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Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven't Told You
All attempts at mediation between Israel and the Arab world die an early death. Depending on the news agency reporting, one alternately gets the impression that Israel is in the right... or maybe the Palestinians have legitimate concerns. What you don't hear is what the real story is, and how the news is 'spun.'Places the 'crisis that never ends' in its biblical, historical, and prophetic contexts.
240 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2004
35 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Michael Rydelnik
17 books19 followersDr. Michael Rydelnik is Professor of Jewish Studies at Moody Bible Institute where he has taught Jewish Studies and Bible since 1994. The son of Holocaust survivors, he was raised in an observant Jewish home in Brooklyn, New York. Michael trusted in Jesus the Messiah as a high school student and has been teaching the Bible ever since. A sought after speaker and teacher, Michael is a biblical scholar specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and biblical prophecy.
Michael can be heard answering listener Bible questions every Saturday morning from 9-11 AM (Central Time), on Moody Radio's Open Line with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. He is a Resource Scholar for RBC Ministries and appears frequently on the Day of Discovery TV programs. He recently appeared in the Lee Strobel film The Case for Christ. Michael also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot School of Theology and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Dr. Rydelnik is the co-editor and contributor, with fellow faculty member Michael Vanlaningham, of The Moody Bible Commentary, a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible written by the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. He is the author of Understanding the Arab Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven‘t Told You (Moody Publishers, 2007) and The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic? (B&H Publishers, 2010). He has contributed to numerous books, scholarly journals and magazines. He served on the translation team of the new Holman CSB version of the Bible and has contributed to both the Apologetics Study Bible (B&H Publishers) and the Holman Study Bible.
Michael graduated in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute, earned his B.A. degree from Azusa Pacific University, his Th.M. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, focusing his studies on the Messiah of the Hebrew Bible.
Michael and his wife, Eva (an adjunct faculty member at Moody, teaching literature, education and Jewish studies) live in a historic Jewish Chicago neighborhood. Israel is their favorite place in the world and they enjoy showing people the Land as often as possible. Michael and Eva enjoy black and white movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood, classic literature and hiking with their two collies, Feivel and Darby (especially in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate NY). The Rydelniks have two wonderful adult sons--who always call and write.
- http://www.michaelrydelnik.org/about
Michael can be heard answering listener Bible questions every Saturday morning from 9-11 AM (Central Time), on Moody Radio's Open Line with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. He is a Resource Scholar for RBC Ministries and appears frequently on the Day of Discovery TV programs. He recently appeared in the Lee Strobel film The Case for Christ. Michael also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Dallas Theological Seminary, Talbot School of Theology and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Dr. Rydelnik is the co-editor and contributor, with fellow faculty member Michael Vanlaningham, of The Moody Bible Commentary, a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible written by the faculty of Moody Bible Institute. He is the author of Understanding the Arab Israeli Conflict: What the Headlines Haven‘t Told You (Moody Publishers, 2007) and The Messianic Hope: Is the Hebrew Bible Really Messianic? (B&H Publishers, 2010). He has contributed to numerous books, scholarly journals and magazines. He served on the translation team of the new Holman CSB version of the Bible and has contributed to both the Apologetics Study Bible (B&H Publishers) and the Holman Study Bible.
Michael graduated in Jewish Studies from Moody Bible Institute, earned his B.A. degree from Azusa Pacific University, his Th.M. degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, and his doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, focusing his studies on the Messiah of the Hebrew Bible.
Michael and his wife, Eva (an adjunct faculty member at Moody, teaching literature, education and Jewish studies) live in a historic Jewish Chicago neighborhood. Israel is their favorite place in the world and they enjoy showing people the Land as often as possible. Michael and Eva enjoy black and white movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood, classic literature and hiking with their two collies, Feivel and Darby (especially in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate NY). The Rydelniks have two wonderful adult sons--who always call and write.
- http://www.michaelrydelnik.org/about
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 14, 2013
Rydelnik's historical, political, and religious overview of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is a great introduction for those interested. I had been searching for a book that can present perspectives from both sides and I believe he did a good job of doing so. I would have given his book 4 stars, however, if he was able to offer more on the Arab --Islamic--perspective.
