Challenging Christian Zionism – Theology, Politics, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict – Naim Ateek and Cedar Duaybis

Challenging Christian Zionism – Theology, Politics, and the Israel-Palestine Conflict

By Naim Ateek and Cedar Duaybis

The papers in this book make clear in great detail the history, theology and politics of Christian Zionism.

 In April 2004, Sabeel Liberation Theology Center Jerusalem held its 5th international conference on the theme of ‘Challenging Christian Zionism’. This book contains the significant papers of that important, ground-breaking conference. Christian Zionists and Christian Zionism, simply put, are terms used to identify any Christian who, due to a particular understanding and interpretation of the Bible, supports the ingathering of all Jews to Israel and their claim to the whole land of Palestine and, therefore, denies Palestinian rights. These Biblical literalists were convinced that the Bible contained important clues that could help them discern the signs of the times and the Second Coming.

The papers in this book make clear in great detail the history, theology, and politics of Christian Zionism. The book is meant to inform and educate. It is meant to help readers challenge Christian Zionist neighbours with the truth and facts of what is happening in Palestine and how the Bible is being used as an instrument of oppression rather than as an instrument of liberation. It is meant to challenge clergy to take the time to study the phenomenon of Christian Zionism and to address it through their preaching and teaching. It is also meant to challenge us all to double our endeavours in seeking and working for a just peace in Israel-Palestine.

Contributors: Naim Ateek, Khalil ‘Athamina, Bishara Awad, Mubarak E Awad, Phyllis Bennis, Praful Bidwai, Edmond L Browning, Gary Burge, Elias Chacour, Peter De Brul, Marc H Ellis, Alain Epp Weaver, Gershom Gorenberg, Gõran Gunner, Jeff Halper, Rafiq Khoury, Jonathan Kuttab, Helen Lewis, Michael Prior, Mitri Raheb, Barbara Rossing, Rosemary Radford, Ruether Stephen, Sizer Damu Smith, Jenny Plane Te Paa, Robert B Tobin, Donald E Wagner, Rowan Williams, Jean Zaru, Zoughbi E Zoughbi, Stephen Zunes.

Naim Ateek / Biography

Naim Ateek is the director of Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem. A Palestinian Christian, he became a refugee in 1948 when his hometown of Beisan was destroyed by Israeli forces and his family fled. He is currently Canon of St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem. Ateek was the first to articulate a Palestinian theology of liberation in Justice, and only Justice, a Palestinian Theology of Liberation.
Language: English
2005, paperback, 336 pages, 13.8 x 21.6 cm
ISBN: 9781901764420