I have been trying to get a definition of "Replacement Theology", but all I get comes from dispensational groups which is a put down, without a definitive answer as to what it actually teaches.
Replacement theology is a term dispensationalists use to explain their view that the Church is clearly different than Israel. The term is not used by others because the Church is the true Israel of God.
Dispensationalism is a system of biblical interpretation which embraces "pre-tribulational premillenialism" and involves the division of history into (usually) seven distinct periods of time known as "dispensations". The three primary tenets of the system are:
1) a clear distinction between Israel and the Church,
2) literal interpretation of Scripture,
3) the glory of God as the primary goal of history.
Only the third principle is valid. As stated above, God's glory is clearly the driving force behind all things .... There is only one people of God, rooted in the Abrahamic Covenant, united in Christ, and consisting of both Jew and Gentile alike.
Rather than reading the New Testament ‘according to the letter’, Dispensationalism reads the New Testament through the lens of its insistence upon a radical separation between Israel and the church.
Hi Gil, I think you'll find that 'Replacement Theology' is a Dipensationalist expression to describe those of us who hold that the promises to Israel find their fulfillment in the Church of Jesus Christ; that there is no separate destiny for Israel which the Church does not share.
In other words, it describes orthodox Covenant Theology.
Classic Dispensationalist's teach a seperation between Israel and the Church. It's literal interpetation of Scripture proposes two distinct people in seven different dispensations.
Dr. Venema says, "no more emphatic word could be spoken that in the church illegitimate distinctions are no longer permitted between Jew and Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised. This should not surprise us, coming as it does from the same apostle who reminded the church in Ephesus that Christ ‘Himself is our peace, who made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall’ (Eph. 2:14). By the standard of this apostolic teaching and rule, Dispensationalism seems to be in serious error in its distinction between Israel and the church."
Unlike Dispensationalism, Reformed (Covenant) Theology considers the seed of Abraham, the Israelites, to be part of the body of Christ. The Church did not replace Israel but organically springs out of the same root. God, from eternity, had merely planned, in the fullness of time, to expand His purpose, through Christ, to include other nations as well. All the spiritual seed of Abraham, Jew or Gentile are now one in Christ. Gentiles are a wild olive, grafted in among the Jews, the natural branches. Jesus "has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." Eph 2:12-14
Wes
When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride. - Isaac Watts
Oops! I think I expressed myself very badly on my last post. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/stupidme.gif" alt="" />
What I was trying to say is that when I have heard this term used it has been by dispensationalists using it as an term to describe (and denigrate) reformed theology.
Their claim is that we have replaced Israel with the Church, whilst we know (I hope) that God has had one plan for His elect from eternity (eg. Titus 1:2) which He has fulfilled in Christ..
I don't know anything about Covenant Theology, but is it right to say "Replacement" Theology? The Gentiles aren't replacing the Jews at all. Is that what they mean?