One may become somewhat weighed down by the complex series of events, especially when Rydelnik backtracks to further expound on historical events he covered, but that only goes to show the sensitive nature of this long, unending conflict. It frustrates me to realize there are people out there who tend to minimize or completely disregard the religious foundations of this conflict.
For someone who wanted a thorough introduction rooted in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic viewpoints of the situation, I was well pleased with Rydelnik's work. Although at times "dry" and seemingly less thought out in his account of the Palestinians' side, I definitely learned a lot and will look up his sources for more insight. The Biblical vs. Quranic prophecies he details toward the end really opened my eyes up and further committed me to my studies in the Scriptures and the Quran.
One may become somewhat weighed down by the complex series of events, especially when Rydelnik backtracks to further expound on historical events he covered, but that only goes to show the sensitive nature of this long, unending conflict. It frustrates me to realize there are people out there who tend to minimize or completely disregard the religious foundations of this conflict.
For someone who wanted a thorough introduction rooted in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic viewpoints of the situation, I was well pleased with Rydelnik's work. Although at times "dry" and seemingly less thought out in his account of the Palestinians' side, I definitely learned a lot and will look up his sources for more insight. The Biblical vs. Quranic prophecies he details toward the end really opened my eyes up and further committed me to my studies in the Scriptures and the Quran.
May 14, 2018
Fairly Balanced
Good perspective of conflict. Takes into account historical, political and religious factors, personally those to me are irrelevant. Whenever you read something about this conflict, you hope that it is not biased
Good perspective of conflict. Takes into account historical, political and religious factors, personally those to me are irrelevant. Whenever you read something about this conflict, you hope that it is not biased
July 22, 2025
Excellent explanation of Middle Eastern tensions and recent history. Thorough, but not overwhelming in its scope.
Wish there was an updated version for the last two decades.
Wish there was an updated version for the last two decades.
September 24, 2016
With a book like this, people will often ask, "Does it offer a balanced or unbiased perspective on the conflict?"
No. Such books are impossible and do not exist. A more helpful question would ask, "Is this book fair, truthful, accurately represent history, and make moral judgments?" Very much so!
Zionist. Jewish. Christian. Biblical.
I thought Rydelnik did well not trivializing the frustrations of each side, noting that both sides have unfortunately suffered in this conflict. While this is indeed tragic, it cannot erase historical and moral clarity in the conflict.
There's a lot of information in this book; something I'll need to read again carefully to really absorb everything.
No. Such books are impossible and do not exist. A more helpful question would ask, "Is this book fair, truthful, accurately represent history, and make moral judgments?" Very much so!
Zionist. Jewish. Christian. Biblical.
I thought Rydelnik did well not trivializing the frustrations of each side, noting that both sides have unfortunately suffered in this conflict. While this is indeed tragic, it cannot erase historical and moral clarity in the conflict.
There's a lot of information in this book; something I'll need to read again carefully to really absorb everything.
January 10, 2024
Very fair writing of what’s happening btwn Arabs and the Jewish people. The book was written in 2007 so not completely up to date but there is a lot of history and this book helps you understand it better. Is there hope for peace in the future. Yes! But only through Messiah Jesus. He will come again as promised.
January 4, 2022
Great book. I'd say 4.5 stars if I could.. I found the adherence to objectivity to be quite surprising and helpful. I was surprised over and over again to learn of the state that the Middle East is, has been, and will be in. I never learned any of this in school!
August 14, 2022
Although this book presents itself as balanced and objective, it repeats anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslam canards and presentation of historical events that have been disproven by reputable Israeli scholars and others.
August 8, 2024
Thoroughly researched. Includes terms, timelines, maps, and sources. It covers the history since the Abrahamic Covenant, foreign control, negotiations, peace talks, terrorism, foreign involvement, and much more. Excellent resource and easy to follow. Get out a highlighter- you'll need it.
