A short work by Brueggemann detailing a change of heart he has hard regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue, framed as a work to be used within mainline Protestant denominations to justify and explain divestment from Israel.

For his part Brueggemann focuses primarily on the text and theological issues. He attempts to ride the line between certain OT passages which seem to suggest Israel is given the land unconditionally with other passages that make it quite clear it is conditionally given. He does so by suggesting the land is given unconditionally but held conditionally.

His change of heart is based on Israel's stockpiling of weapons and treatment of the Palestinians. This will not make him many fans in the Jewish community, nor among Zionists of Jewish or Christian persuasions.

He also uses quite strong terms to denounce any concept of supersessionism but never, at least in this work, gets around to making a coherent argument against it, especially in light of how he demonstrates agreement that both Paul and Peter appropriate the language of Israel to speak of Christianity and the church. One must wonder if there is a confessional bias which proves difficult to sustain textually in these regards.

Quite frankly, not one of Brueggemann's better works. It seems highly politically motivated; it's not as if the exegesis is thoroughly unsound as much as simply convenient. Given in perpetuity but only held conditionally? Why bother?

**-galley received as part of early review progam ( )

Walter Bruggemann stands in the top ranks of living Old Testament scholars, and in “Chosen” he puts directs his career of biblical scholarship to work to address one of the most daunting issues of our day: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While it is not unusual for theologians and ethicists to opine about the current political and social issues, the crisis in the Middle East would seem to beg for it more than most, given that the conflict is argued to have arisen from mandates contained in the Scriptures. And it is this that Bruggemann seeks particularly to address: what does it mean that the God of the Hebrew Scriptures “chose” Israel above all other nations, and to what degree does that “chosenness” grant license to the modern state of Israel to do what it wants in exercising its will upon its neighbors?

The book is slim. It is not an in-depth study employing the tools of biblical analysis, but a study guide, meant for use by local church groups interested in the issue. As such, it stands on his own. Bruggemann still writes as an academic, so the book demands some sophistication (it would be way beyond anyone reading at a 6th-grade reading comprehension level), and it also presupposes an open mind (increasingly hard to find in our polarized world), but still provides sufficient argument to justify his points. And his points, simply put, are these:

1. It is a mistake to equate the biblical nation called “Israel” with the modern state of Israel; and
2. (To quote:) “[I]t seems to me that the state of Israel, in its present inclination and strategy [e.g. its hyper-militarization, its denial to Palestinians within the Occupied Territories of basic human rights], cannot expect much ‘positive play’ from its identity as ‘God’s chosen people.” For as Bruggemann points out in a brief survey of the Old Testament narrative, there are noteworthy instances where God allows Israel to go to ruin because it does not manifest the marks of a chosen people, i.e. justice and mercy.

Because opinions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have become so hardened in many quarters, there may unfortunately be a small audience for this book. Basically, I imagine it would result in effective discussion among a group that might have formed casual opinions about the conflict, but frankly have not thought about it very much. (And too, as mentioned earlier, they would have to possess a certain level of reading sophistication.)

But I hope this study guide would find that audience. For it has an important perspective to bring to the discussion.
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The biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann limits his discussion to the concept of “chosen” in the context of the Hebrew bible as it applies to people, nation states and God’s promise. He asks the probative question, “ Does it also confer title to the land?” as claimed in modern times by the Zionists and the State of Israel? He opines that Scripture does not appear to substantiate their claim. It does substantiate that the land can be lost. Military aggression, abuse of human rights subservient to a self-serving ideology does not justify a claim to the “promised” land. A helpful study guide is appended to the book to assist in enhancing a positive conversation about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A perfect supplement for ecumenical gatherings… ( )