Thread: Anything good come out of dispensationalism?

Can any good come out of dispensationalism?

It seems we rag on dispey's a lot [and for good reason], but it seems many of us came to the Lord under dispensational teachers/preachers, etc.

Originally Posted by JM

Can any good come out of dispensationalism?

It seems we rag on dispey's a lot [and for good reason], but it seems many of us came to the Lord under dispensational teachers/preachers, etc.

Sure alot of good 'came out' of dispensationalism, and they are all in reformed churches every sunday.

Originally Posted by JM

Can any good come out of dispensationalism?

It seems we rag on dispey's a lot [and for good reason], but it seems many of us came to the Lord under dispensational teachers/preachers, etc.

The question to ask, I think, is why the churches that were dispensational tended not to go liberal in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and why dispensationalism no longer seems to fuction to ward off liberalism.

Originally Posted by JM

Can any good come out of dispensationalism?

It seems we rag on dispey's a lot [and for good reason], but it seems many of us came to the Lord under dispensational teachers/preachers, etc.

Many of us were raised in liberal denominations such as the PC(USA) - as in "yours truly." I was converted during the tenure of a faithful pastor in that communion. That does not vindicate the PC(USA), or what was the UPCUSA in those days.

I would assert that many dispensational churches have gone liberal because they, like so many churche of every denomination, lost sight of their First Love. They got caught up in programs and other things that took their attention off their proper priority. In the case of Dispensationalism this is especially evident (and alarming) in eschatology. So many can get caught up in the sensationalism of it that wolves walk in and keep the fire burnin' with their fanciful ideas. Satan has done his work well, and many are fighting over aspects of the tribulation and millenium and making millions writing fiction in regard to this stuff while thousands professing Christ never truly knew Him and end up in hell. Resources and efforts could be used much more responsibly in the furtherance of the kingdom. No denomination is guiltless of this though. You can walk into almost any church in the country and see it to one degree or another. On the CT side, how many men have studied the writings of great theologians, but only know their Bibles through the writings of others? The few are the exception, and they're disp and cov alike.

I think we can point to one aspect of disp that has been historically good though. They have a passion for missions. Most disp churches desire to be involved in spreading the Gospel around the globe. Not that others aren't, but dispies seem to be a bit more tenacious about it. Unfortunately they're taking easy-believism with them. And they're taking much of their sensationalism with them in many cases. But you'll also find that they often forget that stuff after years in the field because they see the futility of it. Men need the Gospel and the knowledge to live in godliness. It's all about Jesus after all.

It seems to move in waves. The second generation of pilgrims really didn't care much for the faith of their fathers either...but I could be wrong and often am.

j

Yes, some good can come out of dispensational churches. Many of these churches hold God's word in high esteem. Depending on the church there is also a call for personal holiness. Many have a sense of urgency regarding evangelism. Having been a dispensationalist for over twenty years, I can confidently assert that the caricature made of dispensationalism is inaccurate. One would think that every dispensational church is located in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee and has two pictures on the back wall, Jerry Falwell and C.I. Scofield. The truth is much more complicated and diverse. Dispensational theology is wrong. I am not defending it. I have a saying that I believe is appropriate:

"Beware the stereotype."

God can make a straight line with a crooked stick.

Originally Posted by JM

Can any good come out of dispensationalism?

It seems we rag on dispey's a lot [and for good reason], but it seems many of us came to the Lord under dispensational teachers/preachers, etc.

I was raised Roman Catholic and learned a great deal about Scripture from hearing it for 18 years being read to me. I distinctly remember portions of many parts of the Scripture that I can recall from memory because they were read every week. I even memorized the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer.

The question is not whether there is some good or some truth within a body. The real question is: what are the consequences of the error?

I use the example of Roman Catholicism because most Evangelicals can get on board with the idea that there is reason to criticize the teaching.

Well, gosh, Franklin Graham is having a "Festival" in Okinawa this week and among his partners on stage will be Roman Catholics. Some "converts" will be sent there.

The "Good" that comes out of Christ's Church is the work of His hands. Christ can save a man, by sheer Grace, out of anything. Dispensationalism is a serious error. It is shameful in the way that it cheapens Christ's sacrifice for Jew and Gentile and distorts whole portions of the Scripture.

But Christ covers all sins and His Word is strong to save - even extraordinarily.