| Colin Chapman: Whose promised Land
Interessant kritikk av boken her: http://www.apologetics.fsnet.co.uk/chapman-torrance.htm Editorial Reviews
They believe God has promised it to them forever. The United Nations gave it to them in 1947. Or does the land belong to the Palestinian Arabs? Their ancestors have been living in the land continuously for many centuries. It holds a special place in the religion of Islam. Whose Promised Land? unravels the complex issues surrounding the continuing crisis between Israel and Palestine. This fully revised and updated edition, including new chapters on Zionism, Christian Zionism, and dispensationalism, provides an evenhanded approach that does not automatically assume a pro-Israel stance. Instead, it seeks to present an honest appraisal of modern Israel while clearly delineating the inter-related issues surrounding the crisis in the Middle East. Beginning with the history of the territory from the 20th century BC to the present day, it explains the development of the conflict and the complexity of the issues. Then it surveys both the Old Testament teachings on land and the perspective taught by Jesus. Finally, it examines the major contemporary forces affecting the conflict today. Colin Chapman is lecturer in Islamic studies at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon. He is the author of several books, including Christianity on Trial, The Case for Christianity, and Islam and the West: Conflict, Coexistence or Conversion? About the Author
Book Description
Or does the land belong to the Palestinian Arabs? - Their ancestors have been living in the land continuously for many centuries. - It holds a special place in the religion of Islam. Whose Promised Land? unravels the complex issues surrounding the continuing crisis between Israel and Palestine. This fully revised and updated edition, including new chapters on Zionism, Christian Zionism, and dispensationalism, provides an evenhanded approach that does not automatically assume a pro-Israel stance. Instead, it seeks to present an honest appraisal of modern Israel while clearly delineating the inter-related issues surrounding the crisis in the Middle East. Beginning with the history of the territory from the 20th century BC
to the present day, it explains the development of the conflict and the
complexity of the issues. Then it surveys both the Old Testament teachings
on land and the perspective taught by Jesus. Finally, it examines the major
contemporary forces affecting the conflict today.
Whose Promised Land?, March 31, 2003 Reviewer: Dr. R. Lowe (USA) - See all my reviews 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. Disappointing, selective interpretation of Scripture., December 12, 2002 Reviewer: M. D Roberts (Gwent, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews 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.
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