Customer Reviews

Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology

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4 star:		(2)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Recommendation:

Highest Rating for believers who want to gain more insights and learned understanding into their faith, its origins and purposes.

Summary:

Dr. Fruchtenbaum's unique and very Jewish research fills a very dangerous (replacement theology) and limiting void (actually canyon) in Christian understanding and perspective. As Christians, we look at the bible through our own limited gentile eyes, and interpret everything as if it belongs specifically to us. But, Dr. Fruchtenbaum goes through the other 90% of the bible that specifically deals with Israel (the true vine, the chosen people, the people of the covenant ) and Abraham (the friend of JHWH). After all, JHWH's entire plan for mankind is through Israel. Christianity is only a temporary (but, very uniquely blessed) solution to Israel's temporary blindness (non-belief in Jesus as the Messiah).

As Paul writes "everything aforetime was written for our learning." The laws, sabbaths, history and prophecies. All of these Jewish items were written for us to learn and understand JHWH's plan and prophecies. But, this only occurs through Israel.

Review:

Dr. Fruchtenbaum's work, thoughts and writing style is logical, well-researched, deep and insightful. But, he writes so you can easily follow him and understand his subjects, arguments, and conclusions.

Dr. Fructenbaum takes the reader through the information, logic and interpretations and related verses in a manner that actually teaches the reader to improve their abilities to think (in terms of biblical interpretation). In completing this book, the reader will learn a great deal about Judaism and Christianity from the proper Jewish perspective and thought patterns. More importantly, the reader would learn how to read the bible effectively in order to logically understand the scripture and its deeper complexities and interpretations as well as learn how to think through what he has read in order to come to his own conclusions.

The book is thorough, deep and well resourced, well referenced with extensive bibliography and thorough biblical references, as well as direct references to bibliographical resources on each page.

If there is a drawback to this book (notwithstanding "A reader from Omaha, NE USA's" excellent November 14, 2000 comments) the book is deep, has a lot of information, and requires time and effort to go through (1052 pages!!). Conversely, Dr. Fruchtenbaum makes the journey easy and well worth the effort. Further, the book would not be as significant if it lacked these attributes.

A second drawback (ironically, opposite to the above) is that because the book is so extensive, it skims explanations and references to certain interpretations that are discussed within subsections of subsections. For example: in chapter X. "A Dispensational Israelology", section B. "Israel Present", subsection 1. "Israel Present", sub-subsection e. "The Mystery Kingdom" where Dr. Fruchtenbaum discusses the 9 parables of Matthew 13:1-53. Here he discusses the parables and their interpretations, but leaves out supporting references, ex. parabolic "birds" are symbolic of evil spirits (symbolic definition given by Christ himself in Matthew 13:18).

(Sorry, I coincidentally used the same pages to comment on as did the good reader from Omaha).

Please note that it would be far too much to ask Dr. Fruchtenbaum to give this detail as it would (at some point) interfere with the general mission of the book. But, it is an issue as readers dig deeper into the book's topics, research and interpretations non-the-less. It should be noted that in making this book Dr. Fruchtenbaum dramatically shortened his original 2,200 page tome. I can only suppose that the point above was induced to accomplish this dramatic reduction.

Final Note:

For readers who wish to gain additional insights into Dr. Fructenbaum's ministry and teachings, I recommend his audio tapes at ariel.org. Although, they have poorer audio qualities than other tape ministries, the tapes fully support the Dr.'s research and teachings.

Simply put, Israelology is the doctrine of Israel. It is what the Bible teaches about Israel...not what many in the Church want to call "Israel."

Most believers have at least some concept of what the Bible teaches about Israel. Unfortunately, however, such understanding is usually limited and somewhat general (if not "fuzzy") since the tendency among believers is to concentrate more heavily on other doctrines. The doctrine of Israel, it seems, is only addressed when it unavoidably intersects with other doctrines of the Bible, but even then the lack of a complete Israelology often leads to ambiguity, if not total error. Indeed, many theological fallacies can be traced to an incomplete, if not a totally inaccurate understanding of the doctrine of Israel. As Dr Fruchtenbaum clearly shows, Israelology is of no minor significance to a proper interpretation of the Bible.

In this work, Dr Fruchtenbaum presents the Israelology of four major theological systems: Covenant Postmillennialism, Covenant Amillennialism, Covenant Premillennialism, and Dispensationalism. He shows how each system's view of Israelology affects biblical interpretation; highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each system where they exist. He finally offers his own dispensational Israelology (which I believe ought to be published on its own, as it is superb in its analysis), effectively developing this doctrine which previous systematic theologies have failed to address completely, if at all.

