This is a great book that tackles some always controversial themes. Deftly handled by the author. Much recommended for those interested in politics and the middle east region.

Very interesting read. It’s not usually my type of genre. But it’s a topic I’m interested in. The book was well written and flowed very well. Learned a lot. Lots of interesting information in here

I found this book difficult to read as it starts off saying the book will be a balanced view and then goes on repeatedly to say that Israel is a 'chosen by God. Instead of the facts being able to speak for themselves I found the book unbalance, biased and couldn't more than the first few chapters. I think for a more balanced view the Qu'ran should have been included as it is part of Islam, one of the three Abrahamic faiths, and a scripture that hasn't been altered in over 1400 years, and as mentioned letting the fact speak for themselves.

The Middle East conflict is a mystery to many. At a time where civic education in the U.S. barely teaches our own Constitution, it is unlikely that a student can graduate from high school with much understanding of complex world affairs without self-education. What Should We Think About Israel? seeks to fill in this gap, particularly since recent studies have shown that younger evangelicals are less interested in the plight of Israel.

This collection of essays, edited by Randall Price, includes a series of questions about the Middle East conflict that are answered by academics and theologians of Jewish, Arab and Christian descent from all over the world. Divided into three sections focused on Israel's politics, problems and prospects, the questions posed include What Should We Think About the Zionist Movement?, What Should We Think About Israel's Right to the Land?, and What Should We Think of Contemporary Anti-Semitism?, among many others. Each essayist is committed to answering the question through the lens of biblical interpretation and that scripture, not political agendas, is the ultimate authority.

What Should We Think About Israel? provides a solid foundation for an individual wanting to learn more about the nation state. It begins by discussing the Israel of the Bible and God's love and commitment to the Jews and promise that they would possess the Promised Land. The essays also provide an overview of the Zionist Movement and how Israel came to be reclaimed in the 1900s. From there, the authors delve into the contemporary issues facing Israel, including the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, replacement theology, and the future of Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Christian relations. Many of these issues are discussed frequently in modern day political discourse. This book will give readers a basic understanding of what these terms mean and their historical origins.

The formatting of What Should We Think About Israel? makes it highly accessible for lay readers. Meaning you do not have to be a Biblical or political scholar to digest the information. The essays are 10-15 pages long and include space at the end to reflect on the content by posing questions regarding areas of agreement and disagreement with the author, what new information was learned, and how the reader was influenced by what they learned.

On substance, the book delivers what it intends. Price states at the outset that "This book is for anyone who may feel either uninformed of the biblical teaching concerning Israel or who may feel confused by the negative climate that surrounds Israel's role in the Middle East conflict and what they have heard from the media or other sources." For the uninformed, What Should We Think About Israel? is an excellent primer. Unfortunately, the titles of the essays, and perhaps the book, may be a bit misleading as it is primarily an introduction to some of the foundational issues that create the Middle East conflict. For example, in order to truly develop an opinion about Israel's current "occupation" as posed in Chapter 8, a reader would need to dig much deeper into historical events like the Balfour Declaration in 1917, 1922 congressional resolution declaring a Jewish homeland in Palestine, and the United Nation's Partition Plan of 1947. These events established Israel's rights to the homeland under international law, but are merely referenced in the essays.

For Christians, the Bible is authoritative; however, we live in a secular world. If we are to engage our contemporaries on these complex issues, we must be informed. What Should We Think About Israel? opens the door to understanding the Middle East conflict. It is up to the reader to decide how much deeper they want, or are able, to go.

What Should We Think About Israel?
Separating Fact from Fiction in the Middle East Conflict

by Randall Price


Harvest House Publishers

Christian , Religion & Spirituality

Pub Date 27 Aug 2019



I am reviewing a copy of What Should awe Think About Israel through Harvest House Publishers and Netgalley:


One of the primary focuses of this book will be on Israel’s role in the Middle East Conflicts and the theological and practical controversies that resulted.



This book reminds us that we can find out what God thinks about Israel in the Bible. We are also reminded that the Newspaper can show us what the conflict in the Middle East is. We are encouraged too to seek greater clarity when it comes to what is happening in Israel.



How long have the strife and suffering between Israel and Palestine been going on? What are some possible solutions? Are two of the questions we are encouraged to delved into. What would be significant and long-term implications of locating the US Embassy in Jerusalem? Why is the Holocaust still such a huge deal close 75 years after it happened? What is the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement all about?What is being done to restore relations between Jews and Arabs?


In this book respected scholars show us how to look past the heated debates and learn for ourselves about Israel and to discern for ourselves how it affects us today!


I give What Should We Think About Israel five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

In the 1960's we got Hal Lindsay's book, The Late Great Planet Earth. It was one of the first books people read about end times theology and the role Israel will play in end times. Since then there has been a lot of controversy over Israel and over how Christians should feel about the nation of Israel. Should we be supporters or should we be neutral.

This book gives us a compilation of articles by various author's to give us a very critical look at the nation of Israel. How should we feel? How should we act toward Israel and towards Jewish people in general? How should we feel about the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and the desire of some countries to see Israel annihilated?

While you might not agree with all the theories that these writers will put forth at least they will make you think about what you should feel towards the nation of Israel and the concept of End Times Theology in regards to the Bible and current social political events.

I was very intrigued by the book and grateful for Randall Price putting this together and giving us a reference book on current affairs.

Enjoy!