Chosen?

Brueggemann (Sabbath as Resistance) invites Christians to view the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a Biblical perspective, exploring what the the Old Testament means when it calls the Jews God's chosen people, speaks of Zion, and promises Jews the Holy Land. Brueggemann argues that Biblical texts, while they do make promises, are often conditional and contradictory and do not give the Jewish people an absolute, uncontested right to modern Israel at the expense of the Palestinians. He also warns against distorting the contemporary political climate by equating present-day causes with ancient Biblical history. Brueggemann rejects the two-state solution, which he discusses in a Q&A at the book's end. The text, short and written in clear, simple prose, provides a solid entre into this delicate issue, saving readers concerned about Israel from having to weed through the entire Bible for answers. With study questions for each of its chapters, discussion tips, and a glossary, the book lends itself to church study groups, but it is not for the faint of heart, opening discussion rather than providing black-and-white answers. (Sept.)