The question of the Christian Zionism - the religious and political support of the state of Israel - is fiercely debated within theology and the church, as well as in the wider political and social arenas. Examination of the issue is, highly relevant and crucial, as it cuts across a wide array of constitutive features and beliefs of Christian life, from interpretation of scripture to religious and political ethics. Comprehending Christian Zionism brings together an international consortium of scholars and researchers to reflect on the network of issues and topics surrounding this critical subject; these essays are the fruit of several years of collaboration by the special working group on Christian Zionism. The volume includes essays from Christian scholars around the globe, as well as Jewish and Palestinian contributors to provide interfaith contextual dialogue. Taken together, the volume provides a lens on the history of Zionism within Christian theology from a variety of locations and perspectives and offers a constructive, multidimensional path for assessment and introspection around the meaning of Zionism to Christian faith and practice.
Goran Gunner is associate professor at Uppsala University in studies of mission, and senior lecturer in human rights at Stockholm School of Theology. Robert O. Smith is an ELCA pastor serving as area program director for the Middle East and North Africa in the Churchwide Organization's global mission unit.
Contents:; 1. Christian Zionism in Contemporary Perspective-Goran Gunner; 2. Saying 'Peace' When There is No Peace-Elizabeth Phillips; 3. "A fool for Christ"-Aron Engberg; 4. Broadcasting Jesus' Return-Matt Westbrook; 5. Walking in the Mantle of Esther: "Political" Action as "Religious" Practice-Sean Durbin; 6. Christian Zionism at Jerusalem Church in Copan Ruinas, Honduras, an "Out-of-the-Way" Place-William Girard; 7. Christian Zionist Pilgrimage in the Twenty-First Century-Curtis Hutt; 8. Living in the Hour of Restoration-Faydra L. Shapiro; 9. Christian Zionism and Main Line Western Christian Churches-Rosemary Radford Ruether; 10. Palestinian Christian Reflections on Christian Zionism-Mitri Raheb; 11. From the Institutum Judaicum to the International Christian Embassy-Yaakov Ariel; 12. Mischief Making in Palestine-Mae Elise Cannon; 13. Israelis, Israelites, and God's Hand in History-Timo R. Stewart; 14. The Rise of Hitler, Zion, and the Tribulation-Gershon Greenberg; 15. Inverting the Eagle to Embrace the Star of David-George Faithful; 16. Conclusion-Robert O. Smith.
