But to Origen the debate between the Christians and the Jews came down to the question, “Whose Bible is it?” He believed that the Scripture belongs to the Church and is its supreme authority.
Much of what the Replacement Theologians said had elements of truth. The destruction of the Temple WAS a sign of God’s discipline against Israel’s rebellion and rejection of Jesus. Their exile was also prophesied.
The theology of Supersessionism is often used to mean the same thing as Replacement Theology. But actually there is a difference.
Hosea continues declaring God’s warning to Israel. Reading only the warning leads people to believe that God has replaced Israel with the church:
Perhaps only God’s warnings were read but not His promises. God always promised restoration after He warned of discipline.
Replacement Theology results in a misinterpretation of Scripture. It removes God’s unique relationship and His responsibility to Israel.
The history of the relationship between Jews and Christians has been challenging on both sides. * At the core of the problem is the belief that God has replaced Israel with the Church; that the blessings promised to Israel now belong to the Church but all the judgment remains on Israel. Of course the Bible says the exact opposite.
Paul confronts and corrects an attitude that is still held by many believers – that God is finished with the Jews and the Gentiles have become “the chosen.”
Paul’s argument moves between the question and the answer. Because these questions are still being asked today, his answers are relevant.
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