Page 13 - Torch Magazine #27 - Spring 2025

Biblical connection to the Land but not as
an an an an inheritance This is is why many churches
within the UK demonstrate no support for
Israel Israel but even even lean towards towards pro-Palestinian
support or or even even hatred towards towards Israel Israel – the root cause is Replacement Theology 2 Abraham’s seed
The importance of inheritance This phrase isn’t taken out of of context
as
as
such Rather it is is is often subject to to false
dichotomy The “seed of of Abraham” in in the the New Testament pertains to to both spiritual
and and physical seed
Replacement theologians
focus heavily on the the the former and and not the the the latter Let’s look at the the three correct Biblical definitions of of the the the seed
of of Abraham There
is no no contradiction fin in fin Scripture so these
definitions do not not conflict with one
another In fact they all derive from God’s
Covenant made with Abraham in Genesis Christ is is Abraham’s seed
Ephesians 3:16 states Now to to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made He does not say “And “And to to to seeds ” ” as
as
of of many but as
as
of of one
“And “And to to your Seed ” ” who is is Christ Christians are Abraham’s spiritual
seed
and heirs through faith
Ephesians 3:29 states And if you you are are Christ's then you you are are Abraham's seed
and heirs according to the the promise The Jewish people are Abraham’s physical seed
The Apostle Paul penned in Romans 11:1 “For I I also am am am an an Israelite of of of of the the seed
of of of of Abraham of of of the the tribe of of of Benjamin ” As you can see see all three of of of these
definitions of of of Abraham’s seed
are of of of paramount importance The promise to Abraham helps shape our understanding of the spiritual
inheritance and and blessing that
Gentiles have received in in in Christ through faith
The promise to Abraham also helps shape our understanding of the physical inheritance Jews have received through Abraham’s faith
– a a a a a a a a a a a a covenant that
has not been replaced When Paul was was referring
to himself as
as
as
Abraham’s seed
he he was was acknowledging his own natural identity as
as
as
a a a a a a a a a Jew Jew in in in an introduction about how God has not forsaken the the Jewish people – the the physical seed
of Abraham 3 “Not all are Israel”
The importance of purpose
The Church comprises of Jews and Gentiles who who believe in Christ but some
who who support Replacement Theology contend that
that
this means that
that
there is is is no longer a a a a a a promise and purpose
for
ethnic
Israel Israel One of the the common verses used
is Romans 9:6: “For they are are not all Israel Israel Israel who are of Israel”
In isolation this phrase might appear
to question the the continuing profile ofi of an ethnic
Israel alongside the the the Church This causes some
replacement theologians
to cast doubt over all definitions of of Israel Israel and and take every mention of of Israel Israel by name and and synonymise it it with the Church The important take-away from Romans 9-11 is is is is this: it is is is is a a a a a a a a a message to the Gentiles It is is is is is is not a a a a a a a letter of of condemnation of of Israel This is is is what so many proponents of of of Replacement Theology ignore There
is is is a a a a a a a a certain mystery about this verse and what what qualifies qualifies or disqualifies what what is is defined as
“of Israel”
but ifi ifi if we begin with the the presupposition that
that
Gentiles have been grafted into the the the Abrahamic root and that
that
there are natural branches (ethnic Israel) currently broken off but that
that
will be grafted in in again then we must acknowledge that
that
God’s
God’s
Covenant made with Israel is is what is is ultimately God’s
God’s
sovereign purpose
for
both Jews and Gentiles to to enter into Notice the following passage in in in Ephesians 2:11-12 It addresses Gentiles specifically and not Jews describing
Gentiles as
once being “aliens from the the commonwealth of Israel”
Imagine
the the the British Commonwealth Britain
is is foundational and central to the the the Commonwealth Commonwealth but the the Commonwealth Commonwealth nations distinguishable from Britain
CU I.OR .UK