Write a Critical Review of “with God on Our Side”
Write a critical review of “With God on Our Side”BIB117 The Bible- Fact or FictionEssay 1Dr Katie Edwards120129511 | | | |
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Over the course of this essay I will be critically reviewing the 2010 documentary “With God on Our Side”. To do this I will assess the films political stance by looking at its portrayal of Christian Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in general.
“With God on Our Side” does have a very clear and open agenda that has both political and religious elements. From a political point of view the film is criticising the unconditional support that many American evangelical Christians have for Israel. From a theological point of view, the film is attempting to present a biblical alternative to Christian Zionism which as the film’s website states “does not favour one people group over another” and that “promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jews and Palestinians”. Indeed, the whole premise of the film was inspired by the verse, Joshua 5:13-14a. In this verse an angel makes it clear to Joshua that he isn’t on the side of either the Israelitites or the Caananites, but is the commander of “God’s army”. The target audience of the documentary is significant. Most films which are critical of Christian Zionism and Israel are created by non-Christians and cater to a mostly secular audience. The 2009 documentary “Waiting for Armaggedon” like “With God on Our Side” also deals critically with the spiritual and political views of Christian Zionists. The film was written and directed by three non-Christians who are critical of the “potentially explosive” alliance between Christians and Jews. The film focuses its attention exclusively on Christian Zionists and doesn’t present alternative Christian stand points. Christianity Today has accused “Waiting…” of assuming that “all evangelicals hold Christian Zionist convictions”. The fact that the only Christian view represented is the one that the program is criticising heavily suggests
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Over the course of this essay I will be critically reviewing the 2010 documentary “With God on Our Side”. To do this I will assess the films political stance by looking at its portrayal of Christian Zionism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in general.
“With God on Our Side” does have a very clear and open agenda that has both political and religious elements. From a political point of view the film is criticising the unconditional support that many American evangelical Christians have for Israel. From a theological point of view, the film is attempting to present a biblical alternative to Christian Zionism which as the film’s website states “does not favour one people group over another” and that “promotes peace and reconciliation for both Jews and Palestinians”. Indeed, the whole premise of the film was inspired by the verse, Joshua 5:13-14a. In this verse an angel makes it clear to Joshua that he isn’t on the side of either the Israelitites or the Caananites, but is the commander of “God’s army”. The target audience of the documentary is significant. Most films which are critical of Christian Zionism and Israel are created by non-Christians and cater to a mostly secular audience. The 2009 documentary “Waiting for Armaggedon” like “With God on Our Side” also deals critically with the spiritual and political views of Christian Zionists. The film was written and directed by three non-Christians who are critical of the “potentially explosive” alliance between Christians and Jews. The film focuses its attention exclusively on Christian Zionists and doesn’t present alternative Christian stand points. Christianity Today has accused “Waiting…” of assuming that “all evangelicals hold Christian Zionist convictions”. The fact that the only Christian view represented is the one that the program is criticising heavily suggests
Bibliography: Pappe, Ilan “A History of Modern Palestine” (Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2006) “Porter Speakman Jr Sizer, Stephen “Zion’s Christian Soldiers? : The Bible, Israel and the Church” (Inter-Varsity Press, 19 October 2007) Stoil, Rebecca Anil “Lieberman:Leftist NGO’S are aiding terror groups” [http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=203055] White, Ben “Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide” (Pluto Press, 20th June 2009) -------------------------------------------- [ 5 ]. Sizer, Stephen “Zion’s Christian Soldiers? : The Bible, Israel and the Church” (Inter-Varsity Press, 19 October 2007), pp. 123-127 [ 6 ] [ 9 ]. White, Ben “Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide” (Pluto Press, 20th June 2009) p.11 [ 10 ]