In a mini-course co-hosted by Churches for Middle East Peace and Embrace the Middle East, Colin Chapman presents material from his book Christian Zionism and the Restoration of Israel: how should we interpret the scriptures? (Wipf & Stock, May 2021). Christian Zionists argue that Zionism and the creation of the state of Israel should be seen as the fulfillment of biblical promises and prophecies and therefore tend to be very supportive of Israel. But is this the only way to use the Bible to understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What do Old Testament writers say about the nation of Israel and the promised land? And how do New Testament writers interpret these Old Testament promises and prophecies? What does it mean for Christians today to be peacemakers and hunger and thirst after righteousness/justice? All the webinars are designed to be as interactive as possible. The first three include a 40-minute presentation followed by 30 minutes of Q&A, and the fourth contains presentations from speakers with differing viewpoints.

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Cannon holds an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary, an MBA from North Park University’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management, and an MA in bioethics from Trinity International University. She received her first doctorate in American History with a minor in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California (Davis) focusing on the history of the American Protestant church in Israel and Palestine and her second doctorate in Ministry in Spiritual Formation from Northern Theological Seminary. She is the author of several books including the award-winning Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World and editor of A Land Full of God: Christian Perspectives on the Holy Land. 

The Revd. Su McClellan is the Senior Church Engagement Manager has been at Embrace the Middle East for 15 years and works in the Church Engagement Team. She regularly leads Encounter Tours to Israel and Palestine, giving Christians the opportunity to see for themselves the impact of the ongoing conflict on the people who call the land home. Su is also curate at Coventry Cathedral, home to the Community of the Cross of Nails, an international network of peacebuilders.

Tim Livesey has been CEO of Embrace the Middle East since July 2017. He previously worked at Oxfam and before that for the UK government – with nearly 20 years in the Foreign Office, in politics, and as an adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Special Guest: Colin Chapman has worked for 18 years in the Middle East where he taught in seminaries in Cairo, Beirut, and Bethlehem. He is ordained in the Anglican Church, and in the UK has taught in Bristol and Birmingham. His book Whose Promised Land? was written in Beirut during the civil war and was first published in 1983, with the latest revision in 2015. Whose Holy City? Jerusalem and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict was published in 2004.

Richard Harvey became a Jewish follower of Jesus in 1974 and studied Theology at Bristol University. He pioneered the London Messianic Congregation where he met his wife, Monica, also a Jewish disciple of Yeshua. They have two children and three grandchildren. Richard served with the Church’s Ministry among the Jewish People (CMJ), was Director of Jews for Jesus UK, and is presently a Senior Researcher. He was Academic Dean and Director of Postgraduate Studies at All Nations Christian College where continues to teach Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies. His Ph.D. is published as "Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology: A Constructive Approach"