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I Am a Palestinian Christian

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Upon reading I Am a Palestinian Christian by Mitri Raheb, I was enlightened to the presence and effective role of Christians in Bethlehem. Dr. Raheb addresses the plight of the Palestinians in light of the Palestinian Christian perspective, to the redress of the nation of Israel. His is not to attack Israel, but to examine the role of ancient Israel in the Bible as it relates to the policies and procedures of present day Israel. Dr. Raheb consistently argues for justice and righteous treatment of all God's people, Jew, Muslim, Christian, or otherwise and especially any who are/have been oppressed and treated unjustly.

This is a must read for those interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinian Christian voice is not often recognized outside Israel/Palestine, and therefore easily misunderstood. Read carefully and research other items, like The Forgotten Faithful by Said K. Aburish and The Arab Christian: A History in the Middle East by Kenneth Cragg, for more information.

"I Am a Palestinian Christian," written by Mitri Raheb, describes life as a Palestinian Christian under Israeli rule. Raheb is not against the state of Israel (though he is against Israeli persecution of Palestinians) but seeks a Palestinian state as well. He challenges the West (especially Christians) to bring Palestinians aid and to not blindly support Israel's every action. Raheb as well gives biblical theology to why he believes the land of Israel is not promised to the Jewish people alone but to all people. His theology goes further in saying that persecution towards Palestinians is an act of injustice and that the church must prevent, instead of encourage, such acts. Raheb's book "I Am a Palestinian Christian" was written to inform Western Christians about the Palestinian Christian's reality.

Raheb begins the book in an in-depth look at the hardships the Palestinian Christian endures daily and how these Christians respond to such hardships. Statistics are given in reference to the earliest Palestinian church and how it increased or decreased over the years. Church denominations within Palestine are as well given. Raheb finishes the first section listing the causes at which led to Palestinian Christian emigration and also describes the Palestinian's history which led to modern day Israeli politics. Next, Raheb describes his theology on why the land of Israel/Palestine was not elected for the Jewish people alone but for all people, including the Palestinians. Raheb's focus is on the fact that Jesus died for all people at which suggests that we are all equal under God. He describes God's care for the poor and oppressed and lastly makes a challenge to all believers in Christ to recognize and help their Palestinian brothers in need. To end the book, Raheb gives official documents stating the proposals Palestinians have made (ex. P.L.O.) for a state of their own. Also contained here are official statements written by Palestinian Christians regarding Palestinian oppression and motives.

Mitri Raheb was very thorough in covering the purpose for which his book was written. He described well the history of Palestinian Christians and used in-depth theology to justify a Palestinians right to share Israeli land. Raheb as well used examples to help his case. I would use this book for personal testimonies of what it is like being a Palestinian under Israeli occupation and for statistics that refer to Palestinian oppression. I would not use this book for theological proof to why Palestinians deserve the land. I do believe Palestinians are entitled to the land as well as the Israelis; however Raheb's biblical reasoning is not accurate. This book should be read for the sole purpose of understanding the Palestinian Christian.

Dr. Mitri Raheb does a masterful job of sharing his life as a Palestinian Christian pastor. With great insight, and compassion for his oppressors, his honest life story should be read by all Christians. It should also be read by all Israelis, many of whom are aware of the realities of life in Bethlehem, but some (looking at some of the other reviews of this book) are still in denial of what the occupation has done, both to the oppressed and the oppressors. I have known Mitri for nearly 20 years, and I know that what he writes is true. Many of the episodes he recounts I have witnessed myself. But no one who has not lived in Bethlehem can fully understand the pressures constantly placed on the people there. His great insight and vision have led an important Christian community through the darkness. This glimpse into what it means to be both Palestinian and Christian is an excellent gift to us all.

I read "I am a Palestinian Christian" as assigned for a study abroad trip I took this Summer to the Middle East. Other than hearing the name, I knew nothing about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict before opening Raheb's book. He gives an accurate picture into the terrible strife of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank, as well as an introduction to the Conflict as a whole. He is straightforward and honest in telling of the atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians, but he is not hateful toward them. He even included a few chapters explaining how he believes Israel came to the position it is in and how they have misunderstood the concept of being "the Chosen People" as a claim to God's favor, rather than a plea for God's undeserved grace. Raheb asserts that the Palestinians and the Israelis must come to terms with each other and realize that they are tied to closely together for one to dominate the other. Their prosperity must come jointly.

Raheb's book is so biased toward the Palestinian side because the Palestinians did't have much of a voice. The West hears plenty about the Israeli side of the issue, but little or nothing from the Palestinian side.

But we must remember that Raheb published this book sixteen years ago (in 1995). Much remains the same (the oppression, restrictions, takeovers, illegal "settlements," unfair water allotments, etc.) and much has changed (Raheb's outlook and his proposed solution, for example). As for his views toward Muslims, remember that Christians make up less than 2% of the Palestinians in the West Bank, and most of the rest of the population are Muslim. Palestinian Christians are in a tough spot of having to get along with these neighbors that exponentially outnumber them.

I spent several weeks in Israel and days in the West Bank this Summer, witnessing and hearing personal testimonies from both sides of the conflict. I had the chance to meet Mr. Raheb in Bethlehem and he explained that a lot of what he wrote, especially about his optimism for a solution between Israel and Palestine, has changed.

In the end, though it is outdated now, "I am a Palestinian Christian" is a great introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, especially from the Palestinian perspective. Remember that it's outdated. Read Raheb's more recent books if you want an updated and more accurate picture.

Good insights into the culture and the theology of the Hebrew Bible as it relates to the current situation in the Middle East. Many things U.S. and western European citizens need to hear and know that we don't get from the media.

The book is old but still valuable to those of us who care about the middle east. I suspect that it is tough to keep that attention after so long a time with so many other things calling for our attention. However the author makes a great attempt to make us aware of the implications of both the U.S. and Israeli foreigh policy.

An amazing look at the life of a Christian in modern-day, war-torn Palestine. Touching and inspiring!

The author Raheb uses his Palestinian ethnicity and distorts both the OT and NT in order gain favor for the "Palestinian cause" and criticize modern Israel. This book is one of the worst works of slanted exegesis I've ever encountered. For example, he totally misinterprets Romans chapters 9-11. He states "Israel failed because it laid claim to election as law, according to Paul" Pg.68, when referring to Romans 9:30-31. He clearly misses the point that Paul is speaking of "righteousness through faith", ones salvation by personal faith in Christ. In this passage the Jews were attempting to earn salvation by keeping the Law of Moses instead of faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Raheb uses misinterpretation to attack Israel's "election" by God. This is but one example of his political sway to twist scripture to gain favor to free the "occupied lands". I am not unsympathetic towards the Palestinian people, so I strongly recommend reading "BLOOD BROTHERS" by Elias Chacour and "OPERATION DESERT LIGHT" by Brother Andrew. Practicality without politics.
Secondly Raheb panders to and elicits support from Muslims with statements like "I think we have to go further and recognize that Islam, too, is included in this Jewish-Christian context, theologically as well as historically. We have things in common with Muslims too." Pg 60 "The context of Christian Arabs is the Arab-Islamic space. Arab Christian faith and Arab Islamic culture have influenced and enriched each other..." Pg 46.
Raheb has forgotten his religious history surrounding the "holy land" and other parts of the Middle East when it comes to Muslim conquests. Do the Islamic words "Dar al Islam, Dar al harb, Jihad, shari'a, dhimmmis, caliphate" etc ring a bell? Under the "religion of peace Islam" Christianity and Judaism in the Middle East and surrounding areas were dramatically reduced as token minority or totally eradicated by bloodshed and war. Just look at current Muslim nations such as Syria, Egypt, Turkey, parts of Iraq. These were "Christian lands" prior to the Muslim conquest of the 7th and 8th century. Let's look specifically at Turkey as one example, the seven Christian churches identified in the Book of Revelation were (past tense) located in what is modern day Turkey, not to mention the former "Christian capital" , Constantinople. Christianity sprouted from the promises made to the Jewish people "from the root of David". However Islam DID NOT IN ANY WAY, descend from either Judaism or Christianity. Islam is a complete distortion of historic events and stories of both OT and NT persons and occurrences. Christian and Jewish scripture agree on such things as Moses, Adam, etc. However the Quran depicts a completely different version of these and other biblical persons. There can't be two rights. One last thing, Christianity preceded Islam by at least 600 years. As Paul the Apostle so clearly stated "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, what fellowship has light with darkness? What harmony has Christ with Belial, what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?", 2Cor 6:14-15.
It's precisely this kind of ecumenism with Islam, which Raheb is promoting, that poisoned the church from within. For a full explanation of the real historical effect of Islam on Christianity read Bat Ye'or's book "THE DECLINE OF EASTERN CHRISTIANITY UNDER ISLAM,FROM JIHAD TO DHIMMITUIDE"

This book isnt actually about what its like to be a Palestinian Christian. First of all 80% of Palestinian Christians dont live on the West Bank, but in Israel, whereas this book focuses only on the west bank and Gaza.

This book portrays the one sided very anti-ISrael and pro-terror view point of a very unchristian preacher. A preacher of hate who would do as well at a Hamas gathering. Jesus preached peace. This book preaches support and excuses for murder.

This book doesnt tell the whole story. For instance we dont learn here about the Hamas takeover of Bethlehem and the Islamist riots in nazareth against Christians. We dont learn here about the death threats christian men receive who date muslim women. We dont learn here about the PA marriage code which discriminates against mixed christian marriages by ensuring the offspring are muslim. We dont learn here about the total marginalizing of the Christian community in Palestine and its eclipse by radical Islam.

This book is about one Christians private support for terrorism and his hatred of Israel. This book is not an objective account written lucidly about the true identity of Palestinian Christians. On September 5th, 2005 Rampaging Islamist mobs torched 15 houses and caused the entire Christian community of Taiba to flee their homes near Ramallah as the PA watched and did nothing. The crime of that community? One Christian man from the village had dated a Muslim women. This is the true plight of the Palestinian christian one doesnt find in this account. The identity of those Christians is not told here.

Seth J. Frantzman

This book isnt actually about what its like to be a Palestinian Christian. First of all 80% of Palestinian Christians dont live on the West Bank, but in Israel, whereas this book focuses only on the west bank and Gaza.

This book portrays the one sided very anti-ISrael and pro-terror view point of a very unchristian preacher. A preacher of hate who would do as well at a Hamas gathering. Jesus preached peace. This book preaches support and excuses for murder.

This book doesnt tell the whole story. For instance we dont learn here about the Hamas takeover of Bethlehem and the Islamist riots in nazareth against Christians. We dont learn here about the death threats christian men receive who date muslim women. We dont learn here about the PA marriage code which discriminates against mixed christian marriages by ensuring the offspring are muslim. We dont learn here about the total marginalizing of the Christian community in Palestine and its eclipse by radical Islam.

This book is about one Christians private support for terrorism and his hatred of Israel. This book is not an objective account written lucidly about the true identity of Palestinian Christians. On September 5th, 2005 Rampaging Islamist mobs torched 15 houses and caused the entire Christian community of Taiba to flee their homes near Ramallah as the PA watched and did nothing. The crime of that community? One Christian man from the village had dated a Muslim women. This is the true plight of the Palestinian christian one doesnt find in this account. The identity of those Christians is not told here.

For a better account pick up Atallah Mansours "Narrow Gate Churchs".

Seth J. Frantzman