Replacement Theology

[Grip Docility]

Exodus 33:18 ; Hebrews 1:3
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ; Exodus 33:7-23

 

[Melody Suttles]

Please define Replacement Theology from primary sources of those who teach it with links to the texts being quoted, so the quotes can be checked in context.

Definition from CARM:
"Replacement theology is the teaching that the Christian church has replaced national Israel regarding the plan, purpose, and promises of God.

Therefore, many of the promises that God made to Israel must be spiritualized. For example, when it speaks of Israel being restored to the land, this really means that the Christian church will be blessed. Also, covenants made with Israel are fulfilled in the Christian church so, for example,

1. The Jewish people are no longer God's chosen people. Instead, the Christian church now makes up God's chosen people.
2. In the New Testament after Pentecost, the term "Israel" refers to the church.
3. The Mosaic covenant (Exodus 20) is replaced by the new covenant (Luke 22:20).
4. Actual circumcision is replaced by a circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:29).

So, in replacement theology, the church has replaced Israel as the primary means by which the world is blessed by God's work."

-------- Matt Slick
What is replacement theology? | CARM.org


I disagree with Replacement Theology as defined above. It is an obvious lack of understanding of Scripture. God's promises to Israel are repeated many times. Yahweh's purposes for the Jews/ Nation of Israel - before and after the Messiah - are clear, loving, and positive. The people of Israel are still precious to God.

Yahweh promised the nation of Israel that they would be restored in the last times (Ezekiel 11:17).

Even though Israel was destroyed and its people scattered abroad because of their unbelief, Yahweh promised to rebuild the nation just prior to the end of the age. He promises the nation of Israel will once again become a center of God's revelation to all mankind (Zechariah 12:10). The law will go forth from Jerusalem, and all the nations will come to Jerusalem to learn the law of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The natural sons of Abraham will be exalted, along with those Gentiles who, through faith in Jesus Christ, have become spiritual sons of Abraham. So in the last days the Jews and the Christians will share a wonderful glory (Romans 11:25-26).

Paul said that their unbelief became a blessing to the rest of the world as they were temporarily cut off, and God offered his Salvation to the Gentiles. But Yahweh said they would return to faith during the time when many of them move back to Israel from all over the world. This has been happening since 1948. Scripture refers to this time as being like the resurrection of the dead (Romans 11:1-32).

There will be a restoration of the Jewish people to an understanding of God's full revelation in Christ. I recently heard a Messianic Rabbi say that Jewish people seem to be converting to Christianity in record numbers.

 

[ewq1938]

Is it I Who should “study deeper”?

Yes .

 

[Dave L]

Replacement Theology is a lie. God removed the unbelievers from Israel and grafted believing gentiles into their place. If the unbelievers are Israel, to whom does God reattach those who accept Christ?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

True but we need to remember that it was the Mosaic (conditional) Covenant that was surpassed by the New but it did not surpass the Abrahamic (unconditional) Covenant...

Galatians 3:17 (KJV) And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

I believe it is at this point RTs usually make their error.

No it supports the point of RTs in the sense that the passage in galatians that you are referring to is stating that our covenant took a different route from the promise to Abraham, for the Hebrews it was the mosaic law, for us it was a new existence entirely.

Going down the other path denies the one who opened up the new path.

So to re-cap, When Jesus died, the reference point was the Promise of Abraham, and a new path opened up from the promise, thus allowing people to walk this path and leave the old path behind. Letting go of what is behind so we can take hold of the prize that we were called for in a heavenward direction.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Definition from CARM:
"Replacement theology is the teaching that the Christian church has replaced national Israel regarding the plan, purpose, and promises of God.

Therefore, many of the promises that God made to Israel must be spiritualized. For example, when it speaks of Israel being restored to the land, this really means that the Christian church will be blessed. Also, covenants made with Israel are fulfilled in the Christian church so, for example,

1. The Jewish people are no longer God's chosen people. Instead, the Christian church now makes up God's chosen people.
2. In the New Testament after Pentecost, the term "Israel" refers to the church.
3. The Mosaic covenant (Exodus 20) is replaced by the new covenant (Luke 22:20).
4. Actual circumcision is replaced by a circumcision of the heart (Rom. 2:29).

So, in replacement theology, the church has replaced Israel as the primary means by which the world is blessed by God's work."

