Although I attended the Episcopal church as a child, I did not understand Christianity or who Jesus is until I came to faith in my mid 40s. I was fortunate that I was led to seminary shortly after God called me. From my own studies of the Bible, I did not believe that the church replaced Israel. Rather, I questioned what I was being told by the pastor at my church. During my doctoral work, my initial thesis was rejected as I was making the claim that the Jews were not required to accept Jesus as their messiah to remain in a covenant relationship with God since the Abrahamic Covenant was everlasting and unilateral. My continued research in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity only strengthens my belief that Israel remains the chosen people of God. I continue to encounter other Christians including pastors who remain subscribers of replacement theology. They speak of the coldness of Judaism versus the warmth of Christianity. I feel compelled to continue to educate others to the truth.
