5_2-2 Israel Genially

how to protect and care for

The City of Peace

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Jerusalem

a name that means "the city of peace"

rarely living up to its name

Jerusalem is one of the most contested cities in the world politically, religiously, and (for many) emotionally. Many Christians, especially in the West, feel that modern Israel’s existence fulfills God’s promises to Abraham and can even signal the "end times." The Bible tells a different story; one where God’s promises are about people, not property, and where the ‘New Jerusalem’ isn’t a geopolitical place at all. Understanding and sharing this can be a helpful way to curb the violence and tragedy so often associated with this ancient place.

BEFORE YOU DIVE IN...

What have you heard Christians say about Israel and why it might matter even today?

List two or three ideas.

Understand the narrative

Read these key bible passages. Many evangelicals read these passages as if they were ethnic and territorial, not spiritual and universal. Popular end-times theories (especially dispensationalism) depend on Israel existing so prophecies in Revelation and Daniel can be fulfilled. As you read these, can you see how some people might interpret them as making an argument for a modern, political Israel?

Dispensationalism?

GENESIS 15:18–21

Genesis 12:1–3

Daniel 2:31–45

2 Samuel 7:12–16

REFRAME THE PROMISES

The New Testament reframes all of these promises in important, universal ways. Take a look at them again, this time alongside a New Testament reframing that helps us interpret the Old Testament promise.

GENESIS 15:18–21

Genesis 12:1–3

Daniel 2:31–45

2 Samuel 7:12–16

• How do these passages redefine the “people of God”?
• How do they shift the focus from geography to grace?
• What happens to the idea of Jerusalem and a promised land when Christ fulfills all promises?

Real Ramifications

Sadly, poor biblical interpretations can have devastating real-world consequences. The modern nation of Israel has long been at the center of deep conflict, and recent events have brought immense suffering to both Israelis and Palestinians. In particular, military actions in Gaza have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and widespread destruction in violence that many international observers now describe as genocidal. When theology fuels unquestioning political support for such actions, it shows how urgently Christians must return to the heart of Scripture: love of neighbor, justice for the oppressed, and the peace Christ brings.

RESPOND TO THE STATEMENTS

Below are statements that you might hear Christians make as they seek reasons to support Israel even in the midst of the continuing tragedy in Gaza. Armed with both your knowledge of the Biblical promises and interpretations and with what you know of Christ's ethics of peace, compassion, turning the other cheek, and sacrifice, formulate a response to them.

In case you're skeptical that these statements are an accurate depiction of what people might say, here's a download from CUFI (Christians United for Israel), which is one of the largest American Christian groups that supports Israel from an theological standpoint. This document contains these ideas and more.

“The U.S. government has been presented with ample evidence from experts around the world that U.S.-origin arms have been used in war crimes and unlawful killings by the Israeli government. Continued weapons transfers will make the U.S. complicit in violations of international law committed with these arms.”

Paul O’Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA

DISCUSS

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