Friday, 29 January 2016

Seeing Judaism Anew: Christianity's Sacred Obligation,
Ed. Mary C. Boys, Rowman and Littlefield, 2002
Chapter 11, "Jesus as the Universal Saviour", 127-137, page 132

Phan now defines ten elements of what he describes as a post-supersessionist Christology. As we go through them, feel free to offer critique.

The most fundamental element of a post-supersessionist Christology is an unambiguous and explicit rejection of the idea that Christ abrogates Judaism. Over the centuries many have believed ... that G-d's self-gift to and covenant with Israel have been abolished, either because of Israel's guilt in rejecting and killing Jesus or because of the intrinsic superiority of Jesus' ministry and of Christianity. Rather, we must premise our theology on the idea that G-d allows the two covenanted peoples, Israel and the church, to exist side by side inorder to instruct and encourage each other "to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly" with their common G-d (Micah 6:8).

Whilst I agree with Phan that G-d's covenant with Israel cannot be and has not been abrogated - because of G-d's faithfulness - I struggle with ther terminology here. Perhaps it is 'Judaism' and 'Christianiy', both obviously ancient and freighted terms, but I just don't see G-d operating two separate systems for two different classes of people. I don't hear the Yeshua of the gospels saying that. I think that G-d has one people, one flock and one shepherd - Yeshua - who will bring the two separate flocks and make them one in Him. They will not lose their uniqueness or individual identity, but will happily co-exist in Him. Is this what the One New Man points towards?