Those who accuse Reformed people of "Replacement Theology" misunderstand
the basis of Covenant theology, as it seeks to interpret Redemptive
history. Their error lies in assuming there exists two perpetual
categories of believing people, the Jewish Nation and the New Testament
Church, rather than two external administrations over the same invisible
body of believing people playing out through time.
Yes, the Nation of Israel has been superseded by the New Testament Church as the outward administration of the Covenant of Grace, but there has always and only ever shall be one true Bride of Christ, those in all times and places who look to the Savior alone for mercy and righteousness. Jews have been grafted out from the visible Church through unbelief, yet they can be graft in again through faith. (Rom 11)
The visible church does not "replace" National Israel anymore than a butterfly replaces its own cocoon when it is fully developed. The one has metamorphosed externally into the other, though the essential being has remained the same: those with faith alone in Messiah.
Yes, the Nation of Israel has been superseded by the New Testament Church as the outward administration of the Covenant of Grace, but there has always and only ever shall be one true Bride of Christ, those in all times and places who look to the Savior alone for mercy and righteousness. Jews have been grafted out from the visible Church through unbelief, yet they can be graft in again through faith. (Rom 11)
The visible church does not "replace" National Israel anymore than a butterfly replaces its own cocoon when it is fully developed. The one has metamorphosed externally into the other, though the essential being has remained the same: those with faith alone in Messiah.
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© Michael Spotts:. 2011
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You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this article in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge any fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For printed copies, as well as web posting, please include the following statement:
By M. Benjamin Spotts:.
Copyright © The Open Life
www.theopenlife.com
Titus 3:3-8
© Michael Spotts:. 2011
———————
You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this article in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and that you do not charge any fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For printed copies, as well as web posting, please include the following statement:
By M. Benjamin Spotts:.
Copyright © The Open Life
www.theopenlife.com
Titus 3:3-8
1 comments:
Thanks. I'm a Baptist who happens to agree with covenant theology, and I have a lot of friends who are of the dispensational stripe who don't seem to understand the nature of grace throughout all of the Bible, both Old Testament and New.
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