A Theology of the Cross: Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac Brings “Christ in the Rubble” to LSTC
On March 26, 2025, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago will host a historic event: a public lecture by Palestinian pastor, theologian, and author Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac. The talk, entitled Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible, and Genocide in Gaza, is part of a growing international conversation on the Christian response to war, displacement, and suffering.
Rev. Dr. Isaac is the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem and Director for the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice. A globally respected voice in theology and activism, he is known for his fierce advocacy for Palestinian dignity and his willingness to confront injustice through faith. His upcoming book, Christ in the Rubble, emerges from the horror of the Gaza war and challenges Christians around the world to reckon with complicity and respond with moral clarity.
“We are honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac to LSTC this Wednesday night,” said Dr. Linda E. Thomas, LSTC’s Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs and Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Professor of Theology and Anthropology. “This is a unique opportunity to hear a message of hope from a region entrenched in struggle. As the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Palestine and author of the insightful Christ in the Rubble, Dr. Isaac embodies courage and resilience. I had the privilege of meeting him in Palestine during my November 2024 visit, where his moving sermon sparked renewed faith amidst the turmoil of conflict.”
For LSTC’s Interim President Michael Cooper-White, such a visit aligns with LSTC’s commitment to being a part of and witness to the Public Church. “Like Dean Thomas, I too have visited Christmas Lutheran Church and was inspired by the courageous witness of our Palestinian sisters and brothers,” Cooper-White shared. “I look forward to Pastor Issacs’ update on the situation in which he serves with such grace and courage. LSTC is indeed honored to host this event welcoming one recognized globally for his powerful witness.”
Dr. Isaac became internationally recognized in late 2023 when a photo of the nativity scene in his Bethlehem church went viral. Instead of the traditional manger, the baby Jesus lay in a pile of rubble, wrapped in a keffiyeh. His Christmas sermon, titled “Christ in the Rubble: A Liturgy of Lament,” was a call to moral accountability: “If Christ were to be born today,” he said, “he would be born under the rubble and Israeli shelling.”
His visit to LSTC, coordinated with the support of faculty members including Dr. Rafael Malpica Padilla and Dean Thomas, reflects LSTC’s commitment to being a public church—one that grapples with the intersection of faith, justice, and global suffering. “Dr. Isaac’s words serve as a beacon in these challenging times, urging us toward solidarity and compassion,” said Dean Thomas. “His insights illuminate the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, linking their experience to a theology of the cross, which embodies a profound connection with those who endure violence and despair.”
For LSTC, the event represents more than a lecture—it’s a moment of theological reckoning and faithful witness, aligned with the recent public statement of the LSTC faculty, a commitment to truth and justice in our current climate, which was approved by the LSTC Board of Directors.
As war continues in Gaza, and as Palestinian civilians face staggering losses, Dr. Isaac challenges Christian audiences to return to the heart of the gospel: to seek Christ not among the powerful, but with the vulnerable, displaced, and forgotten.
“As we confront the painful realities of war,” Dean Thomas added, “our Christian faith compels us to support those who endure unimaginable loss. This moment serves as a reminder of past tragedies when we pledged ‘never again,’ urging us to prevent such suffering from happening once more. As we come together to hear Dr. Isaac, his message will inspire a deeper commitment to love and compassion, motivating us to confront the devastation with actions that reflect our shared humanity.”The event is free and open to the public, with both in-person and virtual attendance options available. You can learn more about the event here. Attendees can expect a moving and challenging call to action—a chance to hear from a global faith leader offering a prophetic word for such a time as this.