Came in the mail today: Israelology

Has it been on your wishlist? Or is it an entirely new book/topic for you?

I am waiting for 2 books on academic writing in Chicago/Turbian Style. Your book looks more interesting.

 

It looks like a worthy addition to a library. I'd love a read a review of the book and I look forward to reading discussion about the topic, here.

 

ISRAELOLOGY: The Missing Link In Systematic Theology
by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum

This groundbreaking work is the first to create an entire systematic theology of all that the Scriptures say in regard to the people of Israel. As such, Israelology fills a tremendously neglected void, while affecting nearly every other segment of systematic theology and directly addressing a crucial point of division in evangelical theology today.

Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s masterful book, written over a 13-year period to earn his Ph.D. from New York University, exhaustively surveys every aspect of Israel’s past, present and future from the perspective of four major schools of theology (postmillennialism, amillennialism, premillennialism, and dispensationalism). Its far-reaching conclusion is that only the last, with its clear distinction between Israel and the church, can, in fact, provide a systematized biblical doctrine of Israel. But even dispensationalists, while organizing every other major scriptural theme from ecclesiology to soteriology to eschatology, have failed to develop a systematic theology of one of the Bible’s most integral subjects, Israel. Until now . . . Israelology pioneers a fully dispensational approach to this topic, proving that it is central to a proper systematic theology and, thus, critical in terms of issues such as Messiah’s return, evangelism, anti-Semitism, and ultimately, God’s entire agenda for Jews and Gentiles alike.

The Biblical Evangelist called Israelology a “tremendous, masterful book... Amillennialism, postmillennialism and other forms of Covenant Theology go up in smoke under the withering blaze of biblical light Fruchtenbaum places on them.”

Israelology: The Missing Link In Systematic Theology

 

Brad Burman 7/22/2019

This is 'classic' work in the modern Messianic Jewish movement, first published in 1989. It deals with many theological issues that are important to our movement in addition to the doctrine of Israel such as the Scriptures teaching of the Remnant, Olive Tree and Israel of God. He also touches on messianic synagogues, evangelism and range of other practical topics in ministry.

Israelology is also very relevant to any serious student of Christian theology. Dr Fruchtenbaum exhaustively surveys the biblical theology of Israel from the perspectives of the major Evangelical schools of thought and states a systematic doctrine of Israel demonstrating how this interacts with other major biblical themes. His work is indeed ground breaking in establishing this 'new' area of systematic theology as an area of study in its own right and candidate for inclusion with the traditional (somewhat arbitrary) existing eight to ten categories usually dealt with. Indeed, as the author demonstrates, one's understanding on Scripture's teaching on Israel past, present and future directly impacts how we understand many other biblical teachings.

It is written from a very dedicated Dispensational viewpoint and many of its references come from this school of thought. To some extent this is to be expected in any survey of the theology of Israel as arguable Dispensationalists do have a more developed Israelology than other major schools of theology.

For those familiar with Dr Fruchtenbaum speaking style, the style of this book will come as no surprise. Logically presented, lots of content but uneven in strength of argument. Some topics are very well argued and strongly evidenced, others seem simply strong statements of the author's opinion. For example he says in one place "...there is no biblical problem though some of his exegeses, such as that of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 is debatable.." commenting on another position. He appeals to biblical principles that he considers self-evident rather than establishing them and states another's exegesis is 'debatable without sharing his argument as to why it is with the reader. Personally, I would prefer more analysis/argument and less personal opinion. I also find his writing style often a bit clunky...but this is a minor issue.

Those things said, it is an excellent text on the topic. It is comprehensive, detailed and original. As far as I know, the best text available on this topic. He has broken ground which, I hope, many will continue to build on. The Logos version certainly is a plus making it much easier to search, look up cross references and add notes to.

Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology

 

About the Author

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum was Born September 26, 1943 in Russia, after his father was released from a Communist prison. Even though he is Jewish, his father was accused of being a Nazi spy when he fled Poland from Hitler. The Fruchtenbaums escaped from behind the Iron Curtain with help from the Israeli underground. They resided in Germany from 1946 to 1951, where Arnold received orthodox Jewish training. The Fruchtenbaums immigrated to Brooklyn in 1951, where they first came in contact with the American Board of Missions to the Jews (now Chosen People Ministries). At age 13, Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum became a believer in the Messiahship of Jesus. Arnold's father strongly opposed his beliefs, however; he allowed Arnold to continue associating with and learning from other Jewish believers until the family moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Once in Los Angeles, Arnold was forbidden to read the Bible, attend Christian meetings, or have anything to do with Messianic Jewish groups. Arnold, however; continued to maintain contact with Jewish believers and to walk with the Lord as best he could. Upon his graduation from High School, he was informed by his father that he would have to leave home because of his beliefs. In 1962, Arnold began undergraduate education at Shelton College. In 1966 He transferred to and graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Hebrew and Greek. He moved to Israel that July, and studied archaeology, ancient history, historical geography, and Hebrew at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies and at the Hebrew University. In September 1967, Arnold enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary. He also began working as a missionary with the American Board of Missions to the Jews. He graduated in 1971 with a Master of Theology degree. In June 1968, he married Mary Ann Morrow. In 1971, they moved to Israel, settling in Jerusalem. They worked with the local messianic congregation training young Israeli believers for service. His activities for Messiah drew the anger of the religious authorities in Jerusalem, finally forcing them to leave Israel in 1973. For the next two years he was a minister for the American Board of Missions to the Jews, and editor of The Chosen People. In 1976, he joined the staff of The Christian Jew Foundation as Associate Director of the largest Messianic Jewish broadcasting ministry in the world. In the summer of 1976, Arnold, along with others in Jewish missions, discussed the lack of discipleship and intensive biblical and theological training of Jewish believers. The early concepts of Ariel Ministries were born at that time. In December 1977 Ariel Ministries became a reality based on the principles of evangelism and discipleship. Arnold now serves as the director of the ministry. In 1989, Arnold completed his Ph.D. at New York University. He is the author of several books and has contributed articles in a number of books and journals. Frequently in demand as a conference speaker and teacher, he has traveled throughout Europe, Asia, Israel, and the United States, becoming intimately acquainted with the Messianic Jewish movement.

