The cluttered desk of Telford Work yields one of the most lucid and concise Christian positions on the Middle East that I’ve read thus far:

Being faithful to our Lord and King is more than picking the right side in this contest. Prophecy is not punditry. Israelis and Palestinians alike will — should — find faithful Christian ministry unsatisfying, inasmuch as it refuses to accept the finality of either side’s narrative.

I believe that no dubious theological stand that favors a political side in this conflict, is tenable in the light of a Kingdom which transcends worldly borders and wars. We speak not of a kingdom which finds its home within any nation on this earth, but rather a Kingdom within our hearts, the overflow of which should be the spiritual fruit of our Savior’s Spirit, and not the support of bloody conquerors — on either side. And so our preaching should not focus on Israel as a sign of the Endtimes, nor should it be one of feel-good diplomatic syrup; but rather, as it always should be, the salvation of Christ to Jews and Gentiles, Arab, Israeli, whatever; open to all people by grace through faith.