Answering the "Replacement Theology" Critics (Part 1)

American Vision ^ | 10/7/2005 | Gary DeMar

[topcat54]

Replacement theology has become dispensationalism's latest prophetic boogeyman. If you want to end a debate over eschatology, just charge your opponent with holding to replacement theology. What is “replacement theology,” sometimes called “supersessionism,” and why do dispensationalists accuse non-dispensationalists of holding it? Here’s a typical dispensational definition:

Replacement Theology: a theological perspective that teaches that the Jews have been rejected by God and are no longer God’s Chosen People. Those who hold to this view disavow any ethnic future for the Jewish people in connection with the biblical covenants, believing that their spiritual destiny is either to perish or become a part of the new religion that superseded Judaism (whether Christianity or Islam).¹

“Replacement theology” is dispensationalism’s trump card in any debate over eschatology because it implies anti-semitism. Hal Lindsey attempted to use this card in his poorly researched and argued The Road to Holocaust.² He wove an innovative tale implying that anyone who is not a dispensationalist carries the seeds of anti-semitism within his or her prophetic system. This would mean that every Christian prior to 1830 would have been theologically anti-semitic although not personally anti-semtic.

As Peter Leithart and I point out in The Legacy of Hatred Continues,³ it’s dispensationalists who hold to a form of replacement theology since they believe that Israel does not have any prophetic significance this side of the rapture! Prior to the rapture, in terms of dispensational logic, the Church has replaced Israel. This is unquestionably true since God’s prophetic plan for Israel has been postponed until the prophetic time clock starts ticking again at the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week which starts only after the Church is taken to heaven in the so-called rapture. Until then, God is dealing redemptively with the Church. Am I making this up? Consider the following by dispensationalist E. Schuyler English:

An intercalary⁴ period of history, after Christ’s death and resurrection and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, has intervened. This is the present age, the Church age. . . . During this time God has not been dealing with Israel nationally, for they have been blinded concerning God’s mercy in Christ. . . . However, God will again deal with Israel as a nation. This will be in Daniel’s seventieth week, a seven-year period yet to come.⁵

According to English and every other dispensationalist, the Church has replaced Israel until the rapture. The unfulfilled promises made to Israel are not fulfilled until after the Church is taken off the earth. Thomas Ice, one of dispensationalism’s rising stars, admits that the Church replaces Israel this side of the rapture: “We dispensationalists believe that the church has superseded Israel during the current church age, but God has a future time in which He will restore national Israel ‘as the institution for the administration of divine blessings to the world.’”⁶

Dispensationalists claim that their particular brand of eschatology is the only prophetic system that gives Israel her proper place in redemptive history. This is an odd thing to argue since two-thirds of the Jews will be slaughtered during the post-rapture tribulation, and the world will be nearly destroyed. Charles Ryrie writes in his book The Best is Yet to Come that during this post-rapture period Israel will undergo “the worst bloodbath in Jewish history.”⁷ The book’s title doesn’t seem to very appropriate considering that during this period of time most of the Jews will die! John Walvoord follows a similar line of argument: “Israel is destined to have a particular time of suffering which will eclipse any thing that it has known in the past. . . . [T]he people of Israel . . . are placing themselves within the vortex of this future whirlwind which will destroy the majority of those living in the land of Palestine.”⁸ Arnold Fruchtenbaum states that during the Great Tribulation “Israel will suffer tremendous persecution (Matthew 24:15–28; Revelation 12:1–17). As a result of this persecution of the Jewish people, two-thirds are going to be killed.”⁹

During the time when Israel seems to be at peace with the world, she is really under the domination of the antichrist who will turn on her at the mid-point in the seven-year period. Israel waits more than 2000 years for the promises finally to be fulfilled, and before it happens, two-thirds of them are wiped out. Those who are charged with holding a “replacement theology viewpoint” believe in no inevitable future Jewish bloodbath. In fact, we believe that the Jews will inevitably embrace Jesus as the Messiah this side of the Second Coming. The fulfillment of Zechariah 13:8 is a past event. It may have had its fulfillment in the events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Contrary to dispensationalism’s interpretation of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' disciples warned the Jewish nation for nearly forty years about the impending judgment (Matt. 3:7; 21:42–46; 22:1–14; 24:15–22). Those who believed Jesus’ words of warning were delivered “from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10). Those who continued to reject Jesus as the promised Messiah, even though they had been warned for a generation (Matt. 24:34), “wrath has come upon them to the utmost” (1 Thess. 2:16; cf. 1 Thess. 5:1–11; 2 Pet. 3:10–13).

Before critics of replacement theology throw stones, they need to take a look at their own prophetic system and see its many lapses in theology and logic.

Read Part Two of this article...

---

1. Randall Price, Unholy War: America, Israel and Radical Islam (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2001), 412.

