You guys… one question is being debated all over college campuses, in our churches, in the world of podcasting, and, let’s be honest, at our own dinner tables. That question is…

Is the modern nation of Israel—the one run by Benjamin Netanyahu today—really the same nation God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12?

And that question leads to this one:

Or has that chosen status shifted to the church under this thing called replacement theology?

I cannot emphasize how important this question is—not just for our theology, but for our politics, for how we read prophecy, and for how we raise up kids capable of standing for truth in a culture that often pushes back (hard). My daughter is a political science major, and let me tell you, we have more spirited debates about Israel’s place in scripture, history, and the world than just about anything else. (Seriously, we talk about this several times a week.)

So when a fiery exchange between Tucker Carlson and Senator Ted Cruz exploded across the internet last summer, with Tucker challenging Ted to define what “Israel” actually means in Genesis 12, I knew this was a moment for believers—especially parents—to dig deep and arm ourselves (and our kids!) with good answers. You can watch the Ted/Tucker dust up here:

 Yeah… those guys are no longer on each other’s Christmas card list. Ahem.
 

Most of us would struggle to draw the connection between ancient Israel, the modern state, and God’s promises, and it matters. Really matters.

That’s why I brought my good friend and Jewish historical scholar Clifton Payne Jr. back for the latest episode of  Christian Parent/Crazy World to help us connect the dots. I needed real answers—biblical, historical, and yes, genealogical. If you care about how to teach your kids to understand prophecy, Israel’s place as God’s people, and why that still impacts our world, you NEED to hear this discussion.

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🎙 Meet My Guest:

Clif is biblical teacher, Jewish historical scholar, and a dear theological buddy from church. He studied Jewish history at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and has spent decades exploring the intersection of Scripture, Jewish culture, and historical events. His insights are invaluable for unpacking Israel’s past, present, and prophetic future. (When Clif and I get talking, hungry teens sometimes wait in the car after church—because the conversation is just that rich!)

Btw, Clif & I talk about his book on giving in a future episode,  but I needed his expertise in a different area  this week.

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🌿 Episode Highlights: Israel in Scripture, History, and Our Worldview

✨ The Big Question: Is the modern nation of Israel—the one established in 1948—the same nation God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12? Or has the Church replaced Israel in God’s plan?
🕎 Key Takeaways:

• 📚 Biblical Foundations: We break down key passages—Genesis 12, Ezekiel 37 (the Valley of Dry Bones), Isaiah 11, and Amos 9—to show how prophecy describes both the scattering and regathering of Israel. Israel’s rebirth in 1948 literally fulfills “a nation born in a day” (Isaiah 66:8).
• 🧬 Genealogical and Historical Evidence: Clif and Dinesh D’Souza (from last week) walk us through how the Jewish people maintained their ethnic identity through centuries of exile, and why their historic and genetic claims to the land remain unique in world history.
• 🙏Replacement Theology: We discuss the dangers and misunderstandings of “replacement theology,” which teaches that the Church has replaced Israel. Romans 11 and other scriptures show that God’s covenant with Israel is not canceled—there’s a “partial blindness… until the fullness of the Gentiles.”
• 🤔The Numbers: When Israel was reestablished in 1948, only 23 Jews in the land believed in Jesus. Today, there are over 30,000 Messianic Jews in Israel—proof that “the breath is returning to the bones” in Ezekiel 37. The spiritual awakening in Israel is accelerating.
• 🌎 Current Events & Prophecy: Clif and I connect political events, wars, and international opposition to biblical prophecy. The world’s focus on Israel is not random—it’s at the heart of God’s redemptive plan.
• 🔥 The Warning: There’s a danger of misunderstanding Israel’s significance, and well-meaning Christians and secular thinkers alike have sometimes distorted or neglected the biblical narrative.

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🌟 Resource: 
For a deeper dive into this topic, check out this collection of Scriptures about God’s covenant with Israel assembled by Clif:

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What This Means for Parents:

Because our kids will lead the future church, we must help them understand Israel’s ongoing role in God’s story—not just as a political issue, but as an anchor for biblical prophecy, worldview, and Christian identity. We’re not called to support every governmental action of the state of Israel or every leader… but we do need to see God’s hand at work in and through this nation, and we need to pray for the peace and spiritual renewal of Jerusalem.

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🎧 Listen to This Episode:

Don’t miss the full episode—including dramatic stories from Scripture, powerful prophecy, and practical guidance for answering your kids’ toughest questions. 🔗 LISTEN HERE on Life Audio 👉

 Or find CP/CW on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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💬 A Quote to Reflect On

“It is prophecy. Israel was scattered to the ends of the earth for over two thousand years, exactly as God said. And He brought them back together. That was on May, 14 1948…Against all odds, Israel was reborn. God used human beings to call His nation back to life, because that is how He works—
through human beings.”
~ Catherine

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✨ Encouragement for Parents

We live in wild and wacky times, but God is faithful to every promise—even those given thousands of years ago. And we can rest assured that the same God who has been faithful to Israel will be faithful to you and me.

As you talk to your kids about complex issues, remember: your role as a Christian parent isn’t just to give answers, but to teach your children how to stand firm, seek truth, and pray for God’s purposes in the world. And you want to be that sounding board they go to for the tough topics. So establish this precedent while they live under your roof.

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🌟 Questions to Consider for Your Family

• How do you talk about Israel, biblical prophecy, and the church with your kids?
• Are you prepared to answer tough questions about faith and history with Scriptural clarity?
• How can you model prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and a heart for God’s redemptive plan?

Let’s stand together—faithful, courageous, and biblically informed—so our kids will be equipped to lead with clarity and conviction. Just as God gathered dry bones and breathed life into them, He is still breathing life into nations, families, and hearts. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for revival in Israel, and for courage to teach your kids God’s truth—even when culture pushes back.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Meet the Guest:

Guest bio: Clifton Payne Junior is a gifted Bible teacher and Jewish historical scholar with advanced studies in Jewish history from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Author of “What the Bible Really Says About Tithing and Giving: It’s Different Than You Think,” he brings clarity and depth to some of the most misunderstood questions facing the Church today.

References:

One for Israel: “Israel’s Dry Bones Prophecy about Israel Coming Back to Life”