Paul believed Israel’s Messiah had come. But what does this mean for Israel? Debate rages over Paul and supersessionism: the question of whether—and if so, to what extent—the new covenant in Christ replaces God’s “old” covenant with Israel. Discussion of supersessionism carries much historical, theological, and political baggage, complicating attempts at dialogue.
God’s Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism pursues fruitful discussion by listening to a variety of perspectives. Scot McKnight, Michael F. Bird, and Ben Witherington III consider supersessionism from political, biblical, and historical angles, each concluding that if Paul believed Jesus was Israel’s Messiah, then some degree of supersessionism is unavoidable. Lynn H. Cohick, David J. Rudolph, Janelle Peters, and Ronald Charles respond to the opening essays and offer their own perspectives.
Readers of God’s Israel and the Israel of God will gain a broader understanding of the debate, its key texts, and the factors that shaped Paul’s view of Israel.
168 pages.
- “Introduction to Paul and the Supersession Controversy” by Michael F. Bird
- Part 1: Pauline Supersessionism Revisited
- “The Sport of Supersessionism: A Game to be Played” by Scot McKnight
- “Messianic Eschatology and Pauline Supersessionism” by Michael F. Bird
- “Paul, Galatians, and Supersessionism” by Ben Witherington III
- Part 2: Respondents
- “Thinking about Supersessionism from Paul to Melito of Sardi” by Lynn C. Cohick
- “A Messianic Jewish Response” by David Rudolph
- “Paul, Nostra Aetate, and Irrevocable Gifts in Light of the Romans’ Plant Metaphor” by Janelle Peters
- “A Critical Response to Pauline Supersessionism” by Ronald Charles
- “Concluding Reflections” by Scot McKnight
God's Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism is in the following collections:
