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How Should Christians Think About Israel?: A Quick Guide to God's Covenants, Biblical Prophecy, and the Jewish People
Should Christians support the modern state of Israel?
How should we view Israel, the Jewish people, and the church?
What makes Israel so special?Israel and the Jewish people always seem to be in the headlines. Terrorism. War. Antisemitism on university campuses and around the globe. Jews are the topics of conversation in podcasts, on school campuses, and in our homes. Yet Christians are wondering about the modern State of Israel and contemporary Jewish people. Are they related to the biblical kingdom of Israel and the ancient Jewish people of the Scriptures? Others question whether Jewish people are only God’s people of yesterday, or do they have an ongoing place in God’s plan? How does the Church relate to the Jewish people and why should Christians care about the Jewish people and their homeland? A biblical worldview ought to clarify our confusion and guide our viewpoints. How Should Christians Think about Israel? seeks to answer our questions, using a scriptural outlook rather than a political perspective. With the Bible as his guide, Dr. Michael Rydelnik takes readers to ancient prophecies and their fulfillment in modern times, exploring Israel’s unique identity and the special role Israel will play in God’s plan.This essential resource provides clear and sensible answers to your questions about Israel and the Jewish people. Having served as Professor of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute for more than 30 years, Dr. Rydelnik is uniquely able to bring scriptural insight and practical positions to the controversial and confusing subject of Israel and the Jewish people.
How should we view Israel, the Jewish people, and the church?
What makes Israel so special?Israel and the Jewish people always seem to be in the headlines. Terrorism. War. Antisemitism on university campuses and around the globe. Jews are the topics of conversation in podcasts, on school campuses, and in our homes. Yet Christians are wondering about the modern State of Israel and contemporary Jewish people. Are they related to the biblical kingdom of Israel and the ancient Jewish people of the Scriptures? Others question whether Jewish people are only God’s people of yesterday, or do they have an ongoing place in God’s plan? How does the Church relate to the Jewish people and why should Christians care about the Jewish people and their homeland? A biblical worldview ought to clarify our confusion and guide our viewpoints. How Should Christians Think about Israel? seeks to answer our questions, using a scriptural outlook rather than a political perspective. With the Bible as his guide, Dr. Michael Rydelnik takes readers to ancient prophecies and their fulfillment in modern times, exploring Israel’s unique identity and the special role Israel will play in God’s plan.This essential resource provides clear and sensible answers to your questions about Israel and the Jewish people. Having served as Professor of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute for more than 30 years, Dr. Rydelnik is uniquely able to bring scriptural insight and practical positions to the controversial and confusing subject of Israel and the Jewish people.
- GenresTheology
128 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2025
11 people are currently reading
20 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 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 3, 2026
Thorough, smart, and encouraging
It can be confusing for Christians to know how to think properly about Israel. Should we see today’s nation of Israel as the same Israelites in the Bible? Also, what does it matter to us?
This short book lays out a convincing point of view based on Scripture. I gained new insights into familiar passages that helped me see how to pray and why this is important.
Some of the middle content leans scholarly as he lays out biblical explanations. However, I appreciated this deep look into why Israel is still important to God, and therefore needs to be important for all Jesus-followers today.
What I most appreciated about this book was the insights into how Israel relates to the end times as described in Revelation. I also appreciated the last chapter, which exhorts us to pray faithfully for Israel to experience unique blessings now.
This is a much-needed read to help understand current issues. I am grateful I am more equipped and educated, thanks to this book.
It can be confusing for Christians to know how to think properly about Israel. Should we see today’s nation of Israel as the same Israelites in the Bible? Also, what does it matter to us?
This short book lays out a convincing point of view based on Scripture. I gained new insights into familiar passages that helped me see how to pray and why this is important.
Some of the middle content leans scholarly as he lays out biblical explanations. However, I appreciated this deep look into why Israel is still important to God, and therefore needs to be important for all Jesus-followers today.
What I most appreciated about this book was the insights into how Israel relates to the end times as described in Revelation. I also appreciated the last chapter, which exhorts us to pray faithfully for Israel to experience unique blessings now.
This is a much-needed read to help understand current issues. I am grateful I am more equipped and educated, thanks to this book.
January 26, 2026
Important book for all to read.
January 25, 2026
How Should Christians Think About Israel? by Dr. Michael Rydelnik offers a thoughtful and biblically grounded exploration of one of today’s most complex topics. For readers who wrestle with understanding the Israel of the Bible in contrast with the modern government of Israel, this book brings much-needed clarity and balance. Dr. Rydelnik carefully walks through Scripture, history, and theology to help believers think faithfully, avoid common misunderstandings, and approach the subject with both conviction and humility. Insightful and accessible, this is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a deeper, more informed Christian perspective on Israel.
November 23, 2025
Incredibly helpful little book, especially in light of modern events and commentary.
December 10, 2025
Excellent resource!
January 2, 2026
Wonderful Book. The author doesn't spare any words, getting straight to the point. Without being rude or obnoxious. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews