When I first spotted this thread, it had 7 responses. I looked it over, and thought I'd maybe post a response after I got back from my bike ride. While I was gone, it ballooned to 50 posts, mostly the usual stuff.
Thus, the true Israelite is one who is a Jew ethnically and one has believed in Jesus Christ (see Romans 2:28–29). Romans 9:6, therefore, is not a supporting text for Replacement Theology.
I maintain one cannot reach this conclusion without having come to the text with the dispensational root assumption firmly in place.
A few things for you to contemplate.
- When reading through the New Testament, make note in passing how many times terms and phrases that in the Old Testament were applied to Israel, are applied to the Church.
- Who is the "true circumcision"?
- Who is Jesus talking about when he twice mentions, in the letters to the churches in Revelation, "the synagogue of Satan, those who say they are Jews and are not"?
- 2 Corinthians ch.6 v. 16-18. Where did Paul get this, and who is he applying it to?
- And, a thought experiment: pick a year, safely at least a human lifetime away from any date of eschatological significance to any system. Say, 1825. A Jew hears the gospel preached, is by the grace of God regenerated to saving faith. What is his duty and status then? Is he not to join the Christian Church?
- Again, Calvin, Institutes, Book II, chapters 10 & 11.
Aaaand, I fully expect there'll be a hissing denunciation in my ping list by the time I post this.