With the Israel conflict dominating world headlines, it’s important to maintain a Biblical perspective on the events unfolding. These were our Upper School Bible Teachers responses to the following questions regarding the Israel Conflict:

What is your understanding of the Israel conflict?
Mr. Travis Quinn, Upper school Christianity 101 said, “I would say my understanding is you essentially have a terrorist group governing the Gaza Strip who is ideologically opposed to the existence of Israel and committed a series of heinous barbaric attacks on innocent Israelites on October 7th. Now Israel is in the very difficult situation of trying to figure out how to deal with the present and future threat of Hamas, while minimizing civilian casualties on the other side. I don’t know how well they are doing that; I think they are in a very difficult place because Hamas uses their civilians as a human shield. I would encourage students to seek the truth about what is actually happening over there and don’t believe everything you hear; Don’t blindly take the side of one or the other. We should be on the side of justice and truth, and don’t draw a moral equivalence between what Israel and Hamas are doing. Hamas went intentionally after innocent civilians. And the IDF is doing everything they can to help the innocent civilians.”

Dr. Donovan Kelly, Upper School Theology said, “As I understand, Hamas terrorized Israel in an unprovoked attack.”

Mr. Mark Rose, Upper School Logic and Worldviews said, “That Israel is trying to remove the government of the Gaza Strip and Hamas, in response to a massive attack into Israeli land on October 7th.”

Mr. Xavier Bannis, Upper School Philosophy and Ethics said, “This is another chapter in an ongoing conflict that’s been going on for decades now, beginning with the brutal killing of Jewish civilians on October 7th.”

How do you advise your students when they have questions?

Travis Quinn, Upper School Christianity 101 said, “In general, be diligent on the sources you are looking at and don’t believe everything that you hear immediately when you hear it. I would just say be careful to not too quickly say that Hamas and Israel are morally equivalent. We should be on the side of truth; We can recognize the tragedy of innocent people dying always and we should lament the loss of life whenever it happens. These are complex situations. There is not a good option here because of what Hamas has done; there’s going to be bad consequences.”

Dr. Donovan Kelly, Upper School Theology said, “Understand that not all Palestinians are affiliated with Hamas and are not terrorists. In other words, there are innocent Palestinian lives that are affected along with innocent Israeli lives.”

Mr. Mark Rose, Upper School Logic and Worldviews said, “I try to help them learn information to develop their understanding of the situation.”

Mr. Xavier Bannis, Upper School Philosophy and Ethics. said, “First is always praying. Number two becomes acquainted with some of the historical realities especially beginning with post WWII Israel. Those two things are a must to get started. And then, concern for innocence, especially Palestinian and Jewish christians.”