The Center for Israel Address: Israel, the Church, and the Faithfulness of God


One of the most significant theological questions in biblical studies concerns the relationship between Israel and the Church within the redemptive plan of God. Recently, I had the opportunity to deliver an address and participate in a panel discussion for the Center for Israel that explored this issue from a text-driven and philological perspective.

In the address, I examined the biblical covenants and addressed claims commonly associated with replacement theology (often referred to as supersessionism). Drawing from both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament—especially Paul’s sustained argument in Romans 9–11—I argued that the biblical narrative consistently portrays God as faithful to the covenant promises made to Israel while also extending covenant participation to the multinational people of God through the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Several key themes shaped the discussion:

  • The covenantal framework of Scripture, including the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants

  • The significance of Paul’s reference to “the covenants” (Romans 9:4) and what covenant plurality implies for biblical theology

  • The interpretation of Romans 9–11 in relation to Israel’s ongoing role in salvation history

  • The distinction between covenant participation and covenant replacement

  • Hermeneutical considerations when interpreting Old Testament promises in light of the New Testament

  • The theological implications of Paul’s statement that “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29)

Following the address, a panel discussion further explored these issues by addressing questions related to biblical hermeneutics, covenant theology, and the continuity of God’s redemptive purposes across the Testaments.

Rather than approaching this topic through political or contemporary lenses, the goal of the session was to model a disciplined, text-first approach to Scripture. By carefully observing the language and structure of the biblical text itself, we can better understand how the covenants function within the broader narrative of redemption.

Events like this, hosted by the Center for Israel, aim to encourage serious biblical scholarship, thoughtful theological engagement, and a deeper appreciation for the Jewish context of the Christian faith.

I would be interested in hearing others’ perspectives on this question: How should the covenants shape our understanding of the relationship between Israel and the Church in the New Testament?