What others say about us ...
Joods-Christelijke Dialoog
Some time ago, we received a message from the Biblical Nations. The Foundation Joods-Christelijke Dialoog has taken note of the objectives of this foundation. It believes that the goals pursued by the Biblical Nations are an important complement to what is already being offered, especially with regard to the use of modern media and digital technologies.
In the times in which we live, when frequent reference is made to the Judeo-Christian roots of our culture, it is all the more important to continue to give substance to their meaning. To that end, it is essential that we study and continue to interpret Jewish and Christian sources. This is particularly necessary at a time when confusion surrounds the term “Israel”—and not only to combat growing anti-Semitism.
Bas Gijsbertsen, one of the founders of the Foundation Biblical Nations, is known as a theologian with extensive expertise on this topic. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of both the tradition and important new theological insights regarding the relationship between the Church and Israel, Jewish studies, Christianity, and Joods-Christelijke Dialoog. Furthermore, he is able to convey these ideas to younger generations. Our Foundation wholeheartedly welcomes this initiative and is pleased to recommend it to you.
Derk Blom
Chairman of the Foundation Joods-Christelijke Dialoog
Jules Isaac Stichting
I have come to know Bart Gijsbertsen as a theologian who has thoroughly studied the Jewish character of both the Old and New Testaments. He considers listening to Jewish voices to be essential for a proper understanding of Scripture. The Jules Isaac Stichting shares this view with him.
Since the indescribable horrors of the Holocaust, a new way of thinking about Israel has taken root in an increasing number of churches following World War II. Instead of the old idea that the Church had taken Israel’s place, it is now acknowledged that the Church is inextricably linked to the people of Israel. Bart Gijsbertsen has been a pastor his entire working life. For more than half of that time, he has been deeply engaged with questions concerning the Church and Israel. This has certainly not been without fruit. This is also evidenced by the books he has published since 2015, particularly the highly acclaimed trilogy: *A Pagan Challenge*, *Listening by Moonlight*, and *Of Silver Traces*. Over the past eighteen years, I have read a substantial number of enlightening theological books in my search for a biblically sound method of biblical interpretation that is truly free from replacement theology. I was always looking for a new way to interpret Scripture in which Israel, the Jewish people, is given the central place that befits them as the covenant people. I have benefited greatly from many of those books. But unfortunately, they all had one thing in common: they were almost always too difficult for readers without theological training. And thus inaccessible to many. Bart Gijsbertsen’s great merit is that he consistently succeeds in articulating important new theological insights regarding the relationship between the Church and Israel, Judaism and Christianity, in understandable language. And he also knows how to put those insights on paper in a captivating way. In this regard, I dare to call him unique. He is a communicator par excellence. Bart Gijsbertsen paints a picture for us of what Christian exegesis might look like—one that is not Israel-less, but rather rooted in Israel. With this new “Biblical Nations” project, Bart Gijsbertsen’s ideas will be made accessible to a much wider audience in a way that appeals to young people—and in multiple languages, no less. That is worth its weight in gold. It is of great importance that this new way of thinking about the Jewish Jesus—and the unique, God-
, bond between Israel and the Church—gains wider acceptance, especially among young people in the Netherlands and beyond. I understand that this is the mission and vision of Biblical Nations. This remarkable initiative deserves the support of every Christian who loves Israel and the Church. We therefore wholeheartedly recommend it to you.
Alphen aan den Rijn, October 6, 2025
Jeroen Bol, chairman of the Jules Isaac Stichting
Platform Appèl Kerk en Israël
It is no longer a secret that Christianity has Jewish roots. For centuries, this was viewed as a threat within the church. Through theological constructs and numerous anti-Jewish measures, the biblical message was cleansed of all Jewish elements. But in doing so, it became far removed from its source. After all, Jesus was a Jew. He lived, believed, and celebrated as a Jew, based on his Jewish Bible.
After World War II, the church came to realize that a reorientation was urgently needed, and that we can only understand the stories—and thus Jesus’ message—if we read them within their Jewish context. This requires knowledge of the Jewish/rabbinic tradition and, above all, of the Jewish way of thinking and interpreting texts. It is of the utmost importance—especially in an aging church and a secularized society—that this inspiring way of reading and believing be passed on to future generations. And, of course, this must happen where young people are: through social media. As the Platform Appèl Kerk en Israël—composed of theologians who have been leading Study Houses and organizing seminars in this way for years—we know that reading through a “Jewish lens” provides an incredible number of eye-opening insights. Through the experiences of Israel, people recognize the dilemmas in their own lives and the big questions facing society. They realize just how relevant the Bible still is today and where the choices lie. This method stands or falls on a solid, substantive interpretation by someone familiar with Jewish tradition. We know Bart Gijsbertsen as a former member of our platform and an inspiring speaker and writer. But just as important is the engaging format that sparks young people’s enthusiasm for this content and motivates them to explore it further on their own. This project deserves all the support necessary to make it a success
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St. Platform Appèl Kerk en Israël