Kendall Soulen, "Why Did God Choose the Jews?," November 2, 2022

Name: Kendall Soulen, "Why Did God Choose the Jews?," November 2, 2022
Uploaded: 2022-11-07T15:30:16.000Z
Duration: 2 h 30 min 49 s

Introduction

The speaker is introduced and welcomed to deliver a lecture titled "Why did God Choose the Jews?: A Christian Reflection and Conversation with Jewish Thought."

Speaker's Background

Dr. Soulen is introduced as the speaker for the lecture.

Dr. Soulen thanks the audience for having him and adds that he was born in Boston 63 years ago.

Purpose of Lecture

Dr. Soulen expresses his gratitude to be invited by the Center for Christian-Jewish Learning to offer the John Paul II lecture in Christian-Jewish relations.

He states that he will address why God chose the Jews, which is a simple question but difficult to answer fully satisfactorily.

He explains that there are two questions: why did God choose the Jews rather than other people, and what was the goal of God's choosing?

Why Did God Choose The Jews Rather Than Other People?

This section explores possible answers to why God chose Israel over other nations.

Scriptural Explanation

Deuteronomy 7 states that God chose Israel because "the Lord loved you."

Christian authors have echoed this explanation, stating that it lies not in them at all but in God.

Jewish Tradition Explanation

One explanation is that Abraham was the first person to recognize and accept one God.

Another explanation says that Israel accepted Torah when other nations refused it.

Jewish writers often settle on an answer similar to Christians, tracing it back to divine love or charity.

What Was The Goal Of God's Choosing?

This section explores the goal of God's choosing Israel.

Christian and Jewish Traditions' Answer

Both traditions partially overlap in their answers.

Christians believe that God chose Israel to be a light to the nations, to bring salvation to all people.

Jews believe that they were chosen to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, serving as an example for other nations.

Purpose of Israel's Election

In this section, the speaker discusses the purpose of Israel's election from both Jewish and Christian perspectives. The Jewish tradition sees the purpose of Israel's election in God's gift of Torah, while the Christian tradition anchors it in God sending Jesus Christ.

Jewish Reflections on Purpose

The Jewish tradition sees the purpose of Israel's election in God's gift of Torah.

The unique relationship between God and the Jewish people that Torah makes possible is central to this view.

Christian Reflections on Purpose

The Christian tradition anchors the purpose of Israel's election in God sending Jesus Christ.

Roy Schoeman argues that from a Roman Catholic perspective, God chose Jews to prepare for Jesus' coming.

Schoeman suggests that once Messiah has come, Israel has no further reason to exist.

Difficulty with Christian Perspective

This view creates a difficulty as it implies that once Messiah has come, God's covenant with Israel has served its purpose.

It is not clear how this can be consistent with the answer to our first question - "Why did God choose Israel?" - which was because "The Lord loved you."

Rejecting this answer would raise problems given that both Old and New Testaments testify extensively to the contrary.

The Mission of God: A Biblical Theology

In this talk, the speaker discusses Christopher Wright's book "The Mission of God" and its account of the Bible's grand meta-narrative. This narrative consists of four key episodes: Creation, Fall, Redemption in Jesus Christ, and Final Consummation. Two noteworthy features of Wright's account are his emphasis on the personal proper name of God in the Old Testament and his attention to HaShem's election of Israel.

The Personal Proper Name of God

Wright emphasizes that the God of the Old Testament has a personal proper name, The Sacred Tetragrammaton.

To remind us that it is a particular proper name, he uses the phrase HaShem.

According to Wright, it is important to remember that the biblical God has this name because He is not a generic God but a very particular one.

HaShem's Election of Israel

Wright maintains that HaShem inaugurated the history of salvation by calling Abraham and devotes lavish attention to the covenant between God and Abraham's chosen descendants.

According to Wright, "The election of Israel is instrumental, not an end in itself."

Therefore, it would be hard for Christopher Wright to say something as simple as "God loves Israel as Israel."

While references to HaShem's love for creation are plentiful in his book, affirmations that He loves Israel as Israel are exceedingly rare.

Christopher Wright says that God's inexplicable love is the foundation of the election of Israel but not directed toward Israel. Instead, He elects them as an instrument to serve His love for the world.

Conclusion

Wright explains that God was simply acting in character when He delivered the Israelites from Egypt, doing for them what He typically does for others.

However, it is hard to explain why the Hebrew Bible focuses so intensively on HaShem's relationship to one particular people if this were really true.

