Augustine on Israel and Jerusalem

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Authors

Van Oort, Johannes (Hans)

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Journal ISSN

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Publisher

Routledge

Abstract

This essay is written in view of the heartbreaking crisis in the Middle East, especially the terrible Gaza war. What did the influential (and for many still authoritative) church father Augustine think about Israel and Jerusalem? From his entire oeuvre, the texts in which he discusses Israel and Jerusalem have been examined. The conclusion is that he considers their material significance to be of only temporary value: he emphasises their “spiritual” and “eternal” significance. In close connection with his view of salvation history, Augustine never speaks of a lasting land promise for Israel in Palestine: the true Israel is a spiritual entity, as is the true spiritual Jerusalem. Based on his Christian views, Augustine would reject any Zionist zeal for present-day Israel and Jerusalem; and, a fortiori, any current war practice.

Description

Keywords

Augustine, Gaza war, Israel, Jerusalem, Spiritual interpretation, Zionism, SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-16:Peace,justice and strong institutions

Citation

Johannes van Oort (2023) Augustine on Israel and Jerusalem, Journal of Early Christian History, 13:3, 115-129, DOI: 10.1080/2222582X.2024.2311924.