Making sense of the Promised Land

By Martha Thomsen and ChristianWeek | May 19, 2010

Spotting this title some months ago, I thought, "That sounds like something worth looking into," and set out to lay my hands on the book. I'm very glad I did.

In his prologue, Burge writes that as an evangelical Christian, a professor of New Testament (Wheaton College and Graduate School) and a pastor, "Israel and the Middle East confront me with an impossible problem": how to retain a commitment to Judaism in light of the profound injustices being done by Israel? In Whose Land? Whose Promise?, Burge invites readers to wrestle with him in trying to reconcile this paradox.

A readable combination of history, Old and New Testament study and a review of events in post 1948 Israel/Palestine, the book is interspersed with stories of real people and real places. Burge explores God's promises to Abraham, instructions to the Jewish nation about living in the Promised Land and the consequences of failing to live as God commanded. He looks at Zionism, modern Israel's record in regards to meeting God's requirements and the inadvertent support that Christians in the West often give to Israel's mistreatment of the poor, the widow and the alien—those for whom God requires protection.

But Burge also writes: "When Israelis plea for Palestinians, when Arabs plea for Jews, hope emerges." Orthodox Jewish leaders, intellectuals and decorated military soldiers are increasingly speaking out against their government's abuses. Burge also describes "the vitality and wonder of the Palestinian Christians…Living stones in the land."

This book is not addressed to academics or theologians but to the average Christian like me who wants to understand. It is thoughtfully written, the product of academic research, theological study and personal experience. Burge includes careful documentation, and a deep sense of integrity permeates these pages. He is passionate, deeply moved by what he has witnessed.

Though it is not a definitive work on the complexities of the Middle East, this book offers insights for consideration to any thoughtful reader, and may be especially relevant for pastors who want to help their congregations think through the maze of politics and faith as it relates to the Promised Land.