Land of Israel

Before the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, God warned them that they might be tempted to forget God if they became complacent in their prosperity (Deut 8:11-20). As a consequence, they would serve new gods, and as a punishment they would be attacked by a people who are not really a people.

Dr. André Villeneuve discusses the role of Israel in the age of the Church on Michael Lofton's "Reason and Theology" podcast. Topics include God's covenant with Israel, supersessionism, the idea of the Church as "new Israel", Israel's role in the age of the Church, the modern state of Israel, Zionism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Israel's role in regard to Jesus' Second Coming.

Gerald McDermott explores the notion of supersessionism in Christian theology, which suggests the promises made to the Jewish people in the Old Testament, including the land promise, have been superseded by the Christian church. This view has dominated Christian interpretation since the fourth century, leading to the marginalization of the New Testament's references to the land promise. Evidence in the New Testament contradicts supersessionism, and recognizing the ongoing significance of the land promise is vital for understanding God's trustworthiness and the fulfillment of his promises.