Selective Ethics
and now Israel, what does the LORD require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, . . . Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV
Israel – One of the principal differences between the Greek-Christian biblical worldview and the Hebrew-Semitic worldview is the scope of the precepts. Greek thinking is universalized thinking. That means the vocabulary, the theology and the ethics are applied as if they were meant for all people. There is good reason for this universal tendency. After all, YHWH is not simply the local god of Israel. He is the Almighty, the One True God, the Sovereign, the only Creator, the Master of the Universe. Hebrew Scriptures constantly reiterate this theme. All other “gods” are false and non-existent. It’s easy to project universal consequences from this ontological superiority. Even without Christian theology, Greek philosophy thought in terms of absolutes. The Greeks did not define Man as Athenian or Spartan or Mycenaean. Man was Man wherever he happened to appear. Truth was truth. Law was law. The highest ethical principles were held to be the same for all human beings. It was a small step for Christian theology to move from this philosophical foundation to the claim that Christian doctrine is true for all or that the Christian idea of salvation is the only right answer. For the most part, Christian theology universalized the first three chapters of Genesis, applied the Messianic prophecies of the Tanakh to Yeshua and concentrated on the doctrines of salvation, the Church and heavenly reward in the New Testament. As the “new” Israel, the actual history of Israel (which occupied most of the Bible) could be set aside as no longer relevant.
But notice how Moses delivers the obligations of Torah. “And now Israel.” Moses doesn’t say, “And now to everyone in the world.” He doesn’t add that these commandments apply to Egyptians, Sumerians or anyone else for that matter. He says that God’s requirements are for Israel. God is Israel’s God. God has a special relationship with Israel. God reveals His demands to Israel. God makes covenant commitments to Israel. The Italians, the Norwegians, the Chinese and the Nigerians aren’t included. Does that mean they can’t be included? Of course not. They can become part of Israel. But there is no Torah for Germans or Russians or Iranians. The Torah, God’s instructions for how He desires His people to live, is given to His people – Israel.
The point here is that in this sense Torah is not universal. God doesn’t demand that everyone walk in His ways, love Him or serve Him. He just demands that those who choose to align themselves with Israel, who become part of the Kingdom of His children, walk in His ways, love Him and serve Him. In fact, if you think that you are connected to the God of Israel but you do not walk in His ways, love Him or serve Him, then we can raise serious questions about your claim. There is no biblical example of any person who lived in opposition to God’s way, who did not love Him or who did not serve Him and yet was considered one of His children.
Torah is not for everyone. It is only for those who love God and want to serve Him. It is the guidebook of the righteous. No pagan is expected to follow Torah. In fact, no pagan is able to follow Torah. When the Christian Church universalizes some of the requirements of Torah, it attempts to apply a selective ethics designed for the few to the masses. The result is morality by legislation, either religiously or politically or both. And that results in a nightmare of hopeless confusion and a vast majority of people who really don’t understand the “rules” they are supposed to follow. They never signed up as citizens of the Kingdom of the God of Israel. There are consequences for not accepting the invitation to join the Kingdom, of course. But there is no expectation that people who do not join the Kingdom will still live according to God’s ways. They won’t, even if the government or the Church tries to make them.
If you want to follow God, obey His ways. But don’t expect your nation, your culture or even your Church to do so. Torah is for the few, the proud, the servants of the Most High – and not for anyone else.
Topical Index: Torah, Israel, ethics, Deuteronomy 10:12
Good word, Skip! Tough, but good. In Judaism, the man is commanded to study Torah, and teach it to his children and wife. The wife is not commanded to study herself, but she is not forbidden to study Torah, if she chooses to do so, it is considered a great mitzvah, because she doesn’t have to do it. How much more for the gentile to study because he WANTS to.
Thanks Robin for this post. I study Torah and now my 88 year old mother who was raised with a Baptist mindset….The pastor of her church singled her out one Sunday morning and said that they needed to straighten her out…she didn’t budge…and never returned…Torah study is so sweet and satisfying..I am sure it has added fullness to her remaining years.
Ruth ,not wise of any Pastor to do what he did with your mom.
