Dispensational view of Israel & the Church
Dispensationalism posits that the key to the fulfilment of all Bible prophecy regarding the end-times is the re-establishment of Israel in 1948 - as in, the end times began when Israel was re-established. They believe:
- Ethnic Israel is God's original plan; Christ would fulfil the promise to David that his descendants would rule over an eternal earthly kingdom.
- The Jewish people instead rejected God and crucified the Messiah, leading God to resort to Plan B; the church.
- The Church exists as a kind of "parenthesis" in God's divine plan, which still centres on Israel.
- God is now left with two covenant people, and deals separately with each.
- To fulfil His original plan to establish an earthly kingdom ruled by Christ, while maintaining the distinction between two covenant people, He must remove the church from the equation (called the Rapture)
Against the Dispensational Division of Israel & Church
Dispensationalists have fragmented the Bible into numerous dispensational parts with two redemptive programs-one for Israel and one for the Church-and have doubled new covenants, returns of Christ, physical resurrections, and final judgments, thereby destroying the unity and coherence of Scripture.
Scripture Teaches the Unity of God's People
The New Testament reveals that in Christ, the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles has been broken down, making them one (Eph. 2:14-16). There is no longer a distinction in God's redemptive plan; all believers are unified in Christ. Christ established a new covenant, making the old covenant obsolete (Heb. 8:6-13). This new covenant is inclusive of all who believe, not just ethnic Israel.
The True Israel is Spiritual, Fulfilled in the Church
The New Testament sees two "Israels" (Rom. 9:6-8)-one according to the flesh and one according to the promise-with the true Israel being those who are children of the promise. The Church has not replaced Israel; rather, it is the New Testament expansion. This is why the New Testament calls members of the Church "Abraham's seed" (Gal. 3:26-29) and the Church itself "the Israel of God" (Gal. 6:16). Believers are called "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people" (1 Pet. 2:9-10), titles originally given to Israel (Exod. 19:5-6). The Church has inherited these titles.
Gentiles Grafted into the Promises of Israel
In Romans 11:17-24, Paul uses the olive tree metaphor to illustrate that Gentile believers are grafted into the spiritual heritage of Israel. The natural branches represent ethnic Israel, and the wild olive shoots symbolise Gentile believers grafted in among them. The Gentiles now share in the same covenant promises and are nourished by the same root. Rather than creating two separate entities, this grafting signifies a unified people of God, where both Jews and Gentiles are integrated into one cultivated olive tree.
The Church Was Part of God's Plan from the Beginning
Viewing the Church as a temporary "Plan B" undermines the consistent and sovereign plan of God throughout Scripture. The Church was part of God's eternal purpose from the beginning (Eph. 1:4-5), chosen before the foundation of the world.
Theological Inconsistencies in Separating Israel and the Church
Separating Israel and the Church leads to theological inconsistencies, such as duplicating covenants and end-time events, which distort the overall narrative of redemption.
Conclusion
The division of Israel and the Church is unbiblical, as all Old Testament prophecy finds fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the True Israel. In Him, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, for all are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28). The unity and coherence of Scripture affirm that God has one redemptive plan for one people, fulfilled in Christ and His Church. Israel is not replaced by the church but rather there is now a unified people of God: repentant Jews and Gentiles joined through faith in Jesus, receiving Israel’s promises and calling as their own.
Sources
- Johnston, G. (1944). The Doctrine of the Church in the New Testament. Cambridge University Press.
- Argues that Jesus intended a "new Israel" rather than a separate church entity.
- Smith, R. O. (2013). More Desired than Our Own Salvation: The Roots of Christian Zionism. Oxford University Press.
- Examines the historical roots of Christian Zionism and critiques its theological foundations.
- Grisanti, M. A. (2019). New Covenant Theology Compared with Covenantalism. The Master's Seminary Journal.
- Compares New Covenant Theology with Covenant Theology, highlighting issues with dispensationalist interpretations.
- Blaising, C. A., & Bock, D. L. (1993). Progressive Dispensationalism. Baker Academic.
- Presents a modified form of dispensationalism that addresses some criticisms of traditional dispensationalism.
- Vlach, M. J. (2012). Has the Church Replaced Israel? A Theological Evaluation. B&H Academic.
- Evaluates supersessionism and offers a nuanced view of the relationship between Israel and the Church.
Scriptures
6. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
7. and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
8. This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
26. for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
16. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.