Paul Luckraft reviews 'When a Jew Rules the World' by Joel Richardson (WND Books, 2015)
From its intriguing and somewhat provocative title to its final sentence (in which the author expresses his personal longing for the day when indeed Jesus will rule the world) this is an impressive and wide-ranging book on the topic of the role of Israel in God's plan.
The author demonstrates a powerful theological and historical argument for God's sovereign election of Israel and his eternal purposes for them, guiding the reader through the history of the Jewish people and their all-important role in God's future kingdom, when Messiah Jesus will be in complete charge.
He is thoroughly convinced that if the church "is to ever regain the clarity and prophetic spirit it needs to navigate the dark days ahead" then it must reject the false doctrine of replacement theology and begin the process of cleansing "by acknowledging Israel as the essential thread that runs throughout the Lord's unfolding promise-plan of redemption" (p6). He hopes this book will help to combat the ignorance and arrogance whose consequences have been seen throughout history and which are likely to be repeated in the days ahead.
This is an impressive and wide-ranging book which guides readers through the history of the Jewish people and their role in God's future kingdom.
Surveying History and Theology
The book is in three parts. The first outlines what the Bible says about Israel in the plan of God, including a discussion of each of the main covenants found in the Old Testament and a look ahead to what is promised in the new covenant, including the restoration of the Jewish Kingdom.
As he examines the Biblical covenants with Abraham, Moses and David, he doesn't shirk the issues of land and what this will one day mean when Jesus rules the world. Overall in this section he provides a very helpful analysis of the distinctions between these three covenants - and condemns those who blur them into one 'old' covenant.
The second part is an historical survey of what he calls 'Jew-hatred', a term he prefers to 'anti-Semitism' as it is more specific. He asserts that replacement theology, or 'supersessionism' (again, his preferred terminology), is at the heart of this Jew-hatred, being both its foundational principle and constant driving force. The details here are largely familiar and are found in many other similar works of this kind, but it is an essential part of his overall thesis. He tackles the atrocities in their usual chronological order, from 115 AD and the early Church Fathers, via Constantine and onwards to Luther and the Reformation, the Russian pogroms and finally, of course, the Holocaust.
Richardson examines the distinctions between God's covenants with Abraham, Moses and David, condemning their blurring into one 'old' covenant.
The third section is largely a consideration of Biblical prophetic passages. Richardson's conviction is that we must take the Bible literally wherever possible and that these things will happen. As a consequence of this belief, Jesus will one day rule from Jerusalem. The only way to avoid this conclusion is to spiritualise the promises God gave to Israel, and create a preterist or amillennial theology (these terms are clearly explained!). The author declares that the only way to combat the errors of replacement theology is by advocating a thoroughly restorationist, futurist, pre-millennialist position (again, all is made clear early on, in chapter 2).
The author attacks logically but lovingly those who distort clear biblical truth. He is prepared to name them while recognising that they do hold their beliefs most sincerely. However, he points out that "even the most brilliant mind is at a profound disadvantage when defending something that is not true" (p62). A gifted eloquence is no substitute for truth.
The book analyses what the Bible says about Israel - including its future - and surveys anti-Semitism through the ages.
Islamic 'Replacement Theology'
His book includes an interesting chapter on Islamic supersessionism, showing how Islam has embraced its own form of replacement theology over both Jews and Gentiles. Within this he remarks how the Islamic view of the end-times changes the role of Jesus on his return from that of Jewish King to Muslim preacher and judge - no longer a Jew ruling the world but an advocate of Islam!
There is a very good section on many of the great teachers and preachers who predicted the re-establishment of Israel, such as JC Ryle, Charles Spurgeon and David Baron. He also upholds Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Corrie Ten Boom as two shining examples for our day.
Towards the end he issues a warning to those interested in biblical prophecy and apocalyptic matters that it is so easy to approach all this "in a factual, yet deeply detached and emotional manner" and forget that we "are speaking of real families, real people, real lives. If discussing these things does not fill our hearts with sorrow or drive us to our knees in prayer, then it is clear that we are not seeing them through the eyes of the Father or His Son, Jesus" (p234-5).
Excellent from start to finish - thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to understand better the relationship of Israel to Bible prophecy.
Thoroughly Recommended
Here is a well-informed approach to the topic - clear and very readable. Richardson knows what needs to be said and how to say it for our benefit and edification. His book has good endnotes and a general index, though not a bibliography or scripture index. Clearly he has thought through in detail what it means to believe in a Jewish kingdom within the Millennium, and he is able to reassure us that the olive tree into which we are grafted is not dead or uprooted.
Excellent from start to finish, this book is thoroughly recommended to anyone who wants to understand better the relationship of Israel to Bible prophecy.
Hardback, 273 pages, available from Awesome Books for £13.43 + P&P, or from Amazon for £18.58.
