Covenant Theology is Not Replacement Theology

Heidelblog ^ | September 14, 2008 | R. Scott Clark

[topcat54]

Recently I had a question asking whether “covenant theology” is so-called “replacement theology.” Those dispensational critics of Reformed covenant theology who accuse it of teaching that the New Covenant church has “replaced” Israel do not understand historic Reformed covenant theology. They are imputing to Reformed theology a way of thinking about redemptive history that has more in common with dispensationalism than it does with Reformed theology.

First, the very category of “replacement” is foreign to Reformed theology because it assumes a dispensational, Israeleo-centric way of thinking. It assumes that the temporary, national people was, in fact, intended to be the permanent arrangement. Such a way of thinking is contrary to the promise in Gen 3:15. The promise was that there would be a Savior. The national people was only a means to that end, not an end in itself. According to Paul in Ephesians 2:11-22, in Christ the dividing wall has been destroyed. It cannot be rebuilt. The two peoples (Jews and Gentiles) have been made one in Christ. Among those who ae united to Christ by grace alone, through faith alone, there is no Jew, nor Gentile (Rom 10:12; Gal 3:28; Col 3:11).

[count-your-change]

Then the promises to Israel are to be fulfilled in the “Israel of God” and have nothing to do with the political entity that calls itself Israel today?

[mikeus_maximus]

Then the promises to Israel are to be fulfilled in the “Israel of God” and have nothing to do with the political entity that calls itself Israel today?

Absolutely correct. If one spends some time with Jeremiah and the "minor" prophets they can see that. The prophecied "remant" of Isreal that would become God's people were the church, those who accepted His Son, not physical Isreal, as Paul explains in Romans and Galatians, as does the writer of Hebrews (likely Paul too).

Folks have gotten confused on that point due to the premillinialist doctrine ("restoration of physical Isreal") which cropped in the 19th C., and by the limited success the Jewish descendants have more recently had in occupying some of the historic territory. (Yet Jeremiah says clearly that no decendant of Coniah (Jeconiah) after Shealtiel will sit on the physical throne of David again. And Christ is Shealtiel's decendant.) The bottom line is, we have no religious imperative to protect or restore the physical nation of Isreal, as GWB apparently believes.

[Uri’el-2012]

(Yet Jeremiah says clearly that no decendant of Coniah (Jeconiah) after Shealtiel will sit on the physical throne of David again. And Christ is Shealtiel's decendant.)

Shealtiel is Joseph's ancestor.

Yah'shua's bloodline to King David is through Miriam only.

There are four things that are important here:

1. Miriam is a daughter who has no brothers
and is descended from King David.

2. Joseph is descended from King David.
But he is from a line prohibited to inherit.

3. The inheritance exception granted for the daughters of Zelophehad
(These were daughters who had no brothers)
is in effect (Numbers 26,27,36; Joshua 17; 1 Chronicles 7 ).

4. Joseph and Miriam are married ( each descended from King David)
thus providing Miriam with permanent inheritance
of the Kingship of David for her to pass on to her son Yah'shua.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai

[Jmouse007]

"Covenant Theology is Not Replacement Theology"... Right, tell that to Israel.

The promises God made to Israel via Abraham: Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), and David: Davidic Covenant – (2 Sam 7:8-17) in the Old Testament are literal, unconditional promises that God has made to Israel and will literally fulfill to the nation of Israel.

The promises God has made to Israel, he will keep to Israel, not to the church.

[Jmouse007]

"Covenant Theology is Not Replacement Theology"... Right, tell that to Israel.

The promises God made to Israel via Abraham: Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), and David: Davidic Covenant – (2 Sam 7:8-17) in the Old Testament are literal, unconditional promises that God has made to Israel and will literally fulfill to the nation of Israel.

The promises God has made to Israel, he will keep to Israel, not to the church.

[topcat54]

The promises God has made to Israel, he will keep to Israel, not to the church.

