What Should We Think About Israel? | 4 Views on Israel and the Church
- Chad Lee
- Oct 25, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2023
Type of Doctrine: Tertiary
"25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob'; 27 'and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.' 28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all."
Romans 11:25-32 ESV
Why does it matter?
Even though this is a third-tier doctrine, there are at least three big implications of one's view regarding Israel and the church. First, there are implications on how a person understands certain Bible passages. Are the many promises made to Israel fulfilled literally or spiritually? In addition, there are implications on how a person views the church. Are Israel and the church one people of God? Or, on the other hand, are they distinct people in the plan of God? Finally, there are implications on how a person views the events surrounding the end of the world, when Jesus returns. Should we expect that the literal country of Israel will play a role in the end times? Thus, though the doctrine is tertiary, one's view can have large implications on how the Bible is read and other theological topics.
What is it?
There are two main ways to understand the Bible on the topic of Israel and the church. The first is called covenant theology. This system typically emphasizes the continuity of the Bible and God's plan of grace from the beginning to the end. Israel and the church are considered one people of God. There is typically no future role for Israel since the promises to Israel are fulfilled spiritually.
The second is called dispensationalism. This system typically emphasizes the discontinuity of the Bible and God's plan. Israel and the church are seen as two distinct groups in the plan of God. There is typically an expectation that Israel will have a future role since the promises are fulfilled literally.
One of the key differences between covenant theology and dispensationalism is whether one sees continuity or discontinuity in the Bible.
Therefore, one of the key differences is whether there is continuity or discontinuity in the Bible. In other words, does God have one people and one primary covenant of grace throughout the Bible? Or, on the other hand, does God have two groups of people and various distinct covenants?
Many, however, have begun to emphasize the kingdom of God as a main theme in the Bible. Scholars, therefore, have sought to relate the kingdom of God with the covenants that are scattered throughout the Bible. With this emphasis, two variations of these groups have come about: (1) progressive dispensationalism and (2) progressive covenantalism.
There are various key Scriptures to study in forming an opinion on this topic. Among many important Old Testament promises, Jeremiah 31:31-34 stands out as an important text where the topic of the new covenant is prophesied. Some of the most common New Testament biblical texts to consider are: (1) Acts 2, (2) Romans 2:28-29; 4:11-12; 9:6-8; 11 (the entire chapter), and (3) Ephesians 2:12-20; 3:6.
Here are the four main views on Israel and the church.
4 Views on Israel and the Church
View | Israel and the Church | Bible is Composed Of: | Future Role of Israel? | Emphasis |
Traditional Covenantal | One people of God (Israel and the church together) | Covenants (covenant of Redemption before creation, covenant of works in the garden, and covenant of grace from Gen. 3:15 onward) | There is no future role for Israel. These Old Testament expectations are fulfilled spiritually in Christ and in the church. | Continuity between the covenants |
Traditional Dispensational | Two peoples of God (Israel and the Church distinct) | Dispensations (7 distinct periods: innocence, conscience, human government, Abrahamic promise, Mosaic Law, grace, millennium) | There is a future role for Israel. These Old Testament expectations are fulfilled literally by Israel. The age of the church is over at the rapture while Jewish people will go through the tribulation, believe in Jesus, and experience fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the millennium. | Discontinuity between the covenants |
Progressive Dispensational | Two peoples of God (Israel and the Church distinct) | Dispensations (However, the church is not a parenthetical part of God's plan but instead the first step towards establishing the kingdom of God. God doesn't have 2 purposes but one: the kingdom of God.) | There is a future role for Israel. These Old Testament expectations are fulfilled literally by Israel. Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in the millennium. | Discontinuity between the covenants (However, it seems that more continuity is being emphasized here than with traditional dispensationalism.) |
Progressive Covenantal (Sometimes called New Covenant Theology) | One people of God (Israel and the church together yet there are some differences between the two) | Kingdom of God being established through progressive covenants that build upon each other | There is no future role for Israel. These Old Testament expectations are fulfilled spiritually in Christ and in the church. | Both continuity and discontinuity between the covenants |
To summarize, dispensational theology expects a future role for Israel to play in the end times. In their view, God has two groups among his people: Jews and the church. Covenant theology, on the other hand, sees these expectations as being fulfilled in Christ and in the church. Therefore, covenant theologians do not see a future role for Israel in the end times. Instead, Jews can become part of the church by having saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, just like non-Jews would.
Application
We can be thankful that through Jesus the wall of hostility has been broken down between Jews and non-Jews (Eph. 2:14-16). He has saved us, and he has an incredible ending to this present earth coming which will result in the new heavens and the new earth, regardless of what the specifics look like (1 Thess. 4:17-18; Rev. 21-22). So, we can trust him!
Where can I learn more?
Bibliography:
- Brand, Chad, ed. Perspectives on Israel and the Church: 4 Views. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2015. Additionally, click here to check out this brief summary of this book by Yohanna Katanacho.
- Gentry, Peter J. and Stephen J. Wellum. Kingdom Through Covenant: A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the Covenants. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012.
- Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994.