I received an interesting email this week commenting on my statement this past Sunday regarding God and divorce and whether God was "divorced" from Israel, the adulterous wife. This interpretation was shared with me a few years back in an attempt to help me see how God views and deals with divorce. This person was actually examining whether God's relationship with Israel could be deemed a "divorce" or whether it was a strange shift in the relationship.
Now I don't claim to be a scholar on this subject in anyway, however, this email forced me to do a little study of my own. Little did I know that this subject matter has actually has been debated for centuries. What I would like to do is just give you a little information on its history and see if any conversation can arise from it.
In theological terms this topic is known as Supersessionism, Replacement theology or Fulfillment theology. Supersessionism and Replacement theology or Fulfillment theology are Christian interpretations of New Testament claims, viewing God's relationship with Christians as being either the "replacement" or "fulfillment" or "completion" of the promise made to the Jews
(By the way you can find all this on wikipedia :))
Jewish theologian and rabbinic scholar says there are three views:
1. The new covenant is an extension of the old covenant.
2. The new covenant is an addition to the old covenant.
3. The new covenant is a replacement for the old covenant.
So, here is the challenge. Take a moment and read this article, as best you can because it is a bit cranial, and tell me your thoughts. Remember, this is for discussion not dogmatic opinions.
Enjoy.
