Land of Israel in Bible, History, and Theology

This scholarly collection emerged from a 2008 conference at St. John's College, Nottingham, addressing the complex theological and political questions surrounding the land of Israel in contemporary Christian thought. Editor Philip Johnston assembled biblical scholars, historians, and theologians to examine how Scripture, history, and theology intersect in discussions of the Holy Land, particularly as Christians navigate modern geopolitical realities and competing claims about divine promises and territorial rights.

The volume traces the biblical foundations of land theology from the Abrahamic covenant through the exile and return, examining how various traditions have interpreted God's promises regarding territory and peoplehood. Contributors analyze the development of land theology through church history, exploring how Christian supersessionism, Zionism, and Palestinian liberation theology have shaped contemporary debates. The work examines both maximalist interpretations that see modern Israel as fulfillment of biblical prophecy and more nuanced approaches that distinguish between spiritual and political claims. Rather than advocating a single position, the collection maps the theological landscape, showing how different hermeneutical approaches lead to vastly different conclusions about contemporary obligations and expectations.

This volume continues to serve as an essential resource for understanding the theological dimensions of Middle Eastern politics and the role of Scripture in contemporary geopolitical discourse. The contributors' careful attention to both exegetical detail and historical development provides tools for thinking through one of the most contentious issues in modern Christian ethics. Pastors, biblical scholars, and educated lay readers seeking to understand the theological stakes in contemporary discussions of Israel and Palestine will find this collection invaluable. Those looking for simple answers or partisan advocacy should look elsewhere, as this work prioritizes scholarly rigor over ideological clarity.