A theologian outlines a non-dispensational view of Israel
___Theologian Paul Copan cites four primary reasons he believes the Jewish people have forfeited their designation as the people of God. What follows is an abridged version of his writings on this subject:
___ "Abraham's Seed:" What once was referred to as a physical race, Old Testament Israel, has been transformed into a
spiritual race, the New Testament church. Genesis 12:3 promises blessing through Abraham and his seed, but we read in Acts 3:25-26 that this blessing is actually mediated through Christ, not Israel. See Galatians 3:16, 3:29, 3:7. When Genesis 12 speaks of Abraham being the father of many nations, in light of the New Testament we see that these "nations" are those who believe in Christ--both Jew and Gentile.
___ The "Gentiles": What once referred to a gathering of God's people, Israel, from all nations now refers to the incoming Gentiles into the New Testament church. The prophets predict that "many nations" will belong to God (Psalm 87; Ps. 22:27; Isaiah 2:1-4;11:10). Furthermore, in the Old Testament, we see hints of a restoration for non-Jewish nations, including nations which have been judged by God. ... Moreover, even non-Jews who are Christians are considered "Jewish" because they are descendants of Abraham by faith. Consequently, Paul often admonishes his ethnically Gentile audiences not to walk "as the Gentiles" do. In Revelation, we read about those who are "ethnic Jews," but since they persecute Christians, they "are not" true Jews.
___ The end of ethnic divisions: The nation of Israel is no longer God's people. An inter-racial people of God exists which will once day include a large influx of ethnic Jews. Christ ended the era of the Jews as the favored people of God; Ephesians 2:14 says the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles has been broken down by Christ. There is no difference. Jesus himself predicts Gentiles will come into his kingdom "from east and west" while ethnic Jews are excluded. (See also Matthew 19:28, Galatians 6:16, Philippians 3:2, Romans 9:6-8.)
___ The future of ethnic Israel: Those who respond to Christ are presently being incorporated into the church, but this does not mean Israel has a political future. Has God completely passed over ethnic Israel? Romans 9-11 affirms God's continuing concern for ethnic Israel, not political Israel; they are "grafted back into their own olive tree."
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