Judaism: A Restatement Part 2 -- By: Alfred Martin

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 101:402 (Apr 1944)
Article: Judaism: A Restatement Part 2
Author: Alfred Martin


Judaism: A Restatement
Part 2

Alfred Martin

(Concluded from the January-March Number, 1944)

III. The Present Condition of Judaism.

The present condition of Judaism is a subject of disagreement among theologians. The majority hold the traditional view that Judaism is merged into Christianity. They maintain that Judaism as such has ceased to exist and will never be restored. In support of their contention they appeal to the Epistle to the Hebrews and to such passages as Galatians 6:16 and 3:29.

This theory involves a misapprehension of the general teaching of Scripture concerning Israel and a misinterpretation of the passages referred to. It is true that Christians partake of the spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant and in that sense are children of Abraham, but this is not to say that Christians have become Israelites. It is true that the ceremonies of the law have passed away, having been fulfilled in Christ, but this is not to say that Judaism has become extinct.

Judaism is not in force during the present dispensation; it has not been destroyed, however; it is merely in abeyance. To state the matter from a more appropriate angle God’s purpose during the present age is parenthetical to His plan for Israel. The present age is an intercalation, a mystery not revealed in Old Testament times. When the Church, the Body of Christ, has been completed, it will be removed f rom the earth, and God will resume His program with Israel.

In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul discusses this important question. At the beginning he makes it plain that Israel has no special privileges during this age. Both Jews and

Gentiles are under sin and are shut up to the same gospel for salvation. “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.... Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision through faith” (Rom 3:9, 23, 24, 29, 30).

In order that people may not obtain a false impression from this reasoning, Paul devotes a section of the epistle t...

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