Christopher Wright's Account of Israel's Election

In this section, the speaker critiques Christopher Wright's account of Israel's election and offers his own understanding.

Imminent Criticisms of Wright's Proposal

The speaker argues that Wright's instrumental interpretation of Israel's election fails to hang together as a plausible construal of the biblical data.

The speaker suggests that there is something almost cartoonish about the way Wright deflects attention from God's special love for Abraham and his descendants.

The speaker claims that Wright's proposal fails to provide a workable platform for an understanding of the church's own mission.

Supersessionism Tendency in Christian Theology

The speaker argues that a tendency towards supersessionism seems to go hand in hand with the Christian belief that God chose the Jews for a purpose connected to Jesus Christ.

The speaker suggests that every Christian theologian, especially those who wish to envision the Bible's grand narrative in a non-supersessionist way, must be aware of this pitfall.

A Christian Understanding of Israel's Election

The speaker proposes an alternative understanding of Israel's election that affirms both God chose Israel out of an inexplicable love for her and in a way that is teleologically oriented to Jesus Christ.

According to this proposal, Jews have understood the purpose of their election as sanctifying God's name and being a holy people dedicated to God's service.

Israel's Purpose in the Bible

This section discusses the purpose of Israel's election and how it is defined in the Bible.

Defining Israel's Purpose

God may assign high importance to the horizontal relationship between Israel and other nations.

The primary purpose of Israel's election remains vertical, between Israel and God.

The rabbis define the purpose of Israel's election using two proper names, HaShem and Israel.

The rabbis' definition defines a relationship that is unsubstitutable.

Importance of Proper Names

Proper names are used for non-fungible objects that can't be substituted.

In contrast to Aesop's Fables, the Bible portrays HaShem as a transcendent being whose non-fungibility rubs off on those with whom he interacts.

Illustration of Non-Fungibility

Comparing two biblical stories illustrates how HaShem's non-fungibility rubs off on Israel.

Job's first 10 children are not identified by name because their non-fungibility would have clouded the story's happy ending.

David repeatedly uses Absalom's proper name when mourning his death, underscoring his irreplaceability.

Conclusion

This section concludes the discussion on Israel's purpose in the Bible.

Final Thoughts

The rabbis' definition of Israel's purpose in the Bible is significant because it defines a relationship that is unsubstitutable.

HaShem's non-fungibility rubs off on Israel, making their relationship unique and irreplaceable.

The Unsubstitutability of Israel in HaShem's Affections

This section discusses the importance of Israel in HaShem's affections and how it is an internal aspect of HaShem's self-relation.

The Story of David and Absalom

The story of David and Absalom is used to account for HaShem's expressions of love, anger, grief, and regret toward Israel.

The Unsubstitutability of Israel in HaShem's Affections

Christopher Wright's account lacks appreciation for the unsubstitutability of Israel in HaShem's affections.

Jesus and Paul participate in HaShem's love for an irreplaceable child.

The biblical narrative explicitly probes whether Israel occupies a non-fungible place in HaShem's affections.

By swearing an oath to Israel by your own self, HaShem has made relationship to this particular people an internal aspect of HaShem's self-relation.

The Incident of the Golden Calf

The incident represents Israel's failure to fulfill its vocation.

In Exodus 32, we hear HaShem say that he will replace Israel with another people that will let her serve God's purposes.

Before executing the switch, Moses intercedes with two considerations.

Moses reminds God that destroying Israel would damage God’s reputation among Gentiles.

Moses reminds God that the oath God swore was solemnized with reference to "your own self".

The force of Moses's reasoning echoes through the rest of the canon.

HaShem's Uniqueness as God

The issue is whether HaShem will be true to HaShem's own uniqueness as God.

Now even HaShem can't erase the mark without profaning his own name.

The prophets record how God subsequently adopts it into his own reasoning when talking back to Israel.

The Relationship between God and Israel

This section discusses the relationship between God and Israel, and how it is central to sanctifying God's name in the eyes of the nations.

The Oracle Continues

The oracle states that God will put his spirit within Israel and make them follow his statutes.

HaShem's status among the nations remains a reflex of HaShem's relationship to Israel.

If Israel does not do its part to sanctify God's name, God will solve the problem by sanctifying his own name on their behalf.

Paul's Reflections in Romans 9 through 11

Paul affirms that his fellow Jews who have not recognized Jesus as Messiah are still beloved for the sake of their ancestors.

Paul subjects his kinsman to withering criticism before concluding that they are still beloved for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.

Why Did HaShem Choose the Jews?