-------- Matt Slick
What is replacement theology? | CARM.org


I disagree with Replacement Theology as defined above. It is an obvious lack of understanding of Scripture. God's promises to Israel are repeated many times. Yahweh's purposes for the Jews/ Nation of Israel - before and after the Messiah - are clear, loving, and positive. The people of Israel are still precious to God.

Yahweh promised the nation of Israel that they would be restored in the last times (Ezekiel 11:17).

Even though Israel was destroyed and its people scattered abroad because of their unbelief, Yahweh promised to rebuild the nation just prior to the end of the age. He promises the nation of Israel will once again become a center of God's revelation to all mankind (Zechariah 12:10). The law will go forth from Jerusalem, and all the nations will come to Jerusalem to learn the law of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The natural sons of Abraham will be exalted, along with those Gentiles who, through faith in Jesus Christ, have become spiritual sons of Abraham. So in the last days the Jews and the Christians will share a wonderful glory (Romans 11:25-26).

Paul said that their unbelief became a blessing to the rest of the world as they were temporarily cut off, and God offered his Salvation to the Gentiles. But Yahweh said they would return to faith during the time when many of them move back to Israel from all over the world. This has been happening since 1948. Scripture refers to this time as being like the resurrection of the dead (Romans 11:1-32).

There will be a restoration of the Jewish people to an understanding of God's full revelation in Christ. I recently heard a Messianic Rabbi say that Jewish people seem to be converting to Christianity in record numbers.

I think there's a lot of disagreement regarding this matter because of what Jesus said to the apostles in Acts 1. It's (When Israel will be restored) none of our business, so trying to figure it out is an exercise in futility.

Have you considered in the restoration verses it says that anyone who comes along and settles in a territory will be part of that tribe? It may not be as anyone thinks.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

I think, Daniel, that there are different ways that people define "replacement theology".

A correct theory which I find in the Bible is >

The New Testament replaces the Old Covenant. We have our "better covenant" which Hebrews 7:22 says we have with Jesus. Even so, the New Covenant includes things of the former covenant, but fulfilled and used in better ways. So, the better covenant does not abolish the earlier one, but fulfills it. So, it depends on how we mean "replacement".

But I would say a clearly wrong meaning of replacement would be any idea which says we Gentiles have replaced the Jews. Because Jesus used Jews to start us Gentile background believers in salvation. Plus, Jews still are welcome to trust in the Messiah (Ephesians 1:12) and bless us > Romans 11:15.

Amen well said.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

Oh, this is rich!

The Body of Christ is Grafted into Abraham, Through Christ.

Abraham wasn’t an Israelite. Prove me wrong!

The covenant with Abraham include him being a father of a great nation and that nation is rooted in the 12 tribes which became two nations Israel and Jacob. The covenant also says in Abraham's seed all the nations of the world would be blessed; so we are in Jesus the seed. The covenant with the land and the 12 tribes was an unconditional covenant. The law came and placed conditions on remaining in the land based on obedience but when the mandated judgement came and destruction and being exiled was required the promise that the land is theirs is reaffirmed every time.
psalm 105
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

When the LORD gave the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31 Jesus announced it when he took the cup and said this is the cup of the new covenant made in His blood. Jesus at that same time had also predicted the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. God knowing that these two events would come on heels of each other in Jer 31 right after promising the new covenant make a double declaration regarding the nation.
Thus says the LORD,
Who gives the sun for a light by day,
The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
Who disturbs the sea,
And its waves roar
(The LORD of hosts is His name):
36 “If those ordinances depart
From before Me, says the LORD,
Then the seed of Israel shall also cease
From being a nation before Me forever.”
37 Thus says the LORD:
“If heaven above can be measured,
And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
For all that they have done, says the LORD.

Hosea 1 has a future in mind for both nations
“Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’[fn]
There it shall be said to them,
‘You are sons of the living God.’
11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel
Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head;
And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!

