Saturday, May 25, 2024

Shon Hopkin on Latter-day Saints and the Question of Supersessionism

  

Notwithstanding the high regard given to Moses, unlike most Jews the Book of Mormon and other Latter-day Saint teachings prioritize the Abrahamic covenant over the Mosaic covenant, as is also found in Paul's New Testament thinking. The Abrahamic covenant is itself a reiteration of the grand premortal covenant made first during the council in heaven, and later reaffirmed (possibly with different details being emphasized) with Adam, Enoch, Noah, and others; it remains in force and describes God's plan to bless and save His creations through covenant. Certain elements of the Mosaic covenant, however, are understood as being uniquely suited to the situation of the Israelites at the time and as being fulfilled in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. According to the Latter-day Saint view, the intricate sacrificial system, for example, was created in part with the intent to point toward and prepare for the ultimate atoning sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah. Most Jews would strongly disagree that the law of Moses has been fulfilled in Christ. For many it still forms the core of their covenantal self-understanding today.

 

Where does this place Latter-day Saints with supersessionism, the view held by many Christians that the covenants of the Hebrew Bible and the identity of the Jews have been superseded (replaced) by Christ and no longer have any meaning? The Book of Mormon and Latter-day Saints strongly affirm that God's covenant promises still test with the house of Israel through the Abrahamic covenant and that all of His promises to them will be fulfilled. They view the Jews as one of the tribes of Israel. Latter-day Saint prophecy and belief affirm that they will be gathered back to the lands of their inheritance. Latter-day Saints believe that the Jews have played and will continue to play a crucial and positive role under the Abrahamic covenant. Additionally, although they believe that the Mosaic covenant was fulfilled in Jesus, they believe that God was its author and that it thus contains powerful eternal truths—including but not limited to the Ten Commandments—that remain in force and that can continue to teach humankind about the mind, will, and nature of God. (Shon Hopkin, "Areas Where Latter-day Saint Beliefs Differ," in Mark S. Diamond and Shon D. Hopkin, Understanding Our Jewish Neighbors [Springville, Utah: CFI, 2024], 53-54)