3.5 Stephen Wellum, David Schrock, Trent Hunter • Interview • "What Should Christians Think About the Nation of Israel Today?"
Jan 29, 2024
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Stephen Wellum, expert in Christian theology, discusses the changing dynamics and role of the nation of Israel today, the significance of Israel in God's plan, the importance of nations and the challenges in today's world, and interpretations of Israel's future role in Romans 11.
Israel plays a crucial role in God's plan for redemption and points forward to Christ.
Nations have a biblical responsibility to uphold justice and maintain borders.
Praying for peace extends beyond negotiated peace in Israel and encompasses peace with God and among His people.
Deep dives
Israel as a Chosen People
Israel is the chosen people of God, playing a crucial role in God's plan to bring forth the Messiah and fulfill the promises made to Abraham. Israel functions as a corporate Adam, a means by which the redeemer comes, and points forward to Christ. Christ, as the true Israel, fulfills all the covenantal promises and establishes the church as the new covenant people of God.
The Importance of National Entities
Nations, including modern state of Israel, hold a significant role in maintaining order, protection, and rights for their citizens. Nations have a responsibility to uphold justice and resist evil. The erasure of borders and the push for globalism, as well as the disregard for national sovereignty, goes against biblical principles and can have detrimental effects. Christians need to recover a biblical sense of nationhood and recognize the importance of nations in God's plan.
Israel's Right to Exist and Protect Itself
The modern state of Israel has the right to exist and function as a nation. It is recognized by other nations and acts as a sovereign state with rights and responsibilities. Israel's right to protect itself, in response to threats and aggression, is grounded in biblical just war principles. It is essential to distinguish the legitimacy of a nation's self-defense from negative ideologies that seek to dismantle the idea of nations and erode national borders.
Psalm 122: A Psalm of Arrival and Praying for Peace
Psalm 122 is a psalm of arrival, celebrating the joy of going to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. It was sung by pilgrims returning from exile to a Jerusalem that lacked peace. The psalm emphasizes the importance of praying for peace in Jerusalem and the presence of God with His people. The first and last stanzas focus on the house of the Lord, while the middle stanza mentions the house of David, highlighting the justice that comes through the son of David. Ultimately, the psalm calls for the righteous rule and justice of the son of David for true peace. Thus, praying for peace extends beyond negotiated peace in Israel and encompasses the peace that comes with God's presence and His people living in harmony with each other.
Understanding Israel Today: Peace, Just War, and Support
Understanding Israel today involves considering its role in redemptive history and its relationship with the church. While the psalmist longs for peace in Jerusalem, the peace being prayed for is not merely a negotiated peace, but a broader concept of Shalom – peace with God and peace between His people. In the New Testament, Jesus is recognized as the ultimate source of peace, and the church is described as the dwelling place of God. The temple imagery is applied to the church, affirming that the expectations of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ and the unity of Jew and Gentile in the church. Regarding Israel's status today, there is a future expectation of the conversion and inclusion of many ethnic Jews into the church. As a close ally of the United States, Israel deserves support due to its commitment to democratic rule, protection of citizens, and upholding what is good and just. However, the complexity arises from the presence of terrorist groups like Hamas. In navigating these challenges, it is important to have consistency in application, consider biblical context, and maintain a biblical understanding of nations and just war theory.
Listen in as David Schrock and Trent Hunter interview Stephen Wellum about his longform essay "What Should Christians Think About the Nation of Israel Today?"
Timestamps
Intro - 00:36
Dr. Wellum’s Time in Ethiopia - 02:56
Trent Hunter’s Connection to Ethiopia - 4:46
What Does Ethiopia Have to Do With Israel? - 6:50
Isaiah, Israel, and the Nations: Thinking Through Scripturally - 8:43
Thinking Through the Turning Points of Israel in the Scriptures - 16:53
Applying Psalm 122 to Today - 22:22
What is a Nation? - 33:34
How Much Do Christians Need to Recover a Biblical a Sense of Nationhood? - 37:25
What Should We Be Thinking About in Terms of ‘Just War Theory?’ - 47:44
Would We Have a Different Conversation if We Were in a Different Nation? - 50:42
How Do We Understand the Ethnic Diaspora of Israel Throughout the World? - 53:37
