Jesus & Israel: One Covenant Or Two?

by David E. Holwerda

The author chose sufficient information to establish the theological contours of an answer to the question of Jesus and Israel. For full agreement on all points in dispute, we must await god's promised future. God has his way of surprising us all.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Brian Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holwerda begins his book by noting the recent change regarding the status of Israel in broadly Christian theology. Supersessionism is on the wane. The new approach suggests that Christians and Israel function under two equal but distinct covenants (thus invalidating the need to seek Jewish converts to Christianity). Within this context, Holwerda seeks to defend supersessionism from Scripture.

Holwerda is exegetically and theologically careful. He is also willing to grant what he views as the strong points of an opposing position. At times his argument seems to trend away from supersessionism before returning to it. For instance, he affirms that the land promises are "irrevocable." He denies that the exile or Israel's unfaithfulness has canceled the promises. But he retains the supersessionist position by arguing that the NT universalizes the land promises (Eph. 6:2-3; Gal 3:16, 29) and moves beyond the particularities. This approach applies to each issue he covers: "The particular promises concerning land and city, temple and people, will find their fulfillment only within the structures of the universal fulfillment inaugurated in history by the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ" (181).

In response, I fail to see why the particularities must be banished when promises are universalized. To be sure, symbols like the sacrificial system or the temple are replaced by the realty they symbolized. But Holwerda failed to demonstrate that the land, or Jerusalem, or the people of Israel are mere symbols. In fact, some of his discussion pointed the opposite direction (e.g., his argument that Romans 9-11 looks forward to the future salvation of the fullness of ethnic Israel). If the land, city, and people have inherent and not mere symbolic significance, why can the promises given to and about them not be fulfilled both in their particularities as well as in a universalized fashion? Holwerda's failure to address this question is the primary weakness of his argument.

[Ben Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holwerda's work is compassionate, humane, and frequently excellent. It is also handicapped by its utterly inadequate Reformed Christology.

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly can’t for the life of me figure out why this book hasn’t been more circulated than it has (i.e. referenced more in other books, or directed to when one is considering the difference between dispensationalism and covenant theology).

Holwerda does an amazing job of exegetically showing how Israel was herself a type, and that Jesus is the true Israel in whom all the prophecies find their fulfillment. Because the church is united to Christ, consequently the church is united to Israel (because Jesus is the true Israel).

This is by far the best defense of what is derogatorily called “replacement theology” that I’ve ever read. Highly recommended.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Holwerda���s book on ���Jesus and Israel��� is a book on the relationship between Jesus, and the nation of Israel. The book is divided up into seven chapters handling the following subject content.
Jesus and Israel in the Twentieth Century

In the first chapter Holwerda spends time giving a bird���s eye view of the theology of the Jesus and Israel in the 20th century. In order to do so he has to take the reader back to the reformation and then progress from this point forward. A good portion of this chapter is spent examining the implications and ramifications of the Jewish Holocaust. The event of the Holocaust has had powerful implications on the understanding of Israel in relationship to the Word and Christianity; especially in the realm of OT and End Times Interpretations.

Jesus and Israel: A Question of Identity
The thesis or line of direction for the 2nd chapter is on questioning the identity of Israel. Who is Israel? Holwerda, answers the previous question through: A Genealogical Answer, A Geographical Answer, An Answer from Heaven, A Wilderness Answer and Promises fulfilled.

Jesus and the Temple: A Question of Essence
In chapter 3 he wrestles with the issue of the temple and the Christ. Simply put, he shows how the temple, as the symbolic presence of God, is actually fulfilled in Christ; the Word that became flesh.

Jesus and the Land: A Question of Time and Place
In one of the more complicated issues, Holwerda handles the issue of the Land in connection of Christ. Holwerda takes the Old Testament view of the land and funnels it into Christ but then takes it a step further towards an eschatological fulfillment.

Jesus and the Law: A Question of Fulfillment
By far the most encouraging chapter of the book, Chapter 5 looks into the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. He shows and expounds on the Law from a Christological approach, drawing from the Beatitudes and then shows how Christ has fulfilled the demands of the Law.

A Future for Jewish Israel:
Is there still a future for Jewish Israel? In this chapter we see that the Gospels and Acts are mainly silent on this question. However, we are taken to the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans as he expounds on the nation of Israel.

Universal and Particular Fulfillment:
In the most simplistic terms he concludes this chapter and this book by saying, ������ any so-called particular fulfillments of Old Testament promises that bypasses Jesus Christ cannot be the genuine fulfillment that the Old Testament anticipates.��� In other words, Christ serves as our exegetical presupposition in handling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

Evaluation:

In the opening preface of this book it states, ���Behind the various eschatological viewpoints labeled as millennial lie certain fundament theological assumpts that shape the entire perspective. How one answers certain basic questions inevitably determines the shape of everything else. Once one is committed to a certain set of basic answers, the interpretation of most promise-fulfillment texts seems self-evident. Consequently, disagreement among eschatological viewpoints concerning the status and role of Israel is not so much a matter of this or that isolated text as it is a matter of disagreement concerning foundational perspectives��� I believe this statement captures the thrust of this book and the importance of one understanding the relationship of Jesus and Israel in the context of eschatology. Thus one���s theological/eschatological presuppositions and lens really dictates how they interpret the biblical texts on Israel and also the current culture of Israel in light of the Holocaust, the 6-day war and apocalyptic speculations.

