Malcolm Hedding, International Christian Embassy Jerusalem
April 7, 2006

No issue arouses heated debate in the Church like the question of Israel. Much of this discussion is provoked by theological differences, not just political ones. Some believe that because of Jesus' finished work on the cross, Israel no longer enjoys a national destiny before God, especially after they rejected his Messianic credentials.

The 'People of God' are now exclusively the Church and any biblical references to a future for Israel in the Land of Canaan are taken in a spiritual sense as referring to the New Testament Church. This is called Replacement Theology. Although this belief is built upon a very shaky theological foundation, it is nonetheless tenaciously held onto by many "streams" of Christianity.

A Closer Look

In all honesty, Replacement theology is nowhere supported in the Bible. It is a mere presupposition; a theory and nothing more! However, its destructive impact has been all too clear. It has been long used by anti-Semites to legitimize their hatred of Jews. In addition, much of the anti-Israelism that exists in the wider Church today springs from this root and in many ways it is the 'new brand' of anti-Semitism.

Replacement theology can only be sustained if one can in some measure prove that the Abrahamic Covenant has been abolished. Yet this a hopeless task, because Paul's epistle to the Galatians asserts that all the blessings that Jesus purchased for us are given to the world so as to fulfill the demands of the Abrahamic Covenant (Galatians 3:8-9; 13-14; 29).

In addition, the book of Hebrews encourages us to keep trusting in the New Covenant because God is faithful and never breaks a promise. In this case, the promise referred to is the Abrahamic Covenant, which not only declares God's promise to bless the world but also His promise to give to the Jewish people the Land of Canaan as an "everlasting possession" (Hebrews 6:13-20; Genesis 17:7-8).

A New Theory

To prove then that the Abrahamic Covenant has been abolished is thus well nigh impossible. Given this reality, some Replacement theologians then assert that while it has not been abolished, it has been reconstructed! That is, the part of the Covenant that promises an eternal homeland to the Jews has been removed. We need to note four things in this regard:

1. It is pure presupposition, as the Bible nowhere teaches or endorses this point of view.

2. It attacks the character of God. In Genesis 17:7-8 God says that the Land of Canaan is given to the Jewish people as an everlasting possession. If Replacement Theology were true then this makes the God of the Bible a liar! Even the perverse prophet Balaam knew that, "God is not a man that he should lie" (Numbers 23:19).

3. It contradicts scripture everywhere. Even Jesus spoke of a latter day regathering of the Jews to the Land of Israel and to Jerusalem, affirming that the Kingdom would be restored to Israel in Zion, but at a time that only His Father knew (Luke 21:24; Acts 1:6-7). Jeremiah affirms that Israel would be regathered after correction and exile and exist as a nation forever before God (Jeremiah 31:10-12; 31:35-37). All the Hebrew prophets speak very plainly about this future day of restoration to the land and glory for Israel (Joel 3:18-21).

4. It is disproved by historical events. The restoration of Israel in our time enjoys remarkable biblical validation. To ignore this is to play the ostrich and put everything down to remarkable coincidence! I have met many theologians who have been quite prepared to do this. One even wrote, "Modern day Israel is indeed a remarkable miracle with biblical credentials that appear to be amazing. However, in all honesty this miracle is an immoral one!"

Such is the blindness of replacement adherents. Their minds are made up and we should not confuse them with facts! Facts like the return of the Jews from all over the world, the recovery of Jerusalem, the recovery of the land's agricultural potential, the return of the Jews from "the North", the global dispute over Jerusalem and the worldwide phenomenon of Christians who love Israel and pray for her. All these facts are in the Bible!

The Incompetent Messiah

According to Zechariah, a time will come when all nations will come against Israel to disinvest her of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:1-3). At that time the Messiah will come to destroy those nations and to defend Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:7-9). But why would the Messiah come to defend what for Replacement theologians is an historical accident without biblical foundations? Is He incompetent or is the modern - day restoration of Israel evidence of God's hand and purpose?

Colliding Thoughts

Israel's journey, which includes her restoration to her ancient homeland, will always be a contested one. Such is her history. This journey according to her prophets will conclude with her meeting her Messiah. This will bring in the "Age of Redemption" as the Jewish Sages put it (Zechariah 14).

Those who subscribe to Replacement theology cannot connect with the Purpose of God and, in many cases, find themselves working against it. In their refusal to stand with Israel, they end up standing with her enemies and this can mean supporting Islamic terrorism! A church in this position is far from the heart of God and has forgotten the warning of the Abrahamic Covenant, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you! " (Genesis 12:3).

The writer is the Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

Copyright © 2005 International Christian Embassy Jerusalem