According to the NT, God made the promises to Abraham and to His Seed, Jesus Christ. All those who are the true offspring of Abraham partake in the blessings of the promises. That is why we are told there is neither Jew nor Greek, both of which together constitute the true Israel of God, Abraham’s spiritual offspring. Read Galatians 3 especially vv. 16, 28, 29.

The NT infallibly tells us how to interpret the promises from the older covenant, not dispensational pop prophecy gurus. The obvious error is to inappropriately insert modern Israel into the promises.

[Gamecock]

...Abraham: Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3).....

Points towards an expansion of God’s people, the church.

There is a spiritual Israel and a political Israel.

[Lee N. Field]

have nothing to do with the political entity that calls itself Israel today?

You have said it.

[mikeus_maximus]

Miriam is a daughter who has no brothers

Cite?

In addition, your construct works only if one is willing to assume, without evidence or scripture, that the Shealtiel and Zerubbabel in Mary's line were different persons from those two in Joseph's. And this one must do to prop up the doctrine of premillinialism.

[Uri’el-2012]

Start with Luke 1 - 3

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai

[mikeus_maximus]

ANd more to the point:

"The curse of Jeremiah 36:30 was to be fulfilled not by the removal of the title itself from Jehoiakim's line but by the denial of that title to anyone who happened to be a blood relative in the line. With the death of Salathiel this blood line terminated. But now, according to Jewish custom as set forth in the principle of the Levirate (Deut. 25:5,6), it became incumbent upon Pedaiah, the deceased Salathiel's (step) brother, to take his widow and raise up seed through her who would not therefore be of Salathiel's blood line but would be constituted legally as Salathiel's son through whom the title would pass to his descendants. The son of this Levirate union was Zerubbabel. In Matthew 1:12 and Luke 3:27 Zerubbabel is listed legally as Salathiel's son: but in 1 Chronicles 3:19 he is listed as the son of Pedaiah by actual blood relationship. In the terms of biblical reckoning these two statements are in no sense contradictory. We might wish to be more precise by substituting such extended terms of relationship as son-in-law, stepson, and so forth. But Scripture is not required to adopt our particular terminology. It is required only to be consistent with itself, and the facts of the case as recorded of those who were the actors in the drama are precisely as stated. We thus have a remarkable chain of events. Jehoiakim has a son, Jechonias, who has a son, Salathiel, who by Levirate custom has a son named Zerubbabel. This son, Zerubbabel, has no blood line connection whatever with Jechonias, for he has no blood relationship with Salathiel. The blood relationship of Zerubbabel is with Pedaiah, and through Pedaiah with Pedaiah's mother, and through this mother with Neri. Thus Neri begat a grandson, Salathiel, through his daughter; and Salathiel "begets" a son, Zerubbabel, through Pedaiah. The blood line thus passes through Zerubbabel: but so does the title also. The former passes via Pedaiah's mother, the latter passes through Salathiel's father. And though this mother and this father were also man and wife, the blood line stopped with Salathiel who literally died childless. It is necessary to emphasize this word literally, for it appears that it was literally true. Jeremiah 22:30 had predicted that Jechonias would also die "childless"-but we are reasonably sure that this was not literally the case, for he had a son Salathiel whom we cannot otherwise account for."

[Jmouse007]

While there is a distinction in Scripture between the righteous remnant in Israel: spiritual Israel; those who are not only the physical descendents of Abraham but those Jews who also exhibit the faith of Abraham, and the rest of Israel who do not believe in Jesus Christ their Messiah, nowhere does Scripture say that the church of Jesus Christ is now “spiritual Israel”. Romans chapters 9, 10, & 11 catagorically state that God is not through with Israel, the promises He has made to Israel, He will fulfill to Israel, not the church.