 

[Grip Docility]

The covenant with Abraham include him being a father of a great nation and that nation is rooted in the 12 tribes which became two nations Israel and Jacob. The covenant also says in Abraham's seed all the nations of the world would be blessed; so we are in Jesus the seed. The covenant with the land and the 12 tribes was an unconditional covenant. The law came and placed conditions on remaining in the land based on obedience but when the mandated judgement came and destruction and being exiled was required the promise that the land is theirs is reaffirmed every time.
psalm 105
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

When the LORD gave the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31 Jesus announced it when he took the cup and said this is the cup of the new covenant made in His blood. Jesus at that same time had also predicted the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. God knowing that these two events would come on heels of each other in Jer 31 right after promising the new covenant make a double declaration regarding the nation.
Thus says the LORD,
Who gives the sun for a light by day,
The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
Who disturbs the sea,
And its waves roar
(The LORD of hosts is His name):
36 “If those ordinances depart
From before Me, says the LORD,
Then the seed of Israel shall also cease
From being a nation before Me forever.”
37 Thus says the LORD:
“If heaven above can be measured,
And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
For all that they have done, says the LORD.

Hosea 1 has a future in mind for both nations
“Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’[fn]
There it shall be said to them,
‘You are sons of the living God.’
11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel
Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head;
And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!

Galatians specifies to thy seed (Singular) which is the reference to the BOC.

The Land and Nation promises were to thy seeds (Plural)...

Jacob and Abraham.. are two separate matters. Your application of this passage is binding to Romans 9-11... which specifies the "Sand of the Sea" towards Israel cut off.

Also, Judah and Israel aren't the BOC.

 

[Lords Man]

Please define Replacement Theology from primary sources of those who teach it with links to the texts being quoted, so the quotes can be checked in context.

Instead of replacement theology (Church replaces Israel) it is more appropriate to speak in terms of fulfillment theology (the Church [Jew and Gentile] is the fulfilled Israel of God - Galatians 6:14-16).

 

[Grip Docility]

Instead of replacement theology (Church replaces Israel) it is more appropriate to speak in terms of fulfillment theology (the Church [Jew and Gentile] is the fulfilled Israel of God - Galatians 6:14-16).

Galatians 6:16 is the only actual verse that is attempted to proof Supersession Literal. It is not an acceptable proof text in full disclosure.

Magically, I have a couple posts on this.

In deep study of Galatians 6:16, context and correct Greek rendering put forth 2 very likely meanings... based on the word (Kai) which translates to “and”

There are three Kai’s in the verse.

The final Kai is where the argument comes in. 2 of the possible renderings are in diametric dispute. The third rendering is in dispute with only one of them.

The following two views are supported by this view. Kai renders the entire verse without break and refers to the unity of God’s Israel through Christ.

Supersession (Minor View)

Israel of God is referring to the Heavenly Jerusalem where we are all one in Jesus.

Supersession (Major View)

Israel of God is the complete replacement of National Israel.

Dispensational (Minor View)

The Kai is rendered to “And”... thus the verse reads “And the Israel of God”... Taking into context the Unity of the Jews that believe, in stark contrast to the Unbelieving Judaizers that Paul has been railing against and called cursed.

Dispensational (Major View)

The Kai is rendered to the rare form “Even”, thus making it, “Even the Israel of God”. This suggests Paul is attempting to show mercy and Love to the Jews that he has railed against that are enemies of the gospel.

The Kai to the “Even” rendering is rare and seems out of place towards the Enemy of the Gospel Jews as Paul has just suggested extreme circumcision for them (AKA castration)... as well as rendered them cursed.

The Kai to the “And” rendering is very common and shifts location only by contextual understanding. As the “and“ located in the “BOC is Israel sense”... fits the context of Jews and Gentiles unifying in the BOC and not holding one another in division.

The Kai to the “And”, as in, “and Mercy to the Israel of God”, Nods recognition to the Jews that are unifying with the BOC, in support of Unity contextually discussed and contrast to the cursed of Israel that are Judaizing.

Which one is right? That’s for each of us to decide, in respect to scripture and the 1 John 2:27 of the matter.

Why Galatians 6:16 is important to understand.

It is in an Epistle to a Gentile Gathering... yet also mentions Judaizing Jews, Converted Jews and lets be honest, Jews of the Spiritually Circumsized nature (IE members of the BOC)

In its full Galatians Context, it draws from conflict with integration of Jews and Gentiles into the BOC (Body of Christ) and the impact of old covenant thinking with new covenant thinking.

The topic that comes to light in Galatians 6:16 is the single, possible usage of Israel as a descriptor for the BOC.

