Dispensationalist Doctrine has become popular in the western church. The concept that Israel, the people known as Jews will receive a separate inherence and blessings than the Church of the Gentiles has gained strength in many circles. But is it Biblical? Does the text tell of Jews who do not believe in Messiah being spared or that Completed Jews who believe in Christ will have different promise than Gentile Christians?
Before I continue I want to be clear that we must be careful when interpreting Scripture. I do not want to be so staunch in a view that cannot completely be affirmed by the Word and the Holy Spirit that I become deceived like Pharisee or Sadducee. However, we also must let "scripture define scripture," and so with that endeavor I point to the scriptures that answer if being Jewish Christian or simply being a Son of Abraham guarantees promises that Gentile Christians will not get.
I shall start with Jesus Christ's words. He said to Pharisees, "do you think that because you are sons of Abraham it makes you anything? Stones can be raised up to be sons of Abraham." (Matthew 3:9). "Abraham was counted righteous because of his trust in the Lord. But you are synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 3:9). Jesus spoke this to Pharisees, Jewish religious leaders who opposed Jesus like Caiaphas. Then Jesus says something else, "You think because you are sons of Abraham you are something, but you really are sons of your father Satan," (John 8:3-44) and later Jesus says, "You will lead the way into hell." (Matthew 23). Woah, that's pretty harsh language for some religious leaders. But does it affirm or debunk dispensationlism? Well honestly, it does answer that just being a descendant of Abraham doesn't ensure you anything, so in way it does, but an dispensationalist may argue that Christ's words were to unbelieving Jews, not believing ones.
So to answer this new challenge I point to the great testate, the former Pharisee of Pharisees, Paul. To find a refutation to being Jewish Christian and being more special is found in many Epistles from the whole book of Galatians to 1 and 2 Corinthians. But perhaps the most poignant words of Paul are these, "There is no longer Jew or Gentile, Greek or Scythian, slave or free, male or female, all are one in Christ." (Galatians 3:28). This is where many pastors and teachers stop, but the following lines are very important and summarize Paul's entire argument, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are descendants of Abraham, and heirs of his promise." (Galatians 3:29). Dispensationalism shatters on those words. If through Christ we are descendants of Abraham and "grafted into the tree.." (see Romans 11:11-31 for full text on how Christians are grafted into the family). A Christian is then a Jew by heritage because of Jesus Christ! So then the promises of Abraham are ours!
This is not popular view in the United States. Its called by some groups, "replacement theology." But there is no replacement, it is simply saying that we who believe in Christ, wither Jew or Gentile are One, and no one is more special than the other. It also means that while there are Jews who believe in Christ, we are now grafted in and have become Jews through Jesus. In effect it doesn't necessary destroy Dispensationalism, but rather makes it unnecessary. But the next argument that comes up will be, "Paul was rejecting and persecuted Jews and their culture. He was infected by Greek thinking." Very well, let me take on that allegation with Paul's own words, "I am a Jew! I can trace my line back to Benjamin. I studied under Gamiliel, and was Pharisee of Pharisees! I even persecuted the church, killing Christians until at last I was the Road of Damascus and I saw a light, and in light I heart a voice saying, "Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (Philippians 3:4-6, another ref Acts 23:6). Paul was definitely a Jew and to response to the claim that he was infected by Greek thought read this: "And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). Paul is addressing some very learned Greeks and he makes it clear he choose not to learn their ways or thinking, but to preach only Christ.
The point is that no Christian is more special. A Jewish believer and Gentile believer are equal before the Lord. Squabbling over who has more rights to the promises is not the answer. However, as Christians who have promises of Abraham, do we have a right to the land of Israel? The answer is yes. According to the Scriptures Christians have a right to the land, but so do Jewish Christians. But we should not be fighting for this land now, but rather waiting for Jesus Christ to return and establish His Kingdom. Then it will be ours, to try and seize it now is pointless; for we are inheritors of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the One that shall come at the end of days. (Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 21:21).
The point is Dispensationalism wants to separate and segregate believers according to their sectarian heritage. But if we are in Christ, we all receive the same promises, rights, and inheritance. We are all equals through Emmanuel and so there is no reason to be fighting over promises that are for all who put their trust in Christ Jesus.
Comments
Post a Comment