I had this happen to me over something that I disagreed with and within the year ,he was out of the Pulpit…
Thanks Carol for you comment. Your kind words really blessed me this morning. I love Skips article titled End of Theology and his Hebrew word study on the word “Israel”…Torah is not for everyone. These two articles have answered question I have had for sometime now. Thanks again for your post.
With humbliness (and no shadow of anger or pride) I counter and offer this for anyone who isn’t fearful to look and see Who stands and knocks on the other side of the door.
Jesus is the Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end of all that is written to us, — Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha Mashiach, the focus the Scripture and all we need.
http://letusreason.org/juda13.htm
Phew! That was a bit of a commitment,… but good.
I really liked the article, especially the typologies. Can I assume that you mention the article as a warning not to be too focused on the ‘shadows’, instead of the substance – which is Christ?
I’m glad you read it all, and like it. It wasn’t warning more than balancing, I just love Jesus so very much and whatever more I learn of Him I am enriched.
Amen.
I actually thought 90-95% of the article – really supported what was said in TW. There was a taste of Christ ‘replacing’ the Torah with something new, but what I really got from it was the amazing UNITY between Christ and scripture (“old” and “new”).
On a side note, if God’s people kept the festivals in anticipation of what Christ would do — and according to the article, three of those festivals have yet to see their fulfillment, wouldn’t it suggest that God’s people ought to still keep the three? At least in-as-much as the kept the four before their completion.
In addition, wouldn’t it be appropriate to keep all seven as we do communion, in both remembrance and reminder of what Christ DID and what he WILL DO? Also, why do we interpret “Do this in remembrance of Me?” as only a cracker and juice on Sunday (most of the time), and we do not interpret it as the keeping of Passover (subtract the lamb, because of The Lamb).
I think the above question gets to the heart of most of what is debated in here. Do we remember in the way God first said to remember (with Torah details), or have we spiritualized and substituted our own forms in place of the original.
The wonderful thing is, the Holy Spirit will guide YOU. If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask, James says.
Whether or not one celebrates festivals and feasts is a matter of conscience for the individual.
After all, Col. 2:16-17 tells us that we should “let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (NKJV). Christians are no longer bound to observe as the Old Testament Jews were, but they should not look down upon another believer who does or does not observe special Jewish days and feasts (Rom. 14:5).
If Christ has made you free, you are free indeed. But a man can never conquer by violating his conscience. If he just “does it anyway” or avoids doing whatever (fill in the blank on this), his conscience will beat him to death for he isn’t free in that case.
It seems to be that the answers are obvious. Christianity has “replaced” the instructions God gave His people (Jews and those grafted in) by inventing alternatives. I was a a conference in Puerto Rico where a Catholic bishop spoke about how wonderful it was that the Catholic Church was able to take each of the Jewish worship practices and “convert” them to Christian practices. That about sums it up. Jeroboam did the same thing. Was God pleased with that? When we will start asking, “Where did this tradition, this practice, come from?” and if we can’t find biblical roots, raise serious concerns about our invented worship.
While some of the article mentioned is instructive, the idea that the shadow reality is less real than the heavenly reality mimics Greek typology, not Hebrew. This is especially true when the concept is applied to Torah. Torah does not shadow. It is the reality of God’s character in practice. Furthermore, a study of the Hebrew language used by Yeshua shows that Torah is not finished or replaced or abandoned. That idea doesn’t come from the Bible or from typologies. It comes, ultimately, from an anti-Semitism exhibited by the early Church fathers.
Good article up to a point. The last 10th threw me into a tail spin and I am not even going to open that can of worms.
But, the part about Moses, and the rock, and the water, can not possibly be, or have been intended as a type. Moses did not strike the rock “once” as Christ was ” struck” once on the cross. He in fact struck the rock twice, Num 20:11. Scratch one analogy.
Point in fact, as noted elsewhere here, Moses was instructed to speak to the rock not to hit it. Num 20:8. Two strikes for the analogy. Strike three, God was so angry with Moses for not doing as he was told he vowed to forbid Moses entry into the promised land. Num 20:12. Which He reiterated 40 yrs later Deu 3:25-26.
On this point typology got skewered. Sorry.
” Torah is for the few, the proud…”
Proud, where did that come from? That’s not Biblical.
