The Bible, Israel and the Church
Reviews : Bible Studies : Cover : Outlines : Press Release : Premier Radio Interview : Order
“Thank God, here comes at last a book that challenges the pseudo-theology which, by giving precedence to the Old Covenant over the New, relegates the Church to the status of concubine in order to make Israel the Bride of Christ. In clear and measured terms, the author demonstrates from Scripture that God’s purposes for history are not driven by a narrowly selective racist obsession but rather by his eternal design to create the Church, the new community dearly secured through the cross for all Christ-followers, both Jews and Gentiles.” Professor Gilbert Bilezikian, Professor Emeritus, Wheaton College and a founding leader of Willow Creek Community Church, South Barrington, Illinois.
It is not an understatement to say that what is at stake is our understanding of the gospel, the centrality of the cross, the role of the church, and the nature of our missionary mandate, not least, to the beloved Jewish people. If we don’t see Jesus at the heart of the Hebrew scriptures, and the continuity between his Old Testament and New Testament saints in the one inclusive Church, we’re not reading them correctly.
The key question is this “Was the coming of Jesus and the birth of the Church the fulfilment or the postponement of the promises God made to Abraham?”
Christian Zionists see the promises of identity, land and destiny as part of an ongoing covenant God has with the Jewish people. In this book I unpack this question and show that Christian Zionism is a recent manifestation of a heresy refuted by the New Testament.
The Audio Book with Seminar Outlines
You can listen to or read six presentations based on the chapters of the book as well as print outlines useful for personal and group Bible study. A more comprehensive set of Bible studies useful for individual or groups based on this book has been produced for the film With God on our Side. These are available here.
1. For the Love of Zion: The Bible tells them so : Outline 1
2. Israel and the Church: Who are God’s chosen people? : Outline 2
3. The Promised Land: From the Nile to the Euphrates? : Outline 3
4. Battle for Jerusalem: The Eternal Capital of the Jews? : Outline 4
5. The Coming Last Day’s Temple: Ready to Rebuild? : Outline 5
6. Overture to Armageddon: Want to be left behind? : Outline 6
Israel and the Church: Sermon Series
You can read, hear and watch a sermon series based on the book preached at Christ Church in August 2009.
Where is the promised land?
Next year in Jerusalem?
Will the Temple be Rebuilt?
I want to be Left Behind
Book Review by Victoria Clark in Living Stones Magazine. Also check out the Bible Study guide