<p>

You are wrong with regard to the Abrahamic Covenant (as well as the Davidic and New Covenants), it does not point towards an expansion of God’s people, the church, it is a set of specific promise God made to Abraham and through him to the nation of Israel:

A) Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3): The Abrahamic Covenant is not dealing with the church but with the nation of Israel. God determined to call out a special people for Himself through whom He would bring blessing to all the nations. Abrahamic Covenant – Israel would be a great nation (Genesis 12:2), with specific land (Genesis 15:18) which they would possess forever (Genesis 17:8).

(1) The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. There are no conditions attached to it, its fulfillment is not dependent upon man.

(2) The Abrahamic Covenant is a literal covenant in which the promises should be understood literally. God promised Abraham three specific things:

· The promise of land (Gen. 12:1). The land that God promised should be understood in its literal or normal interpretation—it is not a figure of heaven. God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Gen. 12:1). It is a physical land with physical dimensions which are given in Genesis 15:18-21 (this excludes any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is also expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1-10.

· The promise of descendants (Gen. 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him (not the church but the nation of Israel). Abraham, was 75 years old and fatherless when God promised him many descendants (Gen. 12:4). This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Sam. 7:12-16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah’s kingdom rule over the Hebrew people.

· The promise of blessing and redemption (Gen. 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is a direct reference to the Hebrew Messiah Jesus Christ. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; cf. Heb. 8:6-13) and has to do with “Israel’s spiritual blessing and redemption.” Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin.

B) Davidic Covenant – (2 Sam 7:8-17) The heart of the Davidic Covenant is found in 2 Samuel 7:16. This covenant contains four important elements; God promised David 4 things:

(1) House. This refers to the royal dynasty of David; God promised David a continuing posterity that would be of the royal line of David. This promise verified that the lineage of David would not be destroyed but would issue in Messiah who would reign over the earth.

(2) Kingdom. The word kingdom involves a people and a dominion over whom the king will rule; it is the sphere of the king’s rulership. It is a political kingdom.

(3) Throne. The throne suggests the authority and the power of the king in his rule.

(4) Forever. Forever emphasizes that the right to rule will never be taken from the family of David; moreover, the posterity of David will never cease to rule over the house of Israel. (Jer 33:14-22)

C) New Covenant God promised a “new covenant” time when Israel would have a changed heart of devotion to God and their sin would be forgiven (Jeremiah 31:31).

There are also a number of other large passages filled with future promises to Israel (Isaiah 60-66; Jeremiah 30-33; Ezekiel 40-48; etc.).

All three of these Covenants directly deal with the nation of Israel.

[allmendream]

Gal 3:28 there is not here Jew or Greek, there is not here servant nor freeman, there is not here male and female, for all ye are one in Christ Jesus

Interpreting this passage to mean that God has dropped the distinction between Jew and gentile is as stupid as interpreting it to mean that God has dropped the distinction between men and women and their different obligations to God.

God will bless those who bless Israel (a state, not a religion or a people) and curse those who cures Israel. God foretold that Israel would rise again and restore the temple. David Koresh though Waco Texas was the new Israel and the Branch Davidian compound was the new temple. He was as confused as anybody else who thinks that “Israel” somehow doesn't mean “Israel” in the Bible, but “Waco Texas” or “Anywhere else where I happen to be”.

[count-your-change]

1. Mary no brothers? How so?
2. Line not allowed to inherit? Which one?
3. In effect? Explain over whom and under what circumstances.
4. When was kingship passed on through a mother? Any example?

[count-your-change]

UUUhhh...yeah. And ? o.k.

