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How do we get so confused?


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#1 Charles Miles

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Posted 03 August 2012 - 04:51 PM

A friend of mine whom I have known for 50 years has been sending me e-mails and tracts about why he considers the Jews to be cursed and damned! I have now read and studied this "replacement theology" that evidently has been around for a while and it just makes me sick! This man has a PhD in theology and is a minister of the Gospel. How on earth do people who study and are considered experts on the Bible come up with this sort of stuff that I consider to be absolute error? He now has decided that I am blinded by some error in my belief system and considers our friendship to be null and void. I guess what I am saying here is...am I wrong in believing that God made promises to Israel and although they are "blinded" for a while, He will have them return to Him at the end of the age? Does anyone out there understand where all this originated? And why? If the Abrahamic covenant is no longer in effect, we are all in trouble, and I certainly believe God has and will keep all His promises. Am I wrong to believe that we are "grafted into" these promises, but what would happen to a graft if the tree dies?
I know who my Redeemer is and consider Him able and willing to do all that He has promised. This theology does not trouble me in relation to my own salvation, joy, or assurance, but is troubling to my spirit when I realize it is being taught from the pulpit. I am not a bible scholar nor do I have a PhD in theology, but this, in my opinion is just wrong thinking. Does anyone have an opinion about this?

#2 elizabethcog

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Posted 04 August 2012 - 04:40 AM

Ephesians2:14"For he himself is our peace,who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier,the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in his flesh the law with it's commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two,thus making peace and in this one body reconcile both of them to God,through the cross,by which he put to death their hostility. I have to stay in his word to be strong because without him and his mercy and love and guidance I am a rag,he commands me to love him and others as self,not just those that I like and agree with but all his people.He will seperate and judge,and I pray and strive in being obedient (not perfect) so I will bring him glory and bring others to his church through his spirit in me.
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Jesus and Jesus alone saves=D

#3 Lori Smith

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Posted 04 August 2012 - 12:14 PM

Charles,

This has been an issue that can be traced back to the early church fathers. Marcion believed the Old Testament should be thrown out. He actually thought there was a God of the Old Testament and a different God in the New Testament. Obviously this is false, for Jesus came to fulfill OT prophecies. Indeed, the Old Testament was foundational to the New. Moreover Jesus said: "Salvation is of the Jews" (Jn 4:22).

Paul's letter to the Romans actually addressed this issue head on. Scholars posit that when the Jews were expelled from Rome due to persecution, Gentile Christians assumed authority and when the Jews returned, Gentiles were treating them unfairly. This led to Paul's response that the Jews were the root rather than Gentiles. Does this mean that the nation of Israel has been replaced by the church-with the once Jewish root? No, because they have been blinded for a time until the time of the Gentiles is complete (Romans 11:25). It is possible this time is near, for Israel as a nation has been regathered (as prophesied), and many Jewish people are now embracing Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah. There is a wonderful Messianic Rabbi on T.V. that teaches about all of this, and he attended a CMA college (Toccoa Falls). His name is Rabbi Schneider (http://www.discoveri...ewishjesus.com/); it's my favorite show. There is so much that Jews have to teach the church regarding how God set forth spiritual principles in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, we have lost much of this because the Roman culture assumed much of the identity of the church. The Reformers, although they sought to go back to the original Greek manuscripts, did not do much to restore the original Jewish influence. Luther was actually very anti-Semitic in the end.

I agree with you that replacement theology is grievous. I think it must grieve God greatly, for the Bible is full of references to Israel in the last days. In fact, Revelation describes Jesus as "the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" (Rev 5:5). That doesn't sound like a cursed or missing Israel to me!

Blessings,
Lori
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In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."

#4 Candice

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Posted 04 August 2012 - 01:39 PM

Dear Charles,
maybe you might ask your friend if he believes so strongly in replacement theology that the Lord would have him and your 50 year friendship. It appears thathis heart is hardened in general all enough to end your friendship so that says a lot. The Lord said I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. In this, He does not change His mind .

Candice
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#5 Charles Miles

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Posted 04 August 2012 - 06:53 PM

Lori and Candice, Thank you for your comments on this matter. This old friend(and I still consider him to be that, even though he won`t speak now) really has gotten pulled into this thrology very deeply. The thing that is disturbing is that most of the leaders of this stuff are bible scholars and ministers who should see the problems that they can cause with this message. We had a Rabbi from Jewish Voice come and speak at our church this year and it as one of the most educational experiences I can remember in a while. The information we can get from these "completed" Jews is ver interesting and helps us to understand why we do certain things certain ways in the christian church.
I certainly do not think the Church has replaced Israel as God`s chosen and there just can`t be a curse on the Jews that permenently separates them from God. As you said, Paul spoke to this plainly, and all through the ages God has always kept His covenant with Israel. We do know that they are blinded for a time but that will end. I pray that this divisive doctrine will have His great light shown upon it and correct anything that is in error.

Charlie

#6 StevePage

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Posted 05 August 2012 - 04:03 AM

Sorry for you Charles. I pray the Lord will blees you. His will be done.

#7 chipped china

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Posted 05 August 2012 - 04:52 AM

I too have studied this recently and believe as you and the others here. 2 Tim. 3:7 popped into my mind. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Peace and His Love.

#8 Lori Smith

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Posted 05 August 2012 - 04:53 AM

Charles,

You are showing beautiful, Christlike grace towards your friend. I pray that he will become a friend of Israel! :)

Blessings,
Lori
In The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer writes, "Jesus taught that He wrought His works by always keeping His inward eyes upon His Father. His power lay in His continuous look at God (John 5:19-21)."