Supercessionism

Also known as Replacement Theology or Theology of Displacement.

The theological concept that, because the vast majority of Jews in the first century AD did not accept Jesus as their Messiah, God unilaterally terminated his covenants with the Jewish people and transferred them to the followers of Christianity. Supercessionism relegates Judaism to an inferior position and recognizes Christianity as the 'true' or 'spiritual' Israel.

This concept was first developed by Justin Martyr (circa 100 to 165 AD) and Irenaeus of Lyon (circa 130 to 200 AD). It was largely accepted within the church by the 4th century.

Although the Catholic Church reversed its stance on supercessionism in the 20th century, many conservative Protestant groups still believe in this principle. In opposition to replacement theology is the dual covenant theory that God's covenants in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) are still in place.