He’s borrowing some language from the Marine Corps. I guess ‘proud’, usually means ‘arrogant’ to most of us — but that is not necessarily the case.
What else can it mean, and do you think it is appropriate for this?
I think it’s a matter of what we read into it. Based on the rest of the post, I’m not reading the negative connotations into the word. Military analogies where not foreign to Paul, and have some good application to a Christian’s journey,… especially in a country with a voluntary army. Christians are to be disciplined, obedient, and sometimes undergo painful training — not because they are forced to, but for the greater good to which they are giving their lives.
There are plenty of verses which speak to the negativities of pride, and a simple word search will give a ton. For example:
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6
But there are obviously subtleties about what we place pride in:
2 Corinthians 1:14 – “just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.”
Philippians 1:26 – “so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again”
So then the question becomes – Which kind of pride do you think Skip is preaching here? It probably depends on your previous assessments of him or his teachings.
Good points. Thank you!
Hopefully readers got the allusion to the Marines. Pride means taking responsibility for myself and for others, protecting them, serving them and BEING GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. Pride is not arrogance in this sense. I am proud of my daughter, Rachel, who is serving her country and each of us in the Navy, soon to go back into a combat zone. But I don’t consider that arrogance. Do you?
To take pride in means that you are pleased but NOT hauty
Haughty..whoops
I totally agree with your interpretation of the Word.
This morning we were reading Deu 14:21 NASB
“You shall not eat anything which dies of itself. You may give it to the alien who is in your town, so that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner, for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.
“You may give it to the alien who is in your town, so that he may eat it, or you may sell it to a foreigner,”
I don’t understand why this was stated. Is this word גר “alien or stranger” not applied to us as we walk with Israel? In other scriptures it talks about one standard for Jew and aliens among them. Could you clarify for us?
Paul provides the answer. We are “grafted into the commonwealth of Israel.” We take on the same code of conduct as Gods expects of Israel. Why would we think otherwise? Is an adopted child less of the family because he or she is adopted? Does he or she live by a different set of rules in the family?
I wrote the following on my blog on Sunday, August 12, 2012. My purpose was to examine a tension between a church that for the most part believes that Torah obedience is not required and Scriptures in Deuteronomy that define a false prophet as one that speaks against performing the commands of Elohim. Let me state affirmatively that I do not believe Yeshua, i.e. Jesus, is a false prophet. The article was designed to make people think about their beliefs and the consequences. One of the points I make about the Sadduccees and Pharisees was that they could disagree without division. The fact that they disagreed did not cause them to want to build a separate Temple.
Is Jesus A False Prophet?
Deuteronomy 13: 1-5 says: “When there arises in your midst a prophet, or a dreamer of a dream, and he has given unto you a sign or wonder, and the sign and the wonder has come which he has spoken of to you, saying, Let us go after other gods (which you have not known), and serve them, you do not obey the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of the dream, for YHWH your Elohim is trying you, to know whether you are loving YHWH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul; after YHWH your Elohim walk, and Him you fear, and His commands you keep, and to His voice you obey, and Him you serve, and to Him you cleave. And that prophet, or that dreamer of the dream, is put to death, for he has spoken apostasy against YHWH your Elohim (who is bringing you out of the land of Egypt, and has ransomed you out of a house of servants), to drive you out of the way in which YHWH your Elohim has commanded you to walk, and you have put away the evil thing from your midst.” Notice that it is called “apostasy” if the prophet does not speak of keeping the commands of YHWH.
Now considering that most of the modern church believes Jesus did away with the Torah, i.e. the commands of G-d, what does that say about Jesus? Matthew 5:17-18 says: “Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets–I did not come to throw down, but to fulfil; for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.” (Young’s Literal Translation) First, understand that “fulfil” does not mean to do away with; instead, it means to confirm or affirm its truth. Yeshua did not come to do away with the Torah; He came to affirm and correctly interpret the Torah. Consider the last verse. Has the earth passed away? Look around you. It has not. Since it has not, not even the smallest letter or decorative spur i.e. “yod”) shall disappear.
