The Holy Land, Empires, and the Bible: A Palestinian Christian Perspective
Munther Isaac
64.28
24 April 2023
29 November 2025
In this talk, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor of Christmas Lutheran church in Bethlehem, examined how Western Christianity has related, and continues to relate, to the land and people of Palestine over the years. Isaac analyzed both the attitudes and theologies of churches vis-à-vis Palestine and the Palestinians, and how the Bible was used over the years as a tool by the different empires to justify these attitudes and theologies. His talk also focused on the recent phenomenon of Christian Zionism as a focal lens.
Pastor Isaac's latest book is "The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope." His PhD monograph was published as "From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centred Biblical Theology of the Promised Land." He serves as the pastor of Christmas Lutheran church in Bethlehem, the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College, the director of Christ at the Checkpoint, and is heavily involved in Kairos Palestine and grassroots work among Palestinian Christians.
