The relationship between Israel and the church continues to be a controversial topic led by this question: Does the church replace, supersede, or fulfill the nation of Israel in God's plan, or will Israel be saved and restored with a unique identity and role? In Has the Church Replaced Israel?, author Michael J. Vlach evaluates the doctrine of replacement theology (also known as supersessionism) down through history but ultimately argues in favor of the nonsupersessionist position. Thoroughly vetting the most important hermeneutical and theological issues related to the Israel/church relationship, Vlach explains why, "there are compelling scriptural reasons in both testaments to believe in a future salvation and restoration of the nation Israel."
Has the Church Replaced Israel?
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About the Author
Michael J. Vlach is professor of Theology at The Master's Seminary in Sun Valley, California. He holds degrees from the University of Nebraska (B.S.), The Master's Seminary (M.Div.), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Ph.D.).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By C. Barlow
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As you can tell from one reviewer writing a book about a book, this is a volatile subject about which Christians disagree at a visceral level. My point is not to attack or defend the author's conclusions but to appreciate the integrity with which he approaches his subject. I attend a church which has the opposing view. In a world where mudslinging, even in the church, is accepted and normal, Dr. Michael Vlach has risen above that to write a responsible defense for the idea that the church is distinct from Israel. My pastor disagrees. If you are weary of reading polemic theologians, Dr. Vlach's writing style will be welcome relief, whether you agree with him or not. Able gentlemen like him help those of us who are caught in the middle work through these issues and I am grateful for this kind of help.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By ACustomer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Michael Vlach has written a very well thought out and organized rebuttal to supercessionism.
There are a number of great books that challenge and refute supercessionism and some of them (Fruchtenbaum's Israelology) can be technical. But this is written in such a straight forward way that even a layman like me can follow along. I've taken away a great deal from it.
I especially appreciated his treatment of Acts 1:6. I've heard my fair share of supercessionist meanderings around this verse but Dr Vlach nails it. One of the great strengths of Mike's book is that he's pretty much dealt with most of the popular arguments used by replacement theology proponents, and systematically answered them.
One feature of the book that I found most helpful is that Vlach has a section devoted to common objections to the dispensational view of Israel and then addresses them one by one later in the book. There you will find refutations to the familiar CT insistence that the Acts-Joel & Acts-Amos references by Peter and James - allegedly reinterpret the OT; support supercessionism; and refute dispensational hermeneutics. And much more.
I'm already aware of some negative reviews from the RT camp. It's interesting to see how they deal with Gal 6:16. There are no surprises and no compelling rebuttals to the book.
Make no mistake; Dr Vlach is a meticulous scholar. This book will be a great addition to anyone's library.
Addendum:
Another reviewer has tacked on a link to his review of Mike Vlach's book to my review's comments section. I would point out that Mike's book specifically addresses the CT (Amil-Postmil) view of supersessionism. That reviewer is an individual who promotes the idea that Mosaic Law is still a requirement for the Christian, asserts that the church is an extension of Israel and that Israel isn't "fundamentally, an ethnic entity."
There are a number of great books that challenge and refute supercessionism and some of them (Fruchtenbaum's Israelology) can be technical. But this is written in such a straight forward way that even a layman like me can follow along. I've taken away a great deal from it.
I especially appreciated his treatment of Acts 1:6. I've heard my fair share of supercessionist meanderings around this verse but Dr Vlach nails it. One of the great strengths of Mike's book is that he's pretty much dealt with most of the popular arguments used by replacement theology proponents, and systematically answered them.
One feature of the book that I found most helpful is that Vlach has a section devoted to common objections to the dispensational view of Israel and then addresses them one by one later in the book. There you will find refutations to the familiar CT insistence that the Acts-Joel & Acts-Amos references by Peter and James - allegedly reinterpret the OT; support supercessionism; and refute dispensational hermeneutics. And much more.
I'm already aware of some negative reviews from the RT camp. It's interesting to see how they deal with Gal 6:16. There are no surprises and no compelling rebuttals to the book.
Make no mistake; Dr Vlach is a meticulous scholar. This book will be a great addition to anyone's library.
Addendum:
Another reviewer has tacked on a link to his review of Mike Vlach's book to my review's comments section. I would point out that Mike's book specifically addresses the CT (Amil-Postmil) view of supersessionism. That reviewer is an individual who promotes the idea that Mosaic Law is still a requirement for the Christian, asserts that the church is an extension of Israel and that Israel isn't "fundamentally, an ethnic entity."
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great resource for anyone doing a study on the identity of Israel in the New Testament, as I was doing. It's also a good critique of supersessionism/fulfillment theology/covenant theology. Vlach starts off by giving you the background of the view that the Church replaces Israel, or rather, the view that the church fulfills the role that racial Israel was supposed to fulfill but failed. Most of these people seem to believe along the lines of what Luther argued, "...the Jews are no longer Israel, for all things are to be new, and Israel must become new." Vlach evaluates their hermeneutics, and critiques their proof passages. One such passage is Galatians 6:16, here is an excerpt: "A second argument against the supersessionist understanding of Gal 6:16 is based on the context of the letter. Paul is defending the concept of salvation by grace through faith against the error of the Judaizers who held that circumcision contributed to salvation. In doing this, Paul singles out Christian Jews in Galatia who correctly believed the gospel of grace and did not follow the error of the Judaizers. Paul, thus, commends these Christian Jews and calls them the 'Israel of God.' As Johnson puts it, ''What more fitting thing could Paul write ,it is said, in a work so strongly attacking Jewish professing believers, the Judaizers, than to make it most plain that he was not attacking the true believing Jews. Judaizers are anathematized, but the remnant according to the election of grace are 'the Israel of God.'"
