Eschatological (end times) Liberties--Is it necessary within your own Local Church or Constitution?
As new evangelical scholars and leaders within broader groups such as the SBC, Gospel Coalition and T4G continue to promote a Reformed View of scriptures and ecclesiology, eschatology can't be avoid as part of the interpretive package. You need information to train and defend your local churches from the reemergence of the Amillennial end-times view point. The above mentioned organizations have positions papers on a multitude of doctrinal positions. I intend in time to list out my concerns for their strong anti-dispensational position (and resultant anti-premillennialism) which appears in multiple of their documents.
Start to also note the unceasing pleas (or even
demands) that eschatology not be part of your local church constitution or even
needed for church membership. Ironic that these same individuals who for
years accused others of legalism (especially Fundamentalists) have now defined not tolerating their own eschatology as being sinful. So far every quote I can find in relation to
the claim of eschatology and sinfulness (in relation to church membership) has
come from an amillennialist (Robert Schreiner being the exception, who changed
his view to premillennialist). This is not just can churches work together but you are sinning to not let them join your church.
These same groups or churches look past failing or re-definitions of inerrancy in their churches, pulpits, and seminaries. They look past a growing charismatic influence in these same institutions. They look past sharing preaching platforms and signing documents with liberals and apostates. In time is also may be sinful to be a dispensationalist. You can be assured what is popular or cool gains influence (especially their music).
These same groups or churches look past failing or re-definitions of inerrancy in their churches, pulpits, and seminaries. They look past a growing charismatic influence in these same institutions. They look past sharing preaching platforms and signing documents with liberals and apostates. In time is also may be sinful to be a dispensationalist. You can be assured what is popular or cool gains influence (especially their music).
If your church holds to the Westminster Confession or London Baptist Confession, without allowing for some disagreement, then you must be an Amillennialist (maybe you could sneak by as Post-mil but I doubt it). So would it be a sin for me to join a church that requires adherence to either of these historical documents with both Reformed views of Ecclesiology (church) and Eschatology (end times)? Anyone see a double standard here? I don't see many Premillennial churches wanting an Amillennial pastor, elder or Sunday school teacher.
Membership included.
If not then you will arbitrarily have to allow for disagreements with these historical documents. If not then it would be dishonest for me to join and not be able to disagree. Could I still preach there or teach Sunday school? Or is membership in their local church the only focus (without reference to a verbal ministry)? My guess is though it is still currently cool and trendy to be Reformed and a continued influence of Gospel Coalition and T4G writers will not help any. You definitely can't be a practicing dispensationalist and adhere with a clear conscience to either confession.
But don't dare be dogmatic on Christ's kingdom
or how time will end. You can be guaranteed that its only a matter of
time (if not already) it will be viewed as sinful to speak against apostasy,
church discipline, and modern-day charismatic practices (as MacArthur on this last one). It is already viewed as judgmental or even racist to evaluate music and culture. Then again the
more you adhere to the new evangelical spirit the less lines you will draw. I invite you to objectively check the beliefs and practices of the primary preachers, teachers, and writers for these organizations.
Anyone see a double standard here? So don't feel ashamed if your church is dispensational and premillennial.
Enjoy your day. Walk with Christ. Comments as always encouraged.
Enjoy your day. Walk with Christ. Comments as always encouraged.
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