The Hebraic Roots Of Replacement Theology

Reuven Doron

In his great discourse of the historical administration of the Gospel, Paul clearly defines Israel's election, rejection, and restoration in chapters 9 through 11 of Romans. He concludes that sweeping prophetic vision in directing the attention of his readers to the grand-finale of our dispensation: the restoration of the nation of Israel and the redemption of this world at the return of the Lord. He emphatically affirms that this coming national resurrection is directly related to God's covenant with them (11:27), God's love toward them (11:28), and God's appointed gifts and calling to them as an ethnic and distinct people group.

Regarding the Jewish nation, Paul wrote to the Gentile church that "From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." Romans 11:28-32.

It seems quite clear then, from Romans 11 and other portions of Scripture, that we are given ample reason to trust that a future national restoration of Israel in her calling and gifting is to be anticipated. In addition, the apostle makes sure that we are also given the Church's proper attitude toward the Jew until that time comes. Mercy is the only appropriate disposition of true Christians.

Paul, in fact, strengthened this point later in the same letter, saying "but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things." Romans 15:25-27.

This generous gesture, we know from history, was not a one-time sentimental offering to support the believing Jews living in Judea, but rather an established and ongoing apostolic tradition. This debt of love and of gratitude toward the Hebrew disciples in Judea, which was also a prophetic act pointing toward their promised national restoration, was discontinued by the second Bishop in Rome in the second century due to the power struggle between Rome and Jerusalem. The blood relatives of the Lord Jesus still living and ministering in Judea and the Galilee were a threat to the Gentile Church hierarchy forming in Rome, and they had to be cut off.

And so, from the very first moves of God among the Gentile nations of the Mediterranean basin in the first and second centuries, that apostolic charge to show mercy to the Jew was challenged, usurped, and eventually totally ignored. The historical Church not only generally failed to show mercy to the scattered Jews whom by now were driven out of their land for the second time, but in time became Israel's main persecutor.

Some of those persecutors, no doubt, were not truly born again Christians and could be dismissed as being Christian by name only. Many others, however, were not only true believers, but often leaders and men of godly character and influence who, never the less, stumbled over the Jewish issue and resisted the word of God itself.

John Chrysotom, a prominent early Church father wrote concerning the Jews: "You did slay Christ. You did lift violent hands against the Master. You did spill His precious blood. This is why you have no chance of atonement, excuse, or defense."

Martin Luther, that greatly esteemed reformer who served God faithfully in his generation, liberating many from oppression and dead religiosity, never the less wrote these words concerning the Jews: "...we do not know to this day which devil has brought them here...like a plague, pestilence, pure misfortune in our country...They are just devils and nothing more."

Israel's stumbling and rejection were totally misunderstood and misinterpreted by most Christian leaders. The sight of the scattered and homeless Jew became an enigma and a sure sign of divine judgment, and what some recognized as a miracle of preservation, others interpreted as the mark of Cain, a perpetual curse, a warning to God's enemies. Unfortunately, Paul's clear admonition in Romans 11:11 was silenced and ignored: "I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous."

And so the Church, as a whole, took upon itself Israel's national role as a priestly nation, called itself the "new Israel" or "true Israel" (terms not found in Scripture), and assumed Israel's millennial blessings and promises. Israel, they said, as a nation, has failed for the last time and is finally displaced by God's new and improved agency, the Church.

Some, more generous, did agree that there should come a great revival among the Jews at the end of the age when they will embrace the gospel and come en-mass into the Church. Yet even those still held to the theology that God is finished with the nation of Israel as a nation: the Church has finally and permanently replaced her, and there is never to be a Jewish nation in the ancient homeland promised to the fathers by covenant.

And indeed, most main line denominations either held to various shades of this theology, or kept silent on the topic. That is, until 1948 of course, when God made His own point and brought the Fig tree back to life in its own ancient land. Israel has become not only the clearest, loudest, and boldest proof that there is a sovereign God and that His word is true and authoritative, but is also becoming the stigma by which true Christians will be criticized, judged, and even condemned in the coming days.

