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Who Owns the Land? The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Stanley Ellisen's 1991 best-selling book examines Middle East history from a biblical perspective. In addition to offering perspective on recent events, "Who Owns the Land?" traces the journey of the Jewish people through history and explains the events that have led to their determined stand in Palestine today. The book describes the numerous Jewish migrations and expulsions, the emergence of Zionism, World War II and the Holocaust, and a biblical view of the Jews' promised restoration.
- GenresHistory
248 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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January 30, 2025Excellent historical view of the trials in the Middle East between Palestine and Israel.
February 27, 2017
Stanley Ellisen’s “Who Owns the Land?” is a scholarly work that is very easy to understand for any interested reader. The account from the “call of Abram to events up to 2003 (date of the update and revision by Charles Dyer) is supported by many biblical references and historical documentation. A comprehensive history of three religions in Palestine including detailed biblical and historical claims of Arabs and Jews is considered. The last two chapters give conclusions for the reader to be able to answer the title question.
Chapter 10 presents two overarching principles used to evaluate historical ownership claims. The first is “…that tangled history cannot be undone or untangled. Any agreement must begin with things as they are and make reasonable reparations from that point.” A corollary to the first principle would be: “Personal property justly belongs to those who possess it by rightful purchase or acquisition.” The second principle is “The right of sovereignty,” that is who governs the land is rightful owner? So by the second principle Israel validly holds possession. However, “When the sovereignty principle is accepted and applied to all…it operates for the good of all…democracy…is Israel’s chosen model of government…The goal of democracy is not to satisfy the whims of all its constituents all the time, but to seek the general welfare of all under its sovereignty.”
Chapter 11 deals with the divine assessment and the biblical implications (both OT and NT) of the claims to the land. The Abrahamic and Palestinian covenants, the Muslim expropriation of the covenantal rights, and the scriptural fulfillment of the messianic prophecies in Jesus are all considered in the conclusions made.
Of course, I will not reveal the answer to the cover title, “Who Owns the Land” here, but will tell you after reading the book I have a somewhat different opinion than before reading. I recommend this book not only for a reader to be able to answer the very question presented but to get a good history of the land and its people through the centuries of contention. The book also has a good Appendices reference including a Chronology from 2090 BC, when Abram received the covenant to 2003 the date of the book’s update and revision, and a comprehensive compilation of international documents related to rights in Palestine, including the actual biblical covenants and the Qur’anic reconstruction of the covenants.
Chapter 10 presents two overarching principles used to evaluate historical ownership claims. The first is “…that tangled history cannot be undone or untangled. Any agreement must begin with things as they are and make reasonable reparations from that point.” A corollary to the first principle would be: “Personal property justly belongs to those who possess it by rightful purchase or acquisition.” The second principle is “The right of sovereignty,” that is who governs the land is rightful owner? So by the second principle Israel validly holds possession. However, “When the sovereignty principle is accepted and applied to all…it operates for the good of all…democracy…is Israel’s chosen model of government…The goal of democracy is not to satisfy the whims of all its constituents all the time, but to seek the general welfare of all under its sovereignty.”
Chapter 11 deals with the divine assessment and the biblical implications (both OT and NT) of the claims to the land. The Abrahamic and Palestinian covenants, the Muslim expropriation of the covenantal rights, and the scriptural fulfillment of the messianic prophecies in Jesus are all considered in the conclusions made.
Of course, I will not reveal the answer to the cover title, “Who Owns the Land” here, but will tell you after reading the book I have a somewhat different opinion than before reading. I recommend this book not only for a reader to be able to answer the very question presented but to get a good history of the land and its people through the centuries of contention. The book also has a good Appendices reference including a Chronology from 2090 BC, when Abram received the covenant to 2003 the date of the book’s update and revision, and a comprehensive compilation of international documents related to rights in Palestine, including the actual biblical covenants and the Qur’anic reconstruction of the covenants.
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March 14, 2021In the very beginning of the book, the author admits to writing the book with a very particular point of view and focusing largely on the Israeli side of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He doesn't attempt to disguise his slant..and that's admirable, but I have to disagree with the other part of this book.
Towards the last third of the book, the author's slant becomes a hinderance in what I found to be a mostly even-handed portrayal of the conflict over Israel.
That being said, the later chapters of the book are more of a theological discussion than a historical one - God's intentions for the Jews, that the obvious answer to the age-old question of Who Owns the Land is? ..that the land belongs to God.
I felt as though I'd been watching a documentary on the History Channel only to have someone change the channel while I wasn't looking. I'm not saying there isn't a lot of excellent historical research and analysis in this book, but I just don't see the point of examining a very difficult historical subject with, as narrow a lens as the author's pro-Israel, evangelical point of view. Faith and religion play heavily into the issue of Israel. The only way to make sense of the conflict is a fully objective examination of both sides, which unfortunately this book can't do by its own design.
As a theological work, it deserves five stars for its unfliching historical portrayal of the Jews (persecuted since ancient times, and yet at times brutal and imperialistic in their defense of Israel), but it doesn't succeed as history because of its intertwined theology.
Know what you're picking up if you read this book. It's only half a history.
Towards the last third of the book, the author's slant becomes a hinderance in what I found to be a mostly even-handed portrayal of the conflict over Israel.
That being said, the later chapters of the book are more of a theological discussion than a historical one - God's intentions for the Jews, that the obvious answer to the age-old question of Who Owns the Land is? ..that the land belongs to God.
I felt as though I'd been watching a documentary on the History Channel only to have someone change the channel while I wasn't looking. I'm not saying there isn't a lot of excellent historical research and analysis in this book, but I just don't see the point of examining a very difficult historical subject with, as narrow a lens as the author's pro-Israel, evangelical point of view. Faith and religion play heavily into the issue of Israel. The only way to make sense of the conflict is a fully objective examination of both sides, which unfortunately this book can't do by its own design.
As a theological work, it deserves five stars for its unfliching historical portrayal of the Jews (persecuted since ancient times, and yet at times brutal and imperialistic in their defense of Israel), but it doesn't succeed as history because of its intertwined theology.
Know what you're picking up if you read this book. It's only half a history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2014
I thought this was a good book to read for an overview of Palestine and the countries involved. Maybe when the author's bias came through, I was a bit disillusioned, and then what he stated as fact certain measures the Isrealis tried with the Palestines, I haven't read or heard about. And as I am trying to deal and read justly and fairly, I will have to find other sources that confirm that "fact" - he had no reference with the sentences either. And so my knowledge and thirst of knowledge continues. There is no absolute truth of the whole question, it depends from who wrote the book, I have found. Which I suppose is normal.
January 16, 2011
very insightful book on the history of palestine.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews