Whose Promised Land? [Paperback]

Colin Chapman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0801064414 | ISBN-13: 978-0801064418

Two peoples, Jews and Palestinian Arabs, lay claim to the same piece of land. But who does it really belong to? Scripture, history, and contemporary politics add to the volatile conflict in the Middle East. Whose Promised Land?, now in a fully revised and updated fifth edition, provides an evenhanded approach to this complex dilemma.
The book begins with the history of the territory, explaining the development of the conflict and the complexity of the issues. The second section surveys biblical teaching on the theme of the land, both from the Old Testament point of view and the perspective of Jesus and his followers. Building on the analysis of history and the biblical studies, the final part examines the major contemporary forces affecting the conflict today.
Unlike many evangelical Christian books on the topic, Whose Promised Land? does not automatically assume a pro-Israel stance, but seeks to present an honest appraisal of modern Israel while clearly delineating the interrelated issues surrounding the crisis in the Middle East.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Highly illuminating and gives an excellent analysis (with thought-provoking questions) of both sides of the problem." -Christianity Today

Does the land of Israel belong to the Jews?
¢ Abraham and his descendants lived in it for many centuries before Christ.
¢ 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

Colin Chapman is Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology in Beirut, Lebanon. The author of several books, including Christianity on Trial, Islam and the West, and The Case for Christianity, he has lived and worked in the Middle East for sixteen years during various times since 1968.

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801064414
• ISBN-13: 978-0801064418
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #432,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing balance, November 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Whose Promised Land? (Paperback)

Colin Chapman does an excellent job of summarizing the history of Palestine and the biblical texts related to the promise of the Land. His answers to these questions are not the standard dispensationalist line and will make many who live and breathe dispensationalism very uncomfortable. His history is thouroughly documented as is his biblical exposition. He devotes a minimal amount of time to editorializing, choosing instead to let the major players through history (Scripture, Lord Balfour, Theodor Herzel, Chiam Wietzmann, Yassar Arafat, David Ben-Gurion and a host of others) speak for themselves. The inevitable conclusions drawn are both historical and thoroughly biblical. Because this book is more of a survey it is short particularly on theological detail, so there is no textual analysis or in-depth discussion of differences in translation (for example). The book is particularly helpful for understanding the history of the region and for its appendices which include a primer on expositing biblical prophecy as well as a summary of the Covenant of Hamas.

58 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very thoughtful and thought-provoking book!, January 8, 2005

By 

Mort Coyle (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whose Promised Land? (Paperback)

I heard the author, Colin Chapman, being interviewed on Hank Hanegraaff's "Bible Answer Man" radio program and was impressed by his thoughtful, balanced and theologically sound viewpoint, so I went and bought the book.

Chapman's book is broken into three sections:

The first offers an historical overview (in FAQ format) of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, covering the time period from 2000 B.C. to the present.

The second section looks at the conflict from a Biblical/theological angle. I was pleasantly surprised to find numerous quotes from Anglican theologian and author N.T. Wright.

The third section brings the historical and theological components together and examines how they apply to the present circumstances in the Middle East.

As you can see by some of the negative reviews here on Amazon, this book may challenge you, especially if you're locked into a "Zionist" or "Dispensationalist" position regarding Israel. If, however, you are honestly seeking a balanced viewpoint, and aren't afraid to examine some of your own presuppositions, you'll find this to be a very rewarding book.

50 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whose Promised Land?, March 30, 2003

By 

Dr. R. Lowe (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whose Promised Land? (Paperback)

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.