An Examination of the Biblical Motifs of Blood and Breath: Towards a Public Theology of Reconciliation in the Body of Christ in Israel and Palestine
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Johannesburg South African Theological Seminary
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At this time in history, Israel and Palestine are engaged in an historic intractable conflict that existed prior to the independence of Israel as a nation-state seventy-five years ago. Modern Israel was born into and remains in a context of conflict that is escalating as I write these words. The land of Israel-Palestine is considered holy by the three Abrahamic religions. Their adherents claim a special connection with her. From New Testament times, there has always been a “Christian” presence in this land that’s often called holy. This ancient land has been coveted, conquered, and divided by many nations throughout history. Today, Israel is a recognized nationstate, whereas Palestine is a land and a people struggling for its independence and governed by Israeli Military Administration. The struggle between two peoples occupying the same land has deeply affected the Body of Christ in the land. Living in an intractable conflict has distanced the two ecclesial communities, Israeli Messianic Jews and Palestinian Christians.
This thesis, on the basis of a fresh understanding of the biblical motifs of breath and blood, is designed to provide a way forward for a public theology of reconciliation in the Body of Christ in Israel and Palestine. It utilizes the Architectonic Theology as it’s methodology for systematic theology and public theology which is multidisciplinary and integrative. It does this by constructing a theological structure that employs a contextual analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian socio-political context, with an overview of the two ecclesial communities; a historical overview of reconciliation theology; a hermeneutical study, together with a theological synthesis, of the biblical motifs of blood and breath; a survey of biblical anthropology that includes a study of the Doctrine of God and the Image of God; and it posits the necessity of a public theology of reconciliation for the Body of Christ in Israel and Palestine.
It demonstrates that humanity, physically and metaphysically, is united at its core by breath and blood. It shows that reconciliation is a present reality through the kingdom of God, incarnated in the Body of Christ. The role of the Ecclesia in Israel and Palestine is to proclaim the coming of the kingdom of God by the living testimony of a people united by love, reconciled to God and one another.
Keywords
Public theology, Reconciliation, Church