What does the Bible actually say about Israel—and what does that mean for Christians today?

In Part 2 of Relish, Alex Zerman and Pastor Don Patterson continue their discussion about Jesus, Judaism, the early church, Paul, Israel, and biblical prophecy.

The conversation begins with the Jewish roots of Christianity and the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. From there, they examine Acts 2, the persecution of the early church, Stephen's martyrdom, and Saul's dramatic conversion into Paul.

The discussion then turns to Romans 11 and Paul's metaphor of the olive tree. What does it mean for Gentile Christians to be "grafted in"? Has God rejected Israel? How should Christians understand the relationship between Israel, the Jewish people, and the Church?

Those questions lead directly into the modern state of Israel and biblical prophecy. Does modern Israel have a unique role in God's plan? How should Christians think about Revelation and the end times? And how do we distinguish biblical covenant promises from the political actions of a modern nation?

Throughout the conversation, Alex and Don return to the same principle: Scripture must be the standard for Christian belief.

The goal isn't to settle every debate about Israel or prophecy in one conversation. It is to encourage careful biblical thinking, reject conspiratorial shortcuts, distinguish political questions from theological ones, and keep Jesus at the center.

00:00:29 — Jewish Roots, Jesus, and the Cross 00:01:16 — The Holy Spirit, Saul, and Persecution 00:03:22 — Romans 11 and the Olive Tree 00:06:35 — Does Modern Israel Have a Biblical Role? 00:08:37 — Israel, Prophecy, and End-Times Bloodshed 00:14:10 — Scripture as the Standard 00:18:17 — Wisdom, Discernment, and Knowing Christ 00:18:53 — Tribulation and the Hope of Christ

Listen with your Bible open, especially Romans 9–11. The important question isn't simply what Christians have traditionally said about Israel. It's what Paul actually wrote.