In our second colloquium for our course Palestinian Liberation Theology with Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab, we welcomed Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, a prolific voice in contemporary Palestinian Christian thought and a key architect of the Kairos Palestine document. This session delves into the "Pedagogy of Hope" within a context of prolonged occupation and systemic injustice.
Drawing from this book, The Cross in Contexts: Suffering and Redemption in Palestine, Dr. Raheb discusses how the Bible is read through the lens of the Palestinian struggle. We examine the role of the Church not merely as a site of worship, but as a site of resistance and creative "sumud" (steadfastness).
This conversation challenges us to reflect on the ethical demands of Christian witness in the Holy Land and the urgent call for a theology that liberates both the oppressed and the oppressor.
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Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
Rev. Mitri Raheb is a Palestinian Lutheran pastor, theologian, author, and internationally recognized public intellectual. He is the founder and president of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem, an institution dedicated to arts, culture, and education as tools for resilience and social change. He previously served for nearly three decades as pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, where he developed numerous community-based initiatives, including educational, cultural, and health programs that empower Palestinian youth and families. A leading voice in Palestinian liberation and contextual theology, Raheb has written extensively on faith, justice, and the role of Palestinian Christians in the struggle for dignity and peace.
Rev. Raheb is the author of many books translated into multiple languages and is a frequent speaker at universities, churches, and international forums worldwide. He holds a PhD in theology and remains active in interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and global advocacy for Palestinian rights.
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The Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab
The Rev. Dr. Fadi Diab is a Palestinian priest, theologian, writer, and advocate for justice and peace. He serves as the rector of St. Andrew’s Church in Ramallah and St. Peter’s Church in Birzeit and provides pastoral leadership across multiple institutions in the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, including the Episcopal School, Medical Centre, and Evangelical Home for Children.
A key figure in interfaith and justice movements, he co-authored the Kairos Palestine Document and serves on the board of Kairos Palestine, the Palestine-Israeli Theologians Forum, and the Al Ahli Arab Hospital (Gaza) board. Fr. Diab holds degrees from the Near East School of Theology, Chicago Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Virginia Theological Seminary.
About the artwork
The artwork used to promote this course and it's associated EDS colloquia was adapted from Palestinian artist, Malak Mattar’s Shelter. It is used with permission and compensation. You can explore more of Malak’s work on her website: malak-mattar.com and Instagram: @malakmattarart.