Replacement Theology Did the Church REPLACE Israel by Dr Michael Heiser

Summary

The video script explores the theological debate surrounding replacement theology, discussing whether the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. The speaker argues that while the Church, consisting of both Jews and Gentiles, now fulfills Israel's original mission, this does not negate Israel's future role in God’s eschatological plan. Drawing from Paul’s writings in Romans and Galatians, the speaker emphasizes that Israel has already fulfilled its purpose by producing the Messiah, but that a remnant of Israel will still be saved in the end times. The Church, however, has become the primary vessel for blessing the nations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The church (ekklesia) is the collective body of Christ, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, and is not a new individual entity, but a community of believers.
• 😀 Replacement theology argues that the church has replaced Israel as the people of God, but this view may overstate its case, especially in the light of God's ongoing heart for Israel.
• 😀 Israel has already fulfilled its role in God's plan by producing the Messiah, who is the ultimate fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham.
• 😀 The promises made to Abraham were directed towards one offspring, Jesus Christ, and not the entire nation of Israel. This is highlighted in Galatians 3:16.
• 😀 There is no biblical basis for continuing to view national Israel as the conduit for blessing to the nations; that role is now fulfilled in Christ.
• 😀 National Israel has a future eschatological role, but this is not essential for Gentile salvation, which began at Pentecost and continues to this day.
• 😀 Paul's letters (Romans 9-11) describe how Israel's partial hardening allowed the Gentiles to be grafted into God's family, and that after the fullness of the Gentiles, all Israel will be saved.
• 😀 The idea of 'all Israel' in Romans 11 does not necessarily mean every Jew, but could refer to the faithful remnant of Israel or to all believers, whether Jew or Gentile.
• 😀 While modern political Israel has a right to defend itself, it is not a mirror of the biblical Israel, as many Israelis are agnostic or reject the Messiah.
• 😀 The church is the new Israel in a theological sense, and all believers—Jew and Gentile—are heirs according to the promise made to Abraham (Galatians 3:29).

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's discussion in the transcript?

The speaker is addressing the theological concept of replacement theology, discussing the relationship between the church (ecclesia) and Israel in God's plan, and exploring whether the church has replaced Israel as God's people.

How does the speaker define 'replacement theology'?

Replacement theology is the belief that the church has replaced Israel as the people of God, with implications for how one views the modern state of Israel and its role in God's ongoing plan.

What is the speaker's position on replacement theology?

The speaker suggests that replacement theology overstates its case, affirming some points about Israel's role but arguing that its implications are too broad, particularly in assuming that Israel has no ongoing role in God's plan.

What does the speaker say about Israel's fulfillment of its purpose in God's plan?

The speaker argues that Israel has already fulfilled its purpose by producing the Messiah (Jesus), who is the true fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. Therefore, Israel no longer plays the role it once did as the conduit of blessings to the nations.

How does Galatians 3:16 relate to the speaker's argument?

Galatians 3:16, which refers to the promises made to Abraham's 'offspring' (singular), points to Christ as the fulfillment of those promises, rather than Israel as a nation. This supports the argument that Israel's role has already been completed in Christ.

Does the speaker believe that the church has replaced Israel entirely?

No, the speaker clarifies that the church has replaced Israel in the sense of fulfilling God's promises for salvation, but this does not mean that Israel as a nation has no future role in God's eschatological plan.

What is the speaker’s view on the modern state of Israel?

The speaker acknowledges that Israel today is not a faithful representation of biblical Israel, as many Jews are either secular or reject the Messiah. However, he believes Israel has the right to exist and defend itself, and he supports the state of Israel on humanitarian grounds.

What does Romans 11:25-26 say about the salvation of Israel?

Romans 11:25-26 speaks about a partial hardening of Israel that will last until the fullness of the Gentiles is reached, after which 'all Israel will be saved.' The speaker emphasizes that 'all Israel' does not mean every individual Jew, but likely refers to a remnant or the saved people of God, which may include Jews and Gentiles alike.

How does the speaker interpret the term 'all Israel' in Romans 11?

The speaker suggests that 'all Israel' could refer to all believers, regardless of ethnicity, or it could refer to a remnant of Jews who are saved, but it is unlikely to refer to the entire nation of Israel.

What does the speaker say about the eschatological role of Israel?

The speaker acknowledges that Israel has an eschatological role, particularly in events like Armageddon and the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation, which relate to Israel and its tribes. However, this role does not imply that Israel's covenantal function has returned in the same way it was before Christ.