Whose Promised Land: The continuing conflict over Israel and Palestine

The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians has profoundly affected the Middle East for almost seventy years, and shows no sign of ending. It remains a huge political and humanitarian problem. Writing from the perspective of someone who has lived and worked in the Middle East at various times since 1968, the author explains the roots of the problem and outlines the arguments or the main parties involved. He also explores legitimate and illegitimate ways of using the Bible in relation to the conflict. This new and fully updated fifth edition includes the history of the area since 9/11, the impact of the Gulf wars, the building of the security wall, and the increased importance of Hamas.

About the Author :
Colin Chapman is former Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon. He is the author of Christianity on Trial and The Case for Christianity (both Lion) and Islam and the West: Conflict, Co-existence or Conversion (Paternoster).

Review :
"Provides an even-handed approach that does not automatically assume a pro-Israel stance. Instead, it seeks to present an honest appraisal of modern Israel while clearly delineating the inter-related issues surrounding the crisis in the Middle East. There’s a great deal of good analysis of some very difficult texts. A terrific book." "A deep, long look at the issues surrounding the crisis in the historic land common to the three great monotheistic religions, Whose Promised Land? is recommended as a fine introduction to the history of the conflict." "For a more than a generation, Colin Chapman's Whose Promised Land? has been the premier volume for Christians who are trying to think Christianly about the conflict in Israel-Palestine. And this new edition is a helpful update and improvement in his already-outstanding presentation. The strength of Chapman's work is not only in its comprehensiveness, but in its fairness. Unlike most scholars, he sites his sources extensively, letting political leaders and theologians speak for themselves, so that the reader can make his or her own judgments about the meaning of their words. This is simply an essential book that ought to be in the hands of every thoughtful Christian who cares about the world, the Middle East, and the Bible." "When first published, this book influenced thousands of Christians with its balanced, thoughtful and Bible-based assessment of the situation in Israel/Palestine. Sadly, occupation and settlement have continued and deepened in Palestine over the last dozen years, and talks about a just peace have stumbled. So an update is long overdue. With this brand new edition Colin Chapman does not disappoint. This remains the go-to text for Christians and others wanting to understand what is really happening in the Middle East." "Colin Chapman has long been acknowledged as providing a strong intellectual voice to Christian concern for Palestinians, and this book will undoubtedly reinforce that." "For over thirty years this one book has stood out as the seminal work on this highly contested issue. This really is the "must-have" book on one of the world's hottest topics"