Also dont forget that the new testament has Jesus condemning the Jews as killers of prophets and predicted the doom of Israel.

Despite the theological differences with christianity, Muslims have no choice but to accept Jesus as the only promised messiah who would return to slay the anti-christ. (Need proof? google it!) The Jews on the other hand, not only reject the messiah, but consider him as a false prophet who died a shameful death. And I really dont think there is anything in the bible that can prove that God is ok with the Jews following a religon that considers the messiah as a false prophet.

After all this, I really cannot understand why many Christians are infatuated with the modern state of Israel, as if somebody like Moses or David personally helped restore it. The ugly truth is that todays Israel was mostly founded by atheists, (those are not my words… http://www.zionism-israel.com/zionism_issues.htm says so)

The best part is that the jews cant really find fault with Islamic monotheism, because it is the same concept as jewish monotheism. You, however can have a fun time walking into a synagogue and convincing them that Jesus is their messiah (and that he died on the cross and that he is part of the trinity etc.)

You might still be thinking…
“But muslims dont accept that Jesus died on the cross”

Yes… and neither do the Jews. No wait, Jews dont accept Jesus as messiah at all! If you still think that its still ok because Jews are “chosen” people because of all those verses about being restored back to Israel..well, Matthew 3:9 should be enough.

On a final note, Im not anti-semitic, Im simply daring to call a spade a spade. If you consider me anti-semitic, you cannot do so without viewing Jesus as an anti-semite as well. He spoke the harsh words in Mathew 23:35, not me.

Today’s “Israel,” which you refer to as “a tiny nation forced to balance their own national security,” is not doomed, therefore, by its covenant-breaking but by its denial and hatred for the Lord Jesus. Their national security, accordingly, is hopeless because their very existence testifies to an abiding hostility to the Gospel: “for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost (1 Thess. 2:16).”

Individual Jews, thankfully, will be brought into the blood-bought Israel of God by the wonderful grace of Him who foreknew His elect Old Testament people. They will not, however, be saved by applying the “national” presumption (whether dispensational or reformed) that an Israel-after-the-flesh has survived, somehow, the rending of the veil before the holy of holies and the destruction of the temple abandoned by God.

Thanks for your article. I enjoyed the read and appreciate this perspective. I also want to say I wholeheartedly agree with what you posted in a reply above:

“We are not out to win people to a particular doctrinal position, but rather to win them to obedience to Christ. The Lord has granted us some success in just encouraging the brethren to think more about how to actually LIVE this wonderful new life we have been given, to be kinder, more forgiving and humbler and “don’t sweat the small stuff.”

That is the absolute BEST outworking of any theology I know of! Well done. Reminds me of John’s Message to the Ephesians in Revelation where they are commended for “routing out false apostles” but then reprimanded for having lost their “first love.” Gordon Fee has said that this is the kernel of dangerous orthodoxy - being ‘right’ but not having love (which is a biggie in the Johanine writings).

I think your statement exemplifies the mature theologian: Thanks for your example…I’ll endeavour to follow it!

Ben

I was going to research the Mormons (I am very familiar- my sister is mormon- and they have an amazing “Book of Mormon” culture that Christians should envy (although they are under deception), and the Baptists who seem to have families and children excited about learning the Word. I have been exposed to both and love the models but dont know where to get the actual resources for our use.

Are there documents, books, or other resources you can guide me to? I want to effectively share the success models- I am looking to get free or inexpensive resources so we don’t completely reinvent the wheel.

Would you provide me some guidance on this- on line resources or other biblical culture centers? Blessings Amy Maynor- Jacksonville

I appreciate your article. I have been in a Southern Baptist Church for a while now. I have taught men, and I have seen God improve their understanding of God’s sovereignty in salvation. I fully embrace your article’s arguments. However, as you probably know, there is a majority of SBC pastors who continue to declare “Calvinism” as heresy. How would you classify these men who, having access to years of potential study and the resources necessary for a complete Christian education, continue to rant against the truth that the Bible teaches. I personally experienced the lack of joy and peace that comes from adhering to today’s confused Arminian leaning teaching.

Thank you,

Joe V.