The Contenders

Well, I haven’t really blogged much since I’ve been giving much of time lately to reading and shepherding. Still, I thought I’d do a few blogs on things I’m learning and some simple take aways.

THINGS I’M READING FOR SCHOOL: Currently, I am attempting to wrap up my Th.M studies at The Master’s Seminary. Part of my final requirements is a class on dispensational theology. We are reading a good amount of books that I have found interesting, challenging, and thought-provoking. Here’s a list of what I’m reading.

 

Blaising, Craig A. and Darrel L. Bock. Progressive Dispensaitonalism. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1993.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watson, William C. Dispensationalism before Darby: Seventeenth Century and Eighteenth Century English Apocalypticism. Silverton, OR: Lampion Press, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blaising, Craig A. and Darrell L. Bock, eds. Dispensationalism, Israel and the Church: The Search for Definition. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feinberg, John S., ed. Continuity and Discontinuity: Perspectives on the Relationship Between the Old and New Testaments. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1988.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1966.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saucy, Robert L. The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism: The Interface Between Dispensational & Non-Dispensational Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vlach, Michael J. Dispensationalism: Essential Beliefs and Common Myths. Los Angeles, CA: Theological Studies Press, 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things I’m Learning:

• Dispensationalism is a misnomer. Not many who associate with the movement actually like the name because of the negative connotations (e.g., the accusation of two ways of salvation).
• Dispensationalism is really an attempt to have a robust biblical theology of what God is accomplishing in redemptive history.
• The argument really revolves around hermeneutics (the application of a literal-historical-grammatical hermeneutic)
• For a system often accused of discontinuity, those who espouse dispensationalism would still concede a lot of continuity in certain areas. The belief that there is a future for Israel is a form of continuity!
• There is a history of dispensational thought throughout the history of the church; namely, the belief in the future of national Israel, a premillennial reign of Christ, and the immanent return of Christ (rapture).