Post on 14-Dec-2015
David Thompson26th February 2012
Special SeminarIsrael and the Church
Romans 9-11
Resources
“Israel and the Church: the Fulfilment of Promise” by Adrian Birks, Newfrontiers theology forum.
“Zion’s Christian Soldiers?” by Stephen Sizer, IVP.
Historical Context
First Century Rome
Church not founded by Paul or Peter
Jewish population
Riot in 49 AD, expulsion and return
Church marked by ‘mutual superiority’
Historical Context
And more recently…
Long term history of Jewish persecution
German Holocaust
Establishing the State of Israel
Key Questions
Has the church replaced Israel?
Does Israel have a divine claim to land in the Middle East?
Do sincere Jews have to believe in Jesus in order to be saved?
Will there be a revival amongst ethnic Israel?
Theological Perspectives
Dispensational Zionism
Theological Perspectives
Dispensational Zionism
History is divided into 7 ‘dispensations’
We are currently in Number 6, but it is doomed to fail
There is no connection between Israel and the church
OT prophecy has a future, literal fulfilment
Christians can and should ‘hasten the end of the age’
Theological Perspectives
Dispensational Zionism
An anathema to the Arab community
Largely ignores the revelation that comes from the New Testament
Discourages outreach to the Jews (contrary to the New Testament)
Theological Perspectives
Classical Zionism
Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in the church AND in ethnic Israel
God has two distinct people: the church and Israel
Israel has a divine claim to the land
There will be an end-times revival among ethnic Israel
Theological Perspectives
Classical Zionism
The interpretation of Old Testament prophecies seems inconsistent
The Patriarchs, etc, were looking for something much better than land (Hebrews 11:39)
Theological Perspectives
Fulfilment Theology
Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Christ and the church
The church has not replaced Israel; promises are not cancelled but rather fulfilled
Big Questions
What about the land?
God clearly promised a piece of land to Abraham and his descendents
Genesis 15:18
Genesis 17:1-8
Genesis 26:2-4
Genesis 28:13-15
Big Questions
What about the land?
Big Questions
What about the land?
Even in the OT there was no ‘divine right’ to the land
All Christians are heirs to all of the promise made to Abraham (Galatians 3:29)
‘Land’ is linked to ‘city’, ‘temple’ and a ‘Davidic king’
Jesus widened the focus from the land to the whole earth
In the early church, Kingdom had replaced geography
Big Questions
What about the land?
Conclusion:
No one has a particular divine claim to any land
Nonetheless, the rise and fall of nations is within the sovereignty of God
Big Questions
Has God finished with ethnic Israel?
No!
There will always be a remnant of God’s people from within Israel
Today, Israel has been hardened
The growing church will draw Jews to salvation
There ‘may be’ an end-times revival of the Jews!
Conclusion
How should we view the Jews?
With respect and gratitude
With compassion