The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism, reviewed by Kevin Williams
Jacob Prasch’s chapter on “Apostolic Jewish-Christian Hermeneutics and Supercessionism” is one of the finest arguments in favor of Jewish roots studies I have ever read. Prasch does an excellent job helping the reader grasp the depths of Scripture yet to be plumed by “gentilized” Christianity: to grasp and yearn for more.
Stephen Vantassel’s chapter, “A Calvinist Considers Israel’s Right to the Land” certainly captured my attention, by virtue of the title’s cognitive dissonance alone. No stranger to The Pneuma Review, Vantassel’s biblical approach to the hotbed of modern Israeli politics should convict every reader, regardless of whether they have a positive or negative view of the Knesset. As he writes, “we must be sure that our tone is moderated and our statements endeavor to assume the best of those of which we disagree.” (p. 82). On the whole, the book’s approach to the Jews and modern Israel is well balanced and informed. A must read for anyone navigating the labyrinth of the Israeli national, religious, and ethnic landscape.
Author Howard Taylor’s chapter on “Israel and the Purposes of God,” is punctuated with a very Jewish form of Gemara (literally “to study” in the Aramaic), a pattern well used by the Messiah and the apostle Paul: “if this is true, then how much more so this?” (ref: Matthew 7:11, 10:25, 12:12, Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 3:9, and others). For instance, “If one believes that Christ fulfills Israel’s destiny from Abraham to the end of time, then one will see Israel’s continuing history as ‘in Christ’…” (p. 95). At times Taylor’s if-this-then-that approach can feel confrontational, but once you understand the pattern, the pill goes down easier.
Paul Wilkinson’s “Jealous for Zion: Evangelicals, Zionism and the Restoration of Israel,” clearly demonstrates how Christian involvement in the 19th Century began paving the road toward a restored Jewish nation. In 21 short pages, readers are exposed to the history behind Israel’s rebirth as a nation, as well as the hope and prayer for her rebirth into the death and resurrection of her Messiah.
Category: In Depth, Summer 2010
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