Israel, Antisemitism, Zionism, and the Church's Response

Pastor Chad Vegas returns to AGR to talk Israel: dispensationalism, covenant theology, Romans 11, and how Gentile Christians ought to view ethnic Jews.
Title
Israel, Antisemitism, Zionism, and the Church's Response
Summary
Pastor Chad Vegas returns to AGR to talk Israel: dispensationalism, covenant theology, Romans 11, and how Gentile Christians ought to view ethnic Jews.
Published
Jun 15, 2026
Hosted By
Pastor Chris Gordon
Where To Tune In
Show Notes

In this episode of Abounding Grace Radio, Pastor Chad Vegas joins Chris Gordon to take up one of the most contested questions in American Christianity right now: how should Gentile Christians view Israel and the Jews? Chris and Chad walk through the difference between classical and progressive dispensationalism, the historic Reformed covenant position, and the range of ways theologians from Calvin and Augustine to O. Palmer Robertson, Herman Ridderbos, Joel Beeke, and the Old Princeton divines have read Romans 11.

Chapters:
0:00 - Cold Open
1:05 - Chad Vegas Returns to AGR
1:55 - Tucker, Ted Cruz, and Genesis 12
5:19 - Is It Anti-Semitic to Critique Israel?
7:13 - Rising Anti-Jewish Rhetoric on the Right
9:00 - Defining Terms: What Is Israel?
10:48 - Classical and Progressive Dispensationalism
14:58 - Moving to the Reformed Covenant View
15:31 - Romans 11: "All Israel Will Be Saved"
21:01 - Fulfillment, Not Replacement Theology
26:53 - Are Ethnic Jews Still in View?
29:36 - Praying for the Salvation of the Jews
36:15 - Why Have Jews Suffered Through History?
40:50 - Mission, Geopolitics, and the Heavenly Zion

Guest Information:
Pastor Chad Vegas is the founding pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Bakersfield, CA. After completing his M.A. in Theology at Talbot School of Theology and serving as high school pastor at RiverLakes Community Church, Chad was called to plant a church in Bakersfield. He is also the founding board chairman of Radius International, an organization that trains people to plant churches among unreached language groups. His passion is to know Christ and to make him known. He has been married to Teresa since 1994, and they have two children and one grandson.

🔗 Chad's Church: https://bakersfieldchurch.org

Mentions:

- Tucker Carlson
- Ted Cruz
- Dr. Kim Riddlebarger
- Dan Borvan
- John Hagee
- John Calvin
- Augustine of Hippo
- O. Palmer Robertson — _The Israel of God_
- John Murray
- Herman Ridderbos
- Wilhelmus à Brakel
- Joel Beeke
- R. C. Sproul
- Horatius Bonar
- Robert Murray M'Cheyne
- Archibald Alexander
- Samuel Miller
- Old Princeton
- Dr. R. Scott Clark
- Talbot School of Theology
- Westminster Larger Catechism
- Westminster Directory for the Public Worship of God
- Romans 11; Romans 15; Ephesians 2; Galatians 6; Psalm 87; Isaiah 19; Hebrews 11; John 8; Acts 2, 3, 13; Luke 21; Genesis 12; Isaiah 52
- Classical Dispensationalism / Progressive Dispensationalism
- Covenant Theology
- Replacement Theology vs. Fulfillment Theology
- The Israel of God
- Christian Nationalism
- Christian Zionism
- October 7 attacks

Abounding Grace Radio:
❤️ DONATE: https://agradio.org/donate
🔗 Website: https://agradio.org
📩 Newsletter: https://agradio.org/newsletter
👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aboundingraceradioministry
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboundinggraceradio
✖️ X: https://x.com/agradio1

Guests
Our guests on this episode included:
Pastor Chad Vegas
Pastor Chad Vegas

Chad Vegas is the founding pastor of Sovereign Grace Church. After completing his M.A. in Theology at Talbot, and being the high school pastor at RiverLakes Community Church, Chad was called to plant a church in Bakersfield. He is also the founding board chairman of Radius International, an organization that trains people to plant churches among unreached language groups. His passion is to know Christ and to make him known. He has been married to Teresa since 1994, and they have two children and one grandson.

Church: bakersfieldchurch.org

Recent

Video
Faith Now, but Soon Face to Face - Lectio Continua
Faith overcomes fear when the world and its rulers turn hostile. Faith sees the invisible King, celebrates His deliverance in the Passover, and follows Him safely through the waters of judgment.
The Beatific Vision: On the Transfiguration of Christ
Pastor Chris Gordon and Rev. Dr. Dan Borvan walk through Mark 9's account of the Transfiguration, showing how Christ's glory answers the disciples' confusion over a suffering, dying Messiah.
Thorn in the Flesh - Lectio Continua
Pastor Chris Gordon preaches through Paul's "foolish boasting," showing how the apostle's weakness — not worldly strength or spiritual spectacle — was the very place where Christ's power was displayed. A sermon on why God's grace is sufficient even when the thorn isn't removed.
The Thorn in the Flesh w/ Rev. Dan Borvan
Pastors Chris Gordon and Dan Borvan take a look at 2 Corinthians 12 and Paul's mysterious thorn in the flesh, unpacking what it means to suffer as a believer and why Christ's power is made perfect in weakness.
Post Tenebras Lux
Pastor Chris Gordon walks through Daniel's prayer of repentance in Daniel 9, showing how Daniel discerned the times through Scripture and responded not with complaint but with confession, fasting, and pleading for mercy.
Israel, the Antichrist & the End Times — Live Q&A with Kim Riddlebarger
Pastor Chris Gordon is joined by Rev. Dan Borvan and Rev. Dr. Kim Riddlebarger for a live audience Q&A on Israel, the Antichrist, and the book of Revelation. It's a fast-paced, practical primer on reading biblical prophecy through a Reformed, covenantal lens.
Newsletter
Our newsletter is a great way to stay up-to-date with all our latest episodes, news, and content and helps us stay in close contact with our listeners.
Subscribe
Like, subscribe and share our podcast on your favorite platform. Be sure to follow us on social media and don't forget to join our newsletter!
Donate
Support The Abounding Grace Radio Ministry
The New Reformation Catechism On Human Sexuality
by Rev. Christopher Gordon

The New Reformation Catechism on Human Sexuality, authored by Rev. Christopher Gordon, is a new biblically based catechism giving clarity on critical issues concerning human sexuality.

"May God bless you richly as you grow in Christian liberty. May this book help you hold fast to the truth and better understand how the full counsel of God speaks to the godly priority of human sexuality."
~ Rosaria Butterfield
Visit Our Store