Israelology Part 1 of 6 -- By: Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum
Journal: Chafer Theological Seminary Journal
Volume: CTSJ 05:2 (Apr 1999)
Article: Israelology Part 1 of 6
Author: Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum
CTSJ 5:2 (April 1999) p. 28
Israelology1
Part 1 of 6
[*Editor’s note: Arnold Fruchtenbaum earned a B.A. degree from Cedarville College, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from New York University. He is the founder of Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, a ministry to Jewish people around the world; he holds Bible conferences in most English speaking countries on the globe. Arnold is also an adjunct professor at Chafer Theological Seminary. Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s bi-annual five-week study tour of Israel we highly recommend and accept for credit at CTS. His email address is [email protected].]
Introduction
The study of Israel is one of the major points of division in evangelical theology today. A theologian’s view of Israel will determine whether he is a Covenant Theologian or a Dispensationalist. It will also determine what kind of Covenant Theologian he is: postmillennial, amillennial, or premillennial.
In his epistle to the Romans, which contains the first systematic theology in Church history, Paul expounds on Israel devoting three full chapters (9–11) out of sixteen to this topic. Ironically, while there are many systematic theologies today that have systematized areas of biblical truth, none have developed an Israelology as part of their system. This series of six articles will survey the concerns of a proper Israelology.2
Definition Of Terms
Important terms are used throughout this study that should be defined as part of the introduction.
Systematic Theology
The science which follows a humanly devised scheme or order of doctrinal development purporting to incorporate into its system all the truth about God and His universe from any and every source.
CTSJ 5:2 (April 1999) p. 29
Systematic Theology may be defined as the collecting, scientifically arranging, comparing, exhibiting, and defending of all facts from any and every source concerning God and His works.3
Israelology
The subdivision of systematic theology incorporating all theological doctrines concerning the people of Israel.
Israel
As used in this study, the term Israel refers to all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also known as the Jews, the Jewish people, Israelites, Hebrews, etc.4 The term is not limited to the present political and national state in the Middle East, which is merely a part of the whole; nor is it limited t...
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