Included in this work are discussions on:

*** The view of Israel (past, present, and future) in the teaching of the four major theological systems.

*** The Abrahamic, Mosaic, Palestinian (Land), Davidic, and New covenants

*** The Kingdom of God program

*** Israel's rejection of the Messiahship of Yeshua HaMashiach(Jesus) and its results and consequences

*** The relationship between Israel and the Church

*** Romans 9-11 and the Olive Tree, and

*** Anti-Semitism


In addition, appendices of this work include:

*** Discussion of Hebrew Christian / Messianic Jewish practice (in which he accurately and definitively critiques Daniel Juster's "Jewish Roots," its numerous failings and misunderstandings of both Scripture and Dispensationalism. Also, he answers clearly Juster's desire (and misuse of Scripture in this effort) that the Law of Moses still be in effect in "An Interchange on the Law of Moses and the Congregation." Juster's Theses are thoroughly and Scripturally answered/refuted. By doing so, Dr Fruchtenbaum in no way compromises his identity as a Jew who believes that Yeshua HaMashich (Jesus) is the Messiah, and actually brings to light Juster's identity crisis between the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants.

*** In Appendix 3 Dr Fruchtenbaum effectively answers critics about whether Jews should start their own Congregations. Many in the Church wish they would assimilate into Church traditions without any thought of their Jewish culture and its direct connection to the praise of our Lord.

*** Also included is a survey of the Hebrew Christian / Messianic Jewish epistles (Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude), which is now being published as its own book in Ariel's Bible Commentary.


An outstanding resource, Israelology presents a clear, comprehensive systematization of the doctrine of Israel; past, present, and future. This "groundbreaking" work is a must-read for all serious students of the Bible. I believe it is necessary reading for anyone who has a heart for Israel, and a heart for the salvation of Israel.

Dr. Fruchtenbaum has masterfully written on the issue of Israel in systematic theology -- a topic often overlooked by Dispensationalists. His clear exegesis and well placed conclusions make for an easy read. His objectivity is also comendable. Dr. Fruchtenbaum takes about 300 pages to explain all non-dispensational perspectives. Very helpful!

There are two draw-backs to the work. First, while there is a handy scripture index in the back, there is no topical index. Since it is systematic in scope, oftentimes identical issues are discussed under different subheads. The lack of topical index in the back may have been due to the 18 page table of contents but an index in back would be very helpful in remebering where everything is located in the large, 1,100 page book.

Secondly, although this is a fabulous work, Fruchtenbaum occationally makes unguarded and hermeneutically hollow statements. For example, on page 613, refering to the three measures of meal in the Parable of the Leaven (Matt. 13:33), he writes that this passage is pointing "to the fact that Christendom develops into three main divisions: Roman Catholoicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism." This is inconsistent with dispensational bible interpretation.

All in all, this book should be required of all Christians who are ready for a little 'meat' in their diet.

This book should be required reading for any student of the Bible. Dr Fruchtenbaum crams so many foundational truths to the Christian faith in pages 567-956, that after reading it, you are amazed at what has passed as scholarship in the church on the study of Israel.

This book is a must for anyone who truly wants to understand the depth of the Bible. It is extremely detailed, but in the end you are only left with one choice after all of the options are examined. Israel and the covenants must be treated appropriately and Dr. Fruchtenbaum does that. This is a great defense of Dispensationalism.

Whether you practice the Jewish religion or consider yourself to be a believer in Yeshua (Jesus), you will want to read this book. It is a gold mine of information. The author's first language is Hebrew. He brings a view to the study of the Scriptures and therefore of Israel that uncovers truth long searched for.

This is must reading for anyone who cares about Christian-Jewish relations.

Shalom

This book, written by a man that was formerly an Orthodox Jew and memorized the entire Jewish Scriptures and now the Christian scriptures, provides a deep intellectual and spiritual perspective that is unequaled. It transcends the historical stripping of the Jewishness in Christianity and makes a significant contribution to Systematic Theology. This book has the potential to impact the church in historical proportions. It has more depth and solid theological thinking than anyone can provide for the ideas of replacement theology.

Israelology (the theology of Israel) is not a part of a systematic theology course at any major seminary, and Dr. Fruchtenbaum argues that it should be. He examines the doctrine of Israel from each of the major evangelical viewpoints and then gives his own Israelology. Part of his thesis is that an evangelical's Israelology will actually play a MAJOR role in which camp he winds up in. He then proves this point rather nicely. Written from a dispensationalist viewpoint, I naturally enjoyed this book as a dispensationalist. However, written almost thirty years ago (WOW, has it been that long?), it does not even mention the progressive dispensationalism of late, and just casually mentions Dr. Fuller's "New" theology. The author himself seems to hold a few views that are typically thought to be within the progressive camp: New Covenant currently in force, distinguishes between Jews and Gentiles in the church, and views the Church as a non-nation. However, Fruchtenbaum falls well within the traditional dispensational school as a whole.

All-in-all a great book. Pretty long at over 1,000 pages, but the type is very large and set narrowly, so that there are perhaps half as many words on a page as in a comparable volume. Still a heavy read, and definitely not for the novice theologian!

This book covers all views and shows why replacement theology is not valid. The Church has not replaced Israel.

This book painstakingly and clearly sets forth the Bible's teachings about Israel (past, present, and future). It makes the case for dispensationalism and, in my opinion, puts the kibosh on covenant theology. The missing link is missing no more.