Has the Church Put Israel on the Shelf?

The relationship of the church to Israel is central to ecclesiology. Many scholars and theologians hold supersessionist understandings of the relationship and use a variety of texts to support their position. Among those who claim not to espouse a supersessionist reading of Scripture, there is yet the view that the church has temporarily filled the theological space once occupied by Israel, whether by redefinition, expansion, or fulfillment. Regarding the present status of the nation, many accept a temporary, de facto replacement of Israel by the church, although they believe in a future restoration of the nation.