I’ve not long finished reading a reasonably concise book about the church and Israel, called These brothers of mine by Rob Dalrymple. The book is clear and direct. The author has clearly held views about this most divisive of issues but they are presented biblically and – for the most part – winsomely. I guess his own background (US dispensationalism) helps. He knows where his majority of readers will be coming from.

Whether you like it or not, this is an important subject. It will become ever more so in UK churches as congregation members are exposed to a variety of views, not all of which are helpful. And of course what you think about land, temple and nation are, at heart, hermeneutical questions, and therefore ones which are very, very relevant to preachers.

I need to nail my colours to the mast, I guess. I’m with Rob. I think his conclusions are basically correct and he’s also right to reject the notion of so-called replacement theology. His approach is more Christological and I really appreciated his repeated assertion that many at both extremes (those who still see a place for physical fulfilment and those who see the church as replacing Israel) make far too little of Jesus. That is a point well made.

There are, however, some omissions. I thought ignoring the concept of rest/Sabbath in any discussion of the land was an oversight. Moreover, he is virtually silent on the Son of Man motif, which looms very large indeed in the gospels and in Jesus own self-designation. There is also no discussion of Romans 9-11.

The largest niggle, for me, however was that the book was wrapped up in Rob’s own story and experiences visiting the holy land. I found these interesting – moving even – but they had the effect of making the argument quite emotive. I can imagine someone who doesn’t agree with him (I have a few in mind) not getting beyond the introductory chapters.

So would I recommend it? Yes, I think I would. It’s the best book of its kind given its length and scope. I think O Palmer Robertson is more thorough (The Israel of God) and Sam Storms treatment of Romans 9-11 very, very helpful. But as an all-round fill in (especially for those who need to read up on this subject), this short book cannot be bettered.