The New is in the Old Concealed, the Old is in the New Revealed
Reader comment on item: The Bible's Role in American Support for Israel
in response to reader comment: Replacement Theology and Bastardization of the Gospel

Submitted by A Christian (United States), Jan 20, 2007 at 22:08

The Bible is the authority on this, but must be interpreted logically and sensibly.

For too long now Christians have interpreted the prophecies and New Testament statements concerning Israel according to an Old Testament definition of Israel, and as though the 'wall of separation' was not there, and as though we were not one (Jew and Gentile, male and female) in Christ Jesus. Remember the adage that guides interpretation, "the New Testament is in the Old concealed, the Old is in the New revealed. Thus to understand God's cosmic plan in redemption, we must hold all things in the Old Testament in the light of Christ and the teaching of the apostles, even those that mention Israel.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a supporter of 'replacement theology'. I do not believe the church today is the same as the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. Israel the nation has always been Israel the nation (sons according to the flesh), complete with saved and unsaved persons. Even a cursory reading of the Old Testament easily reveals that many in Israel were evil and did not have favor with God. So also the Kingdom of God consists of only saved persons, predominately Jewish from the time of the Old Testament but now extended to the whole world (just as God promised). Every person from every age that is saved will receive eternal life in Christ - same kingdom for all. Jesus never indicates a separate program for Jews than for Gentiles. The Gospel is preached to the Jews first, then the Gentiles, but it is the same Gospel.

I understand the many passages citing 'Israel' as does Paul in Romans 9, and in light of the relationship of Jews to Gentiles in Christ now, and in light of the many passages that deal with the Judaizers and how bringing people back under the curse of the law and a works for righteousness understanding was undermining the gospel.

The visible church today has become the foremost 'Judaizer' of Jews there ever was. They consider them differently than Christ did. Christ condemned some of them. He called them all to repentance and faith. When did He ever indicate that they have special favor according to birthright? When did God accept an unbelieving Israel ever? Are they exempt from being obedient to the Gospel?

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