In all early Jewish and New Testament writings the Old Testament idea of there being a special attachment among God, his people and the land" remains intact. However, a closer look at the texts shows that "land" rarely refers solely to the Land of Israel. Rather, it almost always pertains to something present in the relationship between God and his people, which in turn has a relationship to their God. "Land" is thus a place where they can approach and come near to God. That can be Israel, with its temple as the most revered place of God¿s presence

Dr. J. Cornelis de Vos ist Vertretungsprofessor für Neues Testament an der Universität Münster und Projektleiter im Exzellenzcluster Religion und Politik.