A Lutheran Mission to the Jewish People:
A Non‑Dispensational Model
Rev. Fr. Sahar Sadlovsky Gold
Summer Festival of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese · Loimaa, Finland · August 1 , 2026
The Israeli Evangelical Lutheran Church
INTRODUCTION
Why Is Jewish Mission So Difficult to Discuss?
The mission of the Church to the Jewish people is rarely discussed on its own theological merits.
Conversations are often dominated by:
These concerns are important, but they frequently obscure the central
theological question:
What is the biblical basis for the Church's mission to the Jewish people?
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Two Modern Perspectives Often Distort the Biblical Understanding of the Relationship Between the Church and the Jewish People
2. Conservative Dispensationalism
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1. The pressure of Contemporary Liberal Relativism
Many people today in the West reject what they perceive as Christian exclusivism. Liberal theology often responds by treating all religions as equally valid paths to God.
As a result, evangelism among Jews is frequently viewed as:
"Judaism is good for Jews, Christianity is good for Christians.”
Ironically, the Apostle Paul would regard the refusal to evangelize Jews as a form of anti-Jewish thinking.
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2. The Pressure of Conservative Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism Separates Israel and the Church into Two Distinct Peoples
The Basic Dispensational Framework:
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2. The Pressure of Conservative Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism Really More "Jewish-Friendly"?
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2. The Pressure of Conservative Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism Really More "Jewish-Friendly"?
How can a position which teaches that the Jewish people are largely barred from faith and salvation in Christ until a future dispensation – one that leaves them to face unimaginable tribulation, with two-thirds destined for destruction – be seen as more ‘Jewish friendly’ than traditional supersessionism which teaches that, since the advent of Israel’s Messiah, unbelieving Jews are like all other nations and ethnic groups, equally called by the Gospel into the grace of God in Christ, without distinction or delay?
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Missiological Implication
Romans 9: 1–5
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1 I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
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Missiological Implication
Can Jews Be Saved? Paul’s Answer: Yes! (Romans 11:1-6)
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11:1 “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”
11:5 “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.”
11:6 "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace."
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Missiological Implication
Paul's Answer Points to the Present, Not Only the Future
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11:23 And even they [the Jewish people], if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again."
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Missiological Implication
In verses 11-24, Paul addresses the next question: "Can any more Jews be saved?"
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11:11 “So I ask, did they stumble so that they might fall? By no means!”
Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.
11:12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
11:13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
11:14 in order to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them.”
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Missiological Implication
In verses 11-24, Paul addresses the next question: "Can any more Jews be saved?"
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11:13 “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
11:14 in order to make my fellow Jews jealous and thus save some of them.”
11:15 “For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?”
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Four Implications of the Olive Tree Allegory (Romans 11:15-24)
1. Jews Outside Christ Are Truly Cut Of
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Four Implications of the Olive Tree Allegory (Romans 11:15-24)
2. There Is Only One Tree
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Four Implications of the Olive Tree Allegory (Romans 11:15-24)
3. More Jews Can Be Saved
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Four Implications of the Olive Tree Allegory (Romans 11:15-24)
4. Gentile Christians Must Not Boast
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Missiological Implication
Verses 25-31: The Mystery: How God Saves Jews and Gentiles Throughout History
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11:25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
11:27 and, “this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
11:28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
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Missiological Implication
Verses 25-31: The Mystery: How God Saves Jews and Gentiles Throughout History
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11:30 just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
11:31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
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The Church's Calling Toward the Jewish People
The Prodigal Older Son and the Mission to the Jews
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The Church's Calling Toward the Jewish People
Therefore, the Church is called to:
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A Distinct Place for the Jewish People in Lutheran Tradition
Historical Christian Collect Prayer for the Jewish People
Respect for Israel's biblical heritage;
The hope of covenant fulfillment in Christ.
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A Distinct Place for the Jewish People in Lutheran Tradition
Jewish Converts Who Enriched the Lutheran Church
Examples from Lutheran History
Elias Newman (1872-1957)
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A Distinct Place for the Jewish People in Lutheran Tradition
Jewish Converts Who Enriched the Lutheran Church
Other notable Jewish Lutherans:
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Conclusion: Christians Must Love the Jewish People Because of the Love of Jesus
Motivation for Mission to the Jews is to be Based on the Gospel, Not on the Responsibility to Facilitate End-Time Events.
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Conclusion: Christians Must Love the Jewish People Because of the Love of Jesus
The New Testament's Calling
As those who have received mercy, we are called to invite our older brothers into the feast, so that Jews and Gentiles together may share in the blessings of the Messiah.
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Conclusion: Christians Must Love the Jewish People Because of the Love of Jesus
The New Testament's Calling
With reference to John 11:56: "So the Jews were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, ’What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?’”
St. Augustine writes, "If only the descendants of those who were looking for Jesus would still seek him. Let us, at least for our part, show the Jews where Christ can be found.”
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Thank You!
Questions & Discussion
Rev. Fr. Sahar Sadlovsky Gold · The Israeli Evangelical Lutheran Church