Mellan mission och sionism

This article discusses the establishment of Swedish Theological Institute in Jerusalem 1951. My claim is that missionary plan Mission to Jews was mitigated towards a programme biblical studies. Several factors contributed this transformation. The change facilitated relations with Israeli authorities. Another challenge overcome common Christian negative comprehension Zionism as mere materialistic, political enterprise. Such attitudes complicated connection Zionism, however related rather cultural Zionist agenda promoting Jewish culture and Bible could later connect topic land. experiences Vienna during Second World War their anti-Nazi stance also en­abled founding institute. Two former missionaries, Greta Andrén Hans Kosmala, were appointed heads had previously experienced work considered utterly suspicious. Thereto both Anglican missionaries under ambivalent presuppositions supported an evacuation baptized Jews, so-called "Hebrew Christians", from Palestine England April May 1948. enterprise, named "Operation Mercy", proved be primarily excuse for these Hebrew Christians leave country. links any overt mission­ary thus disengaged when negotiating permits Institute. Instead, qualified study Bible, land, Judaism initiated; concepts reflected esteemed values new state.