The major theological issue with using BOC and Israel as synonyms, is that it would be the only place this is done in all of scripture.

The most honest answer I can give, from a perspective of renouncing my Carnal pet theology, is that it is referring to the Heavenly gathering of Jews and Gentiles, Paul has previously mentioned as “The Jerusalem Above” in Galatians 4:26 which he uses in “Spiritual Metaphor”, but is now using towards Jews and Gentiles, that have placed their full Salvic hope in Christ.

God doesn’t make mistakes, so the very fact that this verse can be properly rendered to mean the Heavenly Located Body of Christ that consists of Jews and Gentiles and is governed by The True King of the Jews, and simultaneously as a reference to National Israel that has placed their Salvic hope in Christ, that is integrating with the Gentile Body of Christ, leads us to the conclusion that God meant this to be possible as the multiple meanings of the verse don’t conflict upon themselves with proper theological understanding.

The third rendering of this verse, that would elude to a future grafting in of many of the “Unbelieving Jews” at the close of Time, could also be acceptable as it too has support in Romans 11, Joel 3, Acts 1, Zechariah 14 and Revelation 20 - Revelation 21

 

[com7fy8]

The Land promised to Abraham and his descendants may very well be the difference..

Thank you for your clarification.

I now think of how the land is promised to Abraham, and then the Jews got the land.

But now Gentile background Christians are with Abraham. So, it is our land, too, I can now see. But the LORD promised the "nations" to David, didn't He? So, this can mean all lands are also promised. And in Corinthians, Paul says all things are ours, including "the world".

And the Jews have kind of taken over the world, but they seem like background to all which Christians are doing. But the best way is to adopt with prayer > 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

And God is doing what is bigger than any of us now can comprehend.

 

[com7fy8]

I thought Israel was grafted out and the Gentiles were grafted into the root, Jesus Christ.

Not all Jews were broken off.

partial

We of Gentile background . . . I understand . . . were grafted in with the Jewish Apostles and other Jews who have been ministering the Gospel. And yes of course this is rooted in Christ. But we are members of each other, too; so in being joined to Jesus we are joined to one another, too.

In Romans 11 Paul says a branch, not the whole tree, was broken off. It doesn't say we were grafted to the root of the tree. But it is possible that this, being an image, is not meant to be totally exact. After all, we are a pretty big branch if this is literal, I would say so many more than there are Jewish background saints. But if the Jews number from before Jesus and since then . . . God knows.

 

[Grip Docility]

The covenant with Abraham include him being a father of a great nation and that nation is rooted in the 12 tribes which became two nations Israel and Jacob. The covenant also says in Abraham's seed all the nations of the world would be blessed; so we are in Jesus the seed. The covenant with the land and the 12 tribes was an unconditional covenant. The law came and placed conditions on remaining in the land based on obedience but when the mandated judgement came and destruction and being exiled was required the promise that the land is theirs is reaffirmed every time.
psalm 105
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
10 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”

When the LORD gave the promise of a new covenant in Jeremiah 31 Jesus announced it when he took the cup and said this is the cup of the new covenant made in His blood. Jesus at that same time had also predicted the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. God knowing that these two events would come on heels of each other in Jer 31 right after promising the new covenant make a double declaration regarding the nation.
Thus says the LORD,
Who gives the sun for a light by day,
The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,
Who disturbs the sea,
And its waves roar
(The LORD of hosts is His name):
36 “If those ordinances depart
From before Me, says the LORD,
Then the seed of Israel shall also cease
From being a nation before Me forever.”
37 Thus says the LORD:
“If heaven above can be measured,
And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,
I will also cast off all the seed of Israel
For all that they have done, says the LORD.

Hosea 1 has a future in mind for both nations
“Yet the number of the children of Israel
Shall be as the sand of the sea,
Which cannot be measured or numbered.
And it shall come to pass
In the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’[fn]
There it shall be said to them,
‘You are sons of the living God.’
11 Then the children of Judah and the children of Israel
Shall be gathered together,
And appoint for themselves one head;
And they shall come up out of the land,
For great will be the day of Jezreel!

This literally validates my premise... That Abraham received 2 promises... One was to thy seed (Singular)... which Paul specifically attaches to the BOC... (Galatians 3:16)

The promises you have cited are to thy SEEDS... in the text and are Land Promises Given specifically to Jacob.

