Pastor and theologian Munther Isaac gained international prominence by presenting, during Christmas 2023, a differentiated nativity scene at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Nativity, in Bethlehem, in the West Bank. In the scene, the Baby Jesus appeared wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh amid the ruins of war, an image that attracted worldwide attention and generated debate about the representation of the conflict in Christian tradition.
During the Christmas service, Isaac preached that if Christ were born today, He would be born under the rubble of Gaza, establishing a direct connection between the narrative of Jesus' birth and the humanitarian situation experienced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The message generated international repercussions and highlighted the pastor's position on the conflict in the region.
The religious leader also criticized the movement known as Christian Zionism, stating that it is not justified from a biblical, moral and ethical standpoint. This declaration positions Isaac as a critical voice within Christianity regarding the support that some Protestant groups offer to the State of Israel.
Isaac is also the author of the book "Christ in the Rubble", originally released in English last year, which is now being launched in Brazil by Thomas Nelson publisher. The work expands on the reflections presented by the pastor during Christmas 2023 and reaches the Brazilian public with the proposal of discussing the relationship between the Christian faith and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