Yet, that replacement theology was not born in the minds of deceived Christians during this dispensation of grace, but in fact has its roots much earlier. The truth of the matter is that Israel herself often times wanted to be replaced and looked for a way out of her national election and ethnic separation unto God and His purposes. It is neither easy nor simple to be selected by God for a divine purpose, chosen to be a peculiar people, different than all others, and set apart for His use. In fact, the Scriptures offer an honest and revealing glimpse into Israel's struggle and clash with her national calling. Consider this typical example:

"And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel...His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.

"...And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day... so they are doing to you also. Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.

"So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who had asked of him a king... nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, 'No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Samuel 8.

Over and over again in the years to come, the Israelites displayed total lack of revelation or appreciation toward the divine purpose of their national election. Rather, the Scripture often exposed an open resistance, strife, and antagonism toward the prophetic charge their nation repeatedly faced as God sent His fiery messengers to awaken His people. These unredeemed minds continuously resented the peculiarity and awkwardness associated with the supernatural national call, and the compelling drive of their collective soul continuously demanded, "that we also may be like all the nations."

Ever since the Exodus out of Egypt, that dramatic and traumatic display of divine favor, compassion, and power on their behalf, the Israelites struggled with their election. It was shortly after their deliverance out of Pharaoh's hand, while camping in the oasis of Rephidim, that "the people thirsted there for water; and they grumbled against Moses and said, 'Why, now, have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?'" Exodus 17:3.

Our forefathers truly did not know the reason for their existence. Their miraculous survival and freshly bought liberty meant nothing to them as much as their national call was concerned. So short was their memory, so selective and limited the recollection of their sufferings in Egypt, their cries to God, their supernatural deliverance, and the promise of a safe and blessed land ahead, it is evident these Hebrew slaves did not know, nor trust, God!

Sadly, this carnal attitude continued to persist throughout the generations of Israel, culminating in the cry, "that we also may be like all the nations." And apart from short seasons of open heavens, brought about by fiery prophets or righteous kings, the nation walked in deadly oblivion to her call, purpose, and destiny, as if to say, "We would rather have others replace us in our calling."

Not only in biblical times was this true, but this spirit is still alive today. Our modern day liberal and secular politicians were ready to turn Israel into "just another nation" within this very generation. Shimon Peres, who preceded Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, was longing for the day when Jews would marry Gentiles en-mass, and Israel would be like any other nation, living in peace in the Middle East without insisting on its ethnic uniqueness, national heritage, or biblical mandate.

This has always been the struggle. Will we fulfill our divine call and election and take seriously our position among the nations, paying the price of isolation, ridicule, and persecution if need be? Or will we, as a nation, succumb to the humanistic, secular, and respectable appeal of the intelligencia with its open minded, sophisticated, and cultural façade? Will we choose our divine destiny according to the word of the Lord, or the worldly, humanistic option of compromise and denial? The burning prophets of the wilderness will yet clash with the religious and political hierarchies, calling them to repent, humble themselves, and prepare the way of the Lord. Pray for the masses to have ears to hear.

Until we, as a nation, embrace our own calling and election wholeheartedly and find the grace to fulfill our own destiny as a priestly nation, how can we accuse others of illegally grabbing it and unbiblically displacing us from our position? For lack of revelation and vision, the nation of Israel avoided her call time and again, looking to others to fulfill it, and in effect desiring to have herself replaced! If the job was left undone and the post unmanned, any one can enter into it and claim it as their own.

And so it was. The Church of the Lord Jesus entered into that which was not occupied and assumed Israel's role. And while the Church is called to share with Christ in His rule and coming Kingdom, she was never intended to do so in the political and national arena. That unique and specific post is reserved for a redeemed Israel alone. All other attempts to fill it will prove futile, deceptive, and will fade away.

Pray for Israel, then, that the Spirit of God may arouse her and that she may begin to remember who she really is. Let the ancient fountains of the covenants, the promises, the patriarchs, and the glorious historical miracles we have had with God, reopen in our days, and let living waters flow again in our cities. Pray for revelation, as it alone can quicken the sick, wounded, and scarred hearts; pray for conviction, as it alone can cut through layers of unbelief, hardness, and deception; and pray for mercy, for God alone can remove the veil that He Himself placed upon the Jewish hearts for a season.

"For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." Romans 11:30-32.

Pastor Reuven Doron