Why I still believe in Dispensationalism? Not Ashamed to Say Hermeneutics Matters.

Chances are if your local church uses a confession (historical or current) you will have to address the issues they teach.  If you are an ardent follower of the SBC, Gospel Coalition or T4G crowd (especially the founding documents) you can'd avoid this issue.  Nearly every document either favors or exclusively addresses Amillennialism or Covenant Theology.  Issues such as the Church and  Pneumatology cannot go untouched in these issues either.
Apart from these groups, both the Westminster Confession and London Baptist Confession are not Dispensational or Premillennial friendly.  So yes they think it matters.

He are some Interpretation basics for reminders (definitely not exhaustive).  All of these to one extent or other must be ignored or selectively applied to produce both Covenant Theology and Amillennialism. 

First, a literal grammatical historical method of scriptural interpretation (including all and not some areas of systematic theology) is most consistently available only within dispensationalism.  Out method of interpretation should include every area of theology.  Ecclesiology (church) is just as important as Eschatology (last things) or Soteriology (salvation).  We don't start with one verse or two and read them into all the Bible.

Second, allowing the local context of any given passage to speak authoritatively and standing on its own (and not subjectively reinterpreted by supposedly "clearer" passages elsewhere) is only possible within dispensationalism.  It is all to common an excuse to interpret multiple passages in light of one (or a couple) that you feel best defends your position.  There are multiple texts addressing the fallacies which are created in this realm.  The most popular fallacy involves word studies (think reading one definition into every place that particular word occurs).  There are good reasons why Bible translators did not translate particular Greek or Hebrew terms the same way every time it occurs.

Third, a premillennial eschatology (which is not exclusive to this system) but is a exegetical and necessary consequence, is the only interpretive system which actually gives weight to (all and not some) of the details of each scripture passage.  This is only possible within dispensationalism.  Premillennialism is the only eschatology that give just weight to all the covenant promises made in the Old Testament.  This includes land promises, the Davidic throne in Jerusalem (not peoples hearts only), and of course the future of the nation Israel.  It is also the only position to best make use of all details in relation to kingdom prophecies (death, pain, suffering, peace, land, longer lifespans, etc...).

Fourth, the entire New Testament can be interpreted in a manner that does not detract, change, or modify in any way the interpretation of the Old Testament.  This includes literal promises made to and not yet fulfilled to the nation of Israel.  This consistent belief in God's promises (including land promises--very relevant today) is only possible in dispensationalism. (See comments in previous point).

Fifth, typology (which is not exclusive to this system) is not contrary to but perfectly complimentary to this system, as long as typology is restrained to the usage and/or implementation of biblical authors (not to the subjective creativity of every reader or a selective governing interpretive grid).  Typology interpreted within the usage of biblical authors is only possible within dispensationalism.  For example, Galatians and Hebrews involve types, with very specific literal Old Testament concepts.  We don't create interpretive grids and reinterpret our Bible based on a New Exodus grid, number patterns, or two-age grids for a couple of examples.  

Articles will be needed to add extra weight and evidence for all the above claims.  Vast numbers of fundamentalist and even evangelical seminaries still teach and advocate dispensationalism.  It is not outdated or archaic.  Look at their doctrinal statements.  Many are still (and for good, sound academic reasons) still dispensational premillennialists.  
I am currently compiling another blog listing of all the seminaries that still teach, believe, and advocate the underlying hermeneutic for dispensationalism and of course premillennialism. 

Feel free to disagree.  Comments as always encouraged.

Premillennialism: Why There Must Be a Future Earthly Kingdom of Jesus (2015) By Michael Vlach

Premillennialism: Why There Must Be a Future Earthly Kingdom of Jesus (2015)
By Michael Vlach
"A case for premillennialism, the view that there will be a future earthly kingdom of Jesus after His second coming yet before the Eternal State. Offers biblical arguments and a rationale for the premillennial view and shows why this perspective coincides with the Bible's storyline."

Other important books written by Michael Vlach:

Has the Church Replaced Israel (Oct 2010)

"The relationship between Israel and the church continues to be a controversial topic led by this question: Does the church replace, supersede, or fulfill the nation of Israel in God’s plan, or will Israel be saved and restored with a unique identity and role?

