In Defense of Israel, Revised Edition by John Hagee Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of In Defense of Israel, Revised Edition
Book Review: A Poorly-Written, Bad History.
Summary: 1 Stars
John Hagee has come to personify for many the curious relationship between right-wing Christian America and Israel. In a funny way this poorly-written slice of really bad history can also serve as a valuable piece of material for those researching the actual ideas and philosophy behind the radical fusion of pro-Israeli politics and the religious right that helped put George Bush in the White House during the 2004 election. "In Defense Of Israel" is not a bad book because it claims that Israel has the right to exist (which it does), but because Hagee's documentation of key historical events is so poor that it's almost laughable. The problem here is that Hagee's point of view is so radical that he presents current events from a purely one-sided, misinformed side. One must be objective when looking at the Middle East conflict, and Hagee is so far from it that this material is dangerous for those who do not keep themselves informed. For example, Hagee paints a basic picture of Jews being the good guys and Palestinians being the bad guys, this is almost racist. It is obvious that Israel has been building a neo-apartheid system which is causing frictions, so much so that even many in the Jewish civilian population are against most of the government's radical right-wing policies according to major Jewish scholars. Hamas for example, like it or not, is an elected government and did indeed recognize a ceasefire until Israeli troops incurred into Palestinian territory. Hagee's sections on Lebanon are almost appalling as he tries to support and validate the unwarranted destruction of Lebanon's civilian population and infrastracture. He fails to mention that before Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, Israel had crossed into Lebanon and kidnapped several civilians for "questioning." Not to mention Israel failed in it's main objective to crush Hezbollah because the group has wide popular support in Lebanon as a defense considering the nation's basic military was already crushed. Hagee's historical descriptions of U.S. aid to Israel are also ridiculous. Israel was an almost never-mentioned topic before 1967. After the six-day war, the U.S. finally did begin to provide Israel with it's huge military package, not because of a need to aid "God's Chosen," but because now Israel had established itself as a great candidate for a U.S. client state in the Middle East. Hagee tries to paint the Middle East conflict as some sort of good vs. evil battle with cosmic undertones. He never mentions that secular Arab movements were sprouting in the Middle East that served as good counterweights to Islamic radicals. But of course, we helped crush these movments beginning in 1953, when we overthrew the elected Prime Minister of Iran (because he was going to nationalize the country's oil), and replaced him with the brutal Shah dictatorship who's secret police, the Savak, we trained in torture tactics. The Shah was of course overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, read "All The Shah's Men" for the tale. And there are plenty of other examples, including the Palestinians. But Hagee of course makes it seem as if Palestinians, if not all Arabs, have some sort of natural blood lust to kill Jews because they follow what Hagee no doubt considers a Satanic religion. One should give Hagee credit though, for promoting an end to anti-semetism among Christians, and he is correct in citing the horrors of the Inquisition. But he never mentions the current Inqusition against Arabs on the part of people like him, who believe there is a cosmic duty to support every single Israeli policy, no matter how downright bloody, as with the case of Lebanon. Would not both Jews and Arabs be the children of God? Why doesn't Hagee really study the documented record on our foreign policy in the Middle East, just look at Pakistan as it slides into a dictatorship imposed by a U.S.-backed regime. But Hagee's real concern isn't nuclear-armed Pakistan, but Iran, the current boogey man this book claims wants to take over the world. Hagee's take on Israel and America's relation to her is all fantasy land, and a dangerous one at that, considering the voting bloc that eats this up could very well still weild considerable power at the voting booths.Book Review: A Real Eye Opener
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was a real eye-opener for me with respect to the said events about how the Gentile church in it's early form of Christianity persecuted the Jewish people, & how it continues today. I thought the book was well written and I was unable to put it down! It intrigued me, because never before had I heard of certain events from the history books in school, or the media about such wide-spread anti-semitism and the plight of the Jewish people. This book catapulted a deeper love for God's chosen people who are the "Apple of God's eye" as the scriptures declare. As for all the critics who are sighting heresy to Hagee's teachings, I bed to differ. I did not once see where Hagee denied Jesus as the Messiah. Hagee's references to the Jewish people having a "judicial blindness" were only stated up until the time of Christ (pg 153). He is not saying that the Jewish people cannot be saved! Rather, he is speaking of Christ's 1000 year reign, where "All Israel will be saved" and the Jews will see the Messiah with their own eyes in that time in history. It is a profound mystery to born-again believers in Christ how this will occur, but Yeshua will do it rest assured! This book is a clear example of the love and solidarity that should come between Christians and Jews. For by this "love" (agape) will all men know that we are Christ's disciples, if we have love for one another. Through the Holy Scriptures, we are inplored to bless Israel, and I believe that this book will help to facilitate that achievement to a deeper degree in the lives of the evangelical church.Book Review: A must read for our times
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very interesting read and is important during these times with the battles going on in the Gaza strip. It is also very interesting how so many people rated this book differently.
