I Am a Palestinian Christian: God and Politics in the Holy Land: A Personal Testimony

I read "I am a Palestinian Christian" as assigned for a study abroad trip I took this Summer to the Middle East. Other than hearing the name, I knew nothing about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict before opening Raheb's book. He gives an accurate picture into the terrible strife of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank, as well as an introduction to the Conflict as a whole. He is straightforward and honest in telling of the atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians, but he is not hateful toward them. He even included a few chapters explaining how he believes Israel came to the position it is in and how they have misunderstood the concept of being "the Chosen People" as a claim to God's favor, rather than a plea for God's undeserved grace. Raheb asserts that the Palestinians and the Israelis must come to terms with each other and realize that they are tied to closely together for one to dominate the other. Their prosperity must come jointly.Raheb's book is so biased toward the Palestinian side because the Palestinians did't have much of a voice. The West hears plenty about the Israeli side of the issue, but little or nothing from the Palestinian side.But we must remember that Raheb published this book sixteen years ago (in 1995). Much remains the same (the oppression, restrictions, takeovers, illegal "settlements," unfair water allotments, etc.) and much has changed (Raheb's outlook and his proposed solution, for example). As for his views toward Muslims, remember that Christians make up less than 2% of the Palestinians in the West Bank, and most of the rest of the population are Muslim. Palestinian Christians are in a tough spot of having to get along with these neighbors that exponentially outnumber them.I spent several weeks in Israel and days in the West Bank this Summer, witnessing and hearing personal testimonies from both sides of the conflict. I had the chance to meet Mr. Raheb in Bethlehem and he explained that a lot of what he wrote, especially about his optimism for a solution between Israel and Palestine, has changed.In the end, though it is outdated now, "I am a Palestinian Christian" is a great introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, especially from the Palestinian perspective. Remember that it's outdated. Read Raheb's more recent books if you want an updated and more accurate picture.

The book is old but still valuable to those of us who care about the middle east. I suspect that it is tough to keep that attention after so long a time with so many other things calling for our attention. However the author makes a great attempt to make us aware of the implications of both the U.S. and Israeli foreigh policy.

A look into the Palestinian Christian world, with its political and theological complexities; definitely worth reading. It's heartbreaking to think that this reality continues to exist.

A fine read that helps to understand the issues in the land of Israel and the struggles of Palestinian Christians.

Raheb Mitri is a voice every Western Christian should listen to

A very provocative and informative read.

"I Am a Palestinian Christian," written by Mitri Raheb, describes life as a Palestinian Christian under Israeli rule. Raheb is not against the state of Israel (though he is against Israeli persecution of Palestinians) but seeks a Palestinian state as well. He challenges the West (especially Christians) to bring Palestinians aid and to not blindly support Israel's every action. Raheb as well gives biblical theology to why he believes the land of Israel is not promised to the Jewish people alone but to all people. His theology goes further in saying that persecution towards Palestinians is an act of injustice and that the church must prevent, instead of encourage, such acts. Raheb's book "I Am a Palestinian Christian" was written to inform Western Christians about the Palestinian Christian's reality.Raheb begins the book in an in-depth look at the hardships the Palestinian Christian endures daily and how these Christians respond to such hardships. Statistics are given in reference to the earliest Palestinian church and how it increased or decreased over the years. Church denominations within Palestine are as well given. Raheb finishes the first section listing the causes at which led to Palestinian Christian emigration and also describes the Palestinian's history which led to modern day Israeli politics. Next, Raheb describes his theology on why the land of Israel/Palestine was not elected for the Jewish people alone but for all people, including the Palestinians. Raheb's focus is on the fact that Jesus died for all people at which suggests that we are all equal under God. He describes God's care for the poor and oppressed and lastly makes a challenge to all believers in Christ to recognize and help their Palestinian brothers in need. To end the book, Raheb gives official documents stating the proposals Palestinians have made (ex. P.L.O.) for a state of their own. Also contained here are official statements written by Palestinian Christians regarding Palestinian oppression and motives.Mitri Raheb was very thorough in covering the purpose for which his book was written. He described well the history of Palestinian Christians and used in-depth theology to justify a Palestinians right to share Israeli land. Raheb as well used examples to help his case. I would use this book for personal testimonies of what it is like being a Palestinian under Israeli occupation and for statistics that refer to Palestinian oppression. I would not use this book for theological proof to why Palestinians deserve the land. I do believe Palestinians are entitled to the land as well as the Israelis; however Raheb's biblical reasoning is not accurate. This book should be read for the sole purpose of understanding the Palestinian Christian.

Good insights into the culture and the theology of the Hebrew Bible as it relates to the current situation in the Middle East. Many things U.S. and western European citizens need to hear and know that we don't get from the media.

Mitri Raheb used to be pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, and is still heavily involved in practical and pastoral education and reconciliation projects there. This book is written from his personal experience, as the title suggests, but it is a subtle though very accessible work of theology. He says that he when he went on a sabbatical to Yale in 2012 he intended to write a work of academic theology, but ended up writing this instead, however the relative simplicity of the language should not be taken as a lack of theological underpinning. He has not only taken on board liberation theology and looked at it critically, he has also obviously read postcolonial writers such as Spivak and Bhabha, and poststructuralists like Lacan, though mercifully he has discarded all of their wilful obscurantism and writes clearly and personally.Like his fellow Palestinian pastor/theologian Naim Ateek, he has to articulate a theology that makes sense for Palestinians under occupation. In most situations the answer would be liberation theology, which is indeed the route that Ateek chose, but the main obstacle is that the key Bible motif of liberation theology, the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and their conquest of Canaan, is problematic when you are the modern-day Canaanites...Raheb's solution is contextual rather than specifically liberation theology; he sees a development of understanding in Hebrew Scripture from a God who demanded absolute conquest and non-fraternisation in the first exodus to one who calls for living in harmony with others in the "second exodus" (the return from Babylonian exile). He also points out the startling paradox that the land is promised to the Jews only when they do not have it - as soon as they do God is warning them to act properly within it at the risk of losing it.He also aims some uncomfortably accurate arrows at both the conservatives and liberals in western Christianity. The former can be uncritically supportive of Israel for reasons relating to their own interpretation of Revelation - that the return of Israel is the first step towards the Second Coming - but the latter can be equally uncritical because of guilt over the Holocaust. Combined with a residual orientalism, the result can be that the question of Israel/Palestine is often discussed in the church without ever listening to the Christians who are actually there as "living stones".

very interesting perspective good lively writing a must read for anyone interested in the Palestinian question as it is wider than the usual Israeli V Arab story.