Three Views on Israel and the Church: Perspectives on Romans 9–11 (Viewpoints) - Softcover

Naselli, Andrew

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0825444063 ISBN 13: 9780825444067

Publisher: Kregel Academic, 2019

Synopsis

A comparison of three major views on the relationship between Israel and the church

The relationship between Israel and the church is a long-standing debate in Christian theology, and Romans 9–11 are the most important chapters for understanding it. How one interprets these chapters determines how one understands biblical theology, how the New Testament uses the Old Testament, and how the old and new covenants are related.

To help readers draw their own conclusion, four leading scholars on this issue present a case for their viewpoint, followed by a response and critique from the others. Michael Vlach argues for a future mass conversion and a role for ethnic Israel in the church. Fred Zaspel and Jim Hamilton present a case for a future mass conversion that does not include a role for ethnic Israel. And Benjamin Merkle contends that Romans 9 - 11 promises neither a future mass conversion nor a role for ethnic Israel.

General editor Andrew David Naselli helpfully sets the debate in its larger biblical-theological context in the introduction, while Jared Compton provides a useful summary of the views and interactions at the end of the volume.

About this title

About the Author:

Jared Compton previously served as a New Testament professor at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently a pastor at CrossWay Community Church in Bristol, Wisconsin.

Review:

Rightly relating the church to Israel is a fundamental and wide-ranging theological and hermeneutical issue. This volume provides the most theologically rich entry point into the issue. It is clearly written, and the back-and-forth format allows the reader to weigh the arguments for each view. (Douglas J. Moo, Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College 2018-10-26)

The different angles on Romans 9–11 presented here will help readers sharpen their own understanding of the biblical text. We are reminded in reading a book like this that our own arguments seem irrefutable until someone questions us. The authors don't merely help us interpret Romans 9–11, but they also introduce us to crucial discussions on typology, prophecy, and biblical theology. This book is a valuable and important contribution to the debate over Romans 9–11. (Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor, Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 2018-10-26)

Everyone gains from respectful debate on a significant biblical issue. Open discussion, disagreement, and debate help to encourage and produce exegetical and theological accuracy. Compton and Naselli have brought together four qualified defenders of three different views regarding Israel and the church in Romans 9–11. Their irenic, though provocative, debate-style essays represent one side of the potentially wide range of views--all take the side maintaining a distinction between Israel and the church. This debate reminds us of the need to read apparent agreement with extreme care since points of strong disagreement may coexist alongside general agreement. Attention to detail must characterize both our exegesis and our communication of the theological implications of our exegesis. Evangelicals desiring greater food for thought regarding Romans 9–11 will find a feast in this volume. (William D. Barrick, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, The Master's Seminary 2018-10-26)

Complex arguments require careful listeners. Intricate structures demand attentive readers. Big-picture patterns call for synthesizing insights. Equivocal words necessitate skilled interpreters. And when arguments, structures, patterns, and words are hotly contested, then only humble and patient practitioners can help us. This excellent and timely book offers us all these things. It charts the complex, intricate, big-picture and equivocal terrain of Romans 9–11 in three different ways, and it allows each of the exponents to interact with the plausibility of the other readings carefully, attentively, and with synthesizing skill. Their humility and patience allow the reader to stare at the map of Scripture and discern the way ahead. Any study of Romans 9-11 in biblical theology will benefit from the riches and wisdom in this book. (David Gibson, minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland 2018-10-26)

Romans 9–11 is a superlative test of one's biblical-theological mettle. These three chapters compel readers to articulate their understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments and between Israel and the church. Jared Compton and Andy Naselli have assembled a team of capable scholars who, by presenting their own views and by interacting with one another, help us to understand the important issues presented by Romans 9–11 with greater clarity. The editors' introductory and concluding chapters commendably set in clear relief areas where the contributors agree and disagree. Although these essays are not the last word in the debate, they merit wide reading and thoughtful reflection. (Guy Waters, Professor of New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, MS 2018-10-26)

This book is not only an excellent contribution to the study of Romans 9–11, but it will serve those who are trying to wrestle through larger questions of biblical theology very well. Compton and Naselli have framed the discussion carefully (perhaps as well as any multiple-views book I've seen), and the writers engage the text and each other's view frankly and fairly. A very helpful work! (David M. Doran, Senior Pastor, Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park, MI 2018-10-26)

“Rightly relating the church to Israel is a fundamental and wide-ranging theological and hermeneutical issue. This volume provides the most theologically rich entry point into the issue. It is clearly written, and the back-and-forth format allows the reader to weigh the arguments for each view.” (Douglas J. Moo, Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of New Testament, Wheaton College 2018-12-18)

“The different angles on Romans 9–11 presented here will help readers sharpen their own understanding of the biblical text. We are reminded in reading a book like this that our own arguments seem irrefutable until someone questions us. The authors don’t merely help us interpret Romans 9–11, but they also introduce us to crucial discussions on typology, prophecy, and biblical theology. This book is a valuable and important contribution to the debate over Romans 9–11.” (Thomas R. Schreiner, Professor and Associate Dean, The Southern Baptism Theological Seminary 2018-12-18)

“Everyone gains from respectful debate on a significant biblical issue. Open discussion, disagreement, and debate help to encourage and produce exegetical and theological accuracy. Compton and Naselli have brought together four qualified defenders of three different views regarding Israel and the church in Romans 9–11. Their irenic, though provocative, debate-style essays represent one side of the potentially wide range of views―all take the side maintaining a distinction between Israel and the church. This debate reminds us of the need to read apparent agreement with extreme care since points of strong disagreement may coexist alongside general agreement. Attention to detail must characterize both our exegesis and our communication of the theological implications of our exegesis. Evangelicals desiring greater food for thought regarding Romans 9–11 will find a feast in this volume.” (William D. Barrick, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, The Master’s Seminary 2018-12-18)

“Complex arguments require careful listeners. Intricate structures demand attentive readers. Big-picture patterns call for synthesizing insights. Equivocal words necessitate skilled interpreters. And when arguments, structures, patterns, and words are hotly contested, then only humble and patient practitioners can help us. This excellent and timely book offers us all these things. It charts the complex, intricate, big-picture and equivocal terrain of Romans 9–11 in three different ways, and it allows each of the exponents to interact with the plausibility of the other readings carefully, attentively, and with synthesizing skill. Their humility and patience allow the reader to stare at the map of Scripture and discern the way ahead. Any study of Romans 9-11 in biblical theology will benefit from the riches and wisdom in this book.” (David Gibson, minister of Trinity Church in Aberdeen, Scotland 2018-12-18)

About this edition

• Publisher: Kregel Academic
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 0825444063
• ISBN 13: 9780825444067
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272
• Editor: Compton Jared