The Puritan Hope
The Puritan Hope
The so-called, "Puritan Hope" is the belief, based especially on Paul's words of Rom. 11:12 & 15 [quoted below], that there will come a time (yet in the future) when Jews in very large numbers will be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and will be united to the Messiah Jesus Christ and His one (already-existing) holy, catholic, and apostolic church. This position has been held by many Reformed theologians over the centuries, so it is not the exclusive purview of the Puritans. (Iain Murray has written a book by this title; and he [Iain] features John Murray as a prominent 20th century theologian who held this view.)
In succinctness, here are the words that both engender and inspire "The Puritan Hope." . . . "Now if their [the Jews'] trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! . . . For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" (ESV/italics mine).
I think that three questions immediately pose themselves to us. . . . 1) Is Paul speaking absolutely, or hypothetically? (In other words, is the eventual conversion of most Jews a certainty or merely a possibility?) 2) If it is a certainty, then, has it already occurred (particularly in the first century), or is it yet in the future? And, 3) If it is a future certainty, does this occurrence portend a somewhat then-immanent final coming of Christ; (and what does that do to verses such as Matt. 24:36)?
As for the first question (above), I think everything depends on this. To me, it is not entirely clear that Paul is making a dogmatic (almost prophetic) affirmation that there will be a very large ingathering of Jews. Verse 23 (of Rom. 11) seems to leave this an open question. Also, the often-discussed v. 26a could indeed be referring primarily to the Gentiles, (see the last part of v. 25). This may be what is meant by, "And in this way all Israel will be saved," (v. 26a/ESV). We are not going to solve this huge question and issue today--but at least it gives us something to think about. . . .
As for the second query (above), it would seem that given that Paul wrote the Epistle of Romans probably in the mid-50's AD; and, given that Israel was fully cut off as a covenant entity in 70 AD--this great ingathering of Jews into Christ's church has not ever occurred (since the writing of Romans). If this is true, and if there is to be this marvelous spiritual harvest at some time, then (obviously) it is yet in the future. This is certainly what many of the Puritans (and others) believed (and believe). . . .
Finally, with regard to the last question (above), would a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit on many (most) Jews who then entered Christ's church mean that the final coming of Christ is immanent? It would seem to me, that it would mean this. On the other hand, if we believe in the certainty of the "Puritan Hope," then this, of necessity, would require us to believe that Christ's final coming is not (right now, at least) immanent. At any rate, these are some of the dynamics surrounding the issue of "The Puritan Hope." This final question is not a "deal-breaker"; but it gives us something (else) to think about and consider.
I think the Puritans (and others) viewed all of this as a great "hope," because of the results of this Jewish ingathering--namely, "life from the dead," (Rom. 11:15b). And, whether we have the expectation of "The Puritan Hope," or not--all regenerated Christians would rejoice greatly to see many Jews become Israel, and enjoy the benefits that so many millions of other people from all over the world have relished in Jesus for almost 2000 years.
This would make a glorious conclusion to these Holy Spirit-inspired words from Paul, that are found on the heels of, "All Israel will be saved"; and they say this: " 'The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob'; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins," (Rom. 11:26b, 27/ESV).
Rev. Mark J. Henninger
Treatise #53
16 December 2025
PS: Yes; I do tend to hold to "The Puritan Hope."
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