Christian Content

A series of blogs by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. Munther is “Academic Dean of Bethlehem Bible. He is also the director of the highly acclaimed and influential Christ at the Checkpoint conferences, and is a board member of Kairos Palestine. Munther is passionate about issues related to Palestinians and Palestinian Christians. He speaks locally and internationally on issues related to the theology of the land, Palestinian Christians, and Palestinian theology.”

April 2024. This reflection has been produced by PIEN’s Vice President the Revd Dr Ray Williamson OAM.

“The current Prime Minister has likened the Gazans to Amalek; the finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has cited Joshua as one to be emulated; and even for the first Israeli Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, Joshua was an inspiration and model.  Professor Rachel Havrelock writes that “modern Israeli militarism ‘resonates’ with Joshua and [Joshua] informs ‘the lexicon of Jewish nationalism’.  For the religious settlers of the West Bank, in particular, the book of Joshua is an ‘instruction manual’”.

What does the biblical ‘then’ really have to do with our ‘now’?  How are we to understand it? 

October 2021. This resource has been produced by the World Communion of Reformed Churches and is an extensive study guide that provides Churches and Christians the opportunity to delve deeply into the theological, historical, and political contexts facing Palestinians.  

“Hear the Palestinian address to the church. Listen to their stories and struggles; see their hope and resilience. And then, ‘Go and Tell,’ and boldly act. It is our hope that this handbook will encourage you in that truth-telling. May it be a pilgrimage of the heart, but even more, a journey into solidarity and justice.” —
co-authors Katherine Cunningham and Noushin Darya Framke
Focus: Palestine is available as a free download 

Dr. Stephen Sizer has spent decades writing and reflecting on Christian Zionism – the phrase coined for Christians who view the modern state of Israel as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, and which therefore provide Israel with generous and unconditional moral, political and financial support. In this document ‘Seven Biblical Answers to Popular Zionist Assumptions’, he offers an alternative understanding to particular biblical texts that many Christians believe justifies what Israel is doing.

Introduction

“We, a group of Christian Palestinians, after prayer, reflection and an exchange of opinion, cry out from within the suffering in our country, under the Israeli occupation, with a cry of hope in the absence of all hope, a cry full of prayer and faith in a God ever vigilant, in God’s divine providence for all the inhabitants of this land. Inspired by the mystery of God’s love for all, the mystery of God’s divine presence in the history of all peoples and, in a particular way, in the history of our country, we proclaim our word based on our Christian faith and our sense of Palestinian belonging – a word of faith, hope and love.”

This is a great source of information on Christian Zionism. “What is Christian Zionism? Christian Zionism merges theology and politics. It teaches that the secular State of Israel is a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Christian Zionism believes that this fulfillment of Biblical prophecy began when European Jews started moving to Palestine in the 1800s, and continued as Israel became a nation in 1948. Christian Zionists believe that modern Israel is a continuation of Biblical Israel and therefore should enjoy special privileges. They declare that it is the responsibility of Christians to support the State of Israel and its policies.”

Take a listen to this webinar by the renowned Old Testament scholar & theologian, Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann, where he speaks about his book ‘Chosen? Reading the Bible amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.’ Brueggemann had previously held contrary beliefs to what he does now about Israel and the promised land. 

Kathryn Krause Shihadah delves into the scripture verses Christian Zionists use. “We must read Scripture with discernment and learn from preachers and teachers who are trustworthy, ethical, and without ulterior motives. Two rules of thumb are “context is crucial” and “Scripture interprets Scripture” — in other words, let the Bible itself tell us what it means.”

During Holy Week and Advent each year, Kairos Palestine produce the Easter Alert and the Christmas Alert. These resources are full of reflections, prayers, background information and actions that you can draw upon. 

16 May 2025 – Statement from the President of the Uniting Church in Australia Rev Charissa Suli. “With humility and repentance, we confess that our voice has not been clear or courageous in naming the immense and disproportionate suffering of Palestine. We lament our silences and hesitation. We know we cannot claim peace as our prayer if we have not named the injustices we see.”

2 Apr 2025. ‘A Jerusalem Voice for Justice: an ecumenical witness for equality and a just peace in Palestine/Israel’ – a statement from Palestinian Christians in the Jerusalem. “We are living in a time of deep crisis. We are writing to you today because we believe that our faith is meant to shine out in times like these.”

Oct 2024. PIEN’s statement to mark the one year mark of ongoing onslaught of Gaza. “In addition, across those 76 years, Gazans and other Palestinians have had their lands stolen, their homes and crops bulldozed, have seen thousands of their people held in Israeli prisons with no transparent due process, and seen many more thousands emigrate because of the sheer hopelessness and powerlessness to change their circumstances in the land of their birth.”

Aug 2024. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, released this statement “the State of Israel has been “denying the Palestinian people dignity, freedom and hope” – and that ending its occupation of Palestinian territory is “a legal and moral necessity”.

Oct 2023. PIEN, along with Palestine Christians in Australia and Friends of Sabeel Australia have issued this joint statement, which has been sent to all parliamentarians. 

Oct 2023. A statement issued by the World Council of Churches in consultation with the Christian community in Jerusalem.

Oct 2023. Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Centre in Jerusalem issued this statement. “Sabeel condemns and mourns the tragic loss of all life and human suffering. We categorically reject all forms of violence. And, we recognize that the only way forward for us is non-violence.”

2022. Kairos Palestine and Global Kairos for Justice have prepared “A Dossier on Israeli Apartheid A Pressing Call to Churches Around the World”. This thorough piece of research covers: the definition of Apartheid (universal definition with contextualized reality); myriad reports and statements documenting Israel’s complicity; a Biblical/Theological Reflection on apartheid; what does the Lord require of the Global Church in relation to apartheid; and finally a Palestinian Plea: “Are you able to help us get our freedom back?”
Take a look at this 46 page documentthat will assist you in engaging on this topic with your friends, families and church communities.

The World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Karlsruhe, Germany in 2022 concluded with the WCC issuing this statement “Seeking Justice and Peace for All in the Middle East”.

The Statement from the WCC 11th Assembly expressed concerns which included:

1. The expanding Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and undermine any practical prospect of a two-state solution.
2. There has been more suffering for Palestinian communities, with more encroachment on and seizure of Palestinian lands and properties.
3. Increased systematic harassment and attacks by settlers, along with mounting intimidation, violations and limitation of access to places of worship.
4. The right of the Palestinians for self-determination – and that the Israeli occupation must end.