What I appreciated the most about this book is the focus of Christ. Not only does Holwerda capture the basics of Salvation History but he also interconnects Salvation History into the realm of current talk concerning the nation of Israel. As stated above, ������ any so-called particular fulfillments of Old Testament promises that bypasses Jesus Christ cannot be the genuine fulfillment that the Old Testament anticipates.��� Sola Christus!

[Matthew Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Holwerda’s book on “Jesus and Israel” is a book on the relationship between Jesus, and the nation of Israel. The book is divided up into seven chapters handling the following subject content.
Jesus and Israel in the Twentieth Century

In the first chapter Holwerda spends time giving a bird’s eye view of the theology of the Jesus and Israel in the 20th century. In order to do so he has to take the reader back to the reformation and then progress from this point forward. A good portion of this chapter is spent examining the implications and ramifications of the Jewish Holocaust. The event of the Holocaust has had powerful implications on the understanding of Israel in relationship to the Word and Christianity; especially in the realm of OT and End Times Interpretations.

Jesus and Israel: A Question of Identity
The thesis or line of direction for the 2nd chapter is on questioning the identity of Israel. Who is Israel? Holwerda, answers the previous question through: A Genealogical Answer, A Geographical Answer, An Answer from Heaven, A Wilderness Answer and Promises fulfilled.

Jesus and the Temple: A Question of Essence
In chapter 3 he wrestles with the issue of the temple and the Christ. Simply put, he shows how the temple, as the symbolic presence of God, is actually fulfilled in Christ; the Word that became flesh.

Jesus and the Land: A Question of Time and Place
In one of the more complicated issues, Holwerda handles the issue of the Land in connection of Christ. Holwerda takes the Old Testament view of the land and funnels it into Christ but then takes it a step further towards an eschatological fulfillment.

Jesus and the Law: A Question of Fulfillment
By far the most encouraging chapter of the book, Chapter 5 looks into the fulfillment of the Law in Christ. He shows and expounds on the Law from a Christological approach, drawing from the Beatitudes and then shows how Christ has fulfilled the demands of the Law.

A Future for Jewish Israel:
Is there still a future for Jewish Israel? In this chapter we see that the Gospels and Acts are mainly silent on this question. However, we are taken to the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans as he expounds on the nation of Israel.

Universal and Particular Fulfillment:
In the most simplistic terms he concludes this chapter and this book by saying, “… any so-called particular fulfillments of Old Testament promises that bypasses Jesus Christ cannot be the genuine fulfillment that the Old Testament anticipates.” In other words, Christ serves as our exegetical presupposition in handling the prophecies of the Old Testament.

Evaluation:

In the opening preface of this book it states, “Behind the various eschatological viewpoints labeled as millennial lie certain fundament theological assumpts that shape the entire perspective. How one answers certain basic questions inevitably determines the shape of everything else. Once one is committed to a certain set of basic answers, the interpretation of most promise-fulfillment texts seems self-evident. Consequently, disagreement among eschatological viewpoints concerning the status and role of Israel is not so much a matter of this or that isolated text as it is a matter of disagreement concerning foundational perspectives” I believe this statement captures the thrust of this book and the importance of one understanding the relationship of Jesus and Israel in the context of eschatology. Thus one’s theological/eschatological presuppositions and lens really dictates how they interpret the biblical texts on Israel and also the current culture of Israel in light of the Holocaust, the 6-day war and apocalyptic speculations.

What I appreciated the most about this book is the focus of Christ. Not only does Holwerda capture the basics of Salvation History but he also interconnects Salvation History into the realm of current talk concerning the nation of Israel. As stated above, “… any so-called particular fulfillments of Old Testament promises that bypasses Jesus Christ cannot be the genuine fulfillment that the Old Testament anticipates.” Sola Christus!

[Jared Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually like this book better than O. Palmer Robertson's Christ of the Covenants. Holwerda is a bit more covenantally rigorous than Robertson and he presents a better (i.e. more clear and precise) picture of Jesus as the true Israel in his analysis of the old and new covenants. When we speak of the two covenants in scripture, we aren't talking about the old covenant versus the new covenant, rather we are talking about the covenant of works and the covenant of grace. The former is the covenant God had with man before the Fall and the latter is the covenant God has with man now. This book is about seeing how the old covenant and the new covenant are the same covenant.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best introduction I've encountered on the issue of Israel's eschatological place. Covenantal in argument, the author nonetheless avoids a polemical approach that seeks to address dispensationalism directly. Rather, the author engages with contemporary and classical scholarship from within several traditions, including Judaism. Additionally, Holwerda, unlike many contemporary theologians, writes on a scholastic level while using clear and engaging prose. A real treat to read for its content and style.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among other things, Holwerda shows the relevance of inaugurated eschatology to covenant theology. Terrific!

[Steve Herreid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear, very helpful esp. On Romans 9-11.