Responding to Dispensationalism, Installation #1: Introduction

I am beginning a series on my thus far accumulated thoughts on the dispensational system and why I think the bible teaches otherwise. I am dreadfully aware of the controversy that might result from the title alone, but to call this series by any other name would be to betray the very nature of its content.

There will be four major sections in the series:

1. Who are the Children of Abraham?
2. Who are the partakers of the New Covenant?
3. The types and shadows of Christ
4. A few exposing questions for dispensationalists

I look forward to any discussion which may result from this series and I pray that my rhetoric is not hurtful and in no way misrepresents those from the dispensational camp.

Discussion on this topic has been all the rage this year and I believe it was kicked off by John MacArthur’s polemic against Amillennialism at this year’s Shepherd’s Conference. Many blogs are still periodically posting articles relating to the topic, even though the frequency has diminished. I do see much of what has transpired in the last 7 months or so as useful (excepting the harshness of some of the discussions) and I agree with John Piper when he says in his book, Contending for Our All, that, “The witness of church history is that seasons of controversy have often been seasons of great growth and strength.”, and as he wrote concerning Athanasius’ stand for the deity of Christ that, “Without controversy there would have been no gospel, and therefore no church.” J. Gresham Machen also spoke wisely about the controversies of his day, “Every true revival is born in controversy, and leads to more controversy. That has been true ever since our Lord said that he came not to bring peace upon the earth but a sword.”

So with that introduction behind us, let’s delve into the realm of controversy and pray that a revival might break out locally and abroad.