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But the most amusing of the many gross errors in the OP was equating Dispensationalism with Replacement Theology. These two systems of doctrine are diametrically opposed. Darby never taught anything even remotely resembling Replacement Theology. Although eschatology was a relatively small part of his ministry, Darby's great eschatological doctrine was that the nation of Israel would eventually be restored, both to its ancient homeland, and to the true God, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Subject of this post is Replacement Theology, also known as Supersessionism.
Supersessionism is a vague heresy that suggests the church replaced Israel in the divine master plan of redemption.
There is a great deal of confusion about the terminology, but Darby's Dispensationalism is definitely associated with it. Replacement theology/supersessionism may not appear verbatim in statements of position, but it has infected Christian doctrine in every western denomination. Forms of it are accepted and adopted by the Vatican as well as most Protestant churches. Non-denominational churches embrace it because there exists no mechanism for doctrinal review for them. JND's promoted heresies include but are not limited to; rapture, tribulation doctrine associated with rapture, Calvinism/predestination (*), rejection of imputed righteousness of Christ and vicarious obedience of Christ.
Basically stated the heresy of Replacement Theology/Supersessionism assumes the church replaced or succeeded Israel in whole or in part with regard to God's plan of redemption and End Times eschatology. None of it is Biblical. Darby's Dispensationalism and John Calvin's treatment of predestination are primary misinterpretations of Biblical intent and the divine plan of redemption.
Christ is the root. Jesus saves, not the church.
According to Romans some of the natural branches were separated from the root. (Romans 11:19) Natural branches is a reference to Israel and Jews. Paul states in 11:17 that wild branches were grafted in or added onto the root (Jesus). The wild branches are a reference to gentiles - the church. Therefore according to Romans both wild and natural branches co-exist together on the same root - Jesus. (Galations 3:28) Any suggestion that wild branches have replaced natural branches is totally unBiblical and cannot be justified anywhere in scripture. Therefore Replacement Theology/Supersessionism is false, if not smelling badly of anti-semitic bias.
BIG problem with replacement theology and all its barren children is that it denies Biblical passages that insist BOTH Jews and Christians can co-exist as co-inheritors in Christ Jesus. The answer to the dilemma posited by Calvin lies in this simple explanation - both predestination and free will are true. Both commingle in the Kingdom of God. How can this be?
“For you are a holy nation to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the nations on the earth, to be His own." - Deuteronomy 7:6
"Many are called, but few are chosen." - Jesus as quoted by Matthew 22:14
Who are 'the chosen'?
The chosen, those predestined and chosen by God are the Jews - the natural branches attached to the root Jesus Christ. Any good Calvinist can cough up a dozen verses to support the idea that certain people were chosen of God before the foundation of the world. What they generally don't admit is that these chosen folks are Jews - through whom the world would be blessed.
"I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” - Genesis 12:3
Who are the called?
Gentiles, on the other hand, have been given the freedom of choosing or denying the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. If a gentile/wild branch accepts this wonderful gift, then he or she is grafted onto the true vine Jesus Christ along with the natural branches - the Jews.
I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'You are my God!'" - Hosea 2:23
In this is the mystery of the divine plan of redemption revealed, not that the church could lord it over Israel or anyone else but so that gentiles could inherit the blessings of the Kingdom of Heaven along with Israel - as brothers and sisters in the grace of God.
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. - Ephesians 3:6
All this talk of togetherness gives no evidence at all to support statements or doctrines or attitudes of replacement of church over Israel or Jew over gentile.
On the other hand hate and pride is a big motivator for accepting Replacement Theology. Pride is the motivation for church claims of replacing Israel in the divine plan, but spiritual hubris is that which empowers the devil and all its followers - including but not limited to those who hate Israel to the point of excluding them from consideration as brethren in Christ.
that's me, hollering from the choir loft.....
(*) Calvin's concept of predestination has been modified to some extent through the years, but it's basic idea is that some people are predestined by God as chosen for redemption before they were born and others damned by divine decree before they were born. Much debate using scripture to support arguments both for and against predestination has been employed through the intervening centuries.
The fact that Calvin's ideology is based upon anti-semitic ideas as well as Roman Catholic exclusivity has infected his doctrine to the point that it cannot be accepted as viable. Jews aren't even on Calvin's radar. If they were, he might have seen the light of who is predestined and who has free will. As it is Johnny seems to have been reading scripture with only one eye open.
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