Ann Coulter and Dual Covenant Theology

Civil Discourse ^ | Feb 3 2008 | CuriousOne

[Alex Murphy]

In a thread in “The Arts,” Superb made reference to an interview Donny Deutsch conducted last October with Ann Coulter on his show “The Big Idea.” (CNBC)

During a portion of the interview, Coulter was asked to discuss her point of view on diversity in the United States. Then she got off on a bit of a tangent about how everyone should be a Christian.

Coulter made several references to Christians as “perfected” Jews; she indicated that while Jews have to obey “The Law” in order to be saved, Christians have “the fast-track” to salvation through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection; she invited Deutsch (a Jew) to attend (Christian) church services with her, and stated that Christians “want” Jews to be perfected.

I had vague recollections of this “Christians as ‘perfected’ Jews” idea, so I did a little reading on it. (Something someone should have suggested to Ms. Coulter before she started shooting her mouth off about it.)

What Coulter is talking about is called “Dual Covenant Theology.”

As I understand it, Christianity is a belief system based on the idea that salvation is a gift from the grace of God, through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection.

Salvation comes not through obedience, and is not earned through righteousness or good works. It is a gift. The only requirement for salvation is the acceptance of it. And salvation can only come through this acceptance. (“I am the Way the Truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by me.”)

"Dual Covenant" Christian theology basically says, "Yes to all of that ... except when it comes to the Jews." According to this theological variant, the Jews, based on their special status as God's Chosen People, have their own, separate, covenant with God. They can achieve salvation by faithfully following the Law of Moses. (Awkwardly for Christians ascribing to Dual Covenant theology, it was first proposed and popularized in the early 20th Century by a Jew, Franz Rosenzweig, not a Christian. Source: InPlainSite.org article.)

Most conservative evangelical Christians outright reject Dual Covenant theology, believing that “no one comes to the Father but by Me” is pretty clear. Rosenzweig argues that Jews have no need to “come to the Father” since they are already with Him by virtue of His choice.

All of this has implications in terms of Christian attitudes and actions toward the Jews. (And, I suppose, toward the Jewish state, Israel.)

Dual Covenant adherents argue that there is no need to preach to the Jews or to convert them, because they have already been saved. It accepts Judaism as it is. All other religions must convert to Christianity in order to achieve salvation. Opponents maintain that ALL people must hear the Gospel of Jesus and must reject other beliefs.

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And then we have Ann Coulter. Who seems to be on both sides of this particular fence.

Obviously, with her “fast track” statements, and her comments about Jews needing to obey the Law, she ascribes to Dual Covenant theology. But she uses it to … to preach to a Jew about how imperfect their religion is! (Remember, Dual Covenant theology says Judaism already has its OWN perfection!)

Basically, I think Coulter just doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Alternatively or additionally, what she says isn’t guided by theology but by some other motivation. I think the attraction of Dual Covenant theology for some Christians is that it would seem to give them a religious reason to support Israel and the Jews - something they want to do for other reasons (politics? race?), but have a hard time justifying religiously.

So if you buy into the Dual Covenant theory, that’s fine. You just can’t ALSO then go around trying to convert Jews, inviting them to your church and telling them they need to be perfected. At least, not if your theology is to remain internally consistent.

[Alex Murphy]

"Dual Covenant" Christian theology basically says, "Yes to all of that ... except when it comes to the Jews." According to this theological variant, the Jews, based on their special status as God's Chosen People, have their own, separate, covenant with God. They can achieve salvation by faithfully following the Law of Moses....

....Dual Covenant adherents argue that there is no need to preach to the Jews or to convert them, because they have already been saved. It accepts Judaism as it is. All other religions must convert to Christianity in order to achieve salvation. Opponents maintain that ALL people must hear the Gospel of Jesus and must reject other beliefs....

....if you buy into the Dual Covenant theory, that’s fine. You just can’t ALSO then go around trying to convert Jews, inviting them to your church and telling them they need to be perfected. At least, not if your theology is to remain internally consistent.

“The Jewish people have a relationship to God through the law of God as given through Moses,” Hagee said. “I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in the light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption.

“The law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not,” said Hagee . . .

-- from the thread Hagee denies belief in 'dual covenant theology'

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For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise.
- Galatians 3:26-29

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;
nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.
- Romans 9:6-8

[Frantzie]

I no longer have any interest in what Ann has to say as I am a “birther” to her. Her opinion to me is as valid as Sotomayor anymore.

[Blueflag]

Yeppers, Ann ought to read Galatians. Paul was adamant in trying to get folks to understand that while obedience of the Law was OK, there was no NEED.

Grace is sufficient.

[Luke21]

Hank Hanegraaf is an angry man, seeking to sow discord among the brethren. Hagee is far more showy than I would like with his “Give him praise and glorah,” business, but he is very effective with Jews who regard Christians quite suspiciously.

Why does he care what Hagee believes? As a fellow minister, he should find common ground at the cross of Christ, rather than constantly try to denigrate the man and his ministry.

[marron]

I love Ann. I don’t find any need to agree with her politics or every jot and tiddle of her theology.

I like Hagee, but again I don’t find any need to agree with every single thing that comes out of his mouth.

And I love Israel. I certainly don’t have to agree with every one of their policies to say that I am for them come what may.