This is serious. If the modern church (I do not refer to any specific group; instead, I mean a body of believers who name Jesus as Lord but disagree with obeying Torah) maintains that Jesus has done away with the Torah requirements, then according to Deuteronomy, the church is making him a false prophet. If Jesus is a false prophet, he is not sinless. To endorse a Torah denying Jesus, is to follow a savior who is not perfect and cannot be a sacrifice for sin. The entire theology of the church falls apart. However, if Yeshua is Torah observant and He does not teach others to disregard the commandments, He is the sinless Messiah of Israel and the entire world. How you view Jesus determines who he is, and what his role is. If Yeshua did not do away with the Torah, then who did? Who has the most to gain from YHWH’s people rebelling against Him?
What saddens me even more is that where I live, most tradisional Protestant churches still read the 10 commandments out loud every Sunday, teaching and interpreting it as it fits them. Its like saying to the congregation:” Yes, God gave these Words(and He misspelled Sunday), but you do not have to really do it, because you’re under grace.” It is like using His Name in vain?
Most Protestant people truly think they are keeping the whole law ( btw this was also given to Israel Deut 5:1) and it is so confusing(to me) how one chapter forms part of the liturgy and the next one is doomed.
One minister explained to me that the law did not end but Jesus filled Himself up(image of a bubble) with the law and He died with it, taking it all away. I always thought it was the guilt of sin He takes away, not law. I never got to ask what happened with Yeshua’s resurrection – did the law, that was now in Him also resurrected?
Scripture does anyhow not make sense if I use the translation :” done away with” for the same word “fulfil” 4137 :
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to *done away with* all righteousness. Then he suffered him Matt 3;15
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be *done away with*. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled Matt 26:56
Then was *done away with* that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value Matt 27:9
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be *done away with* which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots matt 27:35
Luke 21:22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be * done away with*.
2 Thess 1:11Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and * and do away with* all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
“
Amen!
“God doesn’t demand that everyone walk in His ways, love Him or serve Him.”
Does this mean that God has two standards of righteousness, one for Israel and another for non-Israelites? Or does it mean that because he makes no “demands” on non-Israelites they are under no need for repentance because there is no sin where there is no Torah? Did Jonah take a different Torah to Nineveh demanding repentance and obedience to some other law?
Perhaps, on the other hand, because the Torah is an expression of God’s character and his definition of holiness and righteousness, which implies that the Torah was “in place” at creation, what we see in Moses speaking to Israel is an example for all the peoples of the earth to establish Torah as the right way of living.
Psalm 2: 1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
Hi Ian,
I am surprised that yours is the only comment on this TW. I thought it would be far more controversial. Rabbinic legend teaches that God offered Torah to all the nations, and all refused except Israel. So in that since, Torah is the right way for everyone. And it is the way God expects everyone to live. But the catch is that since it was given to Israel, the way to live it now is to adopt the code of conduct of the people of God (Israel of Scripture, not Israel of the world). Therefore, as I argue, Torah is now the sole possession of scriptural Israel and we are invited to join scriptural Israel and embrace it.
Suggesting that Torah is not for everyone merely notes that Torah is not Egyptian or Assyrian or Norwegian or German. Torah also does not belong to the unrighteous, although it is intended for them when they repent, as you suggest. Technically, Torah is for the whole of creation because it is God’s character, but my point is that accessing Torah now means joining His people.
Glad to see you are on the ball with this.
Paul refers to the Torah as a “schoolmaster”. Torah thus condemns and brings death to people of all nations for their disobedience to it, but it brings true life and liberty to those who are “of Israel.”
Hi Ian,
Without being the least bit contentious, 🙂 Just another thought on this. There’s a “flip side”. (as always)
Starting at Rom 2:7
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
You wrote; ”Torah thus condemns and brings death to people of all nations for their disobedience to it, but it brings true life and liberty to those who are “of Israel”.
I understand your statement, but it would seem the flip side is that, those with understanding have a greater responsibility. Blessings come to the Jew first, but tribulation and indignation does too. (first)
The difference (or at least one of them) seems to be the distinction between perishing and judgement. If I get nothing else out of the parables spoken by Yeshua on “kingdom” living, it’s that we become responsible. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD.
But there’s much to be said about this passage.
YHWH bless you and keep you…..
“Even without Christian theology, Greek philosophy thought in terms of absolutes.”