July 4, 2023
This is the most biased book ever written. Zero partiality. I couldn’t finish it
October 13, 2010
Technically, I think this book is about a 3.5 stars, but I'm giving it 4 because I think it's contributions are worthy of a larger audience.
The first 8 chapters are a fairly straightforward review of the history of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. While Rydelnik, a Messianic Jew, demonstrates a slight preference for the Jewish perspective, I found his summation to be mostly fair. However, this information is so widely available, it isn't particularly noteworthy; already familiar with the background, I found it a bit boring.
It is the later half of the book, Chapters 9-16 that represent a significant contribution to analysis of the quandary. It is here that Rydelnik examines the situation from a religious perspective lacking in the public discourse. Secularists promote the idea that religion doesn't really matter, that it is only one of many factors that motivate people in life and conflict, an anthropological aspect to be examined in sterile confinement. In contrast, Rydelnik shares with many readers a true commitment to his beliefs (both the Jewish and Christian faith), and his analysis of the religious aspects of the conflict, including discussion of Islam and Islamic prophecy, is informative. Rydelnik agrees that religion isn't the only thing driving the conflict, but it certainly is of high priority to the people involved in the conflict, and it's influence should be taken seriously.
His writing about Islam is a bit circumspect, and discussion of the Jewish people elicits a bit of hubris, his Christian grounding rounds things out while illuminating the ideological conflicts among the three major religions of the region. At times, I found myself wishing he didn't take too much for granted and unpacked his assertions about prophecy a bit more fully. Meanwhile, a strength is Rydelnik's discipline in confining his analysis to Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives *on the Israeli conflict,* as opposed to the broader conflict between Islam and western civilization.
This is an excellent introduction. Those at the beginning of their learning will find the early chapters adequate to familiarize them with the history. However, the cessation of the timeline dates the book, as it necessarily ends while time and the conflict marches on. The later chapters on the Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives is a valuable, and unique, analysis for students and book discussion groups.
The first 8 chapters are a fairly straightforward review of the history of the Arab-Israeli Conflict. While Rydelnik, a Messianic Jew, demonstrates a slight preference for the Jewish perspective, I found his summation to be mostly fair. However, this information is so widely available, it isn't particularly noteworthy; already familiar with the background, I found it a bit boring.
It is the later half of the book, Chapters 9-16 that represent a significant contribution to analysis of the quandary. It is here that Rydelnik examines the situation from a religious perspective lacking in the public discourse. Secularists promote the idea that religion doesn't really matter, that it is only one of many factors that motivate people in life and conflict, an anthropological aspect to be examined in sterile confinement. In contrast, Rydelnik shares with many readers a true commitment to his beliefs (both the Jewish and Christian faith), and his analysis of the religious aspects of the conflict, including discussion of Islam and Islamic prophecy, is informative. Rydelnik agrees that religion isn't the only thing driving the conflict, but it certainly is of high priority to the people involved in the conflict, and it's influence should be taken seriously.
His writing about Islam is a bit circumspect, and discussion of the Jewish people elicits a bit of hubris, his Christian grounding rounds things out while illuminating the ideological conflicts among the three major religions of the region. At times, I found myself wishing he didn't take too much for granted and unpacked his assertions about prophecy a bit more fully. Meanwhile, a strength is Rydelnik's discipline in confining his analysis to Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives *on the Israeli conflict,* as opposed to the broader conflict between Islam and western civilization.
This is an excellent introduction. Those at the beginning of their learning will find the early chapters adequate to familiarize them with the history. However, the cessation of the timeline dates the book, as it necessarily ends while time and the conflict marches on. The later chapters on the Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives is a valuable, and unique, analysis for students and book discussion groups.
February 7, 2010
This book lays out the history and motivations of each side in a clear and concise manner. To that it adds the biblical perspective for a complete understanding. I recommend this book to anyone, whether they are motivated by concern over the Palestinian refugees, the welfare of Israel, eschatology, or even a general curiosity to get behind the frequent alluring headlines to a fuller story.
September 5, 2013
It's a really Zionist - to a fault - narrative of the nation of Israel.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews