of the Lord. The Letters of Barnabas takes this out of context and uses this to explain how the covenant is not theirs. A similar idea is in the ‘Letters of Ignatius of Antioch’ (70-107CE). He explained the theory that the Church is the New Israel (Broadway), which I believe he received from the writings of Jeremiah. Consequently, the idea of the Church replacing Israel wasn’t convincing after the Bar Kokba Revolt (132-135CE). Christian theology tried to counter this threat. They began to create a non-Jewish Jesus. The strangest arguments, ranging from Abraham’s faith to the promise given to Adam, was cited. They also used the explanation that the Church not only predates Israel, but is the eternal Israel. (Flannery)Another argument is the Jews were accused of deicide, crime of killing God. "Tribulations were justly imposed upon you, for you have murdered the Just One" (Flannery). Strangely enough, in Matthew 20:18-9 and Acts 4:26-8, it states that the Gentiles were also blamed for Jesus’ crucifixion.The idea of replacement covenant was influenced by Jeremiah [31:31-4].THE DAYS ARE COMING SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH. IT WILL NOT BE LIKE THE COVENANT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS THE DAY I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM FORTH FROM THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY BROKE MY COVENANT AND I HAD TO SHOW MYSELF THEIR MASTER, SAYS THE LORD. BUT THIS IS THE CONVENANT WHICH I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD. I WILL PLACE MY LAW WITHIN THEM, AND WRITE IT UPON THEIR HEARTS; I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. NO LONGER WILL THEY HAVE NEED TO TEACH THEIR FRIENDS AND KINSMEN HOW TO KNOW THE LORD. ALL FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST SHALL KNOW ME, SAYS THE LORD, FOR I WILL FORGIVE THEIR EVILDOING AND REMEMBER SINS NO MORE." Jeremiah was one of the Jewish prophets who warned, blamed, and lecture...