You’re not going to find perfect agreement among humans. Ever. If I agree with someone 90 or 95% we’re doing pretty good. I’ll think about the 5% but I feel no need to change my mind if I think I’m right. And I’ll forgive their obvious blindness where they disagree with me. Maybe God will shine a light for them sometime down the road. Or he’ll show me where I’m wrong, as happens from time to time. Some of these things we’ll just have to settle when we get to the other side. Can’t wait. It will be cool.

[mdk1960]

I guess the Lord’s arm IS short after all. All those dead Hottentott’s who lived righteous and blameless lives before Him only without the rudiments of language and the Good Book now find themselves SOL. What a crock.

[nathanbedford]

What Deutsch did was reprehensible.

Deutsch's scheme was transparent, he intended to build his ratings by introducing controversy. On a deeper level, he sought to discredit and Coulter and by extension Republicans and conservatives by making her appear intolerant. On yet a deeper level, Deutsch was trying to move the goal posts of American discourse.

If you watch the Skirmish on You tube, you will clearly see that Deutsch ambushed Coulter and he did so for the motives outlined above. What do I mean when I say he was trying to move the goalposts of American discourse? It means that Deutsch was trying to establish as the norm his tribe's version of interfaith etiquette as opposed to my tribe's version.

A Christian is biblically mandated to proselytize. A Jew is not, nor is the idea of propagating the faith part of the Jewish tradition. It is certainly part of the Christian and Muslim tradition. For a Christian to decline to witness the "good news" is not just derelict but sinful. This is as much a part of America as Chautauqua and for an Coulter to carry the message on the airwaves-which so antagonized the ADL-is the modern extension of the Chautauqua tradition.

That tradition is not Deutsch's tradition nor is it the tradition of the ADL but they want us to adopt their tradition and forsake our own. To accomplish this goal Deutsch engaged in an ambush and the ADL came on like a jackal. The ADL wants everyone to practice religion their way. And to get their way, they and Deutsch falsely accuse practicing Christians of being intolerant. And Coulter did not, for example, suggest that " Jews are inferior to Christians...." She referred to a biblical doctrine and not to Jews or their "deficiencies", nor is the need for "perfection" limited to Jews. Ann Coulter did not open the discussion rather she several times tried to deflect it but it was Deutsch who repeatedly brought it back to Jews, and to himself, and accused her of the invidious judgments. He put Coulter in a position of having to forsake her faith or break the Deutsch/ADL politically correct taboo.

If Deutsch and the ADL get their way, Christians lose their way, that is, their path to God. Nearly as bad, they would make it illegitimate to practice Christianity. They would make us choose between our doctrine and a new kind of political correctness which says that you must forsake your faith rather than offend.

That is why what Deutsch did was reprehensible.

[onedoug]

Deuteronomy 4:19...And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Malachi 1:11...For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

[ladyL]

Then why does Yahshua say “If you love me you will keep my commandments”? The Ten Commandments are written on our hearts, we cannot lie, we cannot steal etc.

Actually there are TWO laws, Moses law and God’s law. We are not under the 615 mitzvot of Moses law. It was carried outside the Ark.

We, however are under the Ten Commandments, it is our Marriage Covenant. There is only one Covenant Jer. 31:29 and it is made ONLY with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. Hosea shows how Yahweh divorced Israel but not Judah, who is the Jews. Yahshua came to restore the divided Kingdom, which he is going, :) Yea!!!!! It all fits so perfectly. Now I know what Yahshua meant when He said, “I CAME ONLY FOR THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL.” House of Judah was still in covenant at that time.

[Zionist Conspirator]

You’d be amazed how simple everything becomes if you just toss out those “parts of the bible” added by false religions . . . and stop obsessing about “salvation.”

[Marysecretary]

I agree. Hanegraaf is always looking for other Christians to bash and denegrate instead of lifting up JESUS.

[Uncle Chip]

Ann’s greatest asset is her mouth. It’s also her greatest liability.

[sitetest]

Ms. Coulter is an attorney and a political pundit. She is, from what I understand, a Christian, but hardly a theologian.

[Manic_Episode]

I suspect Ann is not a dual covenant believer, at least based on what she is being attacked on here. There is only one covenant and Ann covered it beautifully.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 5:11-12 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

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In theory if anyone follows the Law perfectly they could earn their way to heaven. Good luck with that. Not gonna happen.

The Jews and anyone else that reject Christ reject their own salvation.

[blue-duncan]

“Ann’s greatest asset is her mouth.”

I disagree but I can see where the problem lies since Alex didn’t follow the proper protocol and post a picture when speaking of Ann.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

she indicated that while Jews have to obey "The Law" in order to be saved, Christians have "the fast-track" to salvation through Jesus Christ's death and resurrection

Coulter isn't espousing a duel covenant. She's saying this is what the Jews believe.

For her part as a Christian she invites Deutch to her church to better know Christ. A duel covenantor wouldn't bother.

[wintertime]

I no longer have any interest in what Ann has to say as I am a “birther” to her. Her opinion to me is as valid as Sotomayor anymore.
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Ann could have simply disagreed with those defending the Constitution. Instead she insulted them. She called them “cranks” and used the KKK to make her point about them.

Sorry, Ann, I guess you don't want me, a “crank”, listening to, or reading, anything you have to say.