Webinars

NEME hosts a variety of webinars to discuss topics related to the larger Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region in general and Israel/Palestine in particular. Our focus includes (but is not limited to) human rights issues across the region, issues facing MENA Christians, inter-religious dialogue, and how our understanding of the gospel informs these issues. We are also concerned with Christian Zionism and the implications for the people living in Israel/Palestine, as well as its impact on the pursuit of the cause of just peace in the Middle East. Links to those webinars can be found below.

Imago Dei: Resources for Everyday Peacemaking (April 25, 2023): NEME Relationship Manager Mercy Aiken spoke with Osheta Moore and Catherine Skurja about the ways in which the concept of imago dei, God's image reflected in humans and all creation, serves as a tool for Christians to engage in everyday peacemaking.

Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon: The Law and the Prophets (March 29, 2023): NEME Relationship Manager Mercy Aiken facilitated the Voices from the Hold Land panelist discussion on the film, The Law and the Prophets, which explores the questions: What are the tools of Israeli lawfare used against Palestinians? How can one be an effective prophet for justice in the Holy Land?

Peacemaking: From Genesis to Revelation (February 16, 2023): NEME Relationship Manager Mercy Aiken spoke with Dr. Jer Swigart about his unlikely call to global peacemaking and he offered a biblical framework for understanding peacemaking as a central aspect of the Christian Faith.

Voices from the Holy Land Online Film Salon: 'Til Kingdom Come (February 12, 2023): NEME Senior Research Fellow Bruce Fisk participated in Voices from the Holy Land's panelist discussion on the film 'Til Kingdom Come, which explores American Evangelical support of Israel.

Israel and Apartheid: A NEME Webinar Series (November 2022): This two-part webinar series considers why the Apartheid question is so polarizing, what is happening on the ground in the Holy Land, and how Christians might respond as non-partisan agents who support a just peace. Part 1 (November 3, 2022) : Dr. Michael Brown, Rev. Moss Ntlha, and Sam Bahour discussed the use of the term "apartheid" in reference to the state of Israel. Part 2 (November 10, 2022): Hedva Haymov, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, and Dr. Andrea Smith discussed the role of Christians in responding to accusations of apartheid and the realities on the ground in Israel/Palestine.

A conversation around Bishara Awad's newly released memoir, Yet in the Dark Streets Shining (March 24, 2022): Facilitated by Dr. Andrew Bush of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice and NEME Senior Research Fellow Bruce Fisk. Bishara Awad (founder of Bethlehem Bible College) and Mercy Aiken (co-author) talk about Bishara's life story, how the book came together, and some of the larger theological questions that it addresses.

Health Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Access to Healthcare & COVID-19 Vaccines (Panel Discussion) (November 15, 2021): This panel discussion, hosted by the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East and Peace Catalyst International, explores the effects of the military occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza on healthcare, with a special focus on access to the COVID-19 vaccines.

"Interview with Daoud Nassar of the Tent of Nations" (Friday, June 11, 2021): Andrew Bush, Director of the Bethlehem Institute of Peace and Justice of the Bethlehem Bible College, sat down with Daoud Nassar of Tent of Nations to get an update on the situation at the farm & how people can support the work they do. Find out more about the Tent of Nations here.

"Two Chosen Peoples? Two Promised Lands? Christian Nationalism & Christian Zionism under Trump and Biden" (May 18, 2021): Both Christian Nationalism and Christian Zionism are in the news these days. Described recently as "cousins," these two movements are marked by militancy, urgency, and conservatism. Both count many Evangelicals among their ranks, and both are actively working to define U.S. interests and foreign policy in ways that put vulnerable peoples at risk. Perhaps their greatest overlap is the ideology of exceptionalism. For Christian Zionists, the Holy Land has always been and must remain distinctively Jewish. Christian Nationalists likewise contend that America has always been and must remain distinctively Christian. Host Dr. Andrea Smith of Evangelicals4Justice spoke with Lisa Sharon Harper of Freedom Road, David Crump, and L. Daniel Hawk as they compared and contrasted these two -isms, and discussed how followers of Jesus might wisely and effectively respond.

"Annexation 101": Bruce Fisk hosted the conversation with Mae Cannon, Heather Keaney, and Sam Bahour, discussed what Israel’s proposed annexation of territory means, what it would change on the ground for Israelis and Palestinians, and why many around the world believe it would undermine the cause of a just peace in the Middle East. 

"The Bible and the Land of Promise: A Christian Conversation": Rob Dalrymple hosted a panel of Christian scholars (Joel Willitts, Craig Blaising, Gary Burge, and Daniel Bannoura) for a conversation asking what does the Bible say about the Holy Land? Did God promise it all to the descendant of Abraham? Where does that leave Israelis and Palestinians today?

"Voting Faithfully: How Evangelicals Shape U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East": With Rev. Najla Kassab, Botrus Mansour, Jeff Anderson, and moderator Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, a webinar conversation about how the U.S. November 2020 elections are affecting Christians – and others – in the Middle East. The conversation will discuss the role North American Evangelicals play in the policies affecting daily realities for those living in the Middle East and what you should know before you vote in November's election.

Determinetruth & David Crump discuss Christian Zionism and his upcoming book: "Like Birds in a Cage": Rob Dalrymple sat down with author David Crump to discuss his upcoming book on Christian Zionism: "Like Birds in a Cage." The conversation ranges from David's personal experiences in the land of Israel/Palestine to an examination of the theology of Christian Zionism.

Articles

Below are links to articles that present various viewpoints on the issue of evangelicalism and its influence on American foreign policy and other matters.

*Links posted here do not reflect NEME's positions or beliefs but are meant as educational resources and conversation starters.*

Christian Nationalism and Christian Zionism: Two Sides of the Same Coin? - Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon & Dr. Bruce Fisk

Conflict Stirs Evangelical Debate - Andrew F. Bush & Rob Dalrymple

Understanding the events on the ground between the Israelis and the Palestinians and what we should do about it - Rob Dalrymple

One State Solution in Israel/Palestine? A Conversation and Review - Bruce Fisk, Red Letter Christians

No Zoom Fatigue for Revived Baptist Church in Gaza - Kenny Schmitt, Christianity Today

“Pro-life” means “pro-all-life” - Rob Dalrymple

My Heart is Broken: the Church, Peace, and the Middle East - Rob Dalrymple

The “signs of the times” and the return of Jesus - Rob Dalrymple

The Evangelical View of Israel? - Todd Hertz

How Some American Evangelicals Are Challenging Views About Palestine - Jasper Vaughn

Who Defines Evangelicalism? An Interview with Mark Noll - Eric C. Miller

In Their Own Right: Evangelical Rejection of Palestinian Human Rights and Dignity - Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon

Inside the Evangelical Money Flowing Into the West Bank - Haaretz Magazine

Christian Zionism: Made in America? - Bruce Fisk

Books

Yet in the Dark Streets Shining - Bishara Awad and Mercy Aiken

Learning from the Least: Reflections on a Journey in Mission with Palestinian Christians - Andrew F. Bush

These Brothers of Mine: A Biblical Theology of Land and Family and a Response to Christian Zionism - Rob Dalrymple

A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land - Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon (editor)

View past NEME newsletters here.