How Does God’s Promise To “Bless Those Who Bless Abram” Apply Today?

Friday, February 3, 2012

Dr. Will Varner, Professor of Bible and Greek at The Master’s College

“Now the LORD said to Abram … I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.  And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

The above passage from Genesis has been a topic of debate for time immemorial?  (It came up last week in our discussion about Ron Paul’s views on Israel.)  So what exactly does it mean God will “bless those who bless Abram”?

Was that blessing for those who lived just during the time of Abram or did it extend to his descendants as well?  And if to his descendants, does that mean both Jews, from his son Isaac, and also Arabs from his son Ishmael?

And how are we to “bless Abram”?  Does “we” refer to individuals or nations or both?  What does “blessing Abram” mean for the United States and our relationship with the secular state of Israel?  And what about the common Christian belief that the Jews and the nation of Israel have been replaced in the “favored” or “chosen” category by the church?

As you can see, there are lots of questions to ponder when it comes to understanding what God’s call for Christians is when it comes to the Jews and Israel.  Fortunately, our guest on Saturday, Dr. Will Varner, has insight and experience with this issue.  Dr. Varner is professor of Bible and Greek at The Master’s College and is the director of their Israel Bible Extension program.

We will also hear from Dr. Wess Stafford, the president of Compassion International, one of the world’s most respected, gospel-centered child development organizations.  If you haven’t had the chance yet to find a child to sponsor as part of The Christian Worldview FaithWorks Initiative with Compassion International, click here or call toll free 1-855-549-7535.