Israel - Palestine 2 studies

ACTS Winter 2016

St David’s United Church Calgary

Chosen: Ch 2. God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

Session # 3

• Opening • Introductions • Chapter Summaries • Media • Discussions • Closing

Opening

Joan Gray

Introductory Thoughts1. The joy of biblical theology when we are guided by a skilled

and concise theologian like Walter Brueggemann.

2. “Jerusalem” by William Blake

(words on next slide)

Video following from BBC 1's Songs of Praise performed by British male choir group called “Blake" - it’s the unofficial 'national anthem' of England from the poem written by Sir William Blake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C79L3vjKAWQ

“And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance Divine Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold; Bring me my arrows of desire; Bring me my spear; O clouds, unfold! Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem In England’s green and pleasant land.”

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

A broad and focused review of both the assertion and difficulties associated with the Hebrew claim of "divine choseness"

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

The progressive development of being "chosen" in the Hebrew Bible:

• Abraham • Exodus • Sinai • Deuteronomy

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

Two Challenges

• Is being chosen unconditional? • Has chosen not morphed into a

modern ideology?

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

Other Considerations

• Supersessionism - the church as "the new Israel"

• American (or other) ideological choseness

• Liberation theology - "preferential option for the poor"

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

A Key Question

The struggle of the Hebrew prophets -

• Chosen - for what purpose?

• Prideful and ethnocentric? (or)

• As a blessing to the nations?

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

• What About the Unchosen?

• Is this the fate of Islam? Palestinians?

God’s Chosen People: Claim and Problem

Choosing beyond choseness

• Election? Entitlement? Assurance? (or)

• The difficult choice of moving beyond envy and violence

Video“Should Religion Stay Out of Politics”

VICE News 3:56

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7QlUH6kLeI

Video“How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian”

excerpt on “being a covenant people” and “the kingdom of god”

from 62m lecture by John Dominic Crossan 29 July 2015

8m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-8r8rxboUo

Video“I have seen the promised land”

excerpt from last speech of Martin Luther King 3 April 1968

3m

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98k-pjN6nl0

Break

Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe that in one special case God did, in fact "take sides" and chose Israel? (pro and con)

2. What is the result for those who are NOT chosen and how might we move beyond impasse?

3. Discuss "choosing beyond choseness?"

Chosen

Next Readings

Ch 3. Holy Land?

Study Website

http://chosen.stdavidscalgary.net

Closing Bev Setterington