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Dr. Bruce Fisk (PhD, Duke) is a former professor of New Testament at Westmont College in CA and now on staff as Senior Research Fellow for NEME. NEME: The Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East is a coalition of evangelical Christian pastors, scholars, leaders, and lay people who believe that a greater peace, a wider justice, and a more hopeful future is possible for the Middle East. Dr. Fisk is responsible for creating Israel/Palestine dialogue curriculum for evangelical and academic groups, curating and writing articles related to evangelical engagement, and building relationships with evangelical academic institutions.
Saturday, December 14 Schedule:
10:00-10:30 Arrival: Coffee & Tea
10:30-12:00 Morning session: (45min lecture 45min Q&A)
Session 1 – Israel/Palestine 101 We often hear that the conflict between Jews and Arabs in the Holy Land goes back to Isaac and Ishmael. It doesn’t. It’s less than 150 years old. What are the major events since the late 19th century that explain today’s battle for sacred real estate? What gets in the way of peaceful co-existence in Israel/Palestine? Why did Gaza explode? Questions like these are bound to stir up lively discussion, which calls us to listen well, extend hospitality, and practice love of neighbor and enemy.
12:00-1:00 Lunch: Sandwiches, cookies, and drinks provided
1:00 – 2:30 Afternoon session (45min lecture 45min Q&A)
Session 2 – Blessing All of Abraham’s Children God’s word to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 (I will bless those who bless you. . .) is often read today as a call for Christians to extend uncritical, “ironclad” support for the modern nation-state of Israel, commonly conflated with the Jewish people, at the expense of other peoples in the Holy Land. Better ways to “bless” Abraham’s children include celebrating the ancient heritage and profound connections of both Jews and Palestinian Arabs to the land, and treating all inhabitants of the land as dignified subjects, not as objects.
Bruce will be preaching on Sunday December 15, at All Saints by the Sea.
Event is free, reservations are appreciated. Click here to reserve your spot for the Saturday event.
