Replacement Theology

The forum for specific questions and inquiries into the Catholic faith. Think of this as an online RCIA session. No debating allowed on this forum. Responses must reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Post Reply
User avatar
Doom
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 1186
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:38 pm
Religion: Catholic

Replacement Theology

Post by Doom »

What exactly is "Replacement Theology," and does the Catholic Church teach it?
If you ever feel like Captain Picard yelling about how many lights there are, it is probably time to leave the thread.
User avatar
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jedi Master
Jedi Master
Posts: 1187
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2023 4:54 pm
Location: Not quite 90 degrees
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by Obi-Wan Kenobi »

User avatar
Doom
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 1186
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:38 pm
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by Doom »

I have read that article, but it still doesn't really answer my question. I guess that it is a loaded term; people who are against the idea call it 'Replacement theology', people who are more favorable call it other things.

The Church teaches that the Church is "the new people of God", but what is called "Replacement" usually involves the idea that God has definitively rejected the Jews. I know some theologians have held to that stronger idea, but it isn't clear to me the degree to the Church agrees or disagrees with that.
If you ever feel like Captain Picard yelling about how many lights there are, it is probably time to leave the thread.
User avatar
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Jedi Master
Jedi Master
Posts: 1187
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2023 4:54 pm
Location: Not quite 90 degrees
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by Obi-Wan Kenobi »

My understanding of the current status: The Old Covenant is not salvific, but the Jews remain God's chosen people in a way that the rest of us are not.
User avatar
Doom
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 1186
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:38 pm
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by Doom »

The context for me is a conversation with a Dispensationalist who insisted that "unless God fulfills all the OT prophecies to Israel, then we can't trust he will fulfill his promises to us", the unspoken assumption being that all those promises have to be fulfilled in the most dull-minded, literalistic manner possible, with the Temple in Jerusalem being rebuilt and animal sacrifies being resumed, and Christ coming down and defeating all the enemies of Israel and establishing an Earthly kindgom for 1,000 years, an interpretation which all but the most Ultra-Orthodox among the Jews no longer believe in anymore.

I countered that God did fulfill all those promises, but not in that literal a manner. The new Temple is Christ, the new sacrificial system is the Eucharist, the Mosaic ritual laws have been fulfilled, and that the Church is the New Israel, that Judaism is no longer salvific, but that Jews who have invincible ignorance may be saved. I was then told that I am antisemitic and believe in "Replacement Theology".
Last edited by Doom on Sun Dec 07, 2025 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If you ever feel like Captain Picard yelling about how many lights there are, it is probably time to leave the thread.
anawim
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 471
Joined: Sat Jun 03, 2023 2:34 pm
Location: Northern suburbs of NYC
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by anawim »

I wonder if the literalistic adherents realize the the measurement of the Temple itself as described by Ezekiel did not include a height.
Or that the measurements exceed the current area by 3x - 4x.
User avatar
Doom
Journeyman
Journeyman
Posts: 1186
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2023 9:38 pm
Religion: Catholic

Re: Replacement Theology

Post by Doom »

And that description also includes several features that are impossible.
If you ever feel like Captain Picard yelling about how many lights there are, it is probably time to leave the thread.
Post Reply