In any debate with atheists, they will demand “proof” for the existence of God or any other truth that flow out of Scripture. In effect, they reject revelation as any kind of valid proof. So in one discussion to provide a proposition and its proof, I offered this:
There is absolute truth. Proof: the only way to deny absolute truth is to accept and use the proposition itself.
Man, made in the image of God cannot escape absolutes because God is absolute. However, like the Greek philosophers, modern atheists have trouble with the absolutes of God’s Word.
–One of the principal differences between the Greek-Christian biblical worldview and the Hebrew-Semitic worldview is the scope of the precepts. —
Right out of the gate-we start with a “conclusion” or assumption. This, of course after much study and discuss, but this is a statement of beliefs- there is a difference between Greek thought and Hebrew thought. It is as if the two are at war with each other. Here is my “take’- and these are my thoughts. First, who am I to even say? Don’t listen to me.. – listen to Him. Listen to the Living Word(s) of God. God speaks to us (all of us!- I must be a “universalist!”) What a Greek fool I must be. I actually have the -I believe the “proper” Jewish word is “chutzpah” to “think” (yes, Greeks do think- don’t we?) that the word of the LORD “applied” to me- living in “this day and age” and in “this culture”- whatever culture or circumstance I may find myself to be in. For now, let’s just “assume” – (horrible word- isn’t it?) I belong to the “universal” church of Christ. I did read in God’s Book- ~ I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with One Shepherd ~ (John 10.16) Now Who might that Shepherd be?, he wondered.. I assume (yes, there I go again) there are others who are different than me, and that they might think different. Is this a good thing? How about it Martha? Is diversity and variety a good thing? Variety is the spice and all that.. Every man has an opinion- not a doubt in this Greek man’s mind, but does that (in the end) really matter? No. It doesn’t.
I am going to make an attempt here. A “point” if you will. (One more time, – this time with feeling-) “the Word of the LORD endures forever”. (Isaiah 40.8) That was part B. Part A is “all flesh is like the grass..” You know.. I am such a simple man- I actually believe that “all flesh is like the grass..”
Friends, what type of flesh are you? Are you human? Are humans made of flesh? Flesh and bone, and blood and hair? Spanish? German? Jewish? Publicans and Republicans- “ALL” must be born from above. All must experience the regeneration of the Ruach HaKodesh. Even the original “Nick at nite”- the Superior Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews- he must have been such a fine upstanding moral man, (momma was so proud)- Yeshua said to this sinner- “you must be born from Above..” Christ said many “different” things- things that were so confusing and upsetting to the “status quo.” He most assuredly upset the apple cart. He even went so far (too far-no doubt) as to go into the temple and overthrow the tables of the moneychangers. Seems “religion” was big business- even “back in the day.” But such is Christ- He is without a doubt, the ultimate “Game-Changer.”
And you know- there is a particular verse that jabs me like a knife right now.. (why is that?)- Am I being convicted by this? Is Someone speaking to me, living in this day and age? Reminding me of all things the living words of our LORD are saying? Does He who spoke, -still speak? Is God still working? Convincing, convicting men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment? -Or is just a figment of my overactive thyroid, er.. imagination?
Is our Bible a history book of antiquity- written for another space and time? Written for Israel only? Are we reading someone else’s mail?- We poor Greeks, thinking erroneously- this applies to us? Have I been commanded to “rejoice in the LORD always”- or is this written for another people group, living in another space, time and culture? Who exactly is included (or excluded) from “whosoever will?” “Whosoever won’t.” Nothing but a hard heart (mixed with stubborness?) keeps us away from God.
The very first temptation in the garden. Temptation #1 is this: “Did God say that?” Remember..? (you know- “remembering” stuff is a function of the mind- how Greek!). The written words the serpent said were these: “Hath God said..” Adam (it seems) just out and out “forgot.” Maybe He was temporarily distracted by the “bling” of the fruit! Or maybe his was the “philosophy” – “I’ll just go along to get along..”
But looking back in my own 20/20 hindsight, all Adam had to do, (his responsibility was) “to remember ” what God did say. His answer to the snake should have been.. could have been.. “Yes, God did say..” “God hath said..”
