I just received FFOZ Messiah Journal #134, and Thomas Lancaster has an article on Judaizing (really different definition) and gets into Replacement theology, Supersessionism, "One Law" theory and a number of other approaches to the question of Torah observance in the New Covenant, with the interaction between Jewish and Gentile tribes within our Redeemed Nation. He defines it this way (page 33 and following)
Distinction Theology
What is distinction theology? It’s the premise that there is a difference between Jewish people and Gentiles, even after they become Yeshua followers. To explain the concept, we need to begin with the betrothal passage from Exodus 19.
When the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, HaShem made the nation an offer:
“You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel. (Exodus 19:4–6)
On the basis of this passage, we call the nation of Israel “the chosen people.” Observe here that God chose this nation to be:
1. “My treasured possession.” This is the Hebrew word segulah. It’s an old Semitic term for a king’s trophy or prize that he carries off from a battle. It’s a token of his victory. Israel is God’s segulah, or trophy, which signifies God’s defeat of Egypt, the defeat of the gods of Egypt, and God’s conquest of the nations.
2. “A kingdom of priests.” A priest, or kohen, is a person set apart from a group of people as a representative to serve the gods. In the ancient world, not everyone had the time to be sacrificing all day and keeping the gods happy, so agriculturalists developed a priestly class of people who could take care of that function on their behalf. The priests represented the people’s interests to the gods and the gods’ interests to the people. The priests were like ambassadors between the people and the gods. When the LORD says that he wants Israel to be among the nations like a priesthood, it implies that the nation of Israel is to serve the rest of humanity as the priestly nation. They are to be to the other nations of the world what the Aaronic priesthood was to the rest of the nation of Israel. They convey the revelation of God to the nations, and they serve God on behalf of the nations.
3. “A holy nation.” A priesthood is set apart from the rest of the people for the holy service. For example, a kohen is not permitted to enter a cemetery or attend a funeral except for those of his closest relatives. He needs to maintain a state of ritual purity. A regular Israelite, by contrast, has a mitzvah to attend a funeral and escort the dead. There is a distinction between priests and non-priests and their respective obligations. There is a distinction between priests and non-priests in terms of privileges and prerogatives as well. For example, only the priests can approach the altar, splash the blood, enter the Sanctuary, burn the incense, or light the menorah. Only the high priest can enter the holy of holies.
Likewise, as a holy nation, Israel is set apart. The Jewish people have special priestly duties that the rest of the nations do not. There are things they are required to do that the rest of the nations are not required to do. They also have privileges and prerogatives that the rest of the nations don’t have. That’s what distinction theology is about.
Distinction theology: The theological perspective that teaches a distinction between Jewish and Gentile disciples.
I would like to hear your comments on this. From the teachings of David J Rudolph PhD, MJTI, My own beliefs pretty much line up with with what Lancaster has written here.
