The Case for Enlargement Theology seeks to present a biblically accurate understanding of the relationship between the Jewish people and the Church, based on a detailed study of Romans 9-11.

It is an academic study, but not purely - the book’s purpose is also to help overcome barriers to Christian-Jewish dialogue arising from false Church teachings concerning God’s purposes for the Jewish people. Its author, Alex Jacob, is currently CEO and Director of Advocacy for CMJ (the Church’s Mission among Jewish people) UK.

Challenging Two Dominant Theologies

To set the scene, the opening chapters provide an historical overview of Jewish-Christian relations and the emergence of the two dominant theologies the book seeks to challenge – Replacement Theology and Two Covenant (or Dual Covenant) Theology. The former considers that the Church has replaced the Jews as God’s covenant people and was the predominant Christian perspective until the Holocaust, when the Church was finally forced to confront the horrors of Christian anti-Semitism and its deadly fruit.

From this backlash arose ‘Two Covenant Theology’, which sought to protect the Jewish community by teaching that right relationship with God for Jews is provided by the covenants with Abraham and Moses, whereas Gentiles must put their faith in Jesus.

The biblical perspective on this question is given in Romans 9-11, the study of which comprises the book’s main content. This is a detailed theological study in which the competing views of various Christian theologians, such as Karl Barth, NT Wright, David Stern and many others are considered and weighed. Each chapter follows a set structure. First, the biblical text for the entire passage under discussion is given. The author then provides some general comments, followed by an analysis of particular details of the text. Each chapter concludes with a section summarising previous analysis by showing how Paul’s teaching in Romans is incompatible with both Replacement Theology and Two Covenant Theology.

As the chapters succeed one another, so Jacob builds his case for ‘Enlargement Theology’, a term he has coined.

God’s Eternal Covenant Purposes

Enlargement Theology states that God’s plan was always to include Gentiles within his covenant people and that salvation comes uniquely through faith in Jesus the Messiah. God’s purposes for the Jewish people remain unchanged despite the majority’s rejection of Jesus. There has always been a faithful remnant and in future there will be a widespread turning to faith in their own Messiah – “all Israel will be saved” (Rom 11:26).

The author critiques the two dominant positions on this issue – Replacement Theology and Two Covenant Theology – and then provides a biblical perspective.

Replacement Theology is therefore wrong in asserting that God has finished with ethnic Israel and Two Covenant Theology mistaken in advocating against Jewish evangelism.

Jacob also demonstrates how Paul’s Letter to the Romans affirms many aspects of Jewish religious belief which the Church has generally denigrated or ignored. These include God’s covenant promises to the Jews regarding the land of Israel, the unique historical relationship of the Jewish people to God and their unbroken calling, as well as the importance of Torah, which Paul sees in an entirely positive light and as pointing towards Jesus Messiah.

An Important Work

Jacob argues that Christians who understand these matters are better placed to engage fruitfully in discussion with Jewish people regarding their faith. Messianic Jews above all should occupy a special place when it comes to Jewish-Christian dialogue - yet they are frequently rejected or regarded with suspicion by both Jewish and Christian communities and excluded from discussions. The author asserts that God deals with three distinct yet overlapping people groups – the Jews, the Church and the Messianic Jewish community.

In conclusion, The Case for Enlargement Theology is an important work which deserves careful consideration by Christian theologians, church leaders and those engaged in Jewish evangelism and theological discussion – as well as all those who desire to see unbiblical theology about the Jews dislodged from prominence within the Gentile Church.

‘The Case for Enlargement Theology’ (263pp, hardcover) is available from the publisher for £25 and elsewhere online for less.