You have used Hosea, which isn't fully complete, Prophetically, thus your assumption of it's reference you cited... is indeed not where the unification occurred, in the NEW MAN (Ephesians 2).

Paul uses Hosea in Romans 9... but distinguishes it's application towards the BOC and Believing Israel. Romans 9 specifically cites Unbelieving Israel as Cutoff, and never unifies The BOC into Israel... but places Believing Israel and the Gentiles into the BOC.

Romans 9:1-6 is so precise in it's verbiage to layout the 3 separate groups... (Believing Israel, Unbelieving Israel, The BOC) that it is impossible to utilize it to proof supersession.

Furthermore, you have quoted a verse that shows Israel Cutoff, just as Paul specifies in Romans 11 and attempted to pass Israel off as the BOC by doing so.

Are we, the BOC, cut off from Christ?

 

[Grip Docility]

Replacement Theology is a lie. God removed the unbelievers from Israel and grafted believing gentiles into their place. If the unbelievers are Israel, to whom does God reattach those who accept Christ?

By calling Replacement theology a lie, you are saying; "calling the BOC Israel" is a lie. I figured you should know this.

What you have said about the Re-grafting, is suggesting that Christ is a "Nation", when Christ is the NEW MAN. Saying the BOC is Israel, is Suppersession / Replacement Theology.

 

[crossnote]

Thank you for your clarification.

I now think of how the land is promised to Abraham, and then the Jews got the land.

But now Gentile background Christians are with Abraham. So, it is our land, too, I can now see. But the LORD promised the "nations" to David, didn't He? So, this can mean all lands are also promised. And in Corinthians, Paul says all things are ours, including "the world".

And the Jews have kind of taken over the world, but they seem like background to all which Christians are doing. But the best way is to adopt with prayer > 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

And God is doing what is bigger than any of us now can comprehend.

Sounds logical, but out of all the New Testament, I see not one promise of the Land to the Church (maybe we are akin to the Levites), but I do see this to Abraham...
Hebrews 11:8-10 NKJV
[8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; [10] for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

But I do notice that the gates and foundations of the New Jerusalem is comprised of the names of the Prophets and Apostles...all Jewish believers! (I doubt anyone will complain to God then and say, "Hey, I thought that there was no Jew or Gentile in Christ Jesus") lol.

 

[Dave L]

By calling Replacement theology a lie, you are saying; "calling the BOC Israel" is a lie. I figured you should know this.

What you have said about the Re-grafting, is suggesting that Christ is a "Nation", when Christ is the NEW MAN. Saying the BOC is Israel, is Suppersession / Replacement Theology.

RT is a straw man dispies use to sucker the unlearned into believing them.

 

[Grip Docility]

Sounds logical, but out of all the New Testament, I see not one promise of the Land to the Church (maybe we are akin to the Levites), but I do see this to Abraham...
Hebrews 11:8-10 NKJV
[8] By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. [9] By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; [10] for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

But I do notice that the gates and foundationsof the New Jerusalem is comprised of the names of the Prophets and Apostles...all Jewish believers! (I doubt anyone will complain to God then and say, "Hey, I thought that there was no Jew or Gentile in Christ Jesus") lol.

Exactly...

Supersession Denies that Galations 3:16 references the "to thy seed" aspect of Abraham's promises... which is only to ONE, and then through that ONE would be MANY... (The BOC)

The portion given to Jacob is specifically to THY SEEDS (Plural)... and is verified in scripture as specifically TO JACOB... (Israel)

A Supersession believer actually posted this text, earlier, in this thread, misunderstanding that it proofs Supersession incorrect.

 

[Grip Docility]

RT is a straw man dispies use to sucker the unlearned into believing them.

Is Galatians 3:16 to the Singular (Seed) or to Thy Seeds?

If you know RT is your belief system, why do you call it a lie. You are Reformed, yes?

You depend on Israel's Literal Election, to usurp Israel's Election, then "claim" the doctrine of Individual Election.

This is taking a core message within Scripture, denying it's actual meaning, and for the purpose of supporting Reformed Individual Election.

That is playing fast and loose with scripture to prove a sinful man's doctrine!

 

[Dave L]

Is Galatians 3:16 to the Singular (Seed) or to Thy Seeds?

= Jesus