On Modern and Biblical Israel

On Modern and Biblical Israel: a clarification of the relationships and a response to arguments and assumptions. Article by Dr. Michael Vlach,

The relationship between Israel of the Bible and the modern State of Israel is one of the most debated issues in contemporary Christian theology. Many Christians are trying to determine how present-day Israel relates to the Israel we read about in the pages of Scripture…

This paper examines the relationship between Israel in the Bible and Israel today, with implications for how Christians should view Israel in the present era. I argue that Israel, as a people and nation, always remains significant in God’s purposes and that today’s Jewish state, though currently in unbelief, remains closely connected to the Israel described in Scripture…keep reading

Michael Vlach also responds to the frequent Galatians 3 tack,

Galatians 3 is often cited as evidence that national Israel no longer has a role in God’s purposes. Because Paul states that believers in Christ are Abraham’s seed and children through faith, some conclude that Israel’s role in the biblical storyline no longer is significant. According to this view, Abraham’s family has been redefined so that the unbelieving nation of Israel is no longer God’s people (see this video)...keep reading

The Galatians 3 problem

As Mike Vlach notes, proponents of Replacement Theology will commonly raise up Gal 3 in order to distance Modern Israel form Biblical Israel. According to Bavinck: In the New Testament, the people of Israel have been replaced by the church of Christ, which is now the “holy nation, the chosen race, the royal priesthood” of God.

Despite this, modern supersessionists prefer to use the term “Fulfillment Theology.” But it’s really the same thing with a pious dressing. It still affirms that the church is true spiritual Israel and that the promises to national Israel in the OT are either changed, amalgamated or abrogated. We addressed this in a previous post, The True State of Israel.

The problem is that Gal 3 cannot annul or change Old Testament promise passages such as Isaiah 60; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Jer 33:23-26; Ezekiel 36; Amos 9:14-15. These verses are too explicit and specific to national Israel (not the Gentile dominant church). In fact, Gal 3 does no such thing; theological “fulfillment” assumptions and tradition necessitate this deductive reasoning.

The NT does not help Replacement Theology

In Acts 1:6-7, when the disciples asked about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus did not correct their aspirations, He said: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.”

Furthermore, to understand what Paul meant in Romans 11:25-29, we must refer back to the OT verses cited above and follow the logical dots without bringing in assumptions. Paul also warns his readers,

You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Rom 11:19-21

God means what He says.

Maranatha!