On A Final Note Regarding Israel

I find it appropriate to explain something things that Reformed folks believe concerning Israel. It is proper since many Dispensationalists and Christian Zionists don't understand what we believe. I also speak from experience.  Many assume they know what covenantalists believe because they have been taught by Dispensationalists on our position. Others get upset when people object to their view of Israel and assume they know what their opponents position is and simply react in ignorance. Concerning the latter group Stephen Sizer aptly says, "Dispensationalists like to think that they alone read the Bible literally and are more consistent than other Christians, who for example 'spiritualize' away the promises made to the Israelites. That is probably why they get upset when some conservative evangelicals beg to differ."* In any case they seem to not want to learn our Biblical position. And if they do wish to learn it may be because they wish to get ammo for their objections rather than to sincerely understand.

Since quite a few Dispensationalists have used the "I'v been studying the Bible for (insert number of years)" argument and I've only been studying a measly nine years. I will allow others that have been studying the Bible longer or just as long, as said Dispensationalists, to speak. Bear in mind that this is by no means an exhaustive affirmation of the covenantal view but to alleviate fears and to help clear up mass confusion.

John Stott:

Away then with anti-Semitism! It has been an appalling scandal in the history of Europe, and even the Christian Church has been implicated. Christians should be 'pro-Semitic', in the sense that we recognize how the people of Israel have been highly favoured by God. We Gentiles are their debtors, Paul wrote (Romans 15:27). We owe them a huge spiritual debt especially in their bequest to the world of both the Scriptures and the Christ.

Who, then, according to the New Testament perspective, is Israel today?  The answer will have enormously surprised most of its readers, and still surprises many today. It is that true Israel is neither Jews nor Israelis, but believers in the Messiah.*

Stephen Sizer:

It is not that the church has replaced Israel. Rather, in the new covenant church, God has fulfilled the promises originally made to the old covenant church. So, for example, when Jesus affirms Peter's declaration of faith and says, 'on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of death will not overcome it' (Matthew 16:18), the Greek word translated by 'church' is ekklesia- the very word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to describe God's people.*

It is true that at various times in the past, churches and church leaders have toelrated or incited anti-Semitism and even attacks on Jewish people. Racism is a sin and without excuse. Anti-Semitism must be repudiated unequivocally. However, we must not confuse apples and oranges. Anti-Zionism is not the same thing as anti-Semitism, desite the attempts to broaden the definition. Criticizing a political system as racist is not racist. Judaism is a religious system. Israel is a sovereign nation. Zionism is a political system. these three are not synonymous. I respect Judaism, repudiate anti-Semitism, encourage interfaith dialogue and defend Israel's right to exist within borders recognized by the international community and agreed with her neighbours. But like many Jews, I disagree with a political system that gives preference to expatriate Jews born elsewhere in the world, while denying the same rights to the Arab Palestianians born in the country itself.* 

This is a favourite 'straw man' of Christian Zionists. They criticize their opponents for implying that that church has 'replaced' Israel. The implication is that the Jewish people cease to have any role within the purposes of God. This is clearly refuted in Romans 9-11.* 

The New Testament does not teach that the Gentiles have superseded the Jews. But neither does it teach that the Jewish people retain a position of superiority over the Gentiles or over the church. There is continuity between the believers under the old covenant who looked forward to the coming of Christ and believers under the new covenant who look forward to his return. When Jesus died he broke down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile.*

See, it really isn't as scary as many Dispensationalists say it is. A little honest learning can go a long way. Both sides must sincerely seek to understand the other's position. Or else you run the risk of objecting to a statement with ignorant gibberish.


"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,.."(Eph 2:14–15). Soli Deo Gloria!

For His Glory,
Fernando


*Stephen Sizer, Zion's Christian Soldiers?, ( Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2007), p. 15

Ibid, p. 167

*Ibid, p. 15

*Ibid, p. 17

*Ibid, p. 16

*Ibid, p.55