2. Hal Lindsey, The Road to Holocaust (New York: Bantam Books, 1989). The address for Bantam Books is 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York.

3. Gary DeMar and Peter J. Leithart, The Legacy of Hatred Continues: A Response to Hal Lindsey’s The Road to Holocaust (Powder Springs, GA: American Vision, 1989).

4. Inserted into the calendar.

5. E. Schuyler English, A Companion to the New Scofield Reference Bible (New York: Oxford University Press, 1972), 135.

6. Thomas Ice, “The Israel of God,” The Thomas Ice Collection: www.raptureready.com/featured/TheIsraelOfGod.html#_edn3

7. Charles C. Ryrie, The Best is Yet to Come (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1981), 86.

8. John F. Walvoord, Israel in Prophecy (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1962), 107, 113. Emphasis added.

9. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, “The Little Apocalypse of Zechariah,” The End Times Controversy: The Second Coming Under Attack, eds. Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2003), 262.

---

Gary DeMar is president of American Vision and the author of more than 20 books. His latest is Myths, Lies, and Half Truths.

---

---

Permission to reprint granted by American Vision P.O. Box 220, Powder Springs, GA 30127, 800-628-9460.

[1000 silverlings]

The beaheding on account of the witness of Jesus is not this physical beheading

Excellent point LC, just as the "two witnesses" as the bible clearly says, is not 2 individual people as the dispenses likely believe.

[FourtySeven]

You know, an excellent book on the subject is Carl E. Olsen’s, “Will Catholics be Left Behind?” Even though it primarily deals with the “pre-tribulation rapture” question, it does a fair job explaining how simply rejecting dispensationalism does NOT make one a “replacement theologian”, or even to the extreme, an “anti-Semite”.

Of course, just glancing at the thread, the thought of “one, universal, visible” Church seems to be an anathema around here.

Which is a shame, because that very concept is the truest, most balanced approach to the two extremes of “replacement theology” and “dispensationalism”. Indeed, the very heart of the debate is the question of ecclesiology, not eschatology, that is, what MAKES a “church” a “church”, and can this concept of “church” be found in the OT.

But enough of that.

Back to your regularly scheduled “which theology is better in the ‘invisible church’, not that it matters, since we are all Christian, but it ‘matters’”, discussion.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

SPURGEON: When he puts on his priestly breastplate, it is for the tribes whose names are there. When he presents the atoning sacrifice, it is for Israel whom God hath chosen; and he utters this great truth, which some regard as narrow, but which we adore, "I pray for them: I pray not for the world." The point to which I want to call attention is this, the reason why Christ prays not for the world, but for his people. He puts it, "For they are thine," as if they wore all the dearer to him because they were the Father's: "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine."

"The Israel whom God hath chosen" is obviously all believing Jews and gentiles, according to the sermon. I hope you read it.

You and I have used this verse from John dozens of times against the Catholics to refute their error that these words refer only to the apostles. You and I have argued that these words by Christ include all those who have been graced with faith in Jesus Christ.

And Spurgeon agrees with us because he defines these believers as the "Israel whom God hath chosen."

[Dr. Eckleburg]

More than four times the number of natural disasters are occurring now than did two decades ago, British charity Oxfam said in a study Sunday that largely blamed global warming.

Quix, do you believe in "global warming?"

If not, then the rest of all those alarming speculations by liberal doom-sayers are meaningless.

One hundred Christians 2,000 years ago.

One billion Christians today.

Those are the statistics that should occupy our thoughts as we preach the Gospel in truth and love.

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." -- Isaiah 55:11

[Lee N. Field]

Now Quix, lets not disturb them with reality, fantasy is so much more soothing.

UNTIL

THE

WAKE-UP

CALL

!

Yup. Someday soon the saucer full of Greys will descent, and it's all down the tubes them. That'll show 'em.

[Quix]

The illogical ASSUMPTION

that Calvary

was the wake-up call referred to in numerous prophetic Scriptures about THE GREAT TRIBULATION and the birth pangs leading up to it

is mind bogglingly . . . unaware . . . at best.

It is a perspective either blind to scripture or blind to current realities of our era or . . . more likely—BLIND TO BOTH.

[Quix]

There's a major error in your post. A shocking one, actually . . .

TABULATIONS DO NOT EQUAL "speculations!"

Try again.

Of course, there are more Christians today. That's not the issue. That's an irrelevant point. I personally believe God will harvest at a time for maximum harvest.

The one note song about more Christians is a moot, silly, irrelevant point in terms of the Biblical prophecies about the END TIMES referring to our era. I'd have thought you'd have known that.

The more telling point by far are the Scriptures about lawlessness increasing etc.

