Eschatological Liberties--Is it necessary within your own Local Church or Constitution?

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).

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 So would it be a sin for me to join a church that requires adherence to either of these historical documents with both Reformed views of Ecclesiology (church) and Eschatology (end times)?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.

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