I do agree with John Hagee in the defense of Israel. Jews all over the world have been persecuted by misinformed Christians and Muslims all over the world for hundreds of years. This torture and murder has been done to millions all because they were born Jewish and some say because they killed Christ. When Jesus died he said, "forgive them for they know not what they do." He also said in Matthew 7:1: "judge not that ye be not judged."
Jesus was born a Jew from a Jewish mother and God. The Jewish people are God's chosen people, which is quoted all over the Bible. Jesus' mission in the world when he came to us over 2000 years ago was as the suffering servant to sacrifice himself for our sins as written in Isiah 53. "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Isiah 53:5
No place in the Bible does it say to torture or kill Jewish people. It does state, however, that each of us will be judged according to our own sins. Who are we to judge. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." John 8:7
In Revelation 12 it talks about two groups that are saved.
1) As stated in Revelation 12:5-7, about a woman who gave birth to a male child who would rule all nations with a rod of iron. She fled into the wilderness where a place was prepared by God for her.
2) In Revelation 12:17 it states: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
In Revelation 21:12-16 when the Bible states the coming of the New Jerusalem it does state the names of the twelve tribes of Israel will be on the gates and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb will be on the walls' foundations.
As stated in the Bible, Jesus is coming again at the end of the world as the King of the New Jerusalem, the Messiah that the Jewish people are waiting for and which in fact that the Christians are also waiting for.
Who will be saved and who will not be is God's judgment and God's only. John Hagee wrote only truth of what was already written in Bible. If that is not understood please read your Bible again. Jesus taught about love and not hate. He even taught that we should love our enemies and those that hate us. I am not seeing that actually followed by all the believers of Jesus the Christ.
We should look at the truth in this matter not our own jealousy, hated and false propaganda. John Hagee speaks the truth as it is written in the Bible.
I gave this book 4 stars instead of five because it is too short and it doesn't give enough information about Jesus coming twice. Once as our savior from our sins and then as our King and Lord in the New Jerusalem.
Book Review: A real madman!
Summary: 1 Stars
This man has done everything in is power to ensure that America starts WWIII.
According to The Nation:
Hagee has a new book out this week, In Defense of Israel. In a promotion on his television show, Hagee claimed that the book "will expose the sins of the fathers and the vicious abuse of the Jewish people. In Defense of Israel will shape Christian theology.
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This is abject nonsense. Hagee takes Christian scripture and turns it on its head. He fails to comprehend the Christian meaning of the term "Israel" to be a chunk of land, not a biblical people. Throughout this book he bashes many Christians, not the least Catholics or anyone else who is interested in Just War theory and the traditional teachings of Christendom. If you aren't on the bandwagon to a Middle East in flames, avoid this book at all costs. The very fact that some of the most desperate individuals like Abe Foxman (a man of the far-left) has joined forces with this demagogue should speak volumes.
Book Review: A very informative read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was thrilled with the info I received in this book. Questions I had had for years were answered. The author is right on the money I believe! I also am enjoying his Cornerstone Church TV program for the first time as a result of this wonderful read! God bless this man and his message. The world should take heed!