You label the view that the Church is the “Israel of God” as “Replacement Theology” and “flawed.” However, that terminology ignores the distinction between replacement and fulfillment.
The Apostle Paul is clear in Romans 9:6: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel.”
The Church did not “replace” Israel; the Church is the continuation of the faithful remnant of Israel, expanded to include all nations by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13-14).
If you believe that biological descent from Jacob is what defines God’s people rather than faith in the Jewish Messiah, you are holding to a definition of “Israel” that the Apostles explicitly rejected. If the Church is not the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16), then who exactly does Paul think he is blessing?
I label the Church New Covenant Israel because the Church is being led to follow the very same pattern Old Covenant Israel followed.
I’d label modern Israel in the Middle East an Old Covenant Israel, a desolate house hanging out in Jerusalem where the biggest recognizable landmark there is an Islamic Golden Dome Mosque/Shrine.
If it was a Church, I’d still call Jerusalem today a desolate house.
The Church as a Spiritual Israel is a New Covenant foundation, built with better Promises and the perfect sacrifice.
And before it peacocks around like it’s some big schiff, it’s as serpent led and corrupted as Jerusalem, Jerusalem.
They need each other.
And it’s like watching the blind lead the blind.