America, Israel, and the Ordeals of Divine Election

Divine election has long been a topic of intrigue, with numerous religious and cultural narratives exploring the concept. Among these narratives, the confluence of America and Israel reveals a fascinating parallel in the context of divine election.

The Historical Bonds

America and Israel share profound historical bonds shaped by their respective religious foundations. Understanding this shared heritage is crucial to comprehending the relationship between the two nations.

The United States, founded on principles rooted in liberty, owes much to the Judeo-Christian traditions that influenced its founding fathers. Concepts such as self-governance, human rights, and the pursuit of happiness find their roots in the Bible, which is shared by both Judaism and Christianity.

The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel, and the Ordeals of Divine Election

by Todd Gitlin(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3215 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	276 pages

FREE

Similarly, Israel, as the "promised land" for the Jewish people, holds immense spiritual significance. Its historical and religious ties to Judaism have fueled a collective identity steeped in a divine plan and election.

The Chosen People

The idea of divine election is central to the histories of both America and Israel. The people of Israel are often referred to as the "Chosen People," believed to have been selected by God for a unique purpose. This idea pervades American society as well, with the concept of a "promised land" and the divine origins of their nation.

For Israel, the ordeals of divine election have been marked by both triumph and suffering. The biblical narratives depict a chosen people grappling with persecution, exile, and redemption. The history of America has also been marked by its share of triumphs and hardships, reinforcing the parallel between the two nations.

A Shared Destiny

Both America and Israel bear an inescapable sense of destiny, intricately woven into the fabric of their histories. The hardships faced by each nation can be perceived as part of a greater plan, outlining a shared destiny that has shaped their development.

The struggles for independence, the conflicts endured, and the challenges overcome have contributed to the shared narrative of divine election. The belief in a higher purpose has served as a unifying force for both nations, providing solace in times of adversity and hope for a prosperous future.

The Role of Faith

Faith plays an integral role in understanding the ordeals of divine election for both America and Israel. The conviction in a higher power, guided by divine intervention, has given strength and purpose to the citizens of these nations.

America's diverse religious landscape, encompassing various faith traditions, has fostered a sense of unity and resilience. The ability to freely practice one's religion has been a cornerstone of American society, reinforcing the notion of divine election and its enduring impact.

Israel, as the birthplace of Judaism, possesses a deep-rooted spiritual connection to its land and heritage. The faith of its people has been both a source of perseverance and a catalyst for the fulfillment of divine promises.

The Continuous Journey

The ordeals of divine election testify to the continuous journey both America and Israel find themselves on. They are nations striving to uphold their ideals while grappling with the complexities of their historical destinies.

America and Israel offer fascinating case studies of divine election, reflecting the complexities and challenges inherent in embracing a chosen status. They exemplify the resilience of faith and the human spirit, continuously navigating through the ordeals imposed by divine election.

America and Israel, two nations separated by geography but united through the ordeals of divine election, serve as compelling reminders of the transformative power of faith, history, and destiny. The intricate tapestry of their shared narratives illuminates the nature of their divine callings and provides insights into the timeless conversations surrounding divine election.

The Chosen Peoples: America, Israel, and the Ordeals of Divine Election

by Todd Gitlin(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3215 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	276 pages

FREE

Americans and Israelis have often thought that their nations were chosen, in perpetuity, to do God’s work. This belief in divine election is a potent, living force, one that has guided and shaped both peoples and nations throughout their history and continues to do so to this day. Through great adversity and despite serious challenges, Americans and Jews, leaders and followers, have repeatedly faced the world fortified by a sense that their nation has a providential destiny.

As Todd Gitlin and Liel Leibovitz argue in this original and provocative book, what unites the two allies in a “special friendship” is less common strategic interests than this deep-seated and lasting theological belief that they were chosen by God.

The United States and Israel each has understood itself as a nation placed on earth to deliver a singular message of enlightenment to a benighted world. Each has stumbled through history wrestling with this strange concept of chosenness, trying both to grasp the meaning of divine election and to bear the burden it placed them under. It was this idea that provided an indispensable justification when the Americans made a revolution against Britain, went to war with and expelled the Indians, expanded westward, built an overseas empire, and most recently waged war in Iraq. The equivalent idea gave rise to the Jewish people in the first place, sustained them in exodus and exile, and later animated the Zionist movement, inspiring the Israelis to vanquish their enemies and conquer the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Everywhere you look in American and Israeli history, the idea of chosenness is there.

The Chosen Peoples delivers a bold new take on both nations’ histories. It shows how deeply the idea of chosenness has affected not only their enthusiasts but also their antagonists. It digs deeply beneath the superficialities of headlines, the details of negotiations, the excuses and justifications that keep cropping up for both nations’ successes and failures. It shows how deeply ingrained is the idea of a chosen people in both nations’ histories—and yet how complicated that idea really is. And it offers interpretations of chosenness that both nations dearly need in confronting their present-day quandaries.

 Weaving together history, theology, and politics, The Chosen Peoples vividly retells the dramatic story of two nations bound together by a wild and sacred idea, takes unorthodox perspectives on some of our time’s most searing conflicts, and offers an unexpected : only by taking the idea of chosenness seriously, wrestling with its meaning, and assuming its responsibilities can both nations thrive.