But, he didn’t and the rest- is history. Adam failed to remember. Abraham remembered, and the next morning he got up and saddled his donkey. He made plans and then executed the plans according to the instructions of Elohim- He listened and He obeyed- even through the inner turmoil of his soul- Here is an prime example, (thank you Abraham) of obedience. God spoke- Abraham obeyed- the consequence of Abraham’ choice to obey the instructions of Elohim, (the torah of YHWH)- Manifold “blessings.” Even Moses failed to “shema”, and look what it cost him! (he was told to “speak” to the rock, not “strike” the rock!)
God has spoken. I am reminded of another verse. (and Who is doing this “reminding?”- John 14.26) Where are these scriptures coming from? Are they written for our admonition/exhortation/instruction/comfort in a Book? Are the scriptures speaking to me? Is the word of God living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword- dividing between the soul and the spirit? Am I (also) to live not only on bread for my physical life- but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God? Is the word of God (the torah of Elohim) “relevant” today?
(Silent scream..) There, I feel better now. Sorry, just had to release some “inner tension.”
The answer, my answer, is “YES.” My answer to ADONAI is a loud, clear, distinct and glad- AMEN. I believe. The word of the LORD, (the torah/instruction of Elohim) endures forever.
Am I the first one to walk this path? No. – I see many sets of footprints of those who have gone before me, and there are (again, no doubt) many who will follow after me. We (as in none of us) are alone on this pilgrim journey- the pilgrimage of life.
I love His words- the words found “bound in a bundle”- and written in a Book- His Book, the Book God wrote. He has said unto “whosoever will”- “follow Me.” I have spoken concerning some scriptures, but I haven’t even mentioned the songs from the Chief Musician, that roll through my head from sunrise to sunset and even as I lay in bed during the night seasons. All songs of a victory that was won long ago and of a Savior who is now living, and is ever interceding for those who are His.
“And now Israel”.. Israel (prince with God) remains, and will ever be the chosen ones of Elohim. God is far from through with the Jew. Salvation/deliverance is ever ~to the Jew first, and also to the Greek ~ (Romans 1.16) BTW, it was not the Jews who are the “Christ-killers” (how we all love to play the blame game..) – it was my sin that held Him there- until it was accomplished, for you must understand, He died for me. I am the chief of sinners. He took my sins and my sorrows- He made them His very own!, for you see, ~ the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity (twistedness/perversion) of us all (both Jew and Greek). Oh, that little word “all”- it’s so “universal..” (isn’t it?) “All” we like sheep have gone astray.. “All” have sinner and are weighed in the balances and found wanting. My personal (daily) prayer? ~ Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me..(Luke 18.38)~ Why? ~ It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not- they are new every morning (even this morning?).. (Lamentations 3.22) Yes, -today. Morning by morning- new mercies I see.. Friends, it is so. Amen.
John Stott: The Place of Israel
http://www.stephensizer.com/2011/07/john-stott-the-place-of-israel/
The Israel of God ~
http://son-of-encouragement.blogspot.com/2011/10/israel-of-god.html
The True Israel of God, Part 1
http://www.obadiahoutreach.org/
Jesus and the Jewish Temple ~
http://www.stephensizer.com/2012/01/jesus-and-the-jewish-temple/
While I haven’t reviewed all of the listed web addresses, I did look at “Jesus and the Jewish Temple.” It is, unfortunately, another example of replacement theology using a proof-text (out of context) method to justify its conclusions. Such a shame since this represents the usual Christian approach and further alienates Jewish-Christian brotherhood.
I do know that work of John Stott quite well. And excellent biblical scholar, Stott vacillates between replacement theology and Hebraic continuity, as I have pointed out in my review of his commentary on the letters of John. Stott sees the problem but doesn’t quite make it over the hurdle of Christian tradition (Luther-Augustine anti-Semitism). Again, a shame and tragedy since his voice could have made a big difference.
I leave it to someone else to review the other material, but if these are representative of Sizer’s position, then he is really no different than the tradition of the Church fathers, Luther, Calvin and the rest.
Covenant theology is not replacement theology.
http://gospelpedlar.com/articles/Bible/cov_theo_not_replace_theo.html
I’ll have to look at this when I have time, but as far as the text of the web site you recommended, his argument contains nothing different than the replacement theologian on the issue of the Temple.