For those of us who read the Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective, 1 Peter presents a problem. On the surface, Peter seems to be telling an audience of Gentiles that they, and not Israel, are now the chosen people. Dr. Kelly Liebengood has recently released a manuscript called Reading 1 Peter after Supersessionism, in which he shares his research on Peter’s inclusive language. Gentile followers of Jesus have always faced a challenge when forming a new identity, but the nature of this new identity does not preclude the continuing status of Israel as the people of God. Join us as we wrestle through post-supersessionist scholarship to find the message of Peter that applies even today.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► The Concept of “Gentile Israelhood” is a concept Dr. Liebengood uses to express that Gentile believers are invited into a shared identity where they belong to the God of Israel. Dr. Liebengood argues they are “grafted-in” to Israel’s story without erasing their own Gentile identity or stealing the unique status of the Jewish people.

► The Challenge of Audience Identification in 1 Peter is a scholarly tug-of-war. A Jewish audience fits the letter’s “national” language but contradicts descriptions of the readers’ former pagan ignorance; conversely, a Gentile audience risks supporting “replacement theology” unless read through a post-supersessionist lens. How can this tension be resolved?

► A post-supersessionist reading of 1 Peter underscores the trustworthiness of God. The debate over 1 Peter is ultimately about the character of God. If God were to abandon his specific promises to Israel to start over with a new group, he would be fundamentally untrustworthy. A post-supersessionist reading ensures that God is seen as a faithful promise-keeper to all.

🔖 Chapters

00:00 Kelly's Journey to Post-Supersessionism

13:22 1 Peter and the Significance of Audience

07:56 Understanding Suffering in 1 Peter

19:03 Theological Implications of Audience Interpretation

26:29 Understanding “Israelhood”

31:42 Challenges of Gentile Identity Formation

34:21 Viewing Peter's Audience as Converts

39:48 Dating 1 Peter

44:32 Suffering in 1 Peter

48:10 Ecclesiology and Gentile Identity

51:24 Future Directions in Scholarship

1:00:20 Theological Implications for Gentile Followers

1:05:10 Re-narrating the Bible’s Bigger Picture

1:07:57 The Need for Dialogue in Scholarship

👉 Resources:

► Reading 1 Peter after Supersessionism, Dr. Kelly Liebengood

► Dismantling Replacement Theology

► Biblical Blueprint of Peoplehood

► Israel – Forgetfulness

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Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

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89 – Is 1 Peter for Jews or Gentiles? | Dr. Kelly Liebengood