, Ezekiel 33-47 and Zechariah 9-13, understanding them in their original context and exploring how they are interpreted in the New Testament. This is no theoretical, ivory-tower debate. We are dealing here with the most bitter and protracted conflict of the last 150 years; and the way we interpret the Bible has profound political consequences.
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- Discusses all the key texts about the restoration of Israel.
- Studies the Old Testament prophets’ view of the restoration of Israel.
- Helps the church bridge divides.
Behind the raging Christian battle over the state of Israel and its right to the land, Chapman sees another vigorous debate, over how to interpret the Bible. Should the New Testament guide our reading of the Old? Does Jesus fulfill Israel’s hope for restoration? Are gentile followers of Jesus full citizens in the commonwealth of Israel? If Chapman is right, if personal hermeneutics shape global politics, the Bible should come with a warning label!
—Bruce N. Fisk, Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East
The church is awash with books about Israel and Christian Zionism written by unreliable and ill-informed nonexperts. Colin Chapman is one of the few international scholars who can address these troubling discussions with authority. He begins with a goldmine of answers for the ten central questions surrounding this religious-political movement. From there he studies the Old Testament prophets’ view of the restoration of Israel. As with Chapman’s other books on Jerusalem and modern Israel, this volume is grounded in well-reasoned biblical argument and matured wisdom anchored in his long career in the Middle East. Anyone who is drawn to issues of Israel and the Bible needs to have this valuable book close in hand.
—Gary M. Burge, Dean of the Faculty, Calvin Theological Seminary
An invitation to meaningful and constructive dialogue with Christian Zionists, this book helps move the conversation forward by providing abundant opportunities to engage with biblical passages throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament related to Zionism and Israel. Regardless of if one agrees, Chapman's expertise and contextual knowledge provoke critical questions and provide invaluable resources that will help the church bridge divides and move toward a more holistic understanding of the Bible and Israel.
—Mae Elise Cannon, executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace
- Title: Christian Zionism and the Restoration of Israel: How Should We Interpret the Scriptures?
- Author: Colin Chapman
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Pages: 226
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- ISBNs: 9781725297333, 1725297337, 9781725297340, 1725297353, 1725297345, 9781725297357
- Resource ID: LLS:CHRSTNZNSCRPTRS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-05-03T22:12:39Z