Date
12-19-2024
Department
Rawlings School of Divinity
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)
Chair
Robert Talley
Keywords
Commonwealth of Israel, Pauline theology, progressive dispensationalism, progressive covenantalism, supercessionism, Jews, Gentiles, unity, ecclesiology, eschatology
Disciplines
Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Recommended Citation
Schier, Luke Newton, "The Commonwealth of Israel: Overcoming the Doctrinal Divide of Dispensationalism and Covenantalism through Understanding Pauline Theology" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6354.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6354
Abstract
Beginning in the early part of the twentieth century, a notable theological schism began to emerge within mainstream Christianity which continues to divide evangelicals in the twenty-first century. Accordingly, adherents from both sides have systemized their theologies and developed labels to define their positions. New labels continue to evolve and change as sub-groups emerge into the conversation. Typically, the labels of dispensationalism and covenantalism are employed to identify the differing views; although covenantalism is also referred to as Reformed theology, replacement theology, or supercessionism. More recently, other labels have emerged such as progressive dispensationalism and progressive covenantalism as theologians strive to define and re-define their separate views. Admittedly, there are elements of truth within all of the aforementioned systems; however, all cannot be categorically and simultaneously true.
The nature of the controversy extends primarily to the areas of ecclesiology and eschatology. All sides appear to agree that the underlying rift stems from a difference of interpretation concerning the identity of Israel and Israel’s relationship to the church. Thus, the fundamental issue involves hermeneutical differences. Drawing upon the historical, literary, and theological studies which support sound Bible exposition and biblical doctrine, there exists at least a third option for consideration to traditional dispensationalism and covenantalism; namely, “commonwealth of Israel” theology. Commonwealth theology has come to the forefront of the theological discussion within the last ten years with an aim to overcome the existing evangelical divide and bring unity to Christianity. Based on Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:12, the tenets of commonwealth theology are revealed in the whole of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation.
