The New 95 Thesis

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21-25 Replacement Theology


21. Origenes Adamantius (Origen), an early church father, introduced the allegorical (non literal) method of interpreting the Bible, early in the third century AD. This laid the foundation for replacement theology, the idea that the church has replaced Israel, and that there is no prophetic future for the Jewish nation. He taught against the concept of a future millennium when Messiah shall reign over and through both Israel and the Church. He is the father of amillenialism (no millennium) which usually embodies replacement theology. Amillenialism is the view that there will be no literal thousand year millennial reign of Christ (see Revelation 20). They say that prophecy must be "spiritualized," as if the literal mode of interpretation were carnal, which it is not. In fact literalism implies faith in the plain meaning of the Bible and is the truly "spiritual" approach to the Word of God. While the Bible uses symbols, we recognize that even the symbols have a literal meaning. The symbols of the Bible must be understood by internal Biblical concepts, never interpreted by means of external data.

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22. Augustine, author of The City of God, embraced and popularized allegorical interpretation and refuted the literal millennium, which furthered the agenda of Christian anti-Semitism expressed in replacement theology.

23. The Church became the tormentor of the Jews as demonstrated by Christian slaughter of the Jews in the Crusades and the Inquistion. The church has been the principle source of anti-Semitism for over 1700 years. (the church and Christians here is in reference to a religious system and not to born again Bible believing brothers and sisters).

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24. Replacement theology is inconsistent in that it puts all of the curses of the Old Testament on the heads of the Jews today, and transfers all the blessings to the "new Israel", the church.


25. We have come unto Zion. We have not replaced the original Zion of God. "But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and also unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels..." Hebrews 12:22

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26-48 WHAT DOES ZION MEAN TO A CHRISTIAN?

26. Zionism is the idea that the land of Israel is a national home for the Jewish people, as is stated scores of times in the Bible. One does not have to be a political Zionist to be a Biblical Zionist.

"Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion" Psalm 129:5.

"For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation" Psalm 132:13.

"Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad" Psalm 53:6.

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27. Zionism did not come into existence in 1897 when Theodore Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. The Zionist concept is first introduced in the opening pages of your Bible, in the 12th chapter of Genesis. Moses recorded the unconditional promise of God in which the land is promised to the seed of Abraham forever. Later the promise is repeated to Jacob (Israel) as the promised seed (Genesis 35:12).

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28. When Some Christians say that they are Biblical Zionists it says some important things about their faith. A Biblical Zionist believes that God is the owner of the whole world. God is sovereign and can give any portion of the world to whomsoever He wills. He has ordained that the seed of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (Israel) shall possess that tiny spot of land called Israel in perpetuity. This is based on a unilateral covenant made with Abraham. The covenant is unconditional. Our faith in God and His Word demands this belief. A Biblical Zionist experiences a great love for Israel and the Jewish people, and will undertake legitimate action to protect Israel and to combat anti-Semitism.

29. Some charge that the Jews are evil, cursed and more wicked than all other peoples. This is a false charge. All peoples are born in sin and are in need of salvation. Romans 3:23

[Tehilah Ba'Aretz]

There are people who say that Zionism is Racism. The concept of Biblical Zionism would seem to transcend any discussion of race though. If God could be called a racist, what hope would there be for any race that God did not approve. However, since He created us all, we have hope that He will not look on the outward appearance of a man but rather on both the man's heart and his actions.

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30. Unconditional Love is offered by Christians to the people of Israel. With no desire to put Jews on a pedestal, and fully recognizing all the human flaws of Israel, nevertheless we love them and support their right to their own land because of the Word of God. Paul writes to the gentile church in Rome, "As touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes." Romans 11:28. Some will love a Jew only if he converts to Christianity. But we have no such prejudice. Our love to the Jewish people is based on the Word of God, and the teaching of our Jewish Savior Jesus.

31. Do not hesitate to identify with Biblical Zionism. Let no one intimidate you. Let it be known that you are a Christian Zionist. Carry the banner boldly. We are on the winning side. We may be a minority now, but we will overcome by the sovereign will of God.