Behold, the exact antithesis to Jesus's message, preaching, LIFE, was plastered on the back of a U.S.-goods carrier. What is going on in this "Christian country" of ours? One conclusion to draw, which I have drawn already, is that the United States of America is not a Christian country, and any icon with an American flag coupled with a statement boasting of hate for the enemy rather than love seals that deal.
This is not to say that Christians don't reside in this country, or that God is not present here. America is simply not a Christian country, but is she a Christian nation? What's the difference? Is there one? I'm only using the word "nation" because of its strong biblical overtones. Nation, from the Greek ethnes, is a people-group, not a municipal, government-organized State with a ruler. People-groups live within countries; they did in first-century Rome, and they do now.
Something I'm trying to understand is that there is no more Israel. I could get tarred and feathered for saying that, according to one radio talk-show in particular, but I can't be convinced any other way. The biblical Israel is gone, the one with whom God covenanted and shared his prophets and miracles. They finally said "no" so God finally said "no," and, thus, his grace is all the greater in Emmanuel. But any idea that America is an Israel of the 20th- and 21st-centuries just doesn't float many boats any more. How can a Christian nation (that had no president, no concept of secular law, a year of Jubilee for crying out loud!) exist in the form of the United States, or any country now? It can't. It's gone. Israel began handing out her purity when she begged God for a king, and now we still have what she asked for.
I just wonder, who here loves their enemies? Who believes Jesus really told us to love those who hate us and strike us and kill us? What would happen if we did love them, whomever they are? Our war enemies? Is this impossible?
Allison,
ReplyDeleteyou say Israel doesn't exist any more. What are the implications from God if He doesn't keep his words that He "has a plan for them"? It sounds to me like you are saying God has dropped his plan for Israel. That they no longer are "His People". Is that what you imply? maybe talk that out. let me know.
much love,
Mark Vrieze
Okay, so I just wrote a novel and then lost it.
ReplyDeleteI will try to summarize:
Romans chapters 9-11 talk about the place that Israel still has in the New Covenant. Here are some verses that I think really speak to this subject:
6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[b] 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. (Romans 9:6-8)
I think that, through Christ, Israel is redefined. It is no longer the literal offspring of Abraham, but it is instead the heirs of the promise of Abraham -- everyone who believes in Christ.
II Corinthians 1 says that all the promises that God has made are "Yes" in Christ. When God said that he knows the plans He has for Israel, he wasn't lying. But Old Testament Israel still had to seek righteousness in order to receive those plans to prosper. Just like you or I can refuse God's plans for our lives, so could Old Testament Israel.
I believe that Old Testament Israel rejected the covenant that God had made with Him. God still wanted to save His people so He sent God the Son to earth to offer salvation to all who would believe in him. Now there is a "New Israel" that includes Jews(ethnic) and Gentiles alike who have a relationship with Christ.
Okay...so this is a lot different than the first post, so I hope that it still makes sense.
Old Testament Israel rejected God, but God made a new Israel through Christ. He has not rejected Israel, but invited all nations to be a part of Israel. The modern-day nation of Israel is welcome to be part of this covenant, but is not included by default.
Well I knew I kept my husband around cyber-world for a reason. Thanks Keith.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I will write about Replacement Theology soon, because it really confuses me too.
so what happens to Jews? i'm worried that we may think we as Christians succeed them in salvation history, that seems anti-semitic to me... what do you think?
ReplyDelete