HaShem created Israel by calling it by name, bestowing upon them a non-fungible identity.

Isaiah 43 reads "I have called you by name, you are mine."

In Paul's words, this love calls into existence things that do not exist.

Understanding Israel's Identity

By calling the community of Israel into existence by name, God bestows on this people a non-fungible identity.

The Torah applies the gift of being called by name to every nook and cranny of Israel's existence.

Israel's identity is non-fungible but not inflexible.

God's Love for Israel

God's love for Israel takes a special shape that differentiates it from other peoples.

Only Israel exists as a family people, tribe, nation that God has called into being by name, and that God has chosen to relate to by name.

Becoming a Jew

In this section, the speaker discusses what it means to become a Jew and how Gentiles can acquire a lineage of this sort.

Adoption into Jewish Lineage

To become a Jew means to be adopted into the same lineage.

No Gentile is born into this lineage, nor can they acquire it except by becoming Jews.

Non-Fungible Identities

Both Jews and Gentiles are endowed with non-fungible identities.

Gentiles come into the world surrounded by God's love but in a way different from Jews who are named and claimed by God's authoritative word.

The Church vs Israel

The church is not a human lineage of any sort; Christians are made, not born.

Jews and Gentiles baptized into Christ are united in spiritual kinship that shares Jesus's filial address to God.

Purpose of Israel's Election

This section explores the purpose of Israel's election and how Christians should understand it.

Tension in Understanding Israel's Election

Christians should affirm that HaShem called Israel into being because of God's love for them.

Christians should also affirm that HaShem called Israel by name for the sake of Jesus Christ, savior of the world.

Emphasizing God's love for Israel as Israel makes it difficult to emphasize the instrumental purpose of their election.

Definition of Israel's Election

The purpose of Israel's election is to sanctify God's name and be a holy people dedicated to God's service.

This definition has both vertical and horizontal dimensions.

Israel as God's Instrument vs Beloved

Love relationships are not best conceived in instrumental terms, especially between God and Israel.

Kaminsky affirms that God's choice of Israel obligates them to divine service but cautions that election flows out of God's mysterious love for the chosen.

Christians must distinguish between understanding Israel as an instrument that God uses and understanding them as beloved whose service God requires.

Nature of Israel's Servant Role

In this section, the speaker discusses what is the nature of Israel's servant role as it relates to Jesus Christ.

Angelic Messenger Addressing Mary

The kernel of a fitting answer is found in the words of the angelic messenger who addressed Mary.

The Purpose of Israel's Election in Relation to Christ Jesus

In this section, the speaker discusses the purpose of Israel's election in relation to Christ Jesus. He explains that Israel and Mary's capacity to hear and obey God's command is what gives Jesus his most important attribute.

The Importance of Hearing and Obeying God's Command

Israel and Mary give Jesus his most important attribute by hearing and obeying the second half of the angel's message.

Only a people on whom God's name had already rubbed off, a people consecrated to the sanctification of God's name, could serve God's saving purpose for the world by providing the community in which the Messiah's mother could hear and obey the command.

Like the Messiah, the people from whom he comes bears the imprint of God's name irrevocably.

Paul formulates his kinsman privileges in Romans 9, 1 through 5 in present tense because they are still relevant today.

Understanding Israel's Election

When Christians understand that Israel was elected to provide a community where Mary could hear and obey God’s command, it will be obvious why their election has no expiration date.

This understanding does not eliminate differences between Judaism’s self-understanding and Christianity but helps Christians understand why their election has no expiration date.

Use of HaShem as Surrogate for Divine Name

In this section, the speaker explains why he uses HaShem as a surrogate for the divine name.

Why HaShem is Used

The New Testament uses a variety of different surrogates for the divine name, but it's always referred to obliquely.

The Jewish tradition has used HaShem as a surrogate for the divine name, and it's familiar in a way that Jews are cognizant of.

The speaker chose to use HaShem as a way of breaking the habit of hearing "Lord" so frequently that Christians don't understand there's actually a proper name behind it.

HaShem is not familiar in Christian circles, which is why it's an effective way to help Christians reconnect with the fact that they're referring to the name in an oblique way.

Thank You and Universalism

In this section, the speaker thanks the previous presenter for their talk and discusses the universalist tendency within the Israelite tradition.

Emphasis on Name of God and Israel

The previous presentation was very rich.

The emphasis on the name of God and Israel was appreciated.

Universalist Tendency in Israelite Tradition

Within the Israelite tradition, there is a universalist tendency.

