Insights from Israel


Understanding Israel, the Roots of the Christian Faith


by Jim Fast and Mike Ginther


Te FEBC is a unique fellowship that honours the word of God and permits it to have its authoritative place in our broader fellow- ship and in the individual lives of those who follow Jesus. One of the many unique characteristics of the FEBC that


attracted us to this fellowship was its statement in the doctrinal section which states that “We believe Scripture distinguishes be- tween Israel and the Church and that God will keep his promises to both.” Many may not realize or appreciate just how unique this is among evangelical churches. Among the many truthful doctrinal statements found in our


beliefs this one is significant, but tends not to garner the same attention as many of the other statements do. Te Bible is far from silent on the matter in both Testaments,


and it might serve us well to focus on this truth a little more than we have historically. Genesis 12:1-3 lays the foundation for this belief and announces to all who will bless the descendants of Abraham to be blessed of God.


God made an eternal, literal and unconditional promise to Abraham, and he will not break it.


Genesis 15 ratifies the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3.


God made an eternal, literal and unconditional promise to Abra- ham, and he will not break it. Paul argues in light of this that “the giſts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). In his book, When a Jew Rules the World, Joel Richardson


relates a conversation he had with Old Testament scholar Walter C. Kaiser, Jr. on Genesis 15. Dr. Kaiser had said, “In Genesis 15, it was God himself who walked in between the pieces … Tey cut a covenant … and God … said in effect, ‘May I, God, die like these animals if I do not keep what I have promised here ….’ So I think God is going to fulfill that.” Clearly not everything concerning this immense topic could


be spelled out in a single introductory column, but if a regular column is of interest to you, contact the editor of our magazine to request a regular column. You can write to the editor at fellowshipfocus@febcministries.org.


Jim Fast grew up in a Pastoral/Christian home where the Bible was


always central and authoritative. “My deep love for God’s Word has increased throughout my college and ministry days. In the Scriptures I saw God’s covenant with Israel. I have been drawn to love God’s nation, and have spent the last 38 years studying what God’s Word says about Israel, as well as studying its ancient and modern history and current events. Involvements with Jewish people and ministries, as well as several trips to Israel, have fanned my love for them.”


Mike Ginther graduated fom Briercrest College in 1988. In succeeding years he completed a masters degree through Briercrest Seminary, graduating in 2006. His interest in Israel was born in his first year of undergraduate work and was nurtured through the study of God’s Word by Professor Orville Swenson and others. “By the time I started seminary, I already knew that my thesis would in some way address antisemitism. Te place of the Jewish people in the heart and agenda of God as revealed in Scripture is still central to my under- standing of the Old Testament which is our foundation for under- standing the New Testament.” Pastor Ginther has been teaching and preaching God’s Word here at Compass Immanuel Church (Rapid View, Sask.) since 1989.


8 Fellowship Focus, January/February 2017 FellowshipForward.org


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