Andrew Mark Sibley

Understanding Israel: the Church, the Jewish People and the Struggle for Identity Andrew Mark Sibley

Written in a respectful manner this book seeks better understanding on the question of Israel, and examines the Scriptures and differences of opinion amongst Christians. This book traces the origin of the name Israel as a spiritual title given to Jacob, then looks at the rise of the Israelite nation, followed by division into the House of Israel and House of Judah. Periods of exile and prophetic writings followed, until the coming of Jesus. Paul and Peter describe Jesus as a stumbling block placed in Zion because many Jews could not accept their own Messiah, and the ongoing dispute between Christians and Jews on the question of who Jesus is reflects this. Do the Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus today form true Israel, or does the State of Israel, or the Jewish people have a claim? Has the Church replaced Israel or are Christian Zionists correct? Or is there a more balanced way forward that better reflects the teaching of Scripture. This book seeks a true biblical solution that respects and loves the Jewish people, but is also faithful to Jesus and the Church.