Critical Book Review of "Jesus and the Land" by Gary Burge

Critical Book Review of "Jesus and the Land" by Gary Burge

Introduction

The question of “the Land” is of paramount importance for the dispensationalist. Dispensationalism is a whole systematic theology — not simply an eschatology — that has as one of its chief cornerstones the predominant role of Israel in God's plan for history. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the way to a dispensationalist's heart is through the Land of Israel. Unfortunately, the whole New Testament contradicts it.

Discussion

The long confrontation in the Middle East between the Israelis & Palestinians sways the world. Among Christians, there is a broad distinction of opinion as to the causes for & solutions to this war. In his publication Jesus & the Land, scribe Gary M. Burge locations this issue with aim on the 'Holy Land' theology from the New Testament scripture.

Burge takes a scholarly set about to defining the pledge land routes, translations of the phrases which are converted into the English phrase 'land', & the heritage applicable practices at the time of writing which give additional meaning to this wording, other than the slender interpretation which it habitually entails a part of dirt. Especially, that part of dirt which is now the aim of this conflict. He mindfully recounts the New Testament teachings of Jesus as the new covenant with God's people. Jesus came to manage away with the narrower definition of God's persons being only the Jewish community, but which God's pledge now embraces Gentiles. He states: "The New Testament relocates the properties of the Holy Land & discovers them in Christ himself. Therefore the most sacred of all locations, the Temple, is discovered in Christ."

This publication is a reverent reflection of the truth of Christ in the lives of all people. It not ever degrades the Old Testament pledges to Abraham or the heritage of the Jewish people. God, through Christ, is accessible to all who hear, accept & obey—Jew & Gentile alike. A mixing of political agendas with Christian interpretation misplaces the mission of the Christian Church—to bring the occurrence of God into the nations of the world.

Burge says: “Amidst calls to reclaim holy land, to re-conquer territory in the title of God, to suppose devout privileges for one tribe & not another, the New Testament says: No. Jesus called for a faithfulness which left behind such things—which envisioned a distinct era, a distinct kingdom, where vintage territorial affirm endorsed by devout privilege were no more.

The topic of "Earth" is of paramount implication to the dispensationalist. Dispensationalist is a theology of all orderly - not so straightforward eschatology - that is one of the pillars of the head of the superior function of Israel in God's design for history. If the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the way to the heart of a dispensationalist is through the Land of Israel. Unfortunately, the whole New Testament contradicts ...