Dispensationalism
The Threat of Christian Zionism
Monday, March 24th, 2008If the phenomenal success of the bestselling Left Behind series indicates anything about the prevailing eschatological mindset across a wide swath of the evangelical landscape in modern America, then we would do well to pause and consider. Where is this fascination with the sensational, and frequently outright bizarre, interpretation of the significance of current events [...]
Dispensationalism – Categorized Scripture List
Tuesday, August 14th, 2007Well, I was emboldened by the favorable reception of my categorized scripture list pertaining to the doctrines of grace to construct another such list, this one pertaining to Dispensationalism. I think both topics are sufficiently addressed by such an abundance of scriptures that a mere categorized list of pertinent passages must comprise a more convincing [...]
Are There Two Gospels in the New Testament?
Friday, June 15th, 2007I just finished reading an article which had obviously been influenced by the idea that there are two distinct gospels in the New Testament. This insistence that there is a “gospel of the Kingdom,” which Jesus proclaimed to ethnic Jews, who rejected it insistently enough that they received a temporary retraction of the offer; and [...]
Dispensationalism and the Eclipse of Christ (An Open Correspondence)
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006Once again, I take up the old, familiar topic of Dispensationalism, not because I’m fond of discussing it, but because I believe it necessary to make more explicit to a wider audience exactly why I see the system as a dangerous and unscriptural schema. Most of this post is taken from some correspondence I had [...]
Apparently Contradictory Prophecies of Eschatological Israel in Isaiah
Thursday, August 18th, 2005Any view of scriptures as inspired and inerrant demands of the interpreter a final product which is free of all absolute contradiction. If the bible is the word of God, and if God is trustworthy, then in the bible, A can never equal non-A fundamentally. That is, A can never equal non-A in the same [...]
Land, Seed, and Blessing in the Abrahamic Covenant
Sunday, June 19th, 2005The character of the promises first made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, and later reiterated and expanded in 12:7; 13:15-17; 15:1,4-21; 17:1-9,19; 21:12; and 22:16-18 has long been recognized, in some sense, as foundational to all of redemptive history subsequent to this epochal event. How we understand the precise nature of these promises, therefore, will [...]
Critiquing the Dispensational Hermeneutic
Wednesday, June 8th, 2005An open response to a letter positing a necessary hermeneutic for the understanding of Scriptures; or, in fact, any extension of knowledge Dear _________, For the sake of the name of our precious Savior whom we both serve, and in the bonds of his love, I trust that you will not count amiss my intrusion into your [...]
Is Dispensationalism Biblical?
Wednesday, June 1st, 2005The interpretive grid which sees a literal fulfillment of certain Old Testament prophecies mandating a futuristic, national restoration of ethnic Israel as an earthly people of God enjoys much currency today. Is this hermeneutical framework biblical? The question is not primarily eschatological, although it does have necessary eschatological implications. Neither is the question exclusively one [...]