In Has the Church Replaced Israel?, author Michael J. Vlach evaluates the doctrine of replacement theology (also known as supersessionism) down through history but ultimately argues in favor of the nonsupersessionist position. Thoroughly vetting the most important hermeneutical and theological issues related to the Israel/church relationship, Vlach explains why, “there are compelling scriptural reasons in both testaments to believe in a future salvation and restoration of the nation Israel."

Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths (Dec 2010)

"A basic introduction to the essential beliefs of Dispensationalism. This work also refutes common myths people have about dispensational theology. A must for a proper understanding of what Dispensationalism is all about."

I am still an academically convinced dispensationlist and as far as I know always will be.  The more I read modern scholarly writing the more you see the myths repeated.  I actually saw these same errors repeated in a doctoral paper.  There is obviously (I hope well meaning) a lack of a gate guard to continue to allow the false caricatures of dispensationalism to be repeated.   

Read, enjoy, and take comfort in the scriptures.  Comments as always encouraged.

New book critiquing the Amillennial End times view point (From a Premillennial perspective)

New book (published Oct 2016) critiques the A-millennial End times view point (From a Pre-millennial perspective).  Many within the Reformed (eschatologicaly) community feel as those they have a bed rock foundation in their eschatology.

With the continued onslaught of literature against both dispensationalism (historical and progressive) and pre-millennialism, another hero has arisen for the task of again proclaiming biblical truth and sound hermetical principles.  This book is more than equipped to deal with the recent attempts to attack dispensational premillennialism from Reformed writers.

Even though I have disagreements with some positions held by the Masters Seminary I am ever grateful to their steadfast defenses of dispensationalism and pre-millennialism.

Review

Waymeyer has written an outstanding defense of premillennialism. His work
is fair, charitable, thorough, and most importantly, based on careful scriptural
exegesis. Clearly there are excellent arguments on both sides of this issue, and
the debate will almost certainly last until the second coming. In any case,
premillennialists will be encouraged by this vigorous and scholarly defense of their
reading, and amillennialists will need to interact with this impressive defense of
premillennialism. --Thomas Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of
New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist eological Seminary

Waymeyer stays close to the text, argues biblically, and writes in an irenic way.
He has shown great respect for the body of Christ where some have differed
from the premillennial view he has taken, yet he has also courageously stated
what needs to be said. --Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., President Emeritus, Gordon-Conwell
theological Seminary

is a solid analysis of amillennialism. --Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas 

Theological Seminary

A Glimpse back in history at the Goals for New Evangelicalism (Did it happen?)

A Glimpse back in history at the Goals for New Evangelicalism (Did it happen?)

They claimed to be true to orthodox Christian beliefs.  That's easy: just redefine orthodox with the lowest common denominators.  Here are four reasons they gave for their necessity as a movement.  These points are taken from the article entitled, "New Evangelicalism" in The Dictionary of Theological Terms by Alan Cairns (pp. 257-249).

First, "they wished to place an emphasis on scholarship."  This includes heavy interaction and quotations from outright unbelievers, neo-orthodoxy and liberals.  Remember the phrase in an attempt to reach out to the scholastic world, "I'll call you a Christian, if you'll call me a scholar."  Think lowest common denominator beliefs in the Evangelical Theological Society.

Second, "new evangelicals wished to abandon the old confrontational spirit of earlier days."  This eventually created outright cooperation with liberals and Roman Catholics.  ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) is just another product of this line of thinking fleshed out.  It would surprise you the well-known names who signed the document.  Liberals are Christians.  Roman Catholics are Christians.  So they say.

Third, "new evangelicals wished to be more open to modern scientific theory."  Think evolution doesn't matter.  This is the new basic mantra across the lines of big name evangelical groups, seminaries, and coalitions.  They have the Reformed Calvinistic soteriology talk down but they praise the unbelieving scientists.  When Bible is placed against science, the new evangelicals chose the biased views of unbelieving scientists.  But they are not worried, you need Jesus not a literal fall and Adam.

Fourth, "new evangelicals wished to become more involved than old evangelicals had been in addressing the problems of society."  Think: social justice everywhere.  New mission: social justice gospel and evangelism.  Racism, capitalism, poverty, etc....  These are the new focuses in a social justice kingdom on earth.

