Why We Must Add Israel to Evangelical Theological Education

By ICEJ USA President Dr. Susan Michael

Last month ICEJ USA President Dr. Susan Michael wrote about the profound dangers of widespread biblical illiteracy and its impact on the next generation of Christian leaders and, ultimately, the Jewish people. This month she outlines the solution as presented at the Jerusalem Summit. 

The decline of biblical literacy in American society and churches is now greatly impacting theological institutions forming the next generation of Christian pastors and leaders. Curricula change needs to address this because biblical illiteracy affects far more than devotional life; it fundamentally alters how Christians understand the character of God, the nature of divine covenants, the identity of Jesus, and the continuity of God’s redemptive purposes throughout history. 

Christian higher education also faces a growing culture of biblical skepticism. Western societies have become increasingly secular, and skepticism toward biblical authority now extends into many educational institutions traditionally identified as evangelical. This theological creep threatens one of the core pillars of evangelicalism: belief in the authority of the Scriptures.  

Implications for Theological Education

Educational institutions can no longer assume incoming students possess either biblical literacy or confidence in Scripture’s authority. Both must now be intentionally cultivated and require significant curricular reform.  

Comprehensive Bible survey courses should become foundational requirements, enabling students to understand Scripture as a unified narrative rather than a collection of isolated texts. Tracing the progressive unfolding of God’s covenantal purposes from Genesis through Revelation will naturally illuminate the central place occupied by Israel, the covenants, and the Messiah within the biblical story. Required apologetics courses are needed to address contemporary challenges to biblical authority while introducing students to historical evidence supporting Scripture’s reliability. Tomorrow’s pastors need to be equipped with a strong faith in the reliability of Scripture and the ability to defend it against common accusations. 

Integrating Israel Studies into Christian Higher Education

The present educational moment also provides a unique opportunity to integrate serious academic study of Israel and the Jewish people into seminary curricula. Many graduates complete their theological education possessing a limited understanding of Jewish history after the New Testament period, the emergence of modern Zionism, or the establishment of the modern State of Israel. Yet, these historical realities are central to the fulfillment of biblical covenants and prophecies. The development of Christian antisemitism is also frequently missing from classes on church history. Yet scholars agree that Christian antisemitism paved the way for the Holocaust. This historical reality has profoundly shaped Christian-Jewish relations and deserves careful academic attention. 

If Christian higher education is to form pastors and scholars who can think theologically about the modern State of Israel and engage the Jewish people respectfully, then it must provide historical and theological frameworks that connect biblical Israel with modern Jewry. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem – USA Branch (ICEJ USA) has added Dr. Jeff Baxter as Director of Education to assist schools to utilize the following programs and resources. 

Introduction to Israel course Curriculum

The ICEJ USA has developed a college-level course entitled “Introduction to Israel” that surveys the history of the Jewish people from Abraham through the modern State of Israel, highlighting the biblical calling of the Jewish people and how it has played out in history. This course is valuable not only for biblical studies students but also for those studying international affairs, political science, history, and government, because the modern Middle East conflict cannot be understood without attention to the biblical and historical dimensions of Israel’s significance.  

History of Christian Antisemitism

The course includes a module on the history of antisemitism as well as one on Christian-Jewish relations. It is imperative that we teach this in our Christian colleges and seminaries to enable future Christian leaders to distinguish biblical teaching from theological distortions that contributed to centuries of hostility toward the Jewish people.  

Summer Study Programs in Israel

Walking the land where the events of the Bible took place and seeing the sites mentioned in Scripture frequently deepens students’ understanding in ways classroom instruction alone cannot. Along the way, they will also encounter modern Israel and enjoy the freedom of access to Christian holy sites it allows while also visiting Yad Vashem and being exposed to the dangers of antisemitism. The ICEJ USA has partnered with the American Christian Trust, Regent University, and the Jerusalem Seminary to run an 18-day summer study tour on the “Chronology of the Land and People of the Bible” enabling students to earn six credits through Hebrew University.  

Speakers, Seminars, and Conferences

In addition to course curricula, the ICEJ USA offers a qualified team of speakers for campus events, including seminars and conferences to include biblical, historical, and practical sessions to better understand the biblical significance of Israel and how to combat the new antisemitism—anti-Zionism. Small group study guides and leadership training programs for students are also available. 

Establishment of Israel Centers on Campus

Finally, institutions should consider developing Israel centers through which they can host programs and conferences that provide ongoing educational opportunities for students and faculty on their campuses. The ICEJ USA has had the pleasure of partnering with Regent University in establishing its Israel Institute under the Robertson School of Government and has assisted in the launch of Liberty University’s Center for Israel under the Rawlings School of Theology. The ICEJ USA has also partnered with Wheaton College’s new Jewish-Christian Relations Initiative and with Colorado Christian University’s annual Israel Week. These unique programs serve as an example for other schools to learn from.  

Conclusion 

The modern biblical literacy crisis is indeed a defining challenge for evangelical higher education today. At the same time, it presents a great opportunity to fight back by recovering comprehensive biblical theology, restoring confidence in Scripture, and making the study of Israel and the Jewish people central to students’ theological training. This educational reform will equip graduates to navigate a complex world and form Christian leaders who engage Israel and the Jewish people with theological clarity and moral integrity.  

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