God's Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism

By: Michael F. Bird and Scot McKnight

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Synopsis: Paul and Jewish identity after Christ Paul believed Israel's Messiah had come. But what does this mean for Israel? Debate rages over Paul and supersessionism: the question of whether—and if so, to what extent—the new covenant in Christ replaces God's "old" covenant with Israel. Discussion of supersessionism carries much historical, theological, and political baggage, complicating attempts at dialogue. God's Israel and the Israel of God: Paul and Supersessionism pursues fruitful discussion by listening to a variety of perspectives. Scot McKnight, Michael F. Bird, and Ben Witherington III consider supersessionism from political, biblical, and historical angles, each concluding that if Paul believed Jesus was Israel's Messiah, then some type of supersessionism is unavoidable even if it is not necessarily a replacement of Israel by the church. Lynn H. Cohick, David J. Rudolph, Janelle Peters, and Ronald Charles respond to the opening essays and offer their own perspectives. Readers of God's Israel and the Israel of God will gain a broader understanding of the debate, its key texts, and the factors that shaped Paul's view of Israel.