[Uri’el-2012]

Welcome to FRrf

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai

[topcat54]

John Calvin offers some helpful comments on interpreting the “curse” placed upon the descendents of Jeconiah:

And he adds, Write ye this man as one who will not prosper in his days; nay, (for כי, seems to me to be emphatic here,) no one of his seed shall prosper; and then he adds an explanation, sitting on the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Now, it is no wonder that the Jews regarded this judgment of God with abhorrence, as though it was something monstrous, for God seemed to them to be inconsistent with himself, for he had testified that his covenant would never be rendered void, and had appealed to the sun and moon as witnesses. Hence, when the posterity of David failed, at least when his throne was subverted, and no one appeared as his successor, the truth of the promise seemed to have failed, which was very strange. But it was possible for God, who doeth wonders, to execute such punishment on Jeconiah and on such as were like him, and yet in a secret and incomprehensible manner to bring things about, so that the covenant which he had made should not wholly fail. The grace of God, then, was hidden for a time, but never extinguished; for at length a rod did grow up from the stem of Jesse, as it is said by Isaiah.

However, the words seem to imply otherwise, for Jeconiah is said to be solitary, and then unprosperous; and lastly, the Prophet declares that no one of his seed would sit on the royal throne. But we must bear in mind that these words are to be confined to a temporary punishment, and extend only to the coming of Christ, though the posterity of David, as we shall hereafter see, did begin to arise in Zerubbabel, but this was only an obscure and a small prelude. We must, therefore, come to the time of Christ if we would reconcile these two things which seem repugnant, — that Jeconiah became childless, and that a successor from the seed of David never failed; it was so, because this childlessness was only for a time; and this interruption of God’s grace was something like death; but in course of time it appeared that God was mindful of his covenant, even at a time when he seemed to have forgotten it. And this prophecy, therefore, ought; to be connected with that of Ezekiel,

“Remove ye, remove, remove the crown until he comes whose it is.” (Ezekiel 21:26, 27.)

There, also, Ezekiel repeats the word “remove” three times, as though he had said that there would be no kingdom of David, not only for a few months or years, but through a series of many ages.

There is no wonder, then, that the Prophet declares here that Jeconiah would be childless, for such a sad calamity for so many ages, as the throne of David trodden under foot with scorn and contempt, might have overwhelmed the faithful with despair. This, then, was the reason why he said that he would be childless, and also that his whole posterity would be under a curse. But we must bear in mind that exception, which is expressed by another Prophet,

“until he comes whose the crown is.” (Ezekiel 21:27)

For it was reserved for the head of Christ, though for a long time it had been exposed to dishonor and to the reproaches of all nations.

Now it is useful to know this, for we are taught that God is ever so consistent with himself, that his covenant, which he has made with Christ and with all his members, never fails, and that yet he punishes hypocrites even unto death. If any one, during a long period, had sought for the Church in the world, there was none in appearance; yet God shewed that he was faithful to his promises, for suddenly there arose a people regenerated by the Gospel, so that his covenant was not dead, but as it were for a time buried. The truth of God, then, was proved by the event; and yet he took a dreadful vengeance on the ingratitude of men when he thus blinded the whole world, now follows

Calvin’s Commentary on Jeremiah 22

[Uri’el-2012]

1. Mary no brothers? How so?
2. Line not allowed to inherit? Which one?
3. In effect? Explain over whom and under what circumstances.
4. When was kingship passed on through a mother? Any example?

Try this Link

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach Adonai

[topcat54]

Interpreting this passage to mean that God has dropped the distinction between Jew and gentile is as stupid as interpreting it to mean that God has dropped the distinction between men and women and their different obligations to God.

As far as their covenant standing is concerned, there is no distinction. That is what the passage tells us. When we come into the presence of God, Jews are no more superior to gentiles than men are to women. IOW, they are not. We all stand on equal footing washed by the blood of the Lamb. There is no racial superiority in the way the promises have been fulfilled in "The Seed" (Jesus Christ) and meted out to the true sons of Abraham.

God will bless those who bless Israel (a state, not a religion or a people)

There is no such idea expressed in the Bible. What is does say is this:

I will bless those who bless you [Abraham], And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3)

All those who are the true offspring of Abraham by spiritual birth are called the blessed of God. That includes all the families of the earth.