Will the Church Replace Israel?

Questions like, “Will the church replace Israel?” and “Does the establishment of Israel in 1948 fulfill Old Testament promises?” were prevalent in response to an essay I wrote last week. My exploration of “What is Israel?” led me to conclude that today’s nation-state of Israel does not fulfill biblical prophecies. Additionally, I argued that the modern state does not obligate Christians to offer their support. This perspective, understandably, struck some as controversial.

Yet, many others appreciated the long-term revisionist view I presented through various emails and comments. Regardless of differing opinions, I’m grateful to my subscribers and everyone who engaged with my writing, whether positively or negatively.

This topic really strikes a chord with people, indicating it’s crucial to continue discussing it. Some critiques arose that I want to address, aiming for clarity and maintaining a dialogue on this substantial issue.

Did I Ignore the Jews?

One commenter, Mark Brown, raised a point: “You seem to overlook the Jewish aspect of your theology.” He noted that the new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah is made with the houses of Judah and Israel, arguing that the church has replaced Israel, which he believes is a distortion of the truth.

First off, thanks for your comment, Mark. I truly appreciate the feedback.

I do fully recognize the importance of Jews in theology. The Bible reveals that Jesus, as a descendant of David, is indeed a true Israelite. In my essay, I highlighted how Jesus embodies the essence of Israel and upholds the covenant completely. He’s the great high priest, the anointed one, and the prophet.

This establishes Jews as having a unique role in God’s redemptive plan. Despite the challenges faced by Judah in maintaining its covenants, God’s plan for redemption unfolds through this line. The author of Hebrews reinforces this by stating the new covenant involves both the “house of Judah” and the “house of Israel” (Hebrews 8).

The pressing question then is: do Jews still hold their special status today?

On one hand, yes (think Romans 3:9-11). But the apostle Paul also makes it clear that true identity as “Israel of God” is defined by faith in Jesus rather than ethnic lineage (Galatians 6:16). For example, while Torah instructs physical circumcision, what’s truly needed is a change of heart (Deuteronomy 30:6) through the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Christians receive a change from hardened hearts to living ones, with God’s laws inscribed in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 36:26-27).

I don’t advocate for replacement theology, where the church takes over Israel’s role. Rather, I believe in Fulfillment Theology—all of God’s promises find realization in Jesus Christ. More on this critique will follow.

Moreover, it’s essential to differentiate between “Jew” and “Israel,” as they aren’t synonymous. The term Yehudi explicitly refers to descendants of Judah. While Jews are part of biblical Israel (one of the twelve tribes), Israel also includes all the other tribes descended from Abraham.

This understanding is why Paul recognized that in Jesus, Israel’s scope transcends ethnic boundaries. Restoration is not confined to Judah.

Is Jesus Jewish?

Another commenter, Dale Ellett, posed an intriguing question: “Are you arguing that Jesus is not Jewish because he is a Christian?”

Thank you for your insights, Dale. I appreciate your engagement.

I absolutely acknowledge Jesus’ Jewish heritage. Born into the line of David and circumcised on the eighth day, he was raised under Torah and adhered to it faithfully. If we examine the New Testament closely, it becomes evident that he lived in perfect observance of Torah.

His Jewish identity deeply contributes to his position as the Messiah.

Will the Church Replace Israel?

Dale Ellett thought my view was entirely mistaken, labeling it as a form of heresy. Another commenter, Rebecca Freimann, even remarked that this perspective originates from a misleading framework.

Thank you both for your thoughts. Your concerns about replacement theology resonate with me. It’s a problematic ideology. However, my argument does not endorse replacement theology; instead, I argue that God’s promises to Israel converge in Jesus Christ, whom I regard as the true faithful Israelite.

From this viewpoint, Israel hasn’t been abandoned; instead, it has been guided toward Christ’s ultimate purpose, shepherding the lost sheep of Israel back into the fold.

Paul clarifies that “not all descendants of Israel are Israel” (Romans 9:6) and that “if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s offspring” (Galatians 3:29).

The church—those who follow Jesus—represents the manifestation and continuation of God’s Old Testament promises. Jesus is not a replacement but the embodiment of those promises.

Paul emphasizes this idea, discussing an olive tree metaphor; Gentiles are grafted into the family of God, sharing in Abraham’s covenant. The church, termed as the true “Israel of God,” encompasses both Jews and Gentiles.

This illustrates how God operates—beyond nation boundaries, rooted in faithfulness to the covenant. Interestingly, even the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew acknowledges non-Israelites like Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.

In Jesus, God creates a unified body through faith.

Has Modern Israel Fulfilled Prophecy?

An anonymous subscriber commented: “Consider prophetic references like Isaiah 11, Ezekiel 36, and Jeremiah 32 regarding Israel’s restoration and whether 1948 and modern Israel fulfill these prophecies.”

Thank you, anonymous, for your thoughtful remark. While I can’t address every nuance in this brief space, I’ll summarize my viewpoint.

Each passage you reference foresees Israel’s future restoration. The pivotal question remains: when and how will these prophecies be fulfilled? I contend that the New Testament consistently teaches this restoration is realized through Jesus.

For example, Isaiah 11 speaks of a righteous ruler, which directly relates to the Messianic mission Jesus initiated (Mark 1:14-15). Furthermore, Ezekiel 36 envisions not just physical restoration but an internal transformation where God grants a “new heart” and “new spirit” to His people (Ezekiel 36:26)—a change embodied in Jesus (Jeremiah 32:40).

Yes, 1948 marked a significant moment in history, but it leads one to ponder: what’s Jesus’ place in this Old Testament narrative?

To illustrate, I refer to Paul’s words in Romans 9:25-26, where he draws from Hosea, explaining that those previously deemed “not my people” become “children of the living God.”

My perspective encourages a view of Israel’s restoration as both physical and spiritual, ultimately focusing on faith in Jesus Christ, drawing all of God’s people from across nations.

Thanks again to all Blaze Media readers and subscribers. Engaging in these discussions about the Bible is immensely rewarding, and I appreciate your involvement in tackling these complex questions.