https://www.amazon.com/ISRAELOLOGY-Missing-Link-Systematic-Theology/dp/1935174649

 

It ain't cheap—$42 new. Logos has a digital form for $20, which appears to be the 1989 edition. And before you ask, no, I know nothing about the book, just making these posts, since you have access probs.

• Hardcover: 1018 pages
• Publisher: Ariel Ministries; Revised edition (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935174649 0914863053
• ISBN-13: 978-1935174646
• Package Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 2 inches

ISRAELOLOGY: The Missing Link In Systematic Theology - Tyndale Theological Seminary and Biblical Institute

• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.99 pounds

• Best Sellers Rank: #133,452 in Books

• Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 95 ratings

https://www.amazon.com/ISRAELOLOGY-Missing-Link-Systematic-Theology/dp/1935174649

 

Sounds like just another Dispensational book that unscripturally makes a distinction between Jews and non-Jews.

2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:
3 for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh: Phil 3

 

Thank you so much! The library gave me a cellular wifi hotspot this morning and I have it for 21 days before I need to give it back and go back on the waiting list. When I get back on my desktop and large monitor, a whole new world opens up to me. LOL. I think this rhythm of being offline and online might be good for me in some ways. It frustrates me, but sometimes we need to be frustrated to reach our best potential.

 

I added it to my wishlist at Logos. Would this book qualify as a an appropriate source to quote in a research paper?

 

I can neither confirm nor deny…, but yes, it does purport to support a Dispensational outlook.

 

Good attitude, but sounds rather frustrating, especially if trying to take classes. Too bad they can't provide special connections for registered students. Anyway, way to hang in there.

 

Thanks! I am still learning what is and is not "appropriate" to cite as an academic resource. I am slowly adding resources with unique views, as they go on sale and are included in bulk offers.

When I get too frustrated with my life, I stop cold, climb in my bed (nothing but a blow up mattress on the floor) and pray. I used to think, "my burden is light" was a lie. It's not. Sometimes we are trying to carry a burden that is not from him, and carrying it is actually disobedient and hindering us from what he wants us to do.

I did get frustrated this past week. Until I stopped and gave it to God and then watched what he did with it. It has been an interesting week. I learned and I grew in many ways including my faith. My one year lease is up today. I was pretty certain that I would finish my year here. I have no idea what comes next for me. But I am more thankful not to be locked into a wifi contract than I am frustrated by my limited access. He's got this. I trust Him more than I trust anything else.

 

In the past 30 years, has anyone built on this work? If not, what is my conclusion supposed to be about that from an academic writing point of view?

Now that I have wifi, are there ways to find out when this book has been cited by others?

Are these questions offtopic or annoying? If so, I am sorry.

When I was a paralegal student, I was taught that the first case was always citable and never became dated. From the reviews, it seems like this book might never be considered truly out of date, if the same rules apply?

As a paralegal student I could purchase piles of previous edition textbooks on legal research and writing, and I learned so much from them. Learning research and writing for Biblical studies is not as cheap and easy.

 

So, I guess Google Scholar can be used to find works that cited a book? It appears that the book was cited by the 91 titles listed at this link, if I am doing this right.

Google Scholar

 

If I did this right, then it looks like Chuck Missler's "Israel and the Church: The Prodigal Heirs" cites the book. Chapter 1 of the sample discusses the topic Israelology.

https://www.amazon.com/Israel-Churc...d=1627870434&sr=1-1#detailBullets_feature_div

The topic of Israelology is more specialized and also wider than the general topic of dispensationalism?

 

This book review quotes the book and the article is only a year old.
https://gracelife.org/resources/grr/pdf/Keller_SurprisedByVoiceReview.pdf

I am not seeing a newer book that appears to be comparable. Would the correct phrase be "comparable in scope?" How do you say that there is not a newer work that covers all of the topic(s) covered in the older work?