Job is not an Israelite in the Hebrew Bible.

Even with the Abraham story, there are universalist elements.

There doesn't need to be Jesus for there to be a kind of universalist vocation for Israel.

Love for Israel and Nations

In this section, the speaker discusses God's love for both Israel and other nations.

Proper Name God

God's relationship to Israel is as a proper name God.

The nations don't figure in terms of their proper names.

Love Extends to Nations

God's love extends to other nations but has a different shape than His love for Israel.

David had 21 sons, Absalom was one. That particular son's role is unsubstitutable and unique.

Proper Name of Israel in Romans 9

In this section, a question from Matthew Tapie about Romans 9 is discussed.

Paul's Usage of "Israel"

Virtually every time in the New Testament when it's talking about "Israel," it refers to Paul's kinsman after the flesh (the Jews).

Galatians 6:10 may be an exception.

There doesn't seem to be any change in that usage until post-New Testament period in early second century with Justin Martyr and others.

Not All Israel is Israel

Paul is commenting on the patriarchal stories.

It's not everybody who's descended from Abraham that is one of the chosen people.

Not all of Israel's children are chosen.

The Role of Jews and Christians in the Bible

In this section, the speakers discuss the role of Jews and Christians in the Bible. They explore how different vocabularies can be used to describe this relationship, and how it is connected to the coming of the Messiah.

The Universalist Terms Used to Describe the Temple

An Orthodox Jew explains the Temple remains in universalist terms.

Something being a means doesn't automatically mean it's an instrumental means only.

The Role of Israel Connected with Coming of Messiah

Different vocabularies can be used to describe this relationship.

If Israel's role is connected with coming of Messiah, then Christians have to puzzle about what's their role after Christ's coming.

The challenge is to come up with an answer.

Beloved Relationship Between God and His People

Kaminsky uses language of a beloved who provides service.

Instrumental language leaves out dimension of an unsubstitutable love relationship.

Jews Not Cut Out from Deal After Messiah Came

Jews are not cut out from deal just because Messiah came.

Issue would be whether or not he came for them as well.

Jewish and Christian Belonging in Christ

In this section, the speakers reflect on borderlines between Jewish and Christian belonging in Christ. They discuss Hans Frei and Michael Wyschogrod, two teachers who had different views on baptism but shared a deep understanding of Christian thinking.

Reflection on Hans Frei and Michael Wyschogrod

Hans Frei and Michael Wyschogrod are two teachers who had different views on baptism but shared a deep understanding of Christian thinking.

Michael wrote a pamphlet directed to Jews who were considering baptism, arguing that it was a serious error for any Jew to become baptized.

Michael did not turn a cold shoulder to Jews who had been baptized and even wrote a famous letter to Cardinal Lustiger of France, urging him to be Torah observant.

The biblical issue is not Jews and Christians, but rather Jews and Gentiles.

Useful Distinction Between Jews and Gentiles

The distinction between Jews and Gentiles is more useful than the distinction between Jews and Christians.

If we talk about Jews and Christians, then Jews are placed on the margin while Christians are at the center of the topic. But if we talk about Jews and Gentiles, then Gentiles are in a position to remember their identity as part of God's relationship with humanity.

The Weight of Jew and Gentile in the Bible

In this section, the speaker talks about how Michael's lesson helped him become a better Christian theologian by giving weight to the distinction between Jew and Gentile as it is given in the Bible.

Lesson from Michael

Michael's lesson helped the speaker become a better Christian theologian.

The lesson gave weight to the distinction between Jew and Gentile as it is given in the Bible.

Christians frequently forget this distinction.

This name is different from Jesus.

Clarification of Terminology

In this section, a questioner asks for clarification on terminology used by the speaker when referring to God and Christ.

HaShem vs. Yehoshua

Questioner asks for clarification on terminology used by the speaker.

HaShem means "The Name" in Hebrew.

There is only one name singled out for special reverence in the Bible.

Jesus Christ, God, Father, Redeemer are all perfectly good ordinary names but that name is different.

The coverings are being translated but not the name itself.

God's Relationship with Israel

In this section, a questioner asks if it's possible that God chose Israel and the Christian Messiah to come from Jewish people as a way of teaching Christians always be humble in their relationship with God.

Humility in Relationship with God

Questioner asks if it's possible that God chose Israel and the Christian Messiah to come from Jewish people as a way of teaching Christians always be humble in their relationship with God.

The first thing God is doing is calling Jesus into a love relationship.

Jesus could enter into that kind of relationship because he came from a people that God called by name.