middle east

i read this for an assignment for a history class. it turned out to be worth the time i spent on it which is more than i can say about many other books i have read; however, the author is very biased in his assessment of the israeli-palestinian conflict. though he uses a variety of examples to show the injustices against the palestinians, he does not once bring the palestinians into judgment. not a word about the suicide bombings, attacks on civilians, threats against america and europe, and constant foreign aggression (though he talks about this subject, it does not due justice to israel... example, painting them as the aggressor in many of the wars). don't get me wrong, burge did open my eyes to many of the injustices the palestinians are put through, burge does not however give equal billing to the same, or worse, acts of terror by non-israelis.

Many people, especially non-thinking American Fundimetalists will not like this book. Burge challenges the movement prevalant in Christendom today called Zionism. Is Christ the focus of redemptive history or is the Jewish State of Israel? For many fundimentalists, the reunification of Israel in 1948 was the fulfillment of OT prophecy. Burge takes the reader carefully through the passages and shows how it is virtually IMPOSSIBE to transfer the wonderful promises of God to support destruction of Palestinian homes--some of them Christians.

In other words, Christians are supporting the violence of Israel against Palestinian Chirstians. You can't look at all of the horrible atrocities and death in the middle east, sick back in you Lazyboy recliner with a "Left Behind" book and say, "Well, that just the fulfillment of prophecy."
If you are angry so far at this review, and you are a dispensationalist, PLEASE read this book. Borrow it if you have to, but read it and think.

Whose Land? Whose Promise? should be required reading for anyone who wants to know what is really going on in Israel/Palestine. With clear, well-written prose that makes this book a pleasure to read, Gary Burge tackles the thorny problem of Jewish/Palestinian relations from a strong, well-reasoned biblical perspective. Read it with an open mind and an open heart, and you'll have a much deeper understanding of the historic, spiritual, and political background of this tempestuous corner of the world.