When, until Israel became a nation in 1948, in our entire history as a country did we have in the space of a few decades . . . a womanizing President sleeping with Communist spies; Another womaizing President getting relieved while conducting foreign policy business; the same President selling the USA out to Communist China for personal gain; His wife engaging in lesbian orgies at Camp David; . . . the list could go on and on and on.

At every level of society, the lawlessness has increased in quantity and severity. Blindness to that does NOT NEGATE THE PROPHETIC POWER OF THE PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES ABOUT THE END TIMES.

[Quix]

Perhaps you’d risk an honest answer . . .

Pretend for a moment . . . that . . . as the massive amount of data indicates . . .

Massive saucer fleets will appear and the WATCHERS/NEPHILIUM/FALLEN ANGELS do collaborate with the NWO PUPPET MASTERS, GLOBALISTS

TOWARD COERCING THE WORLD’S CITIZENS INTO A WORLD GOVERNMENT.

WHAT,

will happen to your Contrarian Preterist/Replacementarian/Amil or Postmil

THEOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTIONS THEN?

I’m assuming I won’t get a straight answer.

Some evasive nonsense or some rubberized convoluted gordian knot of a non-answer seems much more likely in my experience on such threads.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

The illogical ASSUMPTION that Calvary was the wake-up call referred to in numerous prophetic Scriptures about THE GREAT TRIBULATION and the birth pangs leading up to it is mind bogglingly...unaware at best.

Quix, how can acknowledging the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the "wake-up call" to the creation possibly be a bad thing?

I can understand pagans denying this, but it's truly bewildering when some Christians agree with them.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." -- Romans 1:16-21

[Quix]

"how can acknowledging the birth and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the 'wake-up call' to the creation possibly be a bad thing?"

Slippery logic and sentence construction doesn't become you.

WHERE did I say it was a bad thing?

I said it was NOT

THE

WAKE-UP CALL I was referring to in terms of the prophetic Scriptures about the END TIMES.

I can understand Replacementarians twisting Scripture all out of whack along with logic and their own twisted sentence constructions on reality. Please avoid twisting my words and pretending they are still mine.

[Religion Moderator]

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you both for sharing your insights!

As we get closer to the time of the end, I expect it to become increasingly difficult for people to "sit on the fence." An increase in Christians and an increase in anti-Christians. A dividing or a ripening of the harvest.

And that is the circumstance I perceive throughout the world - as if a big spiritual ship is moving through deep water, forcing people everywhere to choose.

This passage comes alive to me as I meditate on such things:

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. - Revelation 22:10-13

Maranatha, Jesus!!!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Let me rephrase it -- I believe the "wake-up call" to the creation was the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Everything flows from this singular truth.

I know Calvin is an acquired taste, but this is what he says about Ephesians 2:6 and I can't find fault with it...

"Ephesians 2:6 -- "And hath raised us up together..."

The resurrection and sitting in heaven, which are here mentioned, are not yet seen by mortal eyes. Yet, as if those blessings were presently in our possession, he states that we have received them; and illustrates the change which has taken place in our condition, when we were led from Adam to Christ. It is as if we had been brought from the deepest hell to heaven itself. And certainly, although, as respects ourselves, our salvation is still the object of hope, yet in Christ we already possess a blessed immortality and glory; and therefore, he adds, in Christ Jesus. Hitherto it does not appear in the members, but only in the head; yet, in consequence of the secret union, it belongs truly to the members..."

So while I agree whole-heartedly that we all must be alert to the political winds, many of which seek to slay us, I remain convinced that not one hair on my head or yours will be touched unless it is by and for and through the will of God.

What can hurt us? Christ has risen. It's all true.

[Quix]

Ahhhh,

I see where I did, now.

Sorry.

Sorry Dr E.

[Quix]

INDEED.

Thanks for your insights, Dear Sis In The Lord.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

And that is the circumstance I perceive throughout the world - as if a big spiritual ship is moving through deep water, forcing people everywhere to choose.

AMEN. I believe that sincerely.

To add to your metaphor, I believe that "big spiritual ship" is Christ risen from the cross.

"And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord." -- Matthew 9:27-28

"Even to morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him." -- Numbers 16:5

[Alamo-Girl]

To add to your metaphor, I believe that "big spiritual ship" is Christ risen from the cross.

Indeed. Praise God!!!

Thank you so much for all of your insights and those beautiful passages!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Quix, how can I cheer your energy and emotions when I agree with them, yet denounce them when I don't?

You are a whirlwind, and I love you for it. 8~)

[Quix]

Much appreciate your humblingly kind words.

Thanks Tons.

I appreciate your vigor and stance for The Gospel and for what you see as Biblical Truth

. . . even when I fiercely disagree with parts of such.

Nothing luke warm about either one of us. God must smile about that.

LUB,
BLPH,