1. David Thompson 26 th February 2012 Special Seminar Israel and the Church Romans 9-11

2. Resources “Israel and the Church: the Fulfilment of Promise” by Adrian Birks, Newfrontiers theology forum. “Zion’s Christian Soldiers?” by Stephen Sizer, IVP.

3. Historical Context First Century Rome Church not founded by Paul or Peter Jewish population Riot in 49 AD, expulsion and return Church marked by ‘mutual superiority’

4. Historical Context And more recently… Long term history of Jewish persecution German Holocaust Establishing the State of Israel

5. Key Questions Has the church replaced Israel? Does Israel have a divine claim to land in the Middle East? Do sincere Jews have to believe in Jesus in order to be saved? Will there be a revival amongst ethnic Israel?

6. Theological Perspectives Dispensational Zionism

7. Theological Perspectives Dispensational Zionism History is divided into 7 ‘dispensations’ We are currently in Number 6, but it is doomed to fail There is no connection between Israel and the church OT prophecy has a future, literal fulfilment Christians can and should ‘hasten the end of the age’

8. Theological Perspectives Dispensational Zionism An anathema to the Arab community Largely ignores the revelation that comes from the New Testament Discourages outreach to the Jews (contrary to the New Testament)

9. Theological Perspectives Classical Zionism Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in the church AND in ethnic Israel God has two distinct people: the church and Israel Israel has a divine claim to the land There will be an end-times revival among ethnic Israel

10. Theological Perspectives Classical Zionism The interpretation of Old Testament prophecies seems inconsistent The Patriarchs, etc, were looking for something much better than land (Hebrews 11:39)

11. Theological Perspectives Fulfilment Theology Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled in Christ and the church The church has not replaced Israel; promises are not cancelled but rather fulfilled

12. Big Questions What about the land? God clearly promised a piece of land to Abraham and his descendents Genesis 15:18 Genesis 17:1-8 Genesis 26:2-4 Genesis 28:13-15

13. Big Questions What about the land?

14. Big Questions What about the land? Even in the OT there was no ‘divine right’ to the land All Christians are heirs to all of the promise made to Abraham (Galatians 3:29) ‘Land’ is linked to ‘city’, ‘temple’ and a ‘Davidic king’ Jesus widened the focus from the land to the whole earth In the early church, Kingdom had replaced geography

15. Big Questions What about the land? Conclusion: No one has a particular divine claim to any land Nonetheless, the rise and fall of nations is within the sovereignty of God

16. Big Questions Has God finished with ethnic Israel? No! There will always be a remnant of God’s people from within Israel Today, Israel has been hardened The growing church will draw Jews to salvation There ‘may be’ an end-times revival of the Jews!

17. Conclusion How should we view the Jews? With respect and gratitude With compassion