The Lineage Question & Romans 11
Paul wrote Romans while the Temple still stood, addressing a concrete Israel with a clear lineage. But a provocative historical theory challenges this continuity, leading to a distinct theological interpretation.
The Historical Claim:
After the Roman wars (70-136 AD), the demographic chain connecting modern Jews to ancient Israelites was broken. Proponents argue groups like the Ashkenazim descend largely from converts (e.g., the Khazar kingdom), not from the exiled tribes of Judea.
Theological Implications for Romans 11:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2011%3A11-31&version=ESV
It Re-defines “Natural Branches.” If true, most modern Jews are not the “natural branches” in Paul’s biological sense. Their “grafting back in” (Rom 11:23-24) becomes a spiritual event for individuals, disconnected from a continuous ethnic-national story.
The Church Becomes the De Facto Successor. This isn’t classic Replacement Theology. It posits that historical, ethnic Israel ceased to exist. Therefore, the Church doesn’t replace Israel; it remains as the only surviving vessel of Abraham’s promises. The original vessel was lost.
“All Israel Will Be Saved” is Spiritualized. Romans 11:26 cannot refer to a future ethnic restoration if that ethnicity is gone. Instead, “All Israel” means the complete number of elect Jewish individuals (by birth or conversion) across history who will turn to Christ.
Core Implications:
Promise over Biology: It reinforces that God’s covenant was always rooted in faith, not genetics. A break in lineage would merely prove this.
The Gentile Warning Remains: Paul’s caution against arrogance (Rom 11:20-21) stands—perhaps even more sharply—regardless of who the “branches” are.
Present over Future: The focus shifts from anticipating a national Jewish revival to seeing God’s mystery in the current, international Church.
Conclusion:
This perspective attempts to align Romans 11 with a specific historical narrative. Whether one accepts that narrative or not, its ultimate—and valid—emphasis is a Pauline one: belonging to God’s people hinges on promise and faith, not physical descent alone.
The Lie They Tell, and the Bigger Truth They Hide
You’ve probably seen the tweet by now. Or one like it. It pops up from anonymous accounts and bots, designed to spark rage. It claimed that millions of people in NYC were having their Section 8 housing canceled and their food stamps slashed to a zero balance, usable only for raw vegetables. It was filled with disgusting, dehumanizing language.
A Christian Guide to Navigating Anarcho-Tyranny
When governments punish good and enable evil, we face anarcho-tyranny. The system isn’t broken - it’s actively hostile. This isn’t a political problem to solve but a reality to navigate. Here’s how faithful Christians can survive and maintain their witness
The Unspoken Logic
It’s easy to forget where you come from and to lose sight of yesterday—I’m guilty of this myself. Even someone like me, who has worked in media for years and knows it’s all a performance, can sometimes get caught up in the emotional pull of propaganda.
Big Brother in a Box:
You carry a powerful tracking device in your pocket every day. It’s your cell phone. While we often worry about app permissions and social media privacy, a more stealthy and physical threat has evolved significantly: the Cell Site Simulator.
