How Should Christians Think About Israel? Session 2

Recorded live at Santa Clarita United Reformed Church, this episode picks up where the previous conversation left off: if God's promises to Israel have not failed, how should the church think about ethnic Jews today? Rev. Chris Gordon, Rev. Dan Borvan, and Dr. Lee Irons trace Paul's argument through Romans 9–11 — the distinction between Israel according to the flesh and the Israel of God, why Israel stumbled by seeking righteousness through the law rather than by faith, Paul's own testimony as proof of a believing remnant, and the olive tree analogy in which Gentiles are grafted in as full members of the one people of God. Along the way they explain why the inclusion of the Gentiles was never "Plan B," warn against Gentile arrogance, and weigh the Reformed interpretations of "all Israel will be saved." The solution, they argue, is not political but the one Paul himself gives: preach Christ to Jew and Gentile alike.

Chapters:
1:17 Where We Left Off: A Biblical Solution to the Israel Question
2:59 Romans 9: Not All Israel Is Israel
4:39 Why Israel Stumbled: Righteousness by Law vs. by Faith
6:50 Romans 10: Faith Comes by Hearing, No Distinction Between Jew and Greek
7:54 Romans 11: Has God Rejected His People? Paul and the Remnant
10:08 Remnant Theology: Elijah and the 7,000
10:45 Not Plan B: Israel's Stumbling and the Inclusion of the Gentiles
11:59 Provoking Israel to Jealousy by Preaching Their Messiah
14:24 The Olive Tree: Gentiles Grafted In as Full Members of Israel
16:48 The Solution Isn't Rocket Science: Preach Christ
18:05 Something Demonic: Hatred of the Jews Throughout History
19:30 A Warning to the Gentiles: Do Not Be Arrogant
21:25 "All Israel Will Be Saved": Mass Conversion or the Israel of God?
24:46 Two Views Within the Reformed Tradition
26:19 Q&A: How Should Christians Think About the Israel–Hamas Conflict?
27:50 Whatever Happened to Just War Theory?
29:20 Supporting Israel on Practical, Not Theological, Grounds
32:36 Q&A: Jacob's Ladder and John 1:51
34:26 Q&A: Classical vs. Progressive Dispensationalism
37:48 Q&A: Can Christ Return Today? The Man of Lawlessness
41:36 Apocalyptic Literature and Hermeneutical Humility
44:53 Lessons from History: The 1520s, Luther, and Harold Camping
46:40 Don't Lose "Be Ready": Like a Thief in the Night
48:47 Closing: An Invitation to Santa Clarita URC

Dr. Lee Irons has served as the organizing pastor of Santa Clarita United Reformed Church since its founding. A minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America, he brings over two decades of pastoral and academic experience to his preaching and teaching ministry.

Shaped by the biblical-theological tradition of Geerhardus Vos and Meredith Kline, Dr. Irons is committed to preaching that traces the unfolding storyline of redemptive history from creation to new creation. His ministry centers on the conviction that the church is called to worship God according to his Word, with the preached Gospel at the heart of every Lord’s Day gathering.

In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Irons maintains an active scholarly presence through writing and research in New Testament studies, biblical theology, and Pauline theology — particularly the doctrine of justification. He writes at his blog, The Upper Register.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Borvan is pastor of preaching ministry at Christ Reformed Church. Daniel earned his Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Seminary California in 2011. As a student at Westminster Seminary he learned that all study of Scripture, theology, and church history is put into practice in the worship and work of the church. The goal is to glorify Christ by serving His church. At Westminster Seminary he also earned a Master of Arts degree in Historical Theology. His thesis paper was on Faustus Socinus.

Daniel is chairman of the Heidelberg Reformation Association. Some of his published articles are on the Heidelblog website. Daniel was installed as pastor of preaching ministry at Christ Reformed Church, September 29, 2023. Daniel is married to Marcy and they have two daughters and a son.

x: danborvan