This video is informative and an easy listen. Such discussions separate those who subscribe to replacement theology from those who do not subscribe to this theology.
What is Replacement Theology?
Replacement Theology – reduced to its simplest form – teaches that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. The term “Replacement Theology” is relatively new and unfamiliar to many people (in some cases, even those who believe in it). Among theologians, the older and more widely used term is “supersessionism.” The Church “supersedes” Israel. Its proponents teach that God has set aside Israel and made the Church “new Israel,” the new and improved people of God. There are many variations within the broad spectrum of Replacement Theology, but two of the main approaches are these:
- economic supersessionism
- punitive supersessionism
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My Story
From the age of 6 until age 27, my indifference to Christianity (the Church) was stolid. I was neither an atheist nor an agnostic. I was indifferent to Christianity. My parents divorced when I was only 6 years of age. The culture in our South Texas town often blamed the wife for a divorce. They did this regardless of the facts: “What did SHE do?”
Our custom before the divorce was for my two sisters and me to attend Sunday School. Mom would join us for the church service. A hurtful incident in my Sunday school class moved me to go home, not wanting to ever return to church. On my way home, Mom stopped me, asked why I was going home. After explaining my reason, she took my hand and walked with me home.
A few times, classmates invited me to attend other churches with them. I was unaffected by sermons and teachings.
I married my high school sweetheart after a courtship of about three years. Her mother worked to supplement the family income. In contrast, my mother worked because she was the sole source of family income.
I joined the U.S. Navy. I quickly advanced in rank from recruit (pay grade E-1) to second-class petty officer (pay grade E-5) in 23 months. This advancement enabled us to live on my income.
My performance captured the attention of aerospace defense contractors who provided logistical support to my squadron. Six months before my separation from service date, a representative of one of those companies approached me at our apartment. The offer was irresistible. Norden Systems hired me as an engineer at a mid-range salary.
My duty was logistical support for Norden customers: Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. My last assignment was to the 443rd Airlift Wing. This was the training base for the C-5A Galaxy aircraft. My company manufactured the Multi-mode radar systems for these aircraft.
My spiritual awakening was ignited in 1973 by the Yom Kippur War. Altus AFB C-5A trainers were quickly employed to transport enormous shipments of arms and supplies to the Israeli government. None of our ‘European friends’ would allow our planes to land for refueling. All refueling was done in-flight over the Azores archipelago.
Naturally, airmen from the 443rd Airlift Wing were crewmen. During rotations of the airplanes and crews, I would hear from technicians amazing stories about the war.
Israel was vastly outnumbered in every area: equipment, aircraft, and supplies. Israel would have been defeated but for the resupply missions. Israel was close to defeat. The stories told to me aroused something in me, a compelling desire to know more about the Jews.
I became a believer in Jesus Christ on the last Sunday evening of 1974. The evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life was a miraculous healing of hypertension. Overnight, my blood pressure went from 196/96 to 120/70. The presence of the Holy Spirit in me was even more sure evidence that I was truly born again.
My new life in Christ confirmed my sense that the Jewish people were special. Beforehand, I was indifferent.
Back to Replacement Theology
Invest five minutes of your time to learn the truth about replacement theology.
Interdependent Jews and Christians
There is no doubt that God poured out His wrath on the Jewish people in the First Century in response to their rejection of His Son, Jesus, as their Messiah. And there is no doubt they have remained under the discipline of God to this day. But that does not mean they have been rejected by God.
God loves the Jewish people, even in their rebellion. In the everlasting Abrahamic Covenant, God told Abraham that He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse them (Genesis 12:3). In like manner, He told the prophet Zechariah that he who touches Israel, “touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
Isaiah proclaimed that God could never forget Israel because He has them “inscribed on the palms of His hands” (Isaiah 49:14-16). Jeremiah stated that the Jewish people would exist as a nation forever (Jeremiah 31:36). And prophet after prophet asserted that in the end times, a great remnant of the Jews will be saved when they accept Jesus as their Messiah (Isaiah 10:20-22; Jeremiah 31:1-7, 31-34; Ezekiel 6:8-10; Daniel 12:1; Hosea 2:14-20; Joel 2:31-32; Micah 7:18-20; Zephaniah 3:12-13; and Zechariah 12:10).
Lamb & Lion Ministries, The Error of Replacement Theology: Has the Church replaced Israel? By Dr. David R. Reagan
God’s Assignments for Christians
Priesthood
The first duty of a priest is to draw near to God. Jesus is the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15). A born-again, spirit-filled, son of God, a Christian, is a member of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).
Jesus Christ is the mediator between mankind and God.
1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may declare the goodness of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.“
I view the role of the priesthood of all believers in Jesus Christ as assistant mediators between mankind and God. But, how will lost people trust us? How can they know what we truly represent?
John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.“
Strong’s G26: The English word ‘love’ translates agapē (ag-ah’-pay) means unconditional love.
I believe 1 John 4:8 to be the singularly most important verse in the entire Bible.
- Modern English: “Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.“
- Latin Vulgate: “Qui non diligit, non novit Deum: quoniam Deus caritas est.“
The Latin version translates to, “He who does not love [unconditionally], does not know God: Because God is [unconditional] love.“
Consider John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
That verb ‘loved’ is defined in Strong’s G25: agapaō (unconditionally love).
Our approach as priests is to unconditionally love people. This is not to say you should participate in immoral activities or use profanity.
I choose to love unconditionally.
Rejection vis-à-vis Objection
Rejection means to throw away. What do you do when your love is rejected? Matthew 10:14 teaches us how to handle rejection: “Whoever will not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.“
An objection means something thrown in the way. This is a signal that the person needs more information. Keep 1 Peter 3:15 in mind when you experience objections: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear.”
The Rewards of Priesthood
Sadness is the most common reward. Joy is the most exhilarating reward.
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 