New!
Israel Matters
Why Christians Must Think Differently
about the People and the Land
by Gerald R. McDermott
© Brazos Press, 2017
Softcover, 176 pages
Price (List $22.00) $14.99, $12.00 for 10+
What is the relationship of the Church to the modern Jewish people and the state of Israel? Has God’s ancient Land covenant with Abraham been annulled?
In Israel Matters, Anglican scholar Gerald McDermott responds to Christian supercessionism in light of the biblical text and historic theology. This is the assumption that when the New Covenant came through Christ, God’s original covenant with the Jewish people was abandoned. This is a readable, lay-level introduction to the topic that is suitable to share with a pastor or a study group.
As a college religion professor, McDermott had taught supercessionism himself, but about two decades ago he was challenged to re-examine texts like Romans 11:29, where Paul declares that “God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable” even to unbelieving Jews. He realized that he had made many errors by ignoring the Jewish context of the New Testament and its theological implications.
Many Christians love the Jewish people and are concerned about global antisemitism, but worry about embracing a Zionism that cheers for Israel’s actions uncritically. McDermott takes a third path, a new Christian Zionism that is solidly rooted in historic theology and the biblical text.
The book also addresses practical questions about the relationship of Christians with the modern state of Israel. In the chapter called “Political Objections” it addresses justice issues like “What about the Palestinians?” and discusses the history of negotiated land agreements over the past century.
Download a sample pdf to take a look.
Note: Only $12 for bulk orders of 10+, so you can share with friends or a study group!
Order on the group purchasing page.
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Rabbi Mark S Kinzer, Messianic scholar and author of Postmissionary Messianic Judaism, comments:
In clear, accessible, engaging language Gerald McDermott explains why his views have changed regarding “Israel”— that is the Jewish people, the Jewish religion, and the Land of promise. McDermott examines with skill and intelligence a multitude of complex biblical texts, historical developments, political realities, and theological quandaries. He channels these insights into a coherent and forceful argument on behalf of a radical claim that the Church has too long evaded—that Israel, in all its dimensions, is an essential component of God’s redemptive purpose in history.
Dr. Gerald R. McDermott (Ph.D., University of Iowa) is both an Anglican priest and religion professor, with a long and illustrious teaching career at Roanoke College, Beeson Divinity School and most recently, Jerusalem Seminary. He has written and co-authored many books for Christian academic and lay audiences.
For more depth, McDermott has also produced two other volumes with other scholars:
The New Christian Zionism: Fresh Perspectives on Israel and the Land (IVP Academic, 2016 – Amazon link)
Understanding the Jewish Roots of Christianity (Lexham Press, 2021 – Amazon link)
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