167 - Israel and the Politics of Land: A Theological Case Study

Israel and the Politics of Land: A Theological Case Study
By W. Eugene March
Louisville, Westminster/John Knox 1994.104 pp. $12.99.

W. Eugene March offers a succinct and interesting theological analysis of land claims. His case study focuses on Palestine/Israel. He begins with the diversity of viewpoints in that land, traces its history since Roman times, considers biblical perspectives, and arrives at a broadly conceived vision of "earth-keeping" for both Israel and the world. A group study guide concludes the book.

March draws clear and courageous conclusions: The earth belongs to God alone. All peoples live on it as sojourners. Modern Israel has no special theological claim to the land, but-like all peoples-it has a right to secure borders. The Palestinians have the same right. All peoples are called to be "earth-keepers," called to administer God's earth with ecological and social responsibility. The Creator has given humankind "the necessary intelligence to work out the details" of this vision. The United Nations receives high profile in this human ordering of land stewardship.

I accept fully the biblical vision formulated by March, but I am less optimistic about its implementation through human intelligence and the United Nations. Without rejecting these, Christians may need to emphasize the fleeting nature of earthly security and await, often with suffering, God's restoration of the earth.

Waldemar Janzen
Canadian Mennonite Bible College
Winnipeg, MB.