Religion: Coming To Terms with Judaism

Does the modern state of Israel fulfill God's biblical promise, which bestowed the Holy Land upon the Chosen People? That question has been the source of considerable spiritual and political debate among Christians ever since Israel was founded in 1948. The problem came to the fore again last week in Biloxi, Miss., for 665 delegates to the national assembly of the 3 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Israel issue led to a dispute that stirred passions over six days before the assembly finally approved an eight-page statement. The document is probably the most amicable declaration any U.S. denomination has yet issued...