Study Tools

(Psa 83:4 KJV)  They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.

(Proverbs 23 also read)

This brings to mind a couple of errors we make in understanding the Bible and applying it to ourselves.  Today those are “spiritualization” and “Replacement Theology.”  There are aspects of both that are useful and legitimate and extremes that are deceptive and misguided.

If you were spiritualizing this passage you would take a legitimate desire to understand what God is saying to use and manipulate it to make yourself look good.  If you see parallels with current forces in our culture trying to marginalize and destroy the church then you are on the right track and you can go on to teach hope, being salt and other lessons.  If you use it to justify your position on a recent local church dispute on which Bible translation to put in the pews then you might be using the technique a bit out of line.

The term “Replacement Theology” is one of those technical shibboleths like “Fundamentalist” which have a meaning to describe a specific position but is often misused to tar and feather people you don’t like.  Technically it means a belief that God has replaced Israel with the Church as His Chosen People.  In my mind it brings a picture of a computer technician pulling out the old CPU, throwing it in the trash, and putting in the newest, hottest version.  This can lead to anti-Semitism on one hand and a good degree of local church arrogance on the other.  Is God now working through the church instead of Israel?  I would say so.  Does that mean He is finished with Israel?  Not if you read about the end times.

So?  Read and study.  Keep in mind the purpose is to “show yourself approved” not to gain the pole position in the Rapture 500.