Comments on: Israel & Christian Theology

By: joey

joey — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 13:31:26 +0000

I believe that the covenant whereby the Church is established IS a JEWISH covenant, that is, a covenant that God made with Jews. The Hebrews writer speaks of the “second” covenant. Gentiles did not have a “first” covenant that could then lead to a “second.” Only Jews had a “first.” Gentiles are subsequently invited into the second, Jewish covenant.
What so many today mistakenly do is equate the modern, political state of Israel with the Israel of the Mosaic covenant. They are not. First of all, the Mosaic covenant is annulled (Jer 31, and Hebrews). Secondly, the only true Jew is a one who believes in Jesus (Romans 9) which is why Paul can say, “All Israel will be saved” in Romans 11.

By: timgombis

timgombis — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:35:09 +0000

The point that the historic creeds leave out Israel doesn’t have reference to modern Israel or contemporary Jews, necessarily. It’s more a point about the lack of mention of most of the OT. Does God’s call of Abraham and Israel and his relation to Israel and the nations in the OT mean anything for how we think about Christian existence? If you read the creeds, you’d get the impression that the OT narratives are fairly irrelevant.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:10:53 +0000

Well, I agree with Wright’s view.

Where I think problems come up is it seems there is a great debate about what is an authentic Jew or what is Israel and who were the covenants with?

I find we’ve got tons of various views on this issue. So, while I share Wright’s views, I also fear until the church finds some unity and accuracy here, we’ll struggle with this idea.

By: Sean LeRoy (@seantleroy)

Sean LeRoy (@seantleroy) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:32:44 +0000

Great post…I’ll have to check out Soulen’s work; seen it referenced countless times, but never read it.
I’m always reminded of what Paul said (in summation) – “You, Gentiles, strangers and aliens to the covenant of promise, have been grafted in, brought near and have become partakers, not over-takers.”