What damage have these misplaced goals and means brought upon Christ's church?  What steps have Fundamentalists made in these same four directions?  Be careful before you answer.  Look at what schools remain and who has closed their doors.  What changes have been made?  What walls no longer exist?  Concerned?  What schools will be left when my children a college-aged?

Think.  Preach Christ alone (this 500th Reformation year).  Comments encouraged.

Set Apart: The Nature and Importance of Biblical Separation

This is the second and updated edition of the original titled "The Dividing Line: Understanding and Applying Biblical Separation."  The original was of great use to me and I'm sure this new updated edition will be valuable for God's people in years to come.  This new edition has new chapters and overviews of new movements in our modern evangelical landscape.

With so many competing organizations maintaining their own sector of the theological landscape any tool to help in this area is of great value.  Consider your own responses to the following organizations:

T4G, The Gospel Coalition, Acts 29, New Calvinism, ETS, Sovereign Grace, Emerging/Emergent Church(es), etc....

What Biblical directives and/or principles do you actually think and apply when addressing this groups?  It matters. 

The following is a commercial for the text,

Set Apart: The Nature and Importance of Biblical Separation lays out with clarity and brevity what separation is, how it is rooted in the Scripture, and why it is so important to a balanced Christian life. This doctrine has long been taught and practiced by many but is also widely ignored and frequently misunderstood by Christians.

True biblical separation is manifested in love—a love for God that rejects worldly values, a love for the church that protects its sheep from false teachers, and a love for fellow Christians that is willing to endure hardness in order to allow others to recognize truth.

I've know the author for years.  I can speak directly to his godliness and fervency for the Lord.  

Read, Enjoy.  Comments encouraged.

The Five Solas Series to read in this 500th years since the Reformation began

The Five Solas Series for 2017.

A series created to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
I have purchased the first three volumes.  The two remaining volumes are due to be published in April 2017.

The following is a brief description on this series:

"Discover the truths of the Reformation in this special pack, which includes all five books in the Five Solas Series: Christ Alone (Stephen Wellum), Faith Alone (Thomas Schreiner), God's Glory Alone (David VanDrunen, God's Word Alone (Mathew Barrett), Grace Alone (Carl Trueman).  Historians and theologians alike have long recognized that at the heart of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation were five declarations (or “solas”) that distinguished the movement from other expressions of the Christian faith.

Five hundred years later, we live in a different time with fresh challenges to our faith. Yet these rallying cries of the Reformation continue to speak to us, addressing a wide range of contemporary issues. The Five Solas series will help you understand the historical and biblical context of the five solas and how to live out the relevance of Reformation theology today."

Read and Enjoy!!!

Bible Reading for 2017 (Its not too late to start reading your Bible)

Bible Reading for 2017 (Its not too late to start reading your Bible)

Another year is upon us.  How will you begin this year?  Let's begin with a basic discipline for Christians: Reading our Bibles.

Of course I recommend the M'Cheyne Bible Reading Plan.  I and my family have been using it for many years.  This is one plan that has lasted for well over 15 years in my family.

Just want to remind us of some dangers which M'Cheyne points out:

First, "Formality--Let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your soul."  Don't turn this into some mindless "got to do it" mentality.  Also I would like to remind us to not treat this like the repetitive liturgy recited without thought.

Second, "Self-righteousness."  By God's grace and help read your scriptures.  If others don't fine.  You get up and make time to read.  God will  bless.

Third, "Careless reading--Some, by having so large a portion, may be tempted to weary of it, as Israel did of the daily manna, saying, 'Our soul loatheth this light bread!' and to read it in a slight and careless manner."

Fourth, "A yoke too heavy to bear--If this be the case with any, throw aside the fetter, and feed at liberty in the sweet garden of God."  If you have to then read smaller portions.  Read less chapter if needed.  But if you have time for tv, movies, sports, and a million other things then you have time to read your Bible.

This being said find a good copy of scripture and starting reading it.
My guess is that you have the time.  Do you have the desire to read God's word?

Enjoy!  Comments as always encouraged.