The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Romans 11 25-32

I recently did an in-depth study of Romans. I asked my pastor what the reformed position is on Paul's statement in v. 26 " and so all Israel will be saved" He adheres to Replacement Theology, that we are all Israel i do not think that is what Paul is saying. He has just finished saying that Israel has experienced a hardening until the full number of Gentiles are grafted in.
What are your thoughts?

If you haven't already done so, perhaps you would benefit from reading this article by Lee Irons: Paul's Theology of Israel's Future. It speaks directly to the issue, difficulty and resolution of this passage in a thoughtful way using sound exegesis and the analogy of faith.

Thanks Pilgrim, I read this article but I still think that Paul is referring to a future time of widespread jewish conversion before the final judgment
The people of Israel(the Jews) have been set aside for a time so that salvation might be extended to the Gentiles. But this is only temporary. For once the full number of the Gentiles has come in..."all Israel will be saved"
In v.28-29, Paul says "As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account, but as far as election is concerned, the are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gift and his call are irrevocable". God's character is unchanging and His plans for Israel is unchanging.
God chose Israel to be His special people and nothing that has happened since, or will happen, can change that relationship His Sovereign purposes for Israel still stand.
I believe Paul is saying that God will keep His promises to the Jewish people by leading the mass of them to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior in the last days.

One's interpretation will undoubtedly be influenced by one's eschatology, e.g., Amil, Postmil, Premil, or ?? Since I believe that the nation of Israel was temporal and has been cast off I see no future return of that nation since all has been fulfilled in Christ. The true Israel is and always has been the Church (Rom 6:16; Acts 7:38) and thus God's promises and calling are sure and unchanging. And so, I like Irons and many others, hold that Paul means: 'all the elect Jews' will be saved along with the elect Gentiles and thus 'all Israel' will surely be saved. Peter essentially says the same thing in 2Pet 3:9, speaking to his Jewish readers:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

IF you are interested, this view of Israel and its future is further discussed here:

- Prophesy and the Israeli State, by John Wilmot
- Are Restoration Prophesies Being Fulfilled Today?, by William Hendriksen
- What is the Meaning of 'Israel'?, by William Hendriksen

In His grace,