In this episode, co-hosts Daniel and Jen discuss some common Western Christian responses to the ongoing war on Gaza. They unpack the normalization of violence and dehumanization in American Christian rhetoric regarding this war, and Palestine-Israel at large. They also examine biblical, theological, and ethical frameworks that some Christians utilize to justify violence in Gaza, particularly Just War theory, and other ways the Bible is weaponized to support violence. At the end, they offer alternative ways to think of war and violence in light of the work of Christ.

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Show Notes:

Palestinian Christian Open Letters & Documents

An Open Letter from Palestinian Christians to Western Church Leaders and Theologians (Petition still accepting signatures as of November 17, 2023)

Kairos Southern Africa and Kairos Palestine Issue a Joint Open Letter to Church leaders and Christians in the USA, Europe and the Ecumenical Family (November 4, 2023)

Kairos Palestine Document- “A moment of truth: A word of faith, hope and love from the heart of Palestinian suffering” (2009)

Other Helpful Podcast Episodes

Let’s Talk About Gaza: A Conversation with a Gazan Theologian, Across the Divide

A Palestinian Christian’s Perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian War: Daniel Bannoura, Theology in the Raw

Western Christian Responses

The Dangerous History Behind Netanyahu’s Amalek Rhetoric, Mother Jones (November 3, 2023)

American Christians Should Stand with Israel under Attack, Russell Moore (October 7, 2023)

The Allure of Moral Clarity in a Time of War: A Response to Russell Moore, Bruce Fisk (October 12, 2023)

Non-Violent Christian Theology

What Does ‘Christian Nonviolence’ Actually Mean? Mitchell Atencio (2022)

Stanley Hauerwas on Peacemaking: Nonviolence, Peace, Race, and Foreign Policy with Dr. Nathan Hosler (Webinar, 2022)