And again, on Ephesians 2:11-22, "The fact that Gentiles have gone from being 'far off' to 'near,' or from excluded' to 'not excluded,' does not mean they have assumed the identity of Israel. Second, if Paul wanted to say that believing Gentiles were now part of Israel, he could have said that, but he did not. Paul will say that God has made both believing Jews and Gentiles 'one' (2:14) and 'one new man,' but he carefully avoids the title 'Israel.'.....(Quoting C. B. Hoch Jr.)'..They do not become Israel; they share with Israel.'"
Perhaps my favorite parts, were where he pointed out that, although there certainly are shadows and types in the Old Testament, the people of Israel were neither of those things, nor were the promises of material things, like land. Quoting Feinberg, " unconditional promises are not shadows, nor are the people to whom they are given." And also, where he pointed out that material things are not evil, "...we should not assume that physical things are inherently unspiritual. The physical universe God created was deemed 'very good' (Gen 1:31), not something that needed to be escaped or transcended. We should not assume that things like land, temples, and nations are unspiritual. Nor should we think that such things must necessarily be types or pictures of greater spiritual realities in some Platonic fashion."
I have so many quotations, I could go on and on...but then that would defeat the purpose of you buying the book. I'll end with one more quote, "Contrary to the supersessionist position, it is not God's intention for everyone who believes to become part of 'Israel.' Through Abraham, the nation Israel was created as a vehicle to bring blessings to 'all the families of the earth'(Gen 12:2-3), but it has never been God's intent to make everyone who believes 'Israel.' Israel, through the ultimate Israelite, Jesus Christ, is the means for worldwide blessing, but Israel is not an end in itself."
And again, on Ephesians 2:11-22, "The fact that Gentiles have gone from being 'far off' to 'near,' or from excluded' to 'not excluded,' does not mean they have assumed the identity of Israel. Second, if Paul wanted to say that believing Gentiles were now part of Israel, he could have said that, but he did not. Paul will say that God has made both believing Jews and Gentiles 'one' (2:14) and 'one new man,' but he carefully avoids the title 'Israel.'.....(Quoting C. B. Hoch Jr.)'..They do not become Israel; they share with Israel.'"
Perhaps my favorite parts, were where he pointed out that, although there certainly are shadows and types in the Old Testament, the people of Israel were neither of those things, nor were the promises of material things, like land. Quoting Feinberg, " unconditional promises are not shadows, nor are the people to whom they are given." And also, where he pointed out that material things are not evil, "...we should not assume that physical things are inherently unspiritual. The physical universe God created was deemed 'very good' (Gen 1:31), not something that needed to be escaped or transcended. We should not assume that things like land, temples, and nations are unspiritual. Nor should we think that such things must necessarily be types or pictures of greater spiritual realities in some Platonic fashion."
I have so many quotations, I could go on and on...but then that would defeat the purpose of you buying the book. I'll end with one more quote, "Contrary to the supersessionist position, it is not God's intention for everyone who believes to become part of 'Israel.' Through Abraham, the nation Israel was created as a vehicle to bring blessings to 'all the families of the earth'(Gen 12:2-3), but it has never been God's intent to make everyone who believes 'Israel.' Israel, through the ultimate Israelite, Jesus Christ, is the means for worldwide blessing, but Israel is not an end in itself."
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read, changed my views.
I didn't know where I stand when it came to Israel. I've heard all sides on the matter, this book show me the truth after I went back to the Scriptures its all with Michael saying... Read more
Published 16 days ago by mikeinmichigan
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Sovereignty of God
Typical of Arthur Pink - this work is exemplary! He does the most thorough job of any theologian I have ever read of researching a topic before committing himself to paper. Read more
Published 27 days ago by John D. Linhardt
5.0 out of 5 stars
long overdue
This book is sooo long overdue. It's the best ever defense AND positive presentation of of Gods' plan for Israel. God has NOT cast them off permanently. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Robert Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Replacement Theology
A scalastic work. You should have no questions to ask on the subject that was not covered in this book. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Skyking
5.0 out of 5 stars
Has The Church Replaced Israel?
Very interesting book on the subject of Israel and the church. This is a must read for those wanting to understand God's plan for Israel.
Published 24 months ago by Debra L Chandler
3.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful Analysis. Two Fundamental Faults.
Michael Vlach has written a helpful analysis and critique of Supersessionism (Replacement Theology) in four parts:
Part 1: Introduction to Supersessionism
Part 2:... Read more
Part 1: Introduction to Supersessionism
Part 2:... Read more
Published